Richardson County, Nebraska - Chapter 21, 1917

Chapter 21

Humboldt is the secinid cit\- in Richardson county in point of population and importance, and is Incated near the western boundary of the county in tlie midst of the most fertile section and is a model city of its size. Acc<5rding to the last census the population of Humboldt was one thousand one hundred and seventy-six. That the people have the true Western push and enterprise is at once apparent to the \isitor who makes even a Hying visit to the town.

Humboldt was incorporated as a town in 1875, Init the visitor would hardly take it to l)e that old, for unlike so many Western towns it has kept abreast of the times. Xew Imildings have been erected and there are few dilapidated places to mar the lieauty and detract from the general good appearance of the town. Owing to the fact that it is situated in the fairest farming countrv that the sun ever shown upon, it has natural resources that have been graduallv brought into play in Ixiilding up the town and contrilniting to its prosperitv. It is pre-eminently a city of homes, and the condition in which they are kept, and the pleasing appearance they present testify to the fact that the town is inhabited l)y an intelligent and progressive class of people.

Public Utilities And Business Interests

In the wav of public improvements Humboldt is in the first rank of towns in its class. It has one of the best waterworks systems of any town of its size in the state, supplying plenty of pure water, obtained from cool fresh springs two miles east of the town, which has at a considerable expense been brought by pipe lines into town. The large standpipe on the hill north of town furnishes adequate pressure and gives the best of fire protection. A telephone system is in operation and the net work of wires show that the convenience of the telephone is generally appreciated by the jieople of llumholdt.

Mr. O. A. Cooper, who is one of the most progressive citizens the town has ever had and who operated the large flouring mill, became convinced tliat Humboldt needed an electric li.ght plant, so he purchased the necessary machinery and installed it in a building adjacent to his mill. In recent years lie has added to the capacity of the same and extended his lines, furnishing light and power for many industries of the city, including the large and well-known brick plant at the edge of town, the creamery, the bottling works, newspaper offices and automobile garages. Besides the lines have been run to other villages at a distance, where the light and power are furnished. The system is well patronized in the city, where the street, business houses and res'idences are thus lighted.

On the four sides of the square are the business houses, many of them modern structures of brick and stone, that are a credit to the town. .\11 branches of business are well represented and the stores are large and well kept. The business men are enterprising and up-to-date and have very materially aided in the up-building of the town.

Schools And Churches Of Humboldt

The public schools are a source of great pride to the people of Humboldt. A commodious lirick building in the north part of the city accommodates the children of schotil age. This building, in very recent years, has lieen found inadequate and a large addition has Ijeen buih to the same. An excellent teaching force has always been maintained and the standard of the work done is very high. There are a half dozen or more churches, all of them neat houses of worship, where large congregations assemble regularly.

City Government And Newspapers

The newlv elected mayor, Herbert \'. Dorland, was born and reared in the city and his long, active business experience fits him well to administer to die needs of his people. He is surrounded by an able city coiuicil, who are pledged to numerous and necessary reforms for the coming year.

The newspaper field in Humboldt is well covered, two papers being published there. The Humboldt Standard is edited and published by the proprietor, William C. Norton, who has spent his entire working years in that business and has few peers. The Humboldt Leader, published by J. J. Havdon and wife, also takes first rank among the weekly papers of the county.

The country adjacent to Humboldt is covered with six rural mail routes, which thoroughly cover the farming districts for a distance of from ten to fifteen miles in all directions. Thus this section enjoys a very complete and efficient mail service.

Humboldt is located near the junction of a stream called Long Branch with the Nemaha ri\er, and is beautifully situated on a gentle slope reaching back from both streams. It is ten and three-quarters miles from the north line of Kansas and alxjut thirty miles west from the Missouri river. It was incorporated on December 3, 1873, as follows: "Commencing at a point on the north bank of the Nemaha river, where the east line of section 10, township 2, north of range 13, east of sixth principal meridian. Richardson county, Nebraska, crosses the said Nemaha river and running thence north to the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3; thence west one mile to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 3 ; thence south to the north bank of the Nemaha river: thence along the north bank of the said Nemaha river to the place of beginning." S. L. Green, A. R. Nims, E. P. Tinker, William Af. Patton and J. E. Cmw were at the same time designated as the first Ijoard of trustees.

Early Settlers In The Vicinity

The early pioneers of this section, like all others in this country, settled tirst along the living streams. Those coming took up land along the Nemaha river, Long Branch and its twin stream, Kirkum Branch. In the vicinity of the south fork, Thomas F. Brown located in 1854 and was the first settler. Later settlers in that vicinity, Speiser precinct, were David Speiser, Sr., the Lionbergers, Uhries, Riechers and a number of ot hers. To the nortli of Humboldt on Long Branch and Kirkum Branch, the first settlers

These pioneers located near the Brownville freight road, possibly with the expectation that at .some future time a town might be founded on the road in their neighborhood. .\t an early date a town was laid out by Benjamin F. Ferguson and a warehouse was built, and this projected city was called "Franklin" in honur of its founder, Init it never got above the importance of a freight station.

