Seward County, Nebraska - Chapter 4: Clippings from the " Nebraska Atlas," the " Blue Valley Kecord," and the "nebraska Reporter., 1888 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 4: Clippings from the " Nebraska Atlas," the " Blue Valley Kecord," and the "nebraska Reporter.

We clip from the first number of" the Nebraska Atlas the following communications and items which we deem of interest. The date is March 16, 1870:

''The new school-house is to be commenced shortly. We are greatly in need of the building, and hope the committee will prosecute the work with vigor. We trust it will be complete in time for the summer school."

" There are nearly seven hundred dollars subscribed for the Baptist church edifice. This is most encouraging. Our citizens have taken hold of this matter in earnest, and there is no doubt but this summer will see the church edifice completed. Mr. Moffitt gives three lots on which to erect it."

In the same issue Judge J. D. Maine is credited with having raised on his farm in the Oak Grove settlement one hundred and fourteen bushels of corn to the acre, in the previous summer.

" We are glad to welcome your appearance among us. It makes us feel as if we were getting out of the wilderness. We have been watching and waiting through a long night of anxiety, and now behold a ' sign of promise.' The darkness is giving way, the skv is brightening, the clouds that have overshadowed us are dis- appearing, the day is dawning, and we rejoice. Now let us put our shoulders to the wheel of progress, and these waste places shall be made glad, this ' wilderness will smile,' and instead of the yelping of the coyote, oi- tlie hoot of the owl, or whoop of the wild man, as in days past, we will behold a city surrounded by thousands of splendid farms. Here we will see springing into life factories, seminaries, churches, and here will concentrate workshops and multitudes of merchants, and here will soon be heard the approaching tread of the iron horse. As the icy fetters of winter are giving way before a genial sun, we can already hear the sound of approaching footsteps from the far-off East, coming to find homes with us, and soon we shall hear the thundering tread of the mighty army that is coming to possess the laud. Truly,

"Presuming that the Atlas is to be published for the general information of the whole country, and the inhabitants of Seward county in particular, I propose to give your readers a few items from this settlement, the * land of promise.' This place lies five miles north of Seward and seven miles from Ulysses, and derived its name from its large influx of Hickmans from the state of Iowa, John D. Hickman being the pioneer, who settled on his land (homestead) in 1868. Since that time immigrants have come so rapidly that all the government laud in this immediate vicinity has been taken up, principally as homesteads. Some twenty buildings have already been erected, and several more are in course of erection.

"A school district was organized in the spring of 1869, with Thos. J. Poore as director. A school-house (sod) was built in the fall of that year, and a teacher hired, who commenced his labors January 1, 1870. We learn that the average attendance was twenty. A lyceum was also organized about January 1st, which was christened the Pioneer Lyceum, and which has been in full blast ever since, meeting weekly, and as iar as I can learn, giving general satisfaction. In connection with the lyceum a paper was established {Pioneer Banner)

-devoted to literature, fine arts, general news, and advertisements. The paper has been well and ably edited, but an exchange of editors being necessary according to the by-laws, a Poore man was placed in the editorial chair.

" Our school closed its winter term February 25th, with honor to both teacher and scholars, the exhibition - the first in the county - taking place on Monday, the 28th. The house was crowded, and passed off harmoniously, and to the entire satisfaction of all, Hon. "W. E. Davis delivering the oration.

"The weather for the past few weeks has been magnificent. Preparations will be made for seeding soon if the weather continues good. We are looking for an early spring.

"And now, Mr. Editor, having given you our situation, we trust that your endeavors to establish a first-class county newspaper will prove successful, and that your career may be honorable and prosperous to yourself and those you represent, is the wish of your correspondent. N."

Feb. 27, 1871 - Addie, wife of J. P. Losee, died. Mrs. Losee leaves a husband and a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. She had been married but a year.

Mrs. Abram Wallick also died same day. She was in her thirtysixth year, and was the mother of thirteen children, r.nd a very estimable Christian lady. Her husband, large family, and a host of friends mourn for her.

June 18, 1873 - I. B. Compton has just finished the first tin roof in Seward. (The old post-office building, just west of the Butler block.)

March 4th - The paper is badly nettled by the "crusade movement," and its columns are full of burlesque notices of them. They were evidently making it difficult for him to get his regular drinks.

April 22d - War was declared by Foucet's saloon against the crusaders, and a shameful scene ensued, which reflected no credit upon the town or its officers.

May 29th - Leroy Moffit, the only son of Lewis Moffit, died. Leroy was a kind-hearted boy of about twenty years, and the loss is sadly felt by his parents, the friends of the family, and the young people, with whom he was a favorite.

south of town, is noted. Also, that Pricheau's block is going up rapidly ; that Seward has three select schools; and also, that the comet is visible and growing brighter.

The editor opens his paper with a three-column history of the county, in which he claims that Thomas West made the first settlement in 1859, and Daniel Morgan in 1860. He also credits J. L. Davison with being the third settler. This we are quite sure is a mistake, for we were at Mr. Davison's house on Salt creek as late as the autumn of 1861, a little to the south-west of the present town of Roca. Mr. Davison opened his old Camden ranch in the fall of 1862. James West located in 1860, near his brother Thomas ; and Orin Johnson as early as 1 860.

The editor says that Mr. Davison, with a man by the name of Ellis, located the territorial road from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney, but fails to state the time. We are quite sure this occurred in the spring of 1860, for we distinctly remember thatWm. E. Hill and party, of Nebraska City, went and built the old bridge on the Blue near Camden, just above the forks of the river and just by the county line, in the early summer of 1860. So it is quite probable that the road was then located. The editor says that Mr. Davison as he returned from this trip pre-empted a place near Camden, which was afterwards the ranch. This is undoubtedly correct, but pre-emptors did not have to so carefully watch their claims then as later. There were scarcely any to molest or make afraid. The changing the name of the county is noted, and the building of the West mills ; Parker and Roper's mill at Camden, and the Milford mills are all mentioned, and the agricultural resources and possibilities of the county are discussed at length. It is noted that immigration set in in earnest in 1866, and that all the eastern and northern states were represented, and it was claimed that the closing of the year 1870 found full three thousand souls in the county.

It was claimed that in the summer of 1870 there were broken over four thousand acres of land. The average crop report was noted as follows: wheat, twenty bushels per acre; oats, forty; corn, fortyfive. Numerous groves had been planted. Osage, plum, cottonwood, and walnut were experimented with for hedges. Our soils

described as rich sandy loam, largely composed of decayed vegetable matter and underlaid with a clay subsoil, and well adapted to withstand drouth. The peat deposits west of Milford are noticed. The surface and drainage of the county are favorably commented upon, and it was claimed that the waste lands were all in some other -county, which was very correct. The water-powers of the rivers receive favorable mention. The red sandstone of Middle creek, and the white limestone in the southern part of the county, also the shell limestone of the north-east, are all noted. The indications of coal are mentioned.

" The county being so thinly settled, the formation of a school district was not to be thought of until the year 1867, when a few families combined and formed an independent school at Camden, and employed Miss Eva Hooker as teacher. This we believe to be the iirst school in the county." In this the editor is mistaken. There was one up near West mills prior to this; also one at Seward as early as the previous winter. The people are represented as wide-awake in educational matters, and every individual was a committee of one to see that there was a school at the earliest possible date, and the result has been a healthy growth of educational interests in the young county. At the date of writing there are sixteen organized districts and one academical association. The teachers are highly commended, and also the patrons, for their zeal. The Southern Nebraska C. C. Academy, under the supervision of Hon. Geo. B. France, is spoken of as highly creditable to the county, and as already well spoken of abroad.

Three villages - Camden, Milford, and Seward - are all spoken of in the highest terms; a compliment is paid to the Nebraska ^<fe.s, the pioneer newspaper of the county. Milford was well described as the county seat, and with two good water-powers and splendid possibilities.

In summing up the growth it is noted that from three families in 1862, now three thousand bright intelligent people have united their fortunes with the interests of the county.

The editor claims to have set squarely before the world the county of his choice, and he certainly did it; and even now we remember his efforts with gratitude, as he was so earnestly striving to make this wilderness to smile

The editor's salutatory coutains these words : " Morally we shall labor for what we believe to be truth and justice, and shall act upon what we profess." Also it says : " We shall labor for the best inter-^ ests of the republican party, not in a partisan spirit, but in a firm belief that it is the true party of progress and reform."

January 5, 1871. - "J. L. Davison, of Milford, has nearly completed the largest aud best dwelliug house in the county." The house spoken of is the square house just west of the bridge. It don't look the largest or the best in 1888.

From a communication by Fair Play, it is claimed that Miss Agnes Baily (now Mrs. Cornelius West) taught the first school in Saline county, near the county line, and was patronized by citizens of both counties. This was in the spring of 1861. She also taught a school near West's mill in 1863. So she has the honor of teaching the first school of both Saline and Seward counties; and Miss Englehouft taught the West Mills school in 1865-66. In 1866 the residents of Camden district organized under the school law, bought the old building in Saline county and moved it over, and Thomas Graham taught during the winter of 1866-67.

The same article mentions that Thomas Graham has a fine orchard of apple and pear trees which are doing well, and that J. W. Lowrie has peaches of his own planting, probably the first in the county. It is also mentioned that Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Lowrie, and Mrs. Parker are making the prairies blaze with the variety and beauty of their flowers.

April 6th - The organization of the American Bible Society by Rev. McCandlish, of Omaha. Messrs. Birge Keyes, S. Brown, and D. C Tift were elected executive committee. Culver and Parsons were appointed to care for the books.

