Seward County, Nebraska - Chapter 37, 1916

Chapter 37

Daniel Millspaw, one of the 1864 ranchers, whose ranch was located on the east half of the north-west quarter of section two, iu -M- precinct, now in the west part of the village of Beaver Crossing, where he resided as a pioneer homesteader many years after the ranch period, died at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, April 14, 1893. His death was the result of a fall from a wagon on which he was riding two weeks previous to his death. He was on his way to Pagosa Springs intending to bathe for rheumatism, and in a rough place in the road one wheel of the wagon struck the root of a stump while the wheel on the opposite side of the wagon went into a chuck hole, throwing him off and breaking his collar bone in two places. He received all the care and attention possible, but on account of his advanced age he was unable to recover from the accident. His good wife preceded him to rest several years, an only daughter, Rosa McClellan surviving them

Philip Weinand an 1870 homesteader in -M- Precinct, died at his home in Beaver Crossing, March 1, 1910. A wife, one son and three daughters remained to mourn his departure.

John Atwood, an 1867 homestead settler four miles north of Milford, died in Dayton, Washington, March 11, 1902, aged fifty-eight years. He was one of four brothers, the others being H. C, Lee R. and Silas S. Atwood who all came to Seward county about the same date. He moved to the state of Washington in 1885.

Elmer E. True, an early settler in the south part of -M- precinct, and and for many years a resident of Beaver Crossing where he was engaged for some time as a clerk in Eager's store, and later conducting the hotel at that place, died at his home, March 1, 1896, aged thirty-five years. He left to mourn his loss a wife and two small children.

Mrs. Mary Atwater died at the home of her son, Ethan Atwater, four miles north-east of Beaver Crossing, December 17, 1893, aged 81 years, 4 months and 3 days. She was born in New York state August 14, 1812.

Henry H. Buck, an 1873 settler in -N- precinct, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. A. Reams, near Beaver Crossing, November 8, 1894 aged 67 years. He left and aged wife and several sons and daughters.

On Saturday evening, about five o'clock, September 2nd, 1916, the citizens of Beaver Crossing were shocked by the report that Paul W. McNeil had been stricken down by heart failure. He was a promising young man, just past seventeen years old, son of Editor E. A. McNeil and wife, and his death was so sudden and untimely that it cast a shadow of sorrow over the entire community. Paul was a Nebraska boy, born at Orleans, May TOtb, 1899, and came to Beaver Crossing with his parents in 1908. He left to mourn his early departure a father, mother and little sister, Genevieve, who have the heartfelt sympathy of the public in their great sorrow.

Following closely upon the shock over the sudden death of Paul W. McNeil came the report on Monday evening, September 4th, 1916, that Al. Caswell, mail carrier on rural route number three at Beaver Crossing, had died in his automobile while on his way home from the state fair. His death was thought to have been caused by ptomaine poisoning from food he had partaken of shortly before leaving the fair grounds. The day of his death was Labor Day, a national holliday and he was not required to make the trip over his mail route, therefore he attended the fair. Mr. Caswell had been carrying the mail about ten years. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, September 27, 1869, and was 46 years, 11 months and 8 days of age. A wife, one son, an aged father, mother, two brothers and one sister were left to mourn his untimely death.

Lewis Moffitt, a pioneer who settled upon a homestead, a part of which comprises the location of the city of Seward, in 1865, and gave a large and valuable farm to aid the county in building its fine court house, died at his home in Seward, June 14, 1900, leaving a wife uho followed him to rest in 1905. Mr. Moffitt had the first part of Seward laid out in 1867, and was the first postmaster for the new town, the postoffice occupying a part of his pioneer residence.

James P. Dunham, many years a resident of Seward, was twice elected councilman and twice mayor of the city, died at his home there, October 30, 1902. Mr. Dunham was born at Crawford, New Jersey, February 8 1853. A wife and two children survived him.

Mrs. Jacob Shaffer who had been a resident of Milford since 1879, died at her home in that place, July 23, 1906, a husband and adopted daughter surviving to mourn her loss.

Joseph D. Woods, an early settler at Seward where he conducted a hotel in pior.ei. r times, later moving to Stromsburg, Nebraska, died at his home in that city, March 9, 1902, aged ninety-three years. He was the father of William V\ oods of Seward.

Mary Jane Linch was born in Riley, Indiana, October 16, 1838, and was married to George Foster September 26, 1859. In October 1869 she, with her husband, settled on a homestead in -N- precinct, Seward county, where she resided until the time of her death, November 12, 1901. She left to mourn her departure a husband and two daughters.