On the Nemaha, near Humlwldt, several families located in 1855, among wiioui was John Rothenljerger, the first settler, locating three miles east, and later came O. 1. Tinker, his brother and sons, to whom more than any one Humboldt owes its existence. O. J- Tinker arrived in 1857 and entered as a farm most of the land which now comprises the townsite. His expectation was to homestead die land, but the homestead law being vetoed by President Buchanan, he was obliged to purchase it, paying- two hundred dollars for the quarter-section of land, upon which now is found the public sf|uare, which was donated to the city b\' O. J. Tinker as a park, and a greater numlier of the business houses of the town. His l)rother and his son. K. v. Tinker, owned the land which is now occupied by the nordi portion of the town, while the Xims brothers, William. Cliarles and Luther, settled upon the quarter section which now includes the east end, wliere are now located some of the finest residences of the city.

Beginnincs Of Humboldt

When O. J. Tinker arrived here. John Scdtt, now deceased, wlio until a few years ago resided on his old farm a mile away to the north, brought the newcomer down the Long branch to the later townsite, showed him the farm and accepted a dollar for his services. This has led to the remark that "the discovery of Humboldt only cost a dollar." ]\[r. Tinker was anxious to make his ])lace the nucelus for a new settlement, and soon had a postoffice located there ( 1867), with his daughter as postmistress and himself as mail-carrier from Brownville on the Missouri river in Xemaha county. At that time the duties of looking after the mail were few and they were obliged to donate their services to hold the postoflfice.

The Stone Stoke

In 1867 a store of stone, which still stands, was Jmilt on the banks of the Long Branch, and was conducted by the Nims brothers. It was called the "Stone Store." In 1868 Mr. Tinker offered Ruel Xims a deed to twent\- acres of land, a part of the then established townsite, if he would Imild a store fronting the public s(|uare. The conditions were accepted and the second stone store, which was erected on the south side of the s((uare, still stands, and has been occupied during all the years as a place of business, and is yet one of the really substantial liusiness buildings of the town. The Xims brothers went sut of business in 1869 and rented the building to W. H. Sterns for a year at the rate of fifty dollars per month. During that same year. Mr. Sterns erected a large frame store building, also on the Miuth side of the s(|uare. but west across South Central avenue. It was occupied tor years by the Williamson-ratrick drug store. Fellers & Se,i^Tist furniture dealers, and at this time by Jt)hn Klossner for a harness shop. The cellar for this building was excavated by William Williamson and the lumber for the same was hauled from the yards at Brownville by Captain Enoch. The building material, of course, had been brought to Brownville. by the INIissouri river steamlx:)ats. The ever-recurring talk about the extension of the railroad up the \alle\- of the Xemaha caused at this time the coming in of nian\- newcomers. From 1871 to 1873 '^he growth of the village was quite rapid, and its future was assured. The Atchison & Nebraska railroad was jjuilt in 1871 and the expectations of the inhabitants were realized, Humb(jldt Ijecoming at once one of the most importtant trading and shipping points for farm produce west of the Missouri river.

Hon. O. J. Tinker, The Founder Of Hu.Mboldt

The father of Humljoldt, as it was he who founded the town, came here in 1857. During the early days he farmed, kept postot^ce. carried the mail from Brownville, was captain of the home guards during the war. kept a hotel after the town started, then went into the furniture business, and finally retired from active trade, living in a convenient part of town near the public scpiare. Mr. Tinker led an active life and was spared to see the town he had founded grow to the proportions of a city of the second class, with its business section entirely Imilt up and firmly established. He was territorial representati\e, county commissioner, county superintendent, assessor. cit\- clerk, justice of the peace, and was revereil by all who knew him.

The Naming Of Iiumholut

The honor for suggesting a name suitable for this city properly belongs to Edward P. Tinker. He followed his father. O. J. Tinker, who was the founder of the town, from Iowa in 1858 and assisted the latter in farming in the new country until the Civil War broke out, when he at once offered his services to the government, serving in Company C, Fifth Iowa Cavalrv. He was wounded at Fulaski, Tennessee, by a pistol shot in the arm and shoulder, in a hand-to-b,-uid encounter while trying, with a .small detachment, to cut off Hood's rear guard. On his discharge papers his colonel gave him special mention for gallant conduct in many engagements. It was while in the service that his regiment, for a time, was quartered at Humboldt. Tennessee, and wliilc there took a great liking to the name. ()n

(ine occasion, while \isiting his parents on furlough, his father expressed a desire for a name for the new town and the son promptly suggested the name of the southern town of Humholdt as a suitable one. It met with instant approval by the father, who at that time was handling the mail as postmaster and, upon this recommendation, the name was adopted and serves to this day as the name for one of the most enterprising towns in southeast Nebraska.

Mr. Edward P. Tinker, now a resident of Coldwater, Kansas, being requested by mail, recenth- to gi\e his version of the incident, replied as follows :

"In 1 861-5 I "^^'i* i" I-''it^le Sam's army, and had considerable scouting to do, and on one occasion we rode into the town of Humlxjldt, Tennessee, just ajjout sunrise. \\'e (juickly noticed that there \\as a rebel f\a.g floating over a large hotel. The flag was set at the extreme corner of the building on a pole twenty feet long and was nailed to the post. Our major called for a volunteer to take down the flag and I (jfifered my services for the job. I went up on the roof of the hotel, then climbed the flag pole and tore off the rebel flag, which I threw down to the ground, where it was soon torn into small strips and divided among our command.