Editor noting a visit of Geo. McKay, A. D. Sperry, and E. H. Noxon, of the north county, says: " Perhaps we can visit you by rail before another century." The century proved to be a short one. You can do it now, my friend.

May 4th - The return of a hunting party consisting of J. W. Hickman, Mr. Davis, Ellis Gaudy, Elias Frane, and others, with three loads of buffalo meat. Their game was caught on the Kansas border, south of the Republican.

We also glean from an editorial note that there are twenty schoolhouses - six frame, four log, seven sod, and three dug-outs. The editor remarks that the people must have an inordinate desire to educate the children, to face winter storms across the blighted railroad lands, long distances to a dug-out or sod shanty to school. We think as much.

Tuesday, June 13th - At Milford the Good Templars organized a lodge. Rev. J. M. Yearnshaw, Dist. D. G. W. C. T., assisted by D. W. Amesbury, of Lincoln. OflBcers elected were: J. L. Davison,^ W. C. T.; Miss Mattie Drake, W. Y. T.; H. G. Parsons, W. R. Scribe ; G. B. France, W. F. Sec; Mrs. J. Laune, W. Treas.; F. J. Culver, W. Chaplain. Onaway was the name chosen.

Beaver Crossing was mentioned as " Nicholsville," and it is reported that work on the mill was progressing finely. Main street is being surveyed, and everything is bidding fair to make a youthful city in a short time.

July 6th - " Jeff Stevens, a resident six miles north-west of here,. was found dead under a load of overturned lumber, about four miles east of town, near the bridge on Middle creek. Mr. Stevens leaves a wife and ten children to mourn his loss."

We also notice that in this apportionment Seward leads with $132.- 90, and Milford takes the second place with $125.25. Fourteen, new districts had been formed since January.

This number contains a sharp letter from " Well Wisher," on the county seat erabroglio. Also a long editorial on a newly discovered coal mine, which it was claimed had been found by Mr. Stockton^ forty-seven feet below the surface, and Mr. S. claimed they had bored four feet and six inches into solid coal.

Same date, we find the report of a railroad meeting at Camden, W. C. Scott, chairman, and Ed. Healy, secretary. Judge Hooker and Gen. Vifquain offered the following resolutions:

Whereas, We, citizens of Seward, Saline, York, Hamilton, and Hall counties, have been fraudulently deprived of the benefits that might have arisen out of the construction of the B. & M.'R. R. on their original survey ; and

Whereas, We settled along the line with the full understanding that the road should be built on said survey, according to act of congress, donating to them half our national inheritance; and

Be it resolved, That we pledge our sacred honors, without any regard to party ties, to send to oblivion by the strength of our ballots any man that comes before us for ofiice who is in any manner connected with said corporation.

Resolved, That we authorize S. M. Boyd to commence proceedings in Nebraska and at Washington against !?aid B. &. M. E.. R. Co. for the purpose of compelling them to build a line of railway on their original survey, or that they be deprived of the lands received under this pledge.

Resolved, That the people of the United States, looking for locations in Nebraska, are hereby notified that, we hold the purchase oi said railroad lands to be a dangerous bargain for the purchaser.

It was a swindle on the people of this and western counties, to give up half their lands to the rapacious corporation, and then not get a mile of the road.

Oct 25th - " County commissioners have re-districted the county into eight precincts, as follows: Townships nine and ten, range one, form Beaver Creek ; townships eleven and twelve, Lincoln Creek ; township twelve, ranges two and three. North Blue ; township eleven, ranges two and three, Seward ; townships nine and ten, range two, Walnut creek; townships nine and ten, range three, Milford; townships nine and ten, range four, Camden ; townships eleven and twelve, range four. Oak Grove."

The editor takes a ride over to Beaver Crossing, and finds the new town flourishing. Ross Nichols, Daniel Millspaw, Roland Reed, John E. Fouse, McCauley, John Leonard, and Osborne, are mentioned as thrifty farmers. The new mill of Mr. Smith is highly spoken of. Thomas Tisdale's store is noted as one of the best store buildings in the county.

Oct 26th - The election of officers of the county agricultural society, at Seward, is noted as occurring on the 16tli inst., when W. W. Cox was elected president; Henry Wortendyke, vice president ; James A. Brown, recording secretary , A. L. Strang, corresponding secretary; Robert McCrossan, treasurer ; directors - E. B. Shafer, J. W. Lee, George W. Standard, and Thomas Graham.

Nov. 80th - There is a long correspondence from Seward about the court-house location, wherein Croney, Williams (0. T. B.), and Ellsworth, are discussed at large by Mortimer. Wm. Hornbprg, one of the commissioners, also gets a rub. At that time there was a struggle between Harris on the one side and Cloyd on the other as to where the court-house should be located. We note in the commissioners' proceedings of Nov. 21st, that a resolution passed the board by the votes of Imlay and Horuburg to accept the proposition of W. C. Cloyd, to place the court-house on block 35 in Cloyd's addition, just west of the M. E. church, provided a good title to the property should be made to the county without expense. This resolution must have been re-considered at some other and later meeting, for the court-house evidently was not placed on that block.

Dec. 14th - Contains a report from County Superintendent France, from Avhich we glean that during the year 102 teachers had been examined, seventy-four of whom obtained certificates, sixty third grades, and fourteen second grades; fifty-two were employed during the year. Superintendent's salary, $200. A healthy growth and improvement is noted, and many new school-houses were erected. An appropriation is recommended for charts, globes, and other fixtures for the schools.

Resolved, That this scheme to vote bonds is to aid a monopoly, a one-sided railroad aifair, a disgrace to the people, and a binding curse upon our county, etc., etc.

March 7th - The first issue of the Beaver Tribune, a semi-monthly paper at Beaver Crossing, is noticed. This was published by Y. W. Wilson & Co.

March 11th - A mass meeting of the people of Camden is held, in which the county commissioners are handled without gloves for disfranchising Camden precinct in the bond matter. It has always been supposed that a young Seward lawyer stole from the clerk's office the returns from Camden precinct, and when the canvass of the vote was made, there were no returns from Camden, so the commissioners felt obliged to ignore the Camden election, and this Camden mass meeting was ready to take up arms, as it seemed that ballots had failed.

April 4th - Seward correspondent says another bond proposition, will be submitted ; and also says the commissioners will dismiss thteir county attorney, because he is such a consummate liar that they can't believe a word he says ; and he is also accused of taking fees on two sides of a case.

April 4th - Also has the minutes of a mass meeting in Seward to -express their abhorrence of the idea of stealing an election. The meeting resolved that the people of Seward firmly believe in a free and untrammeled election, and in jealously guarding the purity of the ballot box; and

" Be it further resolved. That we here assembled express our disapprobation of any scheme or plan for the purpose of defeating the expressed will of the county at the late election ; and further we are desirous to know the truth or falsity of the charges preferred, and will heartily engage in any movement to ascertain who are the guilty parties, whether in Seward, Camden, or elsewhere, and to bring them to merited punishment." Signed by J. N. Beaty, Chairman ; T. J. Hamilton, Secretary.

April 18th - Appears a clipping from the Atlas on the bond election, in which Prof. Ingham says : " Blessed, yea, thrice blessed, are the peace-makers, and most benign would be the labors of any, if only successful in allaying that bitter animosity and uncompromising hostility which excites the different sections of our county. This spirit of which pervades our county, will, we fear, unless exorcised by a gentle spirit of forbearance and reconciliation, become so powerful as to utterly ruin the highest prospects of the whole county." The editor of the Atlas takes occasion to charge in this article the blame on the older settlers of both sections, and charges them with being narrowminded, etc. This waked up a hornet's nest, and the learned professor soon heard a tremendous buzzing around his ears, and in a subsequent issue he takes everything back, and gets down on his knees in good shape to the old settlers ; not only asks forgiveness, but attempts to " bring forth fruits meet for his repentance," and pitches into Milford like a wild cat, and so the battle rages.

May 2d - It is noted that the commissioners have divided Lincoln Oreek, Oak Grove, and Camden precincts, so that there are now Also, it is noted that Pi-of Ingham has retired from the

Atlas, and assumed the role of iustructor. It is also noted that t^e History of Seward County, by O. T. B. Williams, is just out, and was printed at the Record office, which has disgusted many of the Seward people. The county superintendent reports thirty male and twenty-eight female teachers employed, and an expenditure of $4,- 721.95 between April 3, 1871, and April 1, 1872. Whole number of scholars were 1,731. Approximate number of inhabitants, 5,203.

May 9th - The erection of Tuttle's new hotel is noticed in the Seward correspondence ; also the near completion of the Presbyterian church edifice; also a call for the corporation election of the town of Seward; also that Miss Lizzie McKillip (Mrs. Buck) is engaged for the summer school.

May 16feh - It is noted that the injunction suit against commissioners in the railroad bond case is made perpetual by Judge Lake, and everybody is satisfied.

June 13th - Notice of a new railroad bond proposition is given. The Seward correspondent calls Hon. Wm. Imlay the county commissioners. The same gentleman, whoever he was, predicted that the same blunderers would in like manner come to grief again. He remarks, no one has any idea that they will carry. The drowning of Miss Hattie Tift is commented on. She was partially insane. Croney's sale of the Reporter is noted, and of Prof. Ingham assuming the post of editor again.

July 4th - The Record says, in flaming head-lines: "Stop the reaper and protect yourselves," thereby meaning that they must stop their work and go and vote against bonds again.

July 11th - The second bond election is reported, in which the famous "Mortimer" is buried under an avalanche of votes, bonds having carried by a majority of 123 votes. It puzzled the editor to know how Seward could swell her vote 81 since last February.

