Seward County, Nebraska - Chapter 9, 1888

Chapter 9

FRUITS OF SEWAKD COUNTY - SNOW STOKMS - STOCK FEEDERS - STOCK BREEDERS - IMPORTERS OF FINE HORSES - FIRE DEPARTMENT OF SEWARD - MONEY PAID TEACHERS BY VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN 1887 - MILFORD NEWSPAPERS - TROOP A, NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARDS - NOTES FROM DIARIES OF E. L. ELLIS AND HON THOS. GRAHAM, KEPT IN 1858 TO 1863.

From The Pen Of J. B. Courtwright

The county is yet in its infancy so far as fruits are concerned, but it can be readily seen that it compares iavorably with other counties of the state. We have a good climate, our winters are not so cold as many of the older states of our latitude, and the fruits already raised are of better flavor and more free from specks than in Illinois, Iowa, or many of the more eastern states. It is true that many of our present varieties are not as hardy here as in the eastern states. However^ they had many failures there until they learned what trees were adapted to their soil and climate, and we must learn by their experience, and not plant such as have been proven to be worthless. Hardy trees of apple or plum will do well here if the proper varieties are selected and properly cared for. I have seen as fine apples raised here as I ever saw anywhere. We cannot grow an orchard in one or two years; it takes time and watchful care, but when grown, there isnothing that an enterprising man feels more pride in than showing hi& orchard to his friends. Then, what is more delicious than a finely flavored apple, or a nice bunch of grapes, or a fine peach ?

We think that he who plants and prunes an orchard is a true benefactor, and no citizen of Seward county can do a more praiseworthy act than by planting an orchard and doing his part in making Seward the best fruit county of our noble state. If we only do our duty we will soon have plenty of both large and small fruits. The following varieties we have found to be hardy and prolific: For J2 summer apples - Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg, Early Peunock, Early Harvest. I would recomraeud as fall apples - Snow, Maiden's Blush, Bailey Sweet, Hass, Roman Stem, Cole's Quince, Fallsware. And for winter - Ben Davis, White Pippin, Winesap, Rawle's Genett, Jonathan, and Mann apple. There are many others that will do well.

There are a few varieties of tame plum that do very well, but I have succeeded best with wild varieties. I hardly ever fail of getting a good crop the third year from planting the pits, and they have always proved to be of an excellent quality. I have had but partial success with tame j)lums.

Have succeeded well with strawberries, goose and raspberries, and grapes. In fact I have never seen a failure here. I think the grape merits a more extensive cultivation in our county. The grape rot is unknown with us. The Concord and Clinton are the leading varieties. Have seen Catawbas do well, but they are not as hardy as some others. I prune in February.

Peaches are very uncertain, but have had some to measure seven inches in circumference. I get a crop every few years, which pays me well for all my trouble. I think the trees and buds kill in the fall, as they grow too late and they have too much sap in the tree. I had peaches this year, and they grew on the topmost limbs, with none on the lower branches. The fruit was from ten to fifteen feet from the ground, and of course in the most exposed condition. Some of the fruit was very nice.

I am hopeful of the future. I found my hope in the belief in the old adage, *' What has been done can be done again." Orchards planted by the early settlers have done well, and are producing good results in both quality and quantity. Care should be taken in j)rocuriug healthy trees, and then good judgment in setting and pruning, and also planting at proper distances, say from 25 to 30 feet apart, and last, but not least, secure of the hardy varieties, and only experiment with other and more costly kinds than those mentioned.

We predict that in a few years our people will be feasting on apples of the best quality, the products of our own soil. Considering everything, the outlook is most encouraging, and the observer can see a marked improvement in the interest manifest in starting and caring for orchards. The exhibit at our fair in September last.

Notwithstanding the frequent warnings, unprincipled and irresponsible agents - " tree peddlers " - are from year to year beating people out of thousands of dollars, that are virtually thrown away, by getting worthless stock. But for all this we'are making progress and no one familiar with the business can doubt that our county can become a very successful fruit county. Very many orchards have been so loaded that it was necessary to jjn^p the branches.