"There was a detachment of rebel cavalry in the suburbs of the town, but they got wind of us before we found them, so they got away with small loss. We remained at Humboldt for several days and got accpiainted with some of the Humboldt people, so that afterwards, when the cfuestion of a name for our town in Richardson county came up. I proposed the name of Humlx)ldt. Father was satisfied with the name, so we named it Humboldt, and we still think of Humboldt as home, though we have manv friends in our more \\'estern home."

First Mill

Tlie first attempt at f^rinding corn and milling flour was made by W'ilhite & Columbia, wIk) commenced the erection of a mill in 1871. Since, a man bv the name of ^\'. M. Sopher had commenced the erection of a mill further up the stream, the former abandoned their project and Mr. Soper went ahead and completed his mill in 1873.

The first public observance of this day was held in 1875. The occasion was memorable from the fact that in the previous year the grasshopper plague came upon tlie land and, after destroying utterly the growing crops, had left their eggs like a set of dragons teeth to spread further destruction the following year. Spring came and with it the hatching season, hence the farmers despaired f)f getting any crops. Luckily, conditions were against the hoppers that year and they soon left. The farmers were able to seed the land for the second time and reaped a bountiful harvest. So when the day set apart for public service in thanksgiving came, they were present in large numliers and were truly thankful. Business houses were ckised and the people attended the service at the Methodist Episcopal church en Jiiassc.

An Eak1,V Glimpse Of Humboldt

Humboldt is located in the western part of Richardson county, within four miles of tlie Pawnee county line. It is eleven miles north of the Kan.sas line, and seven miles south of the north line of Richardson county. The town is located on the east bank of Long Branch, one of the principal tributaries of the north fork of the Xemaha river, and one-half a mile north of the Xemaha ri\er. It was laid out in the spring of i8f)8. The land was entered and the town laid out by O. J. and E. P. Tinker. The first building was erected in the .summer of 1869 by R. Xims. who started the first store in the tnwn. The village grew very slowly, not more than a half dozen houses being erected before the railroad was extended tliroitgh the place in 1871. since which time it ha.s built up faster than any town along the line of the road. It now has between four and five hundred inhabitants. It has one church l)elonging to the Methodist denomination, which edifice is also occupied by the l^resbyterians and Christians.

Eaui.Y Business Interests Of Humb01,Dt

The Humboldt school house is a large two-story building, forty by forty-four feet, with three rooms. The town has three general stores, three drug stores, one hardware store, one harness shop, one shoe store, two agricultural depots, two millinery shops, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one carpenter .shop, one barber shop, one furniture store, one billiard hall, one flouring mill, one livery stable, one photograph gallery, two hotels, two lawyers, three ministers and five physicians. The country is settled thickly in every direction around Humboldt with a thrifty, intelligent class of farmers, and Himiboldt is the principal shipping point on the .\tchison & Nebraska railroad. The town is the center of the finest wheat and barley growing region in Nebraska. More than four times as much wheat, oats, barley and hogs have been shipped from Humboldt than anv other point on the line. Falls City is the only point that in any way equals it as a corn shipping point. Large quantities of corn are grown in this vicinity, but the farmers find it more profitable to feed it to hogs and cattle than to shi]i the raw product.

An Early Produce Buyer Of Humboldt

The principal grain, produce and stock shipper at this point is J. M. Norton, whose books show that he has shipped since last August, two hundred and twenty-four carloads of grain, one hundred and seventy-five of which was wheat and the balance of oats and barley. He does not handle corn. In that time he had also shipped seventy-four carloads of hogs, and between forty and fifty tons of produce, such as butter, eggs, bacon, hides and the like. Mr. Norton is an old Wisconsin grain dealer, and thoroughly understands the business. He has done business on the Central branch and at Seneca on the Denver road. He is very popular with the farmers and is now drawing business to within a .short distance of Seneca. He is supplying the millers at a number of points in central and southern Kansas with wheat, for which he is able to pav a little more than it is worth to ship to St. Louis, and lie still supplies it to the millers at an advantage to them. ^Ir. Norton makes his headquarters at the large store of W. H. Sterns.

Mr. Sterns has the largest and finest store building on the line of the Atchison & Nebraska railroad. It is forty-four by sixty feet and three stories high, with a cellar under the whole structure. What is of more importance, he keeps it crammed full of goods. The cellar is used for general storage purposes; and on the first floor can be found everything usually sold in a country store, such as dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes and queensware. The second story is used mostly for furniture, of which Mr. Sterns keeps a fine stock, and the upper story is used as a hall for the Masons and Odd Fellows, which organizations are in a flourishing condition at Humboldt. Mr. Sterns is the oldest dealer in the town and is immensely popular with the people of the surrounding country. He is one of the most affable gentlemen we have met witli for a long time, and it is no wonder his store is thronged with customers. He purchases dry goods from McDonald & Company, in St. Joe, and while we were in his store he received a large in^-oice from Nave, McCord & Compan)-. His yearly sales are as large as those of any merchant on the line of the road. Mr. Sterns is postmaster of Humboldt, and his head clerk, Mr. E. S. Norton, an old soldier comrade of ours, is deputy postmaster. The latter is an excellent business man and one of the best boys who ever ate hard tack in t1ie old Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry.