October 17th - Two wild deer were seen just west of Milford. We also quote: "The second annual fair at Seward was a success, with a fine display, especially of stock, and a large att'^idance."

December 5tli - The Record announces the death of Horace Greeley, with a fitting eulogy. Mortimer says in same number that a scandalous story is afloat about one of our county officials. This must mean McPherson, county treasurer.

December 12th - A discovery of free lime, phosphates, and silicon, a vein twenty-two feet thick. This is on West Blue, in sections 7, 8, and 9, in town 9, range 2 east. The French leave taken by our county treasurer is reported, with a probable loss of five or six thousand dollars.

December 26th - The action of the county board in the removal of the treasurer, McPherson, and the appointment of AVm. B. Thorpe, is commented on.

January 9, 1873 - It is noted that a silver-headed cane was voted to W. W. Cox, as the homeliest man in the county. The same paper notes the scalding of the child of Thomas Osborne on Lincoln creek ; also the resignation of W. J. Thompson as representative; also the removal of E. L. Clark, Jr., from the Seward post-office, for embezzlement. Said defalcation is thought to be about $2,000. L. G. Johns was appointed to the place. The apportionment of school money to Seward county is, to 1,701 scholars, $3,690.07.

February 13th - It is mentioned that at the commissioners' meeting held on February 3d, the geographical townships were made into precincts, and were named from the first sixteen letters of the alphabet. The same issue mentions four marriages in Seward, viz.: Ethan Atwater, Walter Briggs, Mr. Spear, and Andrew Wright.

March 6th - The bill incorporating Seward is noticed by Mortimer, who also says that the railroad track is just being laid into Seward. This letter is dated March 4th. Mortimer made a mistake, as the track was complete and the cars reached Seward on the evening of March 1, 1873. He also notes that Rev. Rockwell preached his farewell sermon to the Methodist congregation.

We have looked through every page of the files of the Record from first to last, and it is our pleasure to say that the paper was a credit to the county and the state. While the editors worked manfully for the interest of Milford in all her battles, yet they manifested a gentlemanly and courteous attitude towards all. We wish the Becord had continued its publication. In quoting so liberally from its columns, we feel that we are giving bits of history, both interesting and profitable, and we hereby extend our warmest thanks to Mr. Culver for the use of his files.

The following items are taken from the Nebraska Reporter. We regret to say that the earlier files are only fragmentary, most of them are destroyed, but we are able to get from what we have at command some items of interest:

December 13, 1872 - The Baptist church is up and nearly enclosed. A letter from Shoe String Joe complains bitterly of the management of the Seward post-office. He says the P.M. is an inveterate novel reader and don't like to be bothered by people asking for mail. January 4, 1873 - A mush and milk sociable for the benefit of Rev. J. H. Rockwell was a success, and from fifty to sixty dollars realized.

Also, that homely man getting the cane is noticed. The organization of the Seward Literary Club is noticed, of which V. Danniels was chairman, and in which Wm. Leese, T. L. Norval, H. C. Page, D.C. McKillip, T. F. Buck, J. W. English, and C. P. Dick each figured.

The New Year's address, by O. S. Ingham, is also given. January 11th - Returns show a total vote of 396 in the special election, wherein D. C. McKillip was elected to fill vacancy in this legislative district. D. C. M. received 208 votes and there were three opposinp- candidates, viz., Elsworth Hamilton, T. J., and Campbell.

May 8th - The charter election of the town of Seward is reported as follows: resulting in the election of V. Daniels, Sam Stevenson, Herman Diers, Wm. Hays, and T. L. Norval, as trustees of the village for the coming year. There were 93 votes cast.

June 26th^ - Ed. Ingham gets eloquent over a little street fight. We quote : " On the morning of the 21st of June the sun in unclouded splendor issued from the pearly portals of the Orient to pursue his daily journey through the shining concave heavens, past the lofty zenith, down to his purple, cloud-draped ocean couch, behind the western hills," etc.

July 31st - School report from district number 9, with J. A. Brown director, shows 139 scholars in district; enrolled QQ; present that day 14; average attendance 33.

days. The editor of the Reporter gave an order for a residence to a building firm, and in less than two weeks the editor moved into the house, and his wife immediately presented him with a fine pair of twin babies. They do things up in a hurry in Nebraska."

Nov. 15th, 1887 - Total vote cast in G precinct, 286, of which Judge Lake received all but one tor judge of supreme court. Total vote of county, 1,166, of which Judge Lake received 1,130.

Nov. 22d - Discusses in detail the street fight at Utioa, which occurred some days before, in which railroaders and citizens exercised their pugilistic ability. Also, a stabbing aifray north-west of the city, in which the Manning boys stabbed Frank Slonecker five times with a pocket knife. In same paper it is noted that township organization carried by a large majority. Also the result of the liquor damage case of Eliza Perkins, wherein she gains a judgment of $3,000 agaiust three saloons (this is the first case of the kind ever tried in the state) lor selling her husband liquor and thereby causing his death.

Dee. 6th - We notice that R. R. Shick sold, in 1873, bonds for school district number 46 (now the Purdam district) $1,000 for $750, in order to build the little frame school-house. We quote the above to show just how our people were bled iu-the early days by capitalists. These bonds were ten ]>er cent bonds and run for ten years.

April 10th, 1879 - School census shows in district number nine (Seward) four hundred and eighty- nine school children. The same census gives the total population of the city at 1,250 and of the entire district at 1,666.

June 26th - The injunction suit commenced by Claudius Jones against the commissioners in the matter of issuing railroad bonds to the Lincoln & Northwestern company is fully commented on, with severe strictures.

The arrest of Isaac Whitman for making counterfeit fifty cent pieces is announced. His factory was a dugout near West Mills, He worked over pewter and ground glass into silver half dollars, and was doing a thriving business.

July 10th - We clip the following from the description of the Fourth of July celebration parade. It speaks for itself, and shows to what extremes people can be led in hours of wild excitement. We trust those responsible for this scene have long since become ashamed of it.

"An immense hog, which some of the people mistook for an Africani elephant instead of a Seward county swine, on each side of its back were hung large letters * B. & M.' A gaudily arrayed man was leading this hog by a strong rope, and this disguised personage was labeled ' U. P.' Following the hog came a man with a large shovel on his shoulder, with his hat festooned 'Banker,' and carrying a banner on which was inscribed the device, 'I do the dirty work for this hog, but it pays.'

"A large caricature representing first the figure of a man striking a lively gait, holding in his hand a roll inscribed 'Injunction,' which he is handing to an attendant near, accompanied with the exclamation,. 'My only refuge is Salt Lake - serve this.' Following comes a woman with a carpet sack, and hanging to the coat-tails of the first described figure, exclaiming, ' Run, I smell tar !' In hot pursuit comes a crowd in the distance carrying buckets marked tar and fieather beds. On the other end of this large standard was a large sleek man who had ' U. P.' on his hat, and held a rope that had been tied around a partly finished man inscribed 'A. & N.,' but the rope was broken in trying to hold the 'A. & N.' man, and the 'U. P.' figure exclaming 'the A. & N. must be stopped at all hazards.'"

Also, the death of Mrs. M. W. Warner, in M precinct, which occurred July 23d, 1879. This lady was the former wife of our late school superintendent.

Nov. 13th - It is mentioned that the following two-story brick buildings have been erected during the season: Henigan & Ashton's, John Cattle, Sen., Goehner Bros.' engine house, Bischof 's, John Roberts', and Norval Bros.

Dec. 15th - We find an estimate of the corn crop of that year as follows : 2,300,000 bushels. The highest reported yield was eightyfive bushels per acre. In the same article it Avas estimated that the reduction in freight, consequent upon the building of the A. & N. R. R., was three cents per bushel, or $69,000 on the crop of that year. According to our memory the estimate was rather low than high. It was a noteworthy fact that the Seward grain dealers of that fall and winter were able to pay from three to five cents more for <3orn than any town on the main line of the B. & M. west of Lincoln. Jan. 8, 1888 - The founding of Staplehurst and the shipment of eight cars of corn is recorded. Also the death of Mrs. Thomas Best, at Pleasant Dale, which occurred Dec. 18, 1879, aged sixty years. We also append from its columns the following useful information : " Edmund Mclntyre has made the following statement for the B. & M. Land Department of the acreage and yield of cultivated lands in Seward county for 1879 :

Sept. 9th - Is recorded the death of E. N. Wingfield, of "K" precinct, aged seventy-five years. His death occurred Sept 4, 1880. Mr. W. was a worthy Christian, and a member of the M. P. church.

Also the death of Robert Walker, at the residence of his son James, aged seventy-seven years. The deceased was one of our old settlers, and was the father of W. H. Walker of our city. He was well known and highly respected.

July 29th - Is recorded the death of Mrs. L. E. Tisdale, of Beaver Crossing, aged forty-five years. Mrs. Tisdale settled in Seward county in 1869. Her death occurred July 23d. Also the death of John S. Bartlett, at Milford, on July 25th, aged thirty-six years, of quick consumption.

June 10th - Records the freaks of the wind, the heaviest gale in many years, in which the Catholic church was partially wrecked, and many buildings damaged.

April 22d - Also records the death of Ira Wendall, caused by getting his hand caught in machinery at West's mill. Deceased leaves a wife and two children to mourn his sad fate.

May 6, 1880 - Is recorded the death of Mrs. Joseph H. Ballard, after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Ballard was an estimable Christian lady.