Snow Storms

Since the stormy winter of 1866 and 1867, we have had only occasional storms of great severity. In April, 1873, a rain commenced in tiie early morning, which turned to sleet during the day, and raged so fiercely that man nor beast could hardly withstand it. As night approached it turned to snow, and the night and following day were appalling. The whirling and drifting snow drove the unsheltered stock before it to destruction. Mr. A. D. Richie had a large herd of sheep drift with the storm until they rushed over the bank into Lincoln creek, where they perished. Peter Henegen, of Butler county, lost a herd of cattle in the same way. They took shelter under a high bank on the upper Blue, and the snow drifted entirely over them.

The worst snow storm of this generation struck this county a little after 3 p.m. on the 12th day of January, 1888. A damp snow had been falling since near midnight previous. The weather was quite warm and pleasant, and up to 3 o'clock the snow fell in great feathery flakes, such as school children rejoice to see, with ho breath of wind; and while we were all watching the beautiful snow coming so gently, little did we think of the terrors of the night, when all at once, as if some demon had been turned loose upon the world, there came a blast from the north-west, such as was never seen before in this fair land. All hearts were terror-stricken at the fury of the storm. The atmosphere was so thick with drifting snow that nothing could be seen, and the mercury immediately fell near fifty degrees, and it seemed for a time that no mortal exposed to its terrors could survive its fearful ravages. This continued till near midnight.

but there were numerous hair-breadth escapes. We have two victims iu this county, who suiFered more than death : Lena Webbeke, of "I" precinct, a girl of eleven years, undertook to make her home from the school-house, and became bewildered and remained out in an open field, partially drifted under the snow, and was rescued in the morning. This is one of the most remarkable incidents of record. That she should survive seems a miracle. At this writing one of her legs has been amputated, and she bids fair to recover. Miss Ettie Shattuck, who was away in Holt county, teaching, was caught in the storm, and by chance ran on to a hay stack and burrowed into it, remaining there seventy-two hours, and was accidentally found. She was brought to her home in Seward, and it was found necessary to have both feet amputated. She is now slowly recovering. She remains cheerful under the terrible ordeal. Her case has created a wide-sj)read sympathy, and large amounts of money have been raised at Seward, Omaha, Fremont, Nebraska City, and among the traveling men on trains, and at many other places in the state. Poor Ettie died February 6, 1888.

The State Journal started a subscription also for the Webbeke girl, which was caught uj^ at Seward and other places, and will result in ample funds for her proper care and education. All that willing hands and loving hearts can do will be done for her relief and tender care.

The storm was of such short duration that the stock stood it through with scarcely no loss in this county, but in the great northland it swept men and beasts to destruction by thousands. The people of our county are very grateful for the generous contributions from all parts of the state.

Stock Feeders

Stock feeding has grown to be an important industry in this county. There are being fed at present from thirty-five hundred to four thousand cattle, and a corresponding amount of hogs. The principal feeders are Phillip Unitt, Simeon True and Brown, General True, Marsh B. Palmer, David Palmer, H. Nabb, E. M. Hickman, C. J. Wright, C. M. Gorden, Frank W. Upton, Jacob Mundhenke, Joseph D. Speltz, John Williams, Lewis Anderson, E. M. Olney, John D. Olney, Warren W. Brown, and J. N. Edwards.

Fine Stock Breeders

This business is assuming importance, and there are many fine herds in the couutv\ We mention among the leading fine stock breeders, Claudius Jones and Sou, Friesian-Holstein and Shorthorns; J. N. Edwards, Short-horns; G. W. Bartow, Herefords ; E. M. Hickman, Short-horns.

The fine horse breeders are led by A. Rogy, an importer and breeder who has done much to improve the horses of this and adjoining counties. Other breeders are Geo. Abott, Frank W. Upton, and otliers. The Norman and Clydesdale are the leading breeds.

The Firemen Of Seward

deserve honorable mention in these pages for valuable services rendered. The organization dates back to 1879, when the engines and hooks and ladders were purchased by the city. The organization is divided into three companies - Engine companies No. 1 and No. 2, and the Hook and Ladder company. When duty calls the boys are always ready, and have been instrumental in saving much valuable property. They maintain a reading room, and have about 500 volumes in the library, besides valuable periodicals, papers, etc.