Other Early Business Men Of Humboldt

Morrisson & Griffin is an excellent firm of merchants. They have a handsome store building and keep it filled to its utnaost capacity. They are honorable dealers and public-spirited citizens, and have a very large trade with the surrounding country. They keep everything usually kept in a general stock, and the "stone store" is a very popular resort.

Another one of the live firms of young business men is Cain & Caklwell. They have a very full stock of general merchandise and, as they sell strictly for cash, they are enabled to let their customers have goods at bottom prices. They are enterprising and shrewd and. widial, very clever fellows to deal with.

- the latter of his own nianufactiire. lie has a haiidsonic stuck and a line trade, and is one of the lie.st business men in town. His father-in-law. Mr. R. C. Schofield. attends to the store. The old gentleman is an uncle of INIajor-General Schofield. of the United States Army.

Ruel Xims & Company is a large grain and stock dealing firm of Humboldt. They have one of the best warehouses on the railroad and are excellent men to deal with. They started the first store on the town site, and are large owners of real estate in the town and vicinity. A brother of Ruel is the other member of the firm. They rank first-class among Nebraska's business men.

Captain Enoch keeps an agricultural depot and he deals in all kinds of farmer's tools, making a specialty of plows made by the Briggs & Enoch Company, of Rockford, Illinois. The captain served four years in the Civil \\'ar, and is a hearty, blufif, hale follow, and is just the kind of a business man we like to deal w-ith.

A. P. Smith is a live Yankee, and has more "irons in the fire" than any other Smith we know of, black or white. He keeps an agricultural depot, well stocked with all kinds of farm machinery ; a grocerv. a nursery and a restaurant. He is a large property owner, and has, perhaps, d<ine as much to build up the town as any other man in it. His wife keeps a millinery store and a \ery handsome stock of goods in that line.

One of the city fathers of Humboldt is Air. O. J. Tinker, who keeps the only livery stable in the place and is the landlord of the Humboldt House. He is one of the old-fashioned sort of landlords, such as Dickens loved to write about. He has a large and commodious house and furnishes excellent facilities for taking care of man and beast.

Edward P. Tinker is another of the original Jacob Townsends, of Humboldt. Pie is an extensive dealer in real estate and keeps a large lumber yard, stocked with everything usually found in such a place. He is ;i wide-awake, active, and enterprising man, and has an unbounding faith in the future of Humboldt which, by the way, ho))es to be a point on a north and south railroad from Xeliraska City. Seneca and To]ieka before man\ years.

H. T. Hull is an active, live, energetic young man recentl\- fmm the Keystone state. He is opening up a furniture store in that wide-awake, go-ahead town, brails City. He is a single man and will be a prize for sonic I'alls Citv belle.

John Orr and J. R. Shawhan are l)lacksmiths workiiij^" under tlie firni name of Orr & Sliawhan. Tliey are intelligent citizens and excellent mechanics, and their shop is over-run with business.

W. W. Turk is building a new store. He is an experienced druggist and will shortly open up one of the best drug stocks in town. He is a good and reliable business man and will soon have his share nf the trade. His place is on the east side of the square.

Mrs. M. v.. Gandy keeps a drug store on the west side of the scjuare, and has a fine trade. Her husband. Dr. J. L. Gandy. is a practicing physician, and is one of the best known men in the county.

Dr. P. F. Patrick is one of the leading physicians of HumboUlt. He is one of the liberal, progressive kind of doctors, and is willing to adopt anv good thing regardless of what school sanctions it. We found the doctor congenial and companiable. He enjoys life, has a handsome practice, a pretty baby and a handsome wife.

S. W. Tanner runs the "Island Lilly"" photograph gallery. \\'e saw some specimens of his work, which are equal to the best we have seen in any Western city. I\Ir. Tanner is a gentleman to deal with and his galler\- was crowded with belles and beaux and mother"s pets, all anxious to "secure the shadow ere the substance fades."" He makes shadow ])ictures. mezzotint and porcelain, as well as common photos and gems.

J. K. Fretz is a house, sign and carriage painter. He is also a car- ])enter and joiner, and one of the best mechanics in town. The handsome graining on the Hilbert house was done 1)\- Mr. I'Vetz. and sjjeaks for itself.

One of the l)est felh^ws in HumI)oldt is S. M. Hilbert, F.sq.. wlio keeps the Hilbert House in tip-top style. He takes a pride in keeping the best of everything for his guests and, if there is a better-kept hotel on the .\tchison & Nebraska road, we have not yet found it. At the house we made the acquaintance of those jolly good fellows, George Ferguson, the railroad agent and telegraph operator, and Will Hershey, who keeps the only billiard hall and saloon in town. They are lively boys, and when not otherwise engaged can always be fount! at their room, "Keno X(). 4."'

W. H. Catlin. not the inventor of Catlin"s fine cut, is the jolly liarkeep. who sets them up in Hershey"s saloon. He is big and good-natured, tliough he has a beard that makes him look as fierce as a grand turk.