AGRICULTUEAL SOCIETY - FIKST OFFICERS - ITS HISTORY AND GROWTH - NAMKS OF ITS PRESIDING OFFICERS - VALUABLE PROPERTY ACQUIRED - WATER AND WATER-COURSES OF THE COUNTY - ALTITUDE - LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE - HEALTHFULNESS OF CLIMATE - NO CHILLS AND FEVER - COOL NIGHTS IN SUMMER - RAINFALL IN SUMMER - WELLS - POLITICS OF THE COUNTY - INDEPENDENT CHARACTER OF VOTERS - TABLES OF COUNTY OFFICERS - SENATORS, SHERIFFS, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, CORONERS, SURVEYORS, SUPERVISORS - ASSESSMENTS FROM 1865 TO 1887 - TAXES PAID STATE TREASURER IN 1887 - CENSUS RETURNS BY PRECINCTS - COMPARATIVE TABLES OF WEALTH AND POPULATION - SEWARD COUNTY AS IT IS NOW.

Seward County Agricultural Society was organized August 7, 1871, by the adoption of a constitution and set of by-laws, and the election of the following officers: Milton Langd on, president; F. M. Ellsworth, vice president; T. F. Hardenburg, secretary; Geo. W. Standard, treasurer. The first fair was held from the 21st to 23d of September, in the grove south-west of Seward. By referring to the Nebraska Atlas of Sept. 29, 1871, we find in its columns that the fair was a success, and that there were over a thousand people in attendance. We have our memory refreshed also by finding in a later issue of the same sheet that our secretary got away with some of our funds. We have no means of learning just how much.

At the regular annual meeting in October, 1871, we find that W. W. Cox was elected president. There is no record of who were the other officers, but we remember that James A. Brown was chosen secretary, and Hon. T. L. Norval clerk; that we held the second annual fair at the same jjlace as the first, and that it was quite successful. We arranged a very creditable premium list, and were able to pay all the indebtedness caused by the default of the former secretary, and every expense of the fair, including the premiums, and turned over sixty dollars to our successors in office. The exhibits were good, especially in farm products and in the fine arts. The trees of the

It is most unfortunate that all the records of the society from thedate of its formation until 1881 have been lost or destroyed; and what is more surprising, the most diligent search through the files of the newspapers of those years discloses nothing from which we can learn anything of importance, except the first organization in the summer of 1871, in the Nebraska Atlas. We remember, however, that Mr. Campbell was elected president in the fall of 1872, and Joseph. Lossee was secretary, and that they held a fair in the fall of 1873.

James A. Brown was elected president in the fall of 1873, and as fair was held in the fall of 1874. If we remember correctly, Mr» Brown was re-elected, but of tl«s we have no means of being certain.. They held a fair in the fall of 1875, and Mr. Brown delivered an^ address, which we find in the Nebraska Reporter in full, but not another word about the fair. The speech was a good one, and full of good hints and suggestions.

If memory serves us correctly (and we have searched diligently and taxed the memory of all who would be most likely to remember), Ed. Mclntyre was elected president, and re-elected in the fall of 1876, or held over on account of there being no election in 1876. There was no fair held that year. In the fall of 1877 a fair was held, and was quite a success.

During the summer of 1877 an association was formed known as the Seward Trotting Park Association. This association bought forty acres of laud of the B. & M. R. R. Co. at ten dollars per acre, and raised the money by selling stock in five dollar shares. Arrangements were made with the agricultural society to hold the fairs oni these grounds for a certain consideration, and our fairs have been held there since that time.

There is much unwritten history connected with this trotting park association. In the first place the railroad folks were induced to part with the land at half price, because it was apparently for a public benefit. Men subscribed for stock in small quantities, just to help the enterprise, and had no thought of realizing any income from the investment. The stock was transferable, and it was but a short time until it was discovered that one man had a majority of the stock, and enjoyed complete control of the whole concern ; so the association largely" consisted of one man. The community did not take kindly to the matter in that shape, and it was a source of continual trouble and annoyance until the citizens made up funds the second time and purchased the property outright for the agricultural society, in 1886, when the county commissioners made a liberal appropriation for improvements.

Claudius Jones was president in the fall of 1877, and held the fair in the fall of 1878, when William Gill was elected, and held the fair in the fall of 1879. In that year John Henderson was elected, and held the fair of 1880, when Wm. Redford was elected president. In that year we find a record (the first) of their proceedings.

The fairs were measurably successful as exhibitions, but the society was generally hard pressed for means, and frequently the more enterprising members were taxed almost beyond endurance to keep life in the society. Among the more notable persons who always had a shoulder to the wheel were James A. Brown, Ed. Mclntyre, Wm. E. Gill, E. M. Hickman, and Claudius Jones. These men, and perhaps some others, are entitled to much credit for untiring energy and a free use of their money in keeping the society alive through many years of adversity.

We see by a record of a meeting held August 6, 1881, that Ed. Mclntyre was elected secretary pro iem. We notice that J. A. Brown offered a resolution that the oflEices of secretary, treasurer, vice president, and three of the directors be declared vacant, on account of their negligence in performing their duties. Resolution adopted. Whereupon Geo. C. McKay was elected vice president, Ed. Mclntyre, sto retary, J. A. Brown, treasurer, and Wm. Gill, J. B. Courtwright, and Allen Price, directors, to fill vacancies. The fair was held Sept. 29th, 30th, and Oct. 1st of that year.

We notice in the report of their October meeting that the receipts were as follows: Total receipts, including $300 from county, were $1,135.10; total expenditures, $1,016.36; leavinga balance of $118.74.

At their December meeting Wm. Redford was re-elected president,, and Ed. Mclntyre was re-elected secretary, and R. S. Norval wa& elected treasurer. The time fixed for the fair of 1882 was Sept. 27th to 30th. J. S. Henderson was chosen superintendent. Wm. Gill was elected delegate to State Board of Agriculture. It was resolved at this meeting to hold a farmers' institute in February next, and the secretary was instructed to correspond with Gov. Furnas and Prof. Thompson, and they voted to tax tliemselves fifty cents each to defray the expenses.

Records of the meeting in July, 1883, show that there was received at last fair $1,407.50, and expended, $1374.10, leaving a balance of $32.67. Wra. Redford was re-elected president; also, Mr. Mclntyre was re-elected secretary by acclamation, and Wm. Gill was re-elected delegate to state board.

At the annual meeting of January 5, 1884, the report showed $1,849.45 received from all sources, and $1,744.20 paid out. E. M. Hickman was elected president, and C. S. Ailing was elected secretary and treasurer. Wm. Gill was again elected delegate to state board.

At a meeting in August the president was instructed to conclude a contract with C. Jones for sixty shares of the Driving Park Association stoclv at $1,000, and authorized to draw on the treasurer for $50 to bind the bargain.

At the annual meeting in January, 1885, Geo. Pickerel was elected president, and C. S. Ailing was re-elected secretary and treasurer; E 1. Mclntyre was elected superintendent, and J. H. Culver was elected delegate to state board and instructed to cast his vote to re-elect Gov. Furnas as secretary of said board. Dates fixed for the fair of J 885 were Sept. 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th. We find no report of treasurer, although it is recorded that report was approved.

At the annual meeting, February 6, 1886, Claudius Jones was elected president, C. S. Ailing, secretary, and H. T. Jones, treasurer. Here again we find no report of treasurer, but a record that his report -was approved.

At a special meeting held in July, a resolution is passed accepting a donation of $2,000, secured by the Board of Trade of Seward, by its president, G. Babson, for the j)urchase of the Driving Park Association's grounds.

A general meeting of the society Mas authorized to be called by the secretary for July 23d, we suppose to finish the purchase of the grounds, but the secretary is silent about that, and we find no record of said meeting.

At the annual meeting in January Mr. Wm. Redford was elected president, and the secretary's office was left vacant, which was filled by the Board - H. T. Jones. J. N. Edwards was elected treasurer. Again we have no record of treasurer's report. An invitation was voted to the citizens to plant trees on the fair grounds on Arbor Day. The fair was held in October, 1887, and was a very successful show. It was without doubt one of the best stock exhibits at any county fair in the West.

The society have met and overcome grave obstacles within the two last years. First, a vast amount of money was raised to pay for the grounds and improve them, and during the last summer a heavy wind wrecked all the buildings, which were rebuilt at great expense, but now the society has the grounds and they are fairly improved and measui-ably free from debt, and with bright prospects for the future.

At the annual mee<^^ing in 1887 J. B. Courtwright was elected president, H. T. Jones was elected secretary, and George Dickmnn was elected treasurer. Treasurer's report showed : Total receipts of $8,300 ; total expenditures, $3,400.

Water And Water-Courses

The drainage of the county is supplied by the following rivers and creeks: The west fork of the Blue river enters the county in section 30, in "L" precinct, passes into "M" precinct, in section 4, and passes through it in a south-east direction into ''N" precinct in section 18, continues in a general south-east course, enters "O" precinct in section 30, and crosses the Saline county line near the south- east corner of section 32, and joins the Korth Blue just at the county line on the south line of section 32, in "P" precinct. Its principal tributaries are Johnsori creek, which risof in western Saline county, passes through "M" and "N" precincts, and joins with the river just at the county line. Beaver creek passes through the southern portion of York county and through " L," and joins the main stream just west of the village of Beaver Crossing in "M" precinct. Walnut creek rises in ''L " precinct, and joins the river near the south line of section 7, in " M " precinct. Indian creek traverses the south-western portion of " M " and empties into the West Blue just south-west of Beaver Crossing. West Blue is a most excellent mill stream, and carries two flouring mills in this county, and furnishes drainage to all the south-western portion of the county. The river and tributaries are furnished at convenient distances with bridges. The river is noted for an abundant supply of superior fish. The North Blue enters the county in section 3 in "C" precinct, and its course is south-easterly through "C" and "G," and gracefully swings to the west and south of the city of Seward, and passes through " J," " O," and " P " precincts. Its principal tributary, Lincoln creek, enters the county in section 34 in "D" precinct, and traverses the southern portion of " D " and " C " precincts and the north-western portion of " G," and joins the river just west of Seward. Lincoln creek is a beautiful mill stream, and its broad valley is grandly beautiful. One mill in this county, at Marysville, only as yet responds to its invitation. Plum creek enters the county in section 3 in "B" precinct, and cuts the precinct centrally and empties its water into the river just south of Seward. Various other small streams join the main river and help in the excellent system of drainage.