Milford Newspapers

From the time that the Record ceased to exist, in April, 1873, which able and valuable paper has already been very fully noticed, Milford had no paper until February, 1882, when the Seward County Democrat, a seven-column folio, was issued by Alexander Brothers. It was true to its name, a straight-out democratic paper, and had a successful business for two years, when its jjroprietors sold it out to Prof. Geo. F. Burkett, of Michigan, The proiessor changed its name to that of Milford Ozone, and its political career thencetorward was republican. A few mouths later, the editor having been elected principal ot the Milford high school took in as partner an erratic individual by the name of Horace Boyle, who played a brief engagement of three months, when his interest was purchased by H. C. Hensel, of Omaha, the present editor and proprietor. An amicable partnership of two months ensued, when Prof. Burkett's interest was purchased, and then the name wan changed to that of Milford Nebraskan. Its politics remained republican.

Ed. Hansel has had twelve years' experience in newspaper work, and has become quite efficient as a public writer and editor. He continues the successful publication of the Nehrashan, an eight-page, seven-column paper, and long may it live to disseminate light and truth among the people of the county. The Nehraskan is to be enlarged January 1, 1888.

Troop A, Nebraska National Guards

In pursuance to special order No. 3, issued by Gov. John M. Thayer to J. H. Culver, of Milford, Troop A of the Nebraska National Guards was organized and mustered into service by Adjt. Gen. A. V. Cole, on July 22, 1887.

The company then elected J. H. Culver, captain; Wolsey Weyant, Jr., 1st Lieut.; and C. L. Smith. 2d Lieut.; who were duly commissioned. The following non-commissioned officers and privates complete the personnel of tiie company :

Dunnegan, 4th sergeant; J. Luebbeu, 5th sergeant; Craven Stream, 6th sergeant; W. S. Kinney, 1st Corp.; Scott Garland, 2cl Corp.; Geo. C.^Fosler, 3d Corp.; John W. Wykoff, 4th Corp.

The company took up the line of march August 30th, in the midst of a drizzling rain storm, camping tiie first night at the Quick farm, near Emerald, and reaching "Camp Thayer" the next morning at 9 A.M. The week was spent in drill and camp discipline. The troop performed excellent service on vidette duty in keeping the disorderly in camp, receiving the highest compliments for their appearance and soldierly bearing on grand review by Gen. Wheaton, of the regular array, who was detailed bj^ the war department to inspect the Nebraska National Guards. Breaking camp on Saturday, September 3d, the troop marched to its rendezvous at Milford, a distance of twenty miles, in six hours, which would be considered rapid enough for a forced march in military parlance.

Seward county has the honor of having the only troop of cavalry in Nebraska, and the members of the company are noted for their steady habits and moral force, therefore possessing the necessary requisites for eiFective military service.

Capt. Culver participated three years in active service during the war for the Union, and having taken an academic military course after retiring from the war, and being a strict disciplinarian, will bring the troop up to the required standard of efficiency.

The troop is well equipped with excellent regulation uniforms and cavalry sabers and bridles, and are quartered when on duty at the new brick armory on Main St., Milford, where a military air prevails when the "Yellow Jackets" are assembled.

From E. L. Ellis' Diary, Kept In 1859 To 1861

Mr. E. landed in Nebraska on May 12, 1859, and on May 17th we find him and party on the Nemaha creek, near where Palmyra stands, which is described as a wild country with howling wolves. He finds in all that county just one deserted cabin. He says the roads leading to Nebraska City are lined with an innumerable host of returning Pike's Peakers. AVas favorably impressed with the quality of lands. Party arrived at the house of A. J. Wallingford, on ?alt creek, on the 17th. The party, consisting of E. L. Ellis, A. J. Wallingford, F. C. Simpson, Wm. Jones, and C. L. Barrett, visited Blue river on June 10th. Their way led across the rough land along Haines branch and South Middle creek, and except a drove of deer they saw nothing to please them until they reached the Blue valley. We infer by the time they were traveling that they struck Blue river somewhere between Old Camden and Milford. At six o'clock they reached an improvement that was commenced on the farm of A. J. Rogers, and was occupied by a Mr. Norton. The party camped at the mouth of a branch putting into the river, which we infer was Plum creek. On the eleventh they traversed the tablelands east of Plum creek, and were well pleased with the country. He mentions the old town site at the junction of creek with river. Party saw one wolf and ten elk. Mr, E. says he killed one of them. They camped on ground where Mr. E. claims to have camped a year before.