At this place we ran against our old friend, D. ^V. Sovvles, who is one of the l)est meciianics in the West, and ])Ianner of the finest piece of engineering work in the Big Blue Valley. Time has dealt tenderly witli him and he is the same frank, open-hearted, good fellow as of yore. "D. W." is a good soul.

James Cooper keeps the Eagle Restaurant and is always ready to serve the iiungry with a square meal. He is a useful citizen, though ((uite lame, and has hosts of friends in Humboldt. He carries the mail to and from the depot.

Doctors Green and Cox are two of the leading physicians and surgeons in the Nemaha valley. They are skillful doctors and excellent citizens, and no men in Humboldt take a deeper interest in the Humboldt high school. Doctor Green is a graduate of the Chicago Medical college, and Cox is an e.x-surgeon in the United States army, where he served during tiie "unplea.santness." They have a large practice.

E. M. Williams is superintendent of the count}- schools. Botan\- is one of the branches in which a teacher must be proficient l)efore he can get a certificate in Nebraska. ]\Ir. Williams does not conduct examinations clear through tlie .\merican Bora, but passes gentlemen teachers, if they are thoroughly an fait in the structure and use of the mint julip. LacKteachers must have a general knowledge of fruits and flowers, and be perfect in the uses of tu-lips.

S. W. Beals is senior of the contracting and building firm of Beals S: Nims. He has iiuilt more than half the houses in town, and his work speaks for itself. He is one of the liest and most useful citizens of Humboldt.

Josiah Frazier, one of our jockey friends, says he has a six hundred pound short tail pony that can out-run any other pony in Richard.son count\-.

There is a large, lirst-class flouring-mill on the Nemaha, near Humboldt, but on account of Ixid weather and muddy roads we did not visit it. It is a water-power mill and is said, by those upon whom we can rel\ . to he as good as any on the north fork of the Nemaha.

small towns we know of. Instead of keeping up. in a half-starved condition, a seven by nine paper of their own, they patronize extensively the Falls Citv Journal ]>y subscription and job work.

Humboldt High School

The Humboldt high school is in charge of Prof. L. P. Boyd, one of the best and most thorough teachers in Nebraska. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. A number of pupils from other points attend his school on account of the superior facilities offered for acquiring a thorough education. He has two assistants. Mr. O. F. Allen and ]\Iiss Helen Sterns, who are both accomplished teachers. We did not get the exact figures, but we learned that there are nearly one hundred pupils in constant attendance. The school house stands on the highest eminence in the town and the people of Humboldt are proud of their handsome building.

On the clay we visited the city every business man in Humboldt was engaged in planting trees in the school house square. A large number of shade trees have been set out on the streets this spring and, in a few years, if they are cared for, they will add a thousand per cent, to the beauty of the town.

The ground on which tlie town is built rises gradually from the depot with just fall enough tn make the drainage perfect and the triwnsite in maliy respects is one of the prettiest on the railroad. The buildings are mostly frame and well-painted, and are better than the average buildings of towns of its age. About the whole place there is an air of thrift, enterprise and intelligence that gives a very favorable impression to all newcomers.

The Long Branch and the Xeniaha are well timbered in lliis vicinity, and it is only a few^ miles to the coal l)eds on the south fork, in the vicinity of Cincinnati. The soil is as good as the best in Richardson county, and an abundance of lime and building stone are found in this vicinity.

A number of fine orchards are started in the vicinity of Tlunibolilt. and some are beginning to bear. Mr. W. T. W'ilhite. brother of lion, j. K. Wilbitc, now of Falls ('it\-, raised over three hundred bushels of apples last year.

Take the town of Humboldt, the surrounding country and the pcoiile who inhabit it, and we don't believe there is a better region in the .state of Nebraska.

Schools Of Humboldt

We have no hesitanc}' in putting the school first as one of the institutions in which Humboldt has every reason to take pride. ]\'Iany of the pioneers who first came into this vicinity had had educational advantages in their Eastern homes and were not slow to establish in the new country a like opportunity for their offspring. In 1867, the year in which Nebraska was admitted as a state and the same in which Humboldt was made a corporate body, the first school was organized. O. J. Tinker, with the assistance of others, raised a sum of three hundred dollars, by means of which the little stone school house which still stands near the corner of Third and Nemaha streets was erected. It was known as the Grant school and scholars to the number of ten were first in attendance. The little building was a kind of a community center and was also used as a church, town hall, opera house and, also, for the holding of court. It was used more than six years for school purposes and the following served as teachers : Miss Linn, Ed Tinker, Doctor Glover, Albert Therwood. Helen Sterns and Uhri Babcock.

Increasing population necessitated a larger building and one was at once provided. It can now be identified as the present home of the Bohemian societies and is known as the Bohemian hall. Among the teachers there were: Mr. S. P. Boyd, 1872-75 and 1877-79; D. J. Wood and Mr. Pomeroy, Thomas Hitt, J. C. Smutz and Miss McGlashan acted as superintendents. A smaller building was soon needed and one was erected to the West. Both of these buildings still remain standing in the town.