Blue river furnishes ample power for mills and factories, but these water-powers are only utilized at three points, viz., Seward, by H. L. Boyes & Son, with a very creditable mill ; at the Cooper & Henderson mill, and at Milford^ where Messrs. Johnson & Co. have, at least, one of the most extensive merchant mills in the West.

Several branches of Oak creek traverse " A " precinct, and numerous branches of Middle creek have their rise in " H " and " I " precincts, furnishing ample drainage and supplying numerous running streams of pure water, making the eastern portion of the county par excellent as a stock growing region.

The general surface of the country is a slightly undulating plain, with a southern inclination, and probably presents as many acres of first-class tillable land as any county of our state. The altitude of the county is from 1400 to 1500 feet above tidewater. Our geo- graphical positiou is sixty miles west of the Missouri, tweuty-five south of the Platte, and forty-eight miles north of the Kansas line. The forty-first parallel of uorth latitude forms our northern boundary, and our western limit is the sixth principal meridian line. The ninetyseventh meridian of west longitude from Greenwich passes through the eastern portion of the county and about three and one-half miles of" Seward. Our elevation seems to be just about right ; we are generally free from malaria ; chills and fever are scarcely known since the pioneer days. At the dates of the early settlement, when great quantities of the new prairie sod were in the process of decay and the people had to endure unreasonable exposure, we were subject to <'hills and fever, or ague. We are free from that close, humid atmosphere of lower elevations, and yet we are not high enough to produce the inconvenience in breathing experienced in the higher altitudes. Our atmosphere is peculiarly bracing and energizing, Nights are cool, yet we are not subject to early or late frosts. We have usually a very small amount of snow, and scarcely no winter rains. Occasionally we have winter storms that are simply terrific, but they do not often occur. Our principal rainfall is between March 1st and September 1st, and is usually as well distributed through the growing season as in any portion of this continent. Our streams are not subject to disastrous overflows, as they are deeply imbedded and of rapid current. Our wells are of moderate depth, varying from twelve to twenty-five feet on the bottom lands and from forty to one hundred feet on the upland ; however there are but few that exceed sixty feet. The water is uniformly very excellent and abundant. ^Ye are especially fortunate^ in the all-important element of water and water-courses.

Politics

There are some peculiarities connected with the politics of Seward county. On the national ticket, also the state ticket, the county has been thoroughly republican from the beginning. In fact at our first and second elections every county officer elected was a republican.

Our first presidential election Grant received a very large majority, and likewise in 1872. The abstracts of election returns of 1865 to 1875 are not to be found in the county clerk's office. In 1876 Hayes received 905, and Tilden 593; in 1880 Garfield received

Governor Butler received a. large majority in 1866 and 1868; also Furnas iu 1870; also Garber; and Nance in 1878 received 105 over all, and iu 1880 he received 353 over all. Dawes majority over all in 1884 was 186, and Thayer's in 1886 was 279 over all. In fact every candidate on a state or congressional ticket of the republican party has secured fair majorities, yet strange as it may seem the democrats controlled the important office of county clerk for nine continuous terms, or eighteen years, from January, 1870, to January, 1888. Hon. Thomas Graham served five continuous terms, Eel. O'Keefe one term, being an anti-monopolist, but supported by the democratic party, and Joseph Dupin served three successive terms. Also the office of sheriff has been in the hands of the democrats ten years continuously. They have also controlled the state senatorship three terms out of six. The only explanation that we are able to give is that we are a wonderfully independent people, and determined to do just as we please on election day, without asking any odds of conventions. Notwithstanding the majority has always been strongly republican, the party never succeeded in electing the whole ticket since the fall of 1868, till the fall of 1887, when they made a clean sweep. It is perhaps proper to say that the democrats elected were very strong men, and many of them at least made excellent officers; and further, it is fitting to say that our county records are acknowledged to be equal to the best in the state.

Below we give as complete a list of senators, representatives, and county officers as it is possible to obtain. We give the year cf the election of the several officers, and where parties held more than one term the terras are noted. Parties representing Seward county conjointly with other counties, but citizens of other counties, are generally not noted, especially in the senate.

Seward City Two Members

1865 - Total number of acres deeded land, 4,728. This was all or about all speculator's land. The assessment on laud that year was $18,867, or nearly $4 per acre; personal assessment, $10,880; total assessment, $29,747 ; total tax levy for the year, $423, ol* nearly thirteen mills on a dollar for all purposes. We have no means of ascertaining just how much of the tax of that year was collected.

We now skip over to the year of 1870, and find_ 33,670 acres on the list, and together with the personal property (they were not divided) amounts to $120, 160, or an increase of 28,942 acres of land, and a total increase of assessed value of $90,413 in five years, or an average of increase of more than $18,000 per year.

These tigures are sufficient to show something of the growth of property for the twenty-two years, from 1865 to 1887, and that will answer our purpose without an overdose of tables, which are usually rather dry reading.

We find that there was paid to the stale treasurer during the year 1887, as our share of state tax, the snug sum of $21,821.74, and that there was paid in collecting on principal and interest on school and other state lands the additional sura of $11,380.90. We are quite well satisfied with this showing.

Population. No. Farms Factories

Or about one improved farm to every seven persons. Now deducting the population of the towns, viz., 3,567, and it leaves a county population of 11,658, making a farm for a little less than five and one-half population. It is fair to presume that the number of farms has increased ten per cent since this census was taken, and that would make the present number of farms at this time 2,369.

shops, blacksmith shops, shoe sho{)s, tinners' shops, etc. We are sorry that it seems impossible to obtain the amount of capital invested in manufacturing industries. The growth of such industries within the last year has been most remarkable. Of these we will treat fully in another place.

Comparative Statement Of Wealth And Population

As the chiming bells ring in the glad New Year of 1888, we find well-nigh twenty thousand just about as intelligent, and certainly just as happy, people as may be found anywhere in all our vast domain.

We are pleasantly situated in the state, and now have easy access to all the markets of the country. We have been especially blessed with an abundant harvest. Certainly "our barns are filled with plenty," and the needs of the world are such that we command a good price for our vast surplus. The general health of the people is most excellent. Prosperity, peace, and good-will reign in all our borders. The advance we have made in developing the wilderness into fruitful fields and blooming gardens, is truly wonderful.

We are now, while yet in our infancy, the happy possessors of nearly twenty-five hundred farms, as good in all essential elements of wealth as can be found in the north-western states, and that means the wide, wide world. We generally have pleasant and comfortable homes, with nice yards and gardens. Most of us have orchards. We have beautiful and very luxuriant tame meadows. We have at least two thousand groves of planted timber, so dotting the plain that it almost looks like a timber country. We have excellent roads, as good as could be desired. We have excellent bridges generally, at convenient distances on all the streams. We have good drainage, and our soil is just good enough. An abundant supply of pure health-giving water. Three grand mill streams. A magnificent and ever- in creasing school fund, with ninety organized school districts and ninety-tive school-houses, thickly set like sparkling gems on hilltop and plain. Thirty Christian churches, shedding their beams of holy light among the people, and pointing them upward toward God and heaven. Three great lines of railway traveising the county in all directions and furnishing to the people twelve stations for shipping produce and receiving merchandise. Three telegraph and one telephone line running through the county, bringing all the people, as it were, right at the focus of intelligence and the general news of the world.

We have nine thriving villages, and one grand city within our borders. We have abundant water-power awaiting development. Although we have many fine mills, and one perhaps the best in the state, yet the utilizing of this precious gift is scarcely begun.

With the capital of our state almost at our door, and with all our varied resources of grains, grasses, vegetables, and fruits, of cattle and swine, with plenty of clear cold water to drink, why should we not have a happy New Year ?

We are a favored people. Ours is most truly a land of milk and honey. Our aggregate wealth surpasses ten millions of dollars, and is constantly growing with the years. Our towns and city are growing and expanding, and are from month to mouth adding new conveniences, comforts, and luxuries to lessen the burdens of all our people. Our progress is the wonder of the age, yet its progression will be accelerated from year to year. We have added during the year just passed very many valuable improvements, and we may fairly say that 1887 has marked a new epoch in our rapid advancement.

A new railway has been commenced and completed, cutting the county centrally from north-east to south-west, opening up a great new artery of traffic, and bringing in its train joy and gladness for thousands of our people, building up three new villages along the way and infusing new life and activity into the fourth, and adding new life to the city. Truly this was a grand achievement, and will pay many times its cost to the people. "B," Goehner, and Ilunkius have been added to our list of villages.

Beaver Crossing has been thoroughly awakened from her Rip Van Winkle sleep of years and years, and now bids fair to become a city of no mean proportions.