Lewis G. Castle, an 1870 homesteader near Tamora, in -F- precinct died at his home in Seward, June 9, 1910, leaving a wife and one son. His wife, Emugene M. Castle followed him across the dark river, August 16 1916, one son, Lewis Castle of Lincoln, surviving her.

William P. Clapp settkd on a homestead in -F- precinct in 1867 where he died April 10, 1875. He left a wife who passed to her rest at her home near Tamory, June 13, 1916, aged seventy-four years, six months and thirteen days. One son and three daughters survived her.

Mrs. Ashford Holloway, ne Amanda Anderson, daughter of James and Jane Anderson who settled on a homestead two miles west of Seward in 1867, died at her home in Seward, April 5, 1915, aged fifty-two years, eleven months and thirteen days. Mrs. Holloway spent all of her life except five years in Seward county. She left a husband, one son and one daughter.

Mrs. George Gannon, who with her husband settled on a homestead near Staplehurst in 1872 and with him retired from the farm and moved to Seward in 1913, died at her home in that city, March 16, 1915, aged fiftyone years, nine months and twenty-three days. A husband, one son and two daughters survived her.

Hon. Thomas A. Healey, an 1868 pioneer settler at Milford, died in a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, January 14, 1910, aged sixty-seven years, six months and seven days. He was elected to the state legislature in 1876, and served many years as Milford's postmaster, being in that service up till nearly the date of his death. A wife remained to mourn the departure of a kind and loving husband.

Edward Healy, brother of Thomas A. Healey, also an early pioneer settler at Milford, died in Lincoln, Nebraska, June 8, 1906. He was born at Montreal, Canada, in 1840, and was about sixty-six years of age at the time of his death. Was elected county superintendent of public instuction in 1896 and served two terms.

Mrs. Silance, wife of Ira Silance, an 1870 settler in -K- precinct, died at her home in -L- precinct, April 4, 1896. A husband and three small children remained to mourn the departure of a loving wife and mother.

Mrs. Jerry Coffey, a pioneer settler north-east of Staplehurst,died at her home, Saturday, May 6, 1905, of pneumonia, aged 52 years. A husband, three sons and three daughters remained to mourn her departure.

Dr. Alma M. Rowe, a well known resident of Bearer Crossing in the nineties, where with her husband, Dr. E. J. Rowe, she was a successful practicing physician, died at her home in Mississippi, in June, 1906, aged 38 years. The Drs. Rowe moved to Mississippi in 1900. A husband and twin daughters, born at Beaver Crossing, survived her.

Joshua VanDervort, an 1870 stteler on a homestead one mile south of Beaver Crossing, died at his home in Friend, Nebraska, Sunday, April 28, 1905. Mr. VanDervort purchased a farm on section 15, -M- precinct, and moved on to it shortly after proving up on his homestead, where he resided until about 1894 when he retired from the farm and moved to Friend. A wife and daughter, Mrs. Avona Wehr, preceded him only a short time, to rest, the latter leaving a husband and two small daughters, one daughter, Mrs. Ora Crone of Friend, surviving to mourn the departure of a kind and loving father, mother and sister.

Edmond L. Blanchard was born in Florida, Mass., June 15, 1856, and died at York, Nebraska, Friday, May 5, 1893. Mr. Blanchard was a pioneer settler in York county, but moved in an ealy day to Seward county and settled on a farm in -L- precinct where he resided many years, returning to York in 1892 he spent the short remainder of his life in that city. His remains were brought to Beaver Crossing where funeral services were held after which they were laid to rest in the Beaver Crossing cemetery.

B. F. Perry was born in Kentucky, March 4, 1841, and came to Nebraska and settled on section 7, rail road land in -E- precinct in 1873. He retired from the farm and moved to Tamora where he resided till the end of life, November 11, 1898. He left a wife, one son and four daughters.

Samuel Manning, one of the early pioneers of Seward county, died at the home of his son in Seward, Thursday, April 27, 1905, aged 82 years. He left a wife, one son and two daughters.

Weldon Ragan, a pioneer settler in Seward county and for many years a business man in the village of Utica, died at his home April 4th, 1905.

Patrick Smith died at his home in -L- precinct, four miles north-west of Beaver Crossing, Wednesday, August 29, 1906. Mr. Smith came to Seward county in 1884 and settled on the farm where he spent the remainder of his life. He left a wife, three sons and four daughters, his wife following him to rest, January 3, 1915, aged sixty-nine years, eleveen months and ten days.