In 1885 the present large brick building was completed at a cost of more than fifteen thousand dollars and a few years ago a large addition was built, but the accommodations of the present building are hardly adequate to house the students of that district. The list of superintendents include: C. F. Chamberlain. 1886-89; Leach, 1889-90; George K. Chatburn, 1890-92; Carleton, 1892-93; J. \V. Dinsmore, 1893- labored in a way that would jjlease. lienetit and bles.'^ luiniaiiity, conceived the idea of establishing a public library. Accordingly she at once donatetl the sum of two thousand dollars for the purchase of books, and in a short time deeded to the city the building in which the library was located, which at that time was valued at six: thousand dollars. The I)uilding is of brick, located in the business section of the city and is one of the l)est in the city. The use of the books is free to all citizens and the city is onlv required to levy a fraction of a mill for maintenance, it is one of tlie institutions of which the city has alwaxs had just reason to feel proud, and it has always been liberally jiatronized by the public.

Mr. Frank W. Samuelson, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, and who came to Humboldt in 1873, played a most important part in all the early history of Humboldt and to his faith and perserevance much of what Humboldt is today should be credited. The year previous to his coming to Humboldt he was united in marriage to Hannah Steele at Falls City. At once, upon his arrival here, he commenced the erection of his fine residence on Fourth street at a cost of five thousand dollars, which at the time was the biggest venture in the way of a dwelling house so far undertaken in the town.

It was during this year that the country was devastated completely of all its grow'ing crops by the grasshopper scourge and he was ridiculed on all sides for plunging in a country so new and unsafe. His spirit was undaunted, however, and in time he proved his faith in the country as well founded. He engaged in the hardware business and established the first bank knowMi as the Humboldt Bank in a frame building. He continued in the banking business and later was the moving spirit in the organization of the First X'ational Bank, of which he served as president for years. In 1870 Mr. Samuelsoji erected the opera house, wliich seats five hundred people and later, in, 1878, he constructed a part of die brick building on the south sfde of the square. His success was rapid and substantial and he was for many years rated as one of the leading men in the county financially.

Humboldt Lodge No. 34, Independent Order of Odd l''ello\vs. was organized in July. 1872. with twenty-four charter members. At the present time the lodge is in a most dourishing condition and has commenced tlie erection of a new building to take the place of the old one destroyed by fire a few years since. This lodge has always owned its own home.

Humboldt Lodge Xo. 25, Knights of Pythias, was organized on June 2, 1880 with fourteen charter members. It is one of the largest lodges in southeastern Nebraska and owns a fine Iniilding on the west side of the public square, which building was erected l)y the lodge a few years ago.

Humboldt Lodge Xo. 40. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered m June, 1873, with nine members. It has made a steady growth and owns its own hall. The lodge at this time is one of the largest in the city and is composed of an active and progressive membership.

C. S. P. S., is a strictly Bohemian society which has very much tlie same aims as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The society was established in ]\Iay. 1879, with a membership of fifteen. The order lias grown steadily.

Humboldt Lodge Xo. 5, Ancient Order of United \\'orkmen, was organized in December, 1882, with a membership of eleven. It has a large membership throughout all the years and has paid many benefit claims.

Other Organizations In Hlmboldt

The Woman's Christian Temperance L'nion was organized in May, 1888, with Mrs. Fsterbrook as president. During the \ears of its existence it has been most active in the temperance m(j\ement and Humboldt was one of the first of the larger towns in the county to dispense with the saloon.

The Ceska Kapela Humlwldt band was organized in 1884, under the leadership of Prof. A. Watzek, who had hut recently arrived from Russia, "where he had been employed in the military l)ands. This superb musical organization was made up strictly of Bohemians and kept together for years under its efficient leadership.

The Enterprise band was organized in the spring of 1888, and was made up of both old and new material. b>ank .\. Hru-rison. at tliat time the editor of the Enterprise, was the leader.

Humboldt Cemetery

The eight acres of the Humboldt ceineterx were purchased from E. P. Tinker in 1871, and is on an eminence overlooking the city from the west. It is one of the prettiest cemeteries in the county.

Natural Resources And Industries Near Humboldt

In the earlier years Humboldt City was well supplied from coal mined in the south part of Speiser township, about ten miles from town. The coal was delivered in town to users at from four and a half to five dollars per ton.

From the earliest days, brick for building and paAing purposes have jjeen manufactured near the city. In the later years, when more modern methods were necessary, a company known as the Humboldt Brick Company was organized and, with the necessary capital, built a modern brickmaking establishment about a mile to the west from town, where the annual output has been large. Brick in large quantities are being shipped daily to points far removed from the state, and a large number are used by the Burlington & Missouri Railroad Company. The companv has been highly successful.

The Hodapp stone quarries, a mile and a half south from the city, liave long enjoved an envialile reputation for the high grade of building stone cut there. The stone is a clear white limestone, easily obtainable and of any size required. Besides these there are numerous other quarries in easy reacli nf town.

The Steam Flouring Mills

The most important institution of this kind is owned by O. A. Cooper and is located in the south part of town on the Burlington & Missouri right-of-way, near the depot. The building is four stories high and cost originally fifty thousand dollars. It was built in 1882 with five runs of buhrs, but a little later a roller system was put iiL The machinery, with the elevator in connection, is operated with a Corliss engine of one lumdred and ten horse-power.