Milford shows new life and activity, valuable improvements and additions to the great grain elevators at the mill, a great livery barn that looks large for Omaha, the new sanitarium building, some palatial residences, and the final assurance of the new Industrial Home, a state institution; and with the grade complete of a new railroad connecting the town with Crete and the south, she has much to gladden the hearts of all her sons and daughters.

Pleasant Dale, while not pretentious, but modest, is fitly named. She is the " gem " of that beautiful valley, is constantly growing, and day by day becomes more beautifid.

Tamora continues the young "wonder" of the prairie. She never ceases to grow. She will never cease to pi'osper, adding to her acquisitions month after month churches, residences, schools, and new homes of taste and elegance.

Staplehurst, nestling in the valley of the upper Blue, while not growing rapidly, is in a prosperous condition, and has a strong vitality, and will always maintain her position as a splendid grain and stock market.

Germantown is coming to the front in splendid shape. Although having received a baptism of fire, which may prove a good and precious gift as a cleanser and purifier, she has just completed a beauty of a school-house, and many new residences have been added to her number. She is prosperous and happy.

The county is prosperous in all its parts. Many fields of new sod have kissed the bright plowshare during the past summer, tens of thousands of fruit trees planted, hundreds of miles of new pasture fences have been built, new bridges have spanned the streams, much of grace and beauty has been added, and all sections seem determined to push forward to grander results.

Seward county, the home of our choice, chosen when we were in the prime of our mauhood's strength, the home where the most of our children were born, the home of pleasant memories, and where peace and plenty have generally rewarded our efforts, but where at times we have been overshadowed with dark clouds of want and sorrow, when first we set foot on thy soil we loved thee, and now when long years have passed and we are on the shadowy side of the hill of life we love thee still. God bless Seward county and all her people, is our humble prayer.

Chapter Yi Sarah F. Anderson

HISTORY OF PEECINCTS FROM " A "* TO "p" - THEIR FIRST SETTLEMENTS - INCLUDING HISTORIC LETTERS FR03I "A " BY E. W. OLNEY - FROM "b" BY F. M. TIMBLIN - FROM "g" BY JAMES A. BROWN - FROM "n" BY I. M. K. JOHNSON - FROM '' P " BY MRS. H. W. PARKER, AND FROM "g" BY MRS. SARAH F. ANDERSON.

John D. Hickman, in 1867; William, Joseph, Andrew, Henry, and Wesley Hickman, Thomas Poore, and Duncan McVaine, in 1868; John Quillon and F. M. Timblin, in 1869.

The first school-house (a sod house) was built in the fall of 1869^ and the school was taught by F. M. Timblin during the following winter. The teacher was paid by subscription.

A literary club and debating society was formed, and the settlers often met for mental culture and entertainment. Herewith we append the instructive letter of F. M. Timblin, and also a communication taken from the first number of the Atlas.

In 1887 the F., E. & M. Y. railroad was built through the precinct, and a station located at " B," which is rapidly coming to the front as a business point. They now have a good depot, a grain elevator, a lumber yard, two stores, and several dwellings, and it bids fairly to> become quite an important village. The new church is nearly complete, of which we give the history elsewhere.

The precinct has six miles of railroad, has on the census rolls 571 inhabitants with 112 farms, which rank among the best, and has five school-houses, all good frame buildings. The farmers are most universally prosperous.

very permauent. Among the first to make permanent settlement were Wm. Reed, Judge John W. Shields, Geo. Reed, John A. Durland, and Frank E. Pitt. These all settled in 1864 and 1865, and were soon followed by Moses Mitchell, Walter Hoops, and two or three others whose names have escaped our memory. These early settlers all located by the river, for the sake of the timber and water. Settlements did not penetrate the high prairie much until 1868, when people came like a flock of pigeons.

" C" precinct is cut in two unequal parts by Blue river, and has excellent water-powers that are yet undeveloped. Lincoln creek also cuts the south-west corner of the precinct, and furnishes a splendid water-power, which has a fine mill at Marysville. This mill was built by Luke Agur in 1870, and has been lately rebuilt, enlarged, and much improved. It is now a first-class country flouring mill with all modern improvements.

Marysville is the nucleus of a large German settlement that extends far up and down the creek, and overreaches the boundaries of the precinct. They had located a store and church, with a school-house, soon after the founding of Seward. Wm. Hornburg, John Schoepp, and old Mr. Hartman's family were among the first to settle there. George C. McKay, John Gladw'ish, Father Archer and his family, and some others settled on the prairie between the river and Lincoln creek, and further up the river Thos. Corr and John Gillbanks settled in 1868. Marysville remains a trading point and ]>ost-office, and the Lutheran church makes it a prominent gathering place for the people.

Staplehurst was founded by George C McKay in the autumn of 1879, immediately after the completion of the A. & X. R. R. Mr. McKay erected the first dwelling. T. W. Lowrey opened a grain house the same fall. Staplehurst grew slowly at first, but in 1882-83 it began to assume importance as a shipping and trading point. Messrs. Goehner & Co. laid out a large addition to the town, and many business houses sprang up immediately, including two first class elevators, a good hotel, a fine church, and a host of dwellings. They have two school-houses, and maintain a graded school. The jilace contains near three hundred inhabitants, and is organized as a village; enjoys a good trade, and is prosperous.

manufacturing industries, and six school-houses. Many of the farms are well improved with fine orchards and many good barns. The precinct has six miles of railroad.

T. C. Allen is responsible for the following story: Probablv the first time a religious meeting was held old Father Worley, of Ulysses, was preaching in a sod school-house, and was talking of hell and heaven in an old-fashioned way, and had the congregation prettv well excited, when a serpent fell into the lap of one of the ladies, from the brush covering of the house. The audience were worse scared at the snake than at the ])reacher's hell, which he was so ably describing. For further particulars the reader is referred to the Rev. Father Worley.

This is the north-western precinct of the county, and is principally situated on the great divide between Blue river and Lincoln creek; however, the latter creek runs through the southern portion of it. This precinct is a most excellent farming region, and is the home of many of our best and most successful farmers. It has no village within its borders, and only a short piece of railroad. The F., E. & M. V. just clips the corner of the precinct. The peoj)le are provided with five rival markets, viz.: Ulysses, Surprise, Poston, Utica, and Staplehurst; so that all portions of the precinct are handy to good market towns.

The census tables give the precinct 777 po])ulation, 140 farms, and 5 schools, all with good frame buildings. The post-office is named Orton, and is kept at a farm house, and the mail service is by star route.

The first settlement \vas made in 1867 by Mr. "VVm. Jackman and Mr. Jesse Horton. We remember his moving to the county with a pair of oxen harnessed like horses. Mr. Wm. Reynolds settled in 1868. He it was who committed suicide in Utica some years ao-o while in a fit of temporary insanity. Also Mr. Johnson, a lame man, who bought the first harvester ever taken to the Lincoln creek settlement, in 1870, and O. C. Ragan, of the hawk story, came the same year; also Wm. Hornburg; and in 1871 the Richies - A. D., Wm., and his brother - with T. C. Allen and several others, made settlement on the high prairie, among whom were E. B. Hatch, who taught the first school in Jackman's duo;-out in 1872.

Town eleven, range one east, is an unbroken plain without a running stream, and with the exception of a few marshes is wholly an excellent body of farm land.

M. C. Wright, Joseph Jones, Samuel Gleason, G. A. Derby, Mr. Greenwood, and H. M. Coleman were among the first to settle, in 1871, and were followed in 1872 by great numbers. About the time of the first settlement the state road was located from Seward to York and passed through this precinct.

In the early history of " E " there were no such incidents of thrilling interest as occurred on the great freight roads, and the few settlers on the prairie were not so isolated from the world, as Seward was quite a town when the settlement of this prairie began. Yet the first settlers saw some rough times, although they were free from Indian scares and not in any positive danger of starving, as older settlements were near at hand. The growth and development of the farmers' portion has been steady and kept full pace with other portions of the county, and now has fine improvements throughout. Finely improved farms, innumerable groves of planted timber and orchards, etc., etc.

Miss Clara Derby had the honor of teaching the first school in the precinct, in the summer of 1873. There are now outside of Utica three school-houses, and two others in which the people are interested.

Population, including Utica, 1,225, with 160 farms and ten manufacturing industries, and six miles of railroad. Their railroad station and village is the bright town of Utica, which was founded in the autumn of 1878. The first beginning and growth of Utica is related in another chapter, but its present status may be named here. The village contains between 600 and 700 people, and is third in population and business importance in the county, and has many live and energetic business men ; maintains a graded school with a fine structure, a large steam grist mill, an opera house - a commodious brick structure, three grain elevators, two lumberyards, two banks, quite a large number of mercantile establishments, several churches^ a fair-sized hotel, two livery stables, numerous shops, and many fine dwellings. The A. F. and A. M., the I. O. O. F., and G. A. R. each have themselves established orders. Flourishing Sabbathschools are maintained by the churches, and taken all together Utica is a pleasant village and is fairly prosperous.

Thomas Skillman made the first settlement on Sec. 13, in the spring of 1865. Joseph Roberts either pre-empted or homesteaded the laud now owned by Rev. E. W. Johnson, in the fall of 1864, but failed to make settlement, and the place was homesteaded by Rev. Johnson in 1866. Mr. Roberts built or partly built a log cabin on his claim. George and Russell Rogers and their mother, Widow Rogers, each made settlement in the autumn of 1866. D. H. Figard, James Anderson, and Charles and Joseph Thurman each settled in the spring of 1867; also Abram Wallach. During the spring of 1868, a large number came, among whom were George Slonecker, Sam Stevenson, Aaron and Allen Anderson, Mr. Shockey, and Mr. Osborne.