Julia Saxon Hamlin, wife of J. J. Hamlin, a pioneer settler who retired from the farm and moved to Seward in 1904, died at her home there Thursday, March 11, 1915, aged 75 years, 4 months and 1 day. She left a husband and two daughters, Mrs. Wm. Mooney of Montana, and Mrs. L. S. Konkright of Seward.

Louisa Jacobine Goeting,an early settler with her husband in -1- precinct died at her home in Germantown, May 17, 1915, aged sixty-six years, nine months and sixteen days. They retired from the farm just a short time before her death and made their home in- Germantown. She left a husband and seven sons and daughters.

Warren Brown, an 1866 homesteader in -H- pracinct, retired from the farm and moved to Germantown in 1892 where he passed to rest May 24, 1904.

Roland Terrill, another noblemen passed through the valley and shadow to that eternal home where God is the ruler, February 14, 1916, aged seventy-nine years. He came to Seward county in 1884 and settled in -Kprecinct, near Goehner and in 1890 located on a farm in - L- precinct where he resided until the date of his death. His wife, Hanna A. Dunn Terrill, preceded him to rest nearly six years, having passed away April 7, 1909. One son, Henry Terrill, dieing about a year previous to his father, three sons survived him.

John T. Davis settled in the south part of Seward county in 1879, and engaged in farming for several years. In 1892 he moved to Beaver Crossing where he followed the trade of mason and plasterer. He died February 14, l9l6 after about four years of continued sickness. He left a wife and several sons and daughters. John T. Davis was one of Seward county's grand pioneers, respected by all and disrespected by none who knew him, a kir.d, innofensive citizen and neighbor.

Joseph Lanning, an 1870 settler at Beaver Crossing, died at the home of his son Edward, in Lexington, Nebraska, December 12, 1900. Mr. Lanning was about ninety years of age. Two sons and one daughter survived him.

J. B. Seavey, an 1870 homestead settler on the south half of the south east quarter of section ten, -M- precinct, died at his home, Monday, February 27, 1888. Mr. Seavey left a wife, daughter and one sor.

A. J. Palmer, a pioneer homestead settler in -L- precinct, died at his home, Tuesday, May 10, 1887, aged sixty-nine years. Mr. Palmer planted corn until noon the day of his death, and shortly after going to the house, sank down and expired immediatly.

Charles H. Smith, an 1870 homesteader in -M- precinct, died in California, June 18, 1916, aged seventy-nine years. He was a shoemaker by trade and worked at that business in Beaver Crossing in an early day.

Jacob Geis, who settled on rail road land in -K- precinct in the pioneer days, where he improved one of the fine farms of Seward county, died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 17, 1916, aged seventy-two years, three months and nine days. He was married January 3l, l87l to Mary Karl. She preceded him to the great beyond, at their home January 5th, l90l. Five sons and two daughters survived them.

Fatal Accidents And Untimely Diaths

The first untimely deaths in Seward county, were those of the two young sons of Conrad Grots, sr., Henry and Conrad, who resided in -Hprecinct, both being killed by one bolt of lightening, July l4, 1869.

Shooting Of Amos Rumsey At Utica

At a celebration in Utica, July 4, 1879, Amos Rumsey, a young son of Mr. and Mrs. William Rumsey, was standing behind a young man who was shooting at a target with a revolver. The marksman getting a little artistic in the handling of his weapon, extended his hand with the gun over his head with a fancy florish as he was about to shoot, and accidently pulled the trigger, discharging the gun, the ball striking young Rurm-ey in the side of the neck and passing downwards lodged in the spine from which the lower part of his body and his lower limbs were paralized. In addition to the entire medical profession of Utica, Dr. Woodward of Seward was called, but there was no relief for the unfortunate young man. He was taken to his home at Beaver Crossing, where he lingered a helpless cripple for four years when death relieved him of his suffering.

Orson C. Fish Accident

Orson C. Fish, who settled on a homestead in -L- precinct in 1869, and was a resident for many years, moved to Collins, Iowa in 1894, died Saturday, November 9, 1895 from injuries received by being run over by a thrashing engine. He had went under the engine to couple the machine to it and was laying down in front of one of the drive wheels, and another person started the engine, the wheel passing over his body. It seems like a miracle that he was not killed instantly, but he was favored by being in an old deadfurrow or low place in the gorund. He lingered a few days, during which time he underwent a surgical operation. He left a wife, three sons and four daughters.

John Huffman

John Huffman, a sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Huffman, pioneer settlers in the vicinity of Beaver Crossing, with other boys had been out hunting and on their way home were overtaken by two neighbors in