Hotels Of Humboldt

What is known as the Central Hotel was built in 1871 by S. M. Hilbert, who ran it for a time and later sold it to Luther Nims. It was operated successively by E. S. Norton, J. W. Minnick, William Sweeney, G. M. Filson, H. Shurtleff and James Russell, who recently died at Lincoln, Nebraska, aged one hundred years and seven days. It was for long the largest hotel in town and cost nearly five thousand dollars.

The Enoch House, the first and oldest hotel of Humboldt, was built in 1869 by Capt. A. M. Enoch, who operated it for many years, followed by Miss Maggie E. Ellsworth. It was recently dismantled to give room for a large, new garage erected by Col. M. W. Harding.

The Park Hotel was erected in more recent years and is the leading hotel in the city. It was built by a company, composed of E. LI. Veits, E. P. Tinker and others, and is now owned by Dr. J. L. Gandy. It was, at the time built, one of the finest hotels in southeast Nebraska, but like other hotels in the county the present demands more than tax its limited facilities.

Distinguishing Features Of Humboldt

Towns, like individuals, often have features which distinguish them from all about them, and it is interesting to note in this connection that Humboldt is no exception to the rule. To begin with the town, differing from her sister cities of the county, was laid out or platted in such manner that the business district is arranged around an open block or "square," as it is and has always been called, which area has now the nature of a public park. Other towns of the county had platted open squares, but the}' were so left for the site of a court house in the event that the seat of justice was thrust upon them. Since this was not the case, the court house blocks were soon built up as were the other blocks. In the case of Humboldt it was for no such purpose that the square was arranged for. The idea of a square oi' park had found favor with the founder of the town, Mr. O. J. Tinker, and his .son, Edward P. Tinker, from the fact that they had seen towns similarly platted in Eastern states, and in the case of Humboldt a full lilock containing two acres, was left for this purpose. No buildings of any kind were ever allowed built inside tlic enclosed area, the idea being that it should lie left as a park and recciith a handsome cement bandstand was erected in the center and a fountain placed nearby. On one of the large posts was placed a marble slab engraved upon which is the name of the founder, O. J. Tinker, and follow ing, the date of the gift to the city. Surrounding the bandstand a grove of trees planted many years ago furnish shade and the ground is sown to blue grass, which lawn is niceK kept. Public entertainments of all kinds are held in tlie park in the summer season. Cement walks, north, south, east and west, meet in the center, atid benches liave l)een placed for the comfort and convenience of the people.

Xakrowkst Street Oe 1 1 C M150Ldt

The s<juare was so platted that the center, east and west of its north and scjuth sides fronts North and South Central avenue, the main thoroughfare of the town. The scjuare lies between Second and Third streets, which are cross-town streets, running east and west. The four corners of the square strike midway of the blocks and have no outlet north and south direct with btit one exception at the northeast corner, where a street was made many years ago for con\'enience of parties of the northeast residential district, and this street is without a doubt the narrowest street in the count\-. being but eight feet wide. It continues with the same narrow dimensious for two blocks to the north, where it connects up with a full width street, known as lulwards street. The narrow street is one of the most used of the town. The land so used was donated at an earh- day by the properl\' owners having lots adjacent, with the stipulation that the city should keep up the sidewalks.

Stock Interests At Humboldt

In the late eighties and early nineties the horse interests of Humboldt and vicinity were not equaled anywhere in the .state of X'ebraska. The raising anfl breeding of racing and draft horses was indulged in by many :md at a profit. It was here that "Maxy Cobb," 2:1^,. king of the turf at that time, was for a while owned. His full sister was .sold from Huml)oklt for live tlmusand dollars to a leading stock f;irm in the state of Kentucky. ( )thers were sold for one. two and three thousand dollars. Among those jjroniinent in the business were Ed Pyle, K. S. Molony, Jr.. Ed Dorland. who ownetl "Calamity Dick" (2538) ; Gus Fellers, Geo. Schnielzel. John l\hoads. Joseph Sarback. Spencer Hilbert, Oscar Quick, Henry Kosenlierger. I. C. Smut/;. I". K. Kentner. Henrv Patterson. C. 1'. Xims.

}1. T. Hull. The most valuable collection of fashionably-bred trotters owned in the state were in the stables of Capt. Ed. Pyle, who owned a farm north of the city. The names of the horses owned by the above men were as well known to the people of those days as the owners themselves. The ban placed on racing in many of tlie states in later years brought the Inisiness into disfavor from a financial standpoint, and the keeping of this class of horses was discontinued.

The first impetus to the raising of iiigh-grade hogs in this sectinn was pioneered by W. O. Quick who, in 1874, commenced importing and breeding his herd of I'oland Chinas, later laiown throughout the county. He carried on the business at his farm a few miles north of Humboldt on Kirkum Branch. William Brandovv later became an extensive breeder of tile famous Duroc-Jersey red hogs, which were very popular. Fred L. Lewis also was one of the most extensive breeders of I'oland China hogs in southeast Nebraska.

J. W. Gavitt. a well-known old soldier and auctioneer residing north of Humboldt about eight miles, was the pioneer in pedigreed cattle business. His favorite breed was the Red Polled cattle. As a leader in liigh-graded cattle I)usiness he was followed by Col. AI. A\'. Harding and Lewis Howe, who had the Polled Angus and Hereford breeds, and E. C. Hill. Sr.. who had one of the finest Galloway herds in the West.