" F " precinct, according to the last census, has 882 inhabitants and 190 farms, being the banner precinct in that she has the largest number of farms of any precinct iu the county. She has five school districts, each with a creditable building; has seven miles of railroad; has one excellent mill stream, but it is not utilized in the precinct at present. Some years ago a mill was built by Mr. Jul), but it burned down and as yet has not been replaced. It has probably the largest belt of excellent wild meadow of any one of our precincts.

Tamora, ^' F " precinct's railroad station and village, w^as surveyed into lots in 1879, and during the fall of that year, Mr. J. W. Scott built a small grain house, put in scales, and bought grain, and Wm. Butler opened a small store. P. G. Tyler's family was the first to settle in the new town. There was very little growth until the summer of 1882; however Morrisey Bros, built an elevator in 1881. T. W. Lowrey built his in 1882. The first school in the town was opened in the spring of 1884. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1880, and they bought a little building and used until the new church was built, in 1883. This church was dedicated Nov. 9, 1883.

The M. E. church was built in 1882. lu 1886 the new two-story four-room school-house was built, at a cost of $2,100. A graded school is maintained, with two teachers, aud is in a flourishing condition. There are now thr.ee elevators, a good depot, three general stores, one first-class hardware store, a fair-sized hotel, a good livery barn, two banks, a lumber yard, a drug store, and various shops, with a goodly number of cosy dwellings.

Tamora is a beautiful village with a good trade, and is a very desirable place in which to live. The people are universally intelligent aud wide-awake. Have always been free from the contagion of saloons. They say that they never had any use for saloons, aud they throw their surplus energy into beautifying their homes and maintaining their schools and churches. The village coutaius near three hundred inhabitants, aud is surrounded by a beautiful and rich farming country. Anyone desiring a neat, quiet home, with excellent church aud school facilities, where they are within a few minutes ride of the city, aud where they are free from the influence of saloous, we cheerfully recommend Tamora as the place Avhere they can riud a genial home.

So far as is definitely known, William Wymore and a brother-inlaw of the name of Olrastead made the first settlement, in the fall of 1863 - Mr. Wymore on Sec. 8, what is now part of W. W. Cox's form, Mr. Olmstead on Sec. 1 7, Mr. John Roberts' north farm. These parties were deserters from the Union army and the provost marshal (Hon. O. P. Mason) had discovered their whereabouts, and they having learned this, hurriedly made their escape early in March, 1864. Mr. Cox purchased Mr. AVymore's claim for seventy-five dollars, and Mr. O. abandoned his, aud tlie land was entered by John Roberts in 1865.

In the first half of April, 1864, Hon. Wm. Imlay aud his father's family moved to their claims, aud Mr. R. T. Gale moved to his at about the same time. Father Dunaway settled in July, aud W. W. Cox on the first day of December. In April, 1865, Thomas Dunaway and wife made settlement, and were followed in May by Richard Sampson and J. N. Roberts. Lewis Moffitt came in July, and built a log house on the future site of the city, and Rev. E. L. Clark came iu October. This completed the settlements of 1865. In the early spring of 1866 the settlement was increased by the addition of E. L. Ellis, John Roberts, Sen,, Joseph Sampson, and, later in the season, James A. Brown on Sec. 20, J. F. Duncan who settled on Sec. 8, Stites Wooley on See. 15, and Roger Cooper on Sec. 12. E. B. Shafer settled just south of the present city, and Wm. Cooper just north-east of the city.

The first homestead entry was that of Mr. Gale, of January 2, 1863; Stites Wooley (lately deceased) was the second; W. W. Cox, third, dated March 27, 1864; Father Dunaway, fourth; David P. Imlay, fifth; Wm. Iralay, sixth ; David Imlay (Grandpa), seventh; Richard Sampson and J. N. Roberts, eighth and ninth ; Thomas Dunaway and Joseph Imlay, tenth and eleventh.

During the summer of 1864, there were broken thirty acres of land on three farms, viz., Wm. Imlay's, D. P. Imlay's, and Mr. Gale's. The following summer there were broken about one hundred and fifty acres, on seven farms. It may be a matter of surprise that no more land was broken, but it is equally surprising, to us that understand fully all the conditions, that so much was accomplished. In the first place, we were all as poor as church mice. We had but few and very poor teams, and very few and miserably poor breaking plows. Had the reader seen the writer with a pair of plowshares, wending his way on foot to old man Morgan's to get them sharpened by a corn-cob fire, then seen the vexation and delays in adjusting them to the work on our return, then followed us in our perambulations hunting for the lost oxen, and then accompanied us with our old ox team seventy-five miles to mill, and watched all our struggles to keep soul and body together, menaced by Indians on the one side, begging us out of countenance, and frequently showing a spirit of arrogance and impudence, so that we hardly dare leave our families any length of time. Frequently we were compelled to scour distant settlements of Lancaster, Otoe, and Cass counties for meager supplies of provisions, fording streams and camping out nights. With very little or no money, no credit (there was no one in reach to credit us), a scanty supply of provisions, and still more scanty supply of clothing, we struggled against wind and tide through the weary years of our first settlement. In many instances we had to make " bricks without straw." Houses were to be built without proper tools, also bridges, and every class of work was accomplished under the most discourag- ing circuiustaDces. The wonder is that we did uot all become so much discouraged as to pull up stakes and go back to our wife's relations, as some of the more weak-kneed folks did.

During August, 1864, the little settlement of four families became seriously alarmed on account of the Indian panic, at the same time of the exodus from Salt creek. Mr. Gale was away from home at Salt basin. The families had all gathered on Plum creek, at Grandpa Imlay's house, and were hurriedly preparing for flight, when suddenly Wm. Imlay's wagon tire burst, and while they were all dismayed at the catastrophe it proved a blessing in disguise, for the rest of the company could not leave him and family to perish alone, and before they succeeded in getting the old wagon in shai)e to travel the scare was over, and all were ready to return to their homes. Thus the infant settlement was saved from abandonment by this lucky accident.

A few days after our arrival with our family at the new home, about the night of the 8th of December - a very cold winter night - the gentle rapping of Joseph Imlay was heard in the small hours of the night, with the refreshing news that a child was about to be born at the house of Mr. Gale. Wife hurriedly dressed, and Joseph hitched our old "Nig" and "Darb" to the wagon, and away they went down the bottom and across the present city to the bank of Plum creek, just to the east of Mr. Bemis' home, where a huge snow drift was encountered. The oxen were chained to the wagon, and Our good wife was compelled to slide down the steep bank over the great drift of snow to reach the creek. When she reached the house she found that Miss Clara Gale had come to life and light to bless the home of her parents. We are ha]>py to say that the young lady is yet living, and is highly accomplished and a resident ot East Portland, Oregon.

During 1867 and 1868 settlement increased quite rapidly. The latter year witnessed the birth of the future city, and the history of the precinct from that time is so blended with that of the city that we couple them in a future chapter. This, in connection with the earlier chapters of " reminiscenses," we deem a suflicient history of the early times of this immediate locality. However, there are many incidents of those days that it would be gratifying to the author to see in print, but it is not our aim to bore the reader with details unnecessarily.

Or town eleven, range four east, is one of the eastern townships, aud situated on the head of the north fork of Middle creek. It is rolling land, with numerous springs and bright running streams, many of them fringed with nice young timber. The settlement is largely German. The first settler was Lewis Leibrock, on his present farm near the stone church. Conrad Grant and Deidrick Brant settled soon afterwards. Wm. Luber, Gillman Garland, B. W. Walker, Fritz Ropke, and Wra. Leppe made settlement in 1868, and in 1869 Chris. Thomas aud Jacob Thomas, John Westerhoif, and C. C. Davis; also Chas. Ruchtassel made settlement just at the edge of the plain on the west side of the precinct; also Henry Petrie and John Olwiler.

The first school was organized in 1869, with Wolsey Wyant, L. Leibrock, aud Conrad Grant as school officers. They erected a schoolhouse on section 28, and Thos. Cowen taught the first term. The second school-house was built in 1873, in district No. 32, and Mrs. J. P. Loose, then Miss Kate Miller, taught the first term. The stone church, of which we give elsewhere a history, was built under the pastorate of Rev. Theo. Gruber, in 1872, valued at ^3,000. The Lutheran society laid out a cemetery in 1868, on the farm of Mr. Leibrock. July 14, 1869, the two sons of Conrad Grant were killed by lightning, and these were the first deaths in the precinct.

The Midland railroad was built through the precinct in 1873, and Germantown was laid into lots in 1874, by Hilaud Frazier. F. Bick opened the first store. John Westerhoff was appointed postmaster. Charles Rowland opened the second store in 1878. The first frame house was built in the precinct by Conrad Grant, in 1870. The precinct now has 1,095 inhabitants and 155 farms, with seven schoolhouses, all frame.

The village of Germantown now has near two hundred inhabitants. They have just erected a fiue two-story school-house. They have two large grain elevators, two general stores, one drug store, a blacksmith shop, and numerous good dwelliugs. The town is in a prosperous condition. The precinct has near seven miles of railroad track.

These streams furnish ample water supply and drainage. The north-western portion is a wavy plain, and is well adapted for farming purposes; and also the valleys are very rich, producing corn and grass to. perfection. The eastern portion is somewhat broken, and is well adapted for stock growing. The creeks are bright and pure water, and the banks are lined with a growth of young timber, adding a charm to the scenery.

This precinct has but two and one-half miles of railroad, but has a station at Pleasant Dale. The eastern part is only twelve miles distant from the capital, and the western part is in close proximity to Seward and Milford. They have four schools, with good frame buildings. The population is 690, with 131 farms.