Mr. Ellis was left alone at camp a day without ammunition, and says it was blue enough, twenty-five or thirty miles from settlement. Three elk came within two hundred yards of camp. June 13th, worked on his claim, which is by the present iron bridge. Returned to Salt creek on the 14th, and learned that five hundred Cheyennes and Arapahoes had passed on their way to butcher the Pawnee tribe. The settlers at Salt creek ai^e fearful that these Indians will rob and kill them as they return, and are preparing fortifications, and had also sent spies to watch the movements of the red-skins. This scare continued until the 19th. August 4th, Mr. Ellis rode a stray mule to Rock Bluff, sixty miles, for a doctor, and carried cold johnny cake in his pocket to eat.

on Plum creek on the 3d; was hunting that day. Next we find him building a little house on his <^laim. The company saw, on the 6th, near three hundred elk, and killed one that netted 500 pounds.

On the 11th two men were attacked by five hundred Indians, and taken prisoners, held one day, robbed of all they had except their guns, which were given back to them, and they were charged by the brave Pawnees to never come to Blue river again.

April 3d a terribledust storm is noted. The atmosphere was fairly darkened by it. Fearful prairie fires on the 1 2th, damaging the settlers greatly, and came very near burning a house where a dead man lay at the time.

June lOtli Mr. Ellis visited Blue river again, and had quite an experience ferrying Salt creek at the basin, as it was very high. Ferried over in the wagon box and pulled the gears over with ropes.

On the 16th found four head of stray cattle somewhere near the future site of Seward. The party also found an old wagon worth about $45, that had been abandoned. I'hey found a settlement on the Blue, where parties had planted forty acres of corn, but the record gives no names.

September 10, 1860, entered the claim. Soon after this Mr. E. returned to Missouri, where he found a wife and had some romantic experience with the intended father-in-law, who opposed the match.

From The Diary' Kept By Hon. Thomas Graham

Thursday, July 1, 1858 - This day promises to be rainy and disagreeable. We rau over to range line in town five, between ranges two and three, and one mile up north to town corner, which we did not quite reach on account of its getting too dark to see.

July 4th - We are spending our 4th to-day in Sec. 1, town 5, R. 3 east. We have mulberr}' pie for dinner, which tastes nice. Day sunny and warm.

July 15th - Examined town 13, range 3 [J precinct,] and discovered a small settlement on the east bank of the Blue, where we got some milk for supper.

[Mr. G., we regret to say, fails to give us the names of the settlers, but we suppose it was the McKinly and Morton families spoken of in chapter five of this work. It is barely possible that it was the Morgans.]

July 16th - Raining. Went up to T. 11, R. 3 [G precinct], and up as far north as T. 12. [The balance of this day's record is so badly eifaced that we can not read it, but we decipher the word creek, which we understand to be our Plum creek.]

Mr. Graham tells us that he remembers that there were some town site stakes near the mouth of Plum creek, but knows nothing of how they came there. These same stakes and two foundations were yet visible in February, 1864. They covered the slope in what is now Moffitt's pasture, north of the B. & M. road, and extended west to near the river at Boyes' mill.

Later in the season we find Mr. Graham and party again in Seward county, and at that time they heard of the French settlement being formed at the forks of the Blue, but did not visit it. This was Vifquaiu settlement, just below the Saline county line. If Mr. G. had supposed that Seward county had so many honors in store for him, his notes would have been more elaborate, but we are thankful for small favors.

Beaver Crossing Bugle

^vas established April 27, 1877, by H. C. Hensel, and is one of the largest county papers in the state, being an eight-page seven-column paper, ably edited, and republican in politics. We understand that it will be enlarged January 1, 1888. It makes the fur fairly stand on end among the Beavers to hear the ^^ Bugle notes" calling them into active life from week to week. Long may the Bugle blasts awaken the hills and valleys of that region, and be a great helper in 'the development of the long neglected, yet interesting and valuable portion of our county.