Pioneers Of Humboldt. Nebraska

There is presented in this group, pictures of fourteen old gentlemen, whose ages average eighty years. These are not all the old men in Humboldt, but all who could be got together the day the picture was taken. Since the photograph was taken a numljer of years ago each and all of these men have passed to the great I)e\ond.

O. J. Tinker

(). J. Tinker, the first one of this group to come to Humboldt, was l)orn in 1812, a native of Ohio, and came to Xel)ra.ska in 1857. As will be seen by reading the history of Humlioldt. he was the founder of the town. Always active and enthusiastic for Humboldt, he has been honored many times by the people of his home with official position. He presented the city with the land which is now the l^eautiful park in its center. He was postmaster, territorial representative, captain of the home guards during the war, count\- commissioner, county superintendent, town assessor, city clerk and justice of the peace, besides many places of honor in church and school. The history of Humboldt is in part, the biography of O. J. Tinker.

Benjamin Franklin Ferguson

B. F. Ferguson was the hrst of this group of old men to come to Nebraska. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, settled in Ohio in 1837, where he learned and followed the trade of pump-maker. He owned a full set of pump tools made over one hundred years ago. He moved from Ohio to Indiana, and then to Illinois, where he lived on a small farm and kept a grocery store.

He came to Richardson county in April, 1857, and settled in Franklin township, which he had the honor of naming. Here he engaged in stock raising and keeping a grocery store. He enlisted in the Second Nebraska ca\alry at the breaking out of the Civil ^^'ar and. at the expiration of enlistment, he served in the mounted militia.

J. M. Deweese was the next oldest in point of residence in Humboldt. He was born near Glasgow, Kentucky, August 15, 1815, went to Illinois, near Tacksonville. in 1838, and from there to Iowa in 1844, Avhere he homesteaded. He came to Nebraska in 1864, and located near Dawson, lived there until 1884 when he moved to Humboldt. He was married when he was eighteen years old to .\nn \\'ine. and was the father of ten chil- Iren, most of whom survived him.

S. S. White

.S. S. White was born at Stratford, X'ermont, M^y 22. 1815, and when four years old moved to New York with his parents. In 1835 ^^ enlisted in the regular army sent against the Seminole Indians. He enlisted in the War of the Rebellion and served two years in Company G, Seventy-seventh New York \'olunteers. After his discharge, he remained in New York three years, then came to Nebraska and t(Jok a homestead seven miles south of Humlioldt. lie was married I'ebruary 22. 1852, to Marcia Camp.

Richardson- County, Nebraska Benjamin Drake

Benjamin Drake was born on a farm near Trenton, New Jersey, September 20, 1817. He came to Richardson county in 1869 and "bought a farm four miles east of Humboldt, to which city he moved in 1883. He was married in 1841 to Ann Reed.

John A. Duphray Jacob Boop

Jacob Boop was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. He came to Nebraska in 1870 and settled in Porter precinct, nine miles northeast of Humboldt. He moved to the city in 1896.

William Church Eissell

William Church Bissell was born June 8, 1810, in Aurora, Ohio. He graduated from Yale in the class of 1835 and devoted his entire life to teaching. He came to Nebraska in 1873 and built a dwelling in Humboldt.

Charles Ouackenbush was Ijorn in Greenville, New York, October 12, 1816. He has lived in Illinois, Te.xas and Kansas. He came to Humboldt in 1877 and resided there until his death.

E. Ii. Miller

E. H. Miller was born in Ashtalnila county, Ohio, April 29, 1822. He lived in Michigan and Illinois and came to Nel)raska in 1878, in whicli year he settled in Humljoldt.

James Briar

James Briar was Ijorn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and came to Nebraska in 1882. He was a soldier in the \Var with Mexico, also in the Civil War.

James Severns

Dr. James G. Cox was a native of Kentucky and was born in 18 14. lie practiced medicine in 1853 at Jacksonville, Illinois. He was twice married. He served under General Taylor in the Mexican War and in the C'i\il War he was assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois \'ohmteers. He was the first physician in Humboldt.

The Harmonious Comi'Anie

This was a musical organization of which Humboldt was justly very proud in 1897. It was one of the charter members of the State t'ederation of Woman's Clubs. The object of the club was the study and practice of chorus music by the l>est composers. Meetings of the club were held on each Tuesday afternoon. The "companie" gave entertainments of its own, and assisted at others and at times appeared at chautauquas in southeast Nebraska. The officers of the club were : ]\Irs. Belle G. Stemler. president : Mrs. Cora Ouackenbush, vice-president; Mrs. Delia Shirley, secretary, and treasurer; Miss Lulu Samuelson, pianist; Mrs. I^Iargaret C. Dinsmore, director. The members of the club were Mesdames Emma Grinstead, Myrtle ^larble, Estella Hackett. Eva Gore. Allie Powers, b'rankie Tinker, Eva Harnett, Alfretta Tucker, Dora Bacon, Misses Grace Cooper, Laura Norton. I'Vankie Dewees. Nellie Clift, Yinnie Coleman and Pearl Unkefer.

This organization was kept together for many years and was the forerunner of those which have followed and have kept Humboldt in iirst place among the towns of the county in the study of music.