Deloss Brown and old Mr. Bird, now deceased, were the first settlers of whom we have record. They each settled as early as 1863, on the south branch of Middle creek. Joseph Forest settled in 1864, and James Her about the same time ; also one or two others. Abram Courtright settled on the farm near the railroad, where the stone house stands, in 1866.

A Mr. Horton, Daniel Morgan, and his two sous, Louis and Thomas, were the first to make permanent settlement near where Ruby station now stands. They claim to have located in 1858, but of the correctness of this there is doubt. Evidently they were the first that made permanent homes on the North Blue in this county. Job T. Reynolds, J. C. Neihardt, Thomas L. Rogers, and Samuel Long settled in 1863. Mr. Rogers and wife have been dead many years. Mr. Long died in the early part of laet year.

According to the census reports there are 776 inhabitants, with 149 farms. They have no village, but a railroad station with a store, two elevators, and a post-office. Ruby. They have six miles of railroad and five good school-houses. They have excellent land and good farms, and are very handy to the city. They rank third in number of farms in the county. An excellent precinct with many advantages, although no thriving village. It seems impracticable to make a town in a precinct that nearly reaches both the city and Milford, and where thirty minutes drive will reach either of them.

This beautiful township has 130 farms, 672 population, six miles of railroad, and one station (Goehner). It has five school-houses, with the same number of schools, all in a prosperous condition.

This precinct is nearly all level land, and it has many of our most beautiful and valuable farms. There is but very little running water within its borders,

Goehner, its station, was platted in the fall of 1887, upon the completion of the railroad, and now it contains several business houses and several dwellings, including a depot, elevator, two general stores, two grocery stores, one hardware, and one drug store.

Abram Windsor built the first house in the precinct, in the spring of 1869. Wm., George, and Alfred Livesey made settlement the following summer. L. Allison, Martin and Edward Jensen, S. S. H. Williams, Martin Madson, C. Tunecliff, and Peter Oglesby made settlement in 1870; also some others whose names we have failed to obtain.

The progress of " K " precinct has been rapid, both in settlement and improvement. There are many very fine farm houses and good substantial barns; many excellent orchards, and over a hundred fine groves of planted timber.

This precinct can boast of the only regular cheese dairy in the county. Jerome Aldrich, near Goehner, has in successful operation a cheese dairy, in which he made and sold forty thousand pounds of excellent cheese during 1887, and he proposes to enlarge the capacity to 140,000 pounds in the near future. Mr. Aldrich finds a ready sale for his product, which is accounted number one among the dealers.

Town ten, range one east, was first settled by John E. Fouse, at the crossing of Beaver creek, in 1862, where he opened a ranch on the old freight road. Mr. Fouse lived here many years in a sort of a rough-and-tumble way, trading with travelers and Indians. The writer was at his place iu 1864, and at the time the ranch was kept in an immense dug-out on the bank of the creek. There were a great many tough stories tokl in connection with this ranch in the pioneer -days, but we will not reiterate them, as we are hardly able to vouch for their truthfulness. Mr. Fouse was a peculiar character, and his place became somewhat famous for the many tragic events there enacted. Whiskey was an important article of trade at the ranch.

Thos. Tisdale opened his little store and the post-office in 1869, and a Mr. Donovan also settled in the neighborhood about the same time. The real substantial settlement began in 1870, when the prairies began to be homesteaded. Thomas Foster built the first frame house in April. His mother. Widow Foster, and family, and F. M. Horton made settlement shortly afterwards. In 1871 there were great numbers who made settlement. The first school of which we can learn was taught by John Turner, on what is known as the Norman farm, in the summer of 1873. While " L " is one of our foremost farming precincts, it has no railroad and no village within its borders, but is happily situated convenient to four stations on two different railroads, and has a choice of markets within an hour's drive from any point. The south-western portion is somewhat rough, but the lands are good. The other and larger portion is as fine farming land as can be found anywhere. It contains 139 farms and 848 people, with five schools. The precinct has the choice of Utica, Tamora, Goehner, and Beaver Grossing for market places, and the farthest farm from a station does not exceed six miles.

Is the south-western geographical township of the county. Daniel Millspaw settled in 1862, just west of Beaver Grossing, on what is now J. W. Thompson's laud, and opened a ranch. In 1863 John Xiconard made settlement a short distance further west. In 1865 a Mr. Buzzard settled north-east of town, and Mr. G. Glark and Golumbus Clark settled just to the south-east of Ross Nichols' farm, and about the same time Isaiah and Phillip Michael located on the Migatt farm, east of town. Eoss Nichols came in 1869, and located on the present town site, and had a small portion of his land surveyed into a town site in 1871, its first name being Nicholsville. Smith and Ingalls opened a store, and Mr. Smith built the flouring mill the same season. Thomas Tisdale had a little store at John E. Fouse's ranch, and was postmaster, and the store and post-office were moved to the town in the fall of 1871. They had a weekly, or weakly, mail carried on horseback.

Beaver Crossing was a rather dull and sleepy cross-roads trading point, where a few families have resided - two little stores, a blacksmith shop, a small hotel, and a doctor's office, with the grist-mill, and so it remained until the spring of 1887, when the building of the F., E. & M. V. R. R. was assured, then it awoke to a new life,, and now all is vigor and activity. Beaver Crossing now supports a newspaper. The Bugle, a bank, presided over by T. E. Sanders, eight or more mercantile houses, and some pretty good ones, two large elevators, two lumber yards, two smith shops, a hotel, and tM^o livery barns, and is growing in earnest, bidding fair to become one of the important towns of the county. A church and school-house adorn the place.

"M" precinct is abundantly supplied with water-courses, and the drainage is most thorough. The West Blue and its tributaries, Johnson creek, Indian creek, and the Beaver, furnish ample water and drainage. There is quite an amount of natural timber along these streams. The south-western portion of the precinct is a broad plain, and contains very many beautiful farms. The northern portion is somewhat broken. The population is 750, and there are 91 farms, according to the last census, but the population has increased greatly within the last year. There are six school-houses, each good frame buildings. The precinct, so long isolated and kept back by circumstances, will now take a forward step, and become from this time one of our most important possessions. The precinct has seven miles of railroad. The nev/ town of Hunkius, named for Benj. Hunkins, i& situate near the extreme south-west corner of the county in the midst of a splendid farming country, and will be an important shipping point.

Part of the old historic ground of the county, is largely noticed in the valuable and instructive letter of Mr. Johnson, but there are some points that should be mentioned.

creek, in the fall of 1862. The Johnson family came in 1864, also David Barton and Samuel Englehoupt; and in 1865 the Campbells, the Wilsons, and McCrackens; and in 1869 and 1870 large numbers came - Irwin Stall, George Foster, S. C. Tremper, J. D. Blackburn, the Richardson family, and many others. The first school was taught by Miss Agnes Baily, now Mrs. C. West, at the schoolhouse on David Bartin's farm in 1863, in what is district No. 3. The precinct has no village or post-office at present, but in the early days it had one at Walnut creek, called Welden, with S. G. Keen as postmaster, and at a later date one at Pittsburg. There was a town surveyed at Pittsburg in 1873, by Chris Lezenby, where a peat deposit had been discovered, Avhich for a time was thought to be of great importance, but its life was ephemeral.

" N " precinct is well situated so far as markets are concerned. The southern portion is very near and handy to Friend and Dorchester, the eastern part to Milford, the western portion to Beaver Crossing, and the northern portion is within easy reach of Goehner, and it is only from ten to twelve miles to the county seat.

The 1885 census gives the precinct 748 inhabitants and 134 farms, with five frame school-houses. There is splendid water-power, but as yet it remains unimproved. There are great numbers of very superior farms and orchards.

Is happily situated, so that it takes in a long stretch of our two laro-est streams. The North Blue cuts the north-east corner, and the South Blue cuts the south-west corner, each stream furnishing very superior water-powers of immense capacity, and they are improved at Milford and at West's mills, yet there is ample room for more extended improvement. Had a population of 1,462 at the last census, and 146 farms, with fifteen manufiicturing establishments. Has three post-office3, two flouring mills, at present only two miles of railroad, but has the track graded for about three miles additional on the Crete line down the valley. Has five schools, including one graded school, each with a good building. There are many very beautiful and tastefully arranged farms, with good buildings and orchards.

ford Avas one of the first settled portions of the county, and was for many years the leading town of the county. Held the county seat from 1867 to the fall of 1871, and was the only town in fact until the summer of 1868. Was established as a ranch and trading point in 1864, Built the bridge in the spring of 1866, and the first mill the following summer. Now has a population of near 800 souls, a central trading point with many mercantile houses ; a station on the A. & N. division of the B. & M., with two ver}' large elevators. The largest flouring mill in the state, with elevator attached, with a capacity of ninety-five thousand bushels of wheat, several fine brick blocks, the sanitarium, and the assurance of the State Industrial Home. Milford has become noted for a pleasant summer resort for tourists, where parties can fish, bathe, or take pleasure rides on the great pond, or ramble to their heart's content in the beautiful groves. Hotel accommodations are good. The surrounding scenery is very pleasant to look upon. The village is situated on a commanding hill, where the eye can feast on the beauteous landscape either northward or southward. There are very many pleasant and commodious dwellings, with several very tastefully built churches, a commodious graded school-house; maintains two banks, and many shops of diiferent kinds, among which are two large livery barns and several implement houses. We can see many reasons why Milford should, in years to come, be a very important town, and enjoy wonderful prosperity. If she will grasp the opportunities that present themselves, -she will become a tine city ere another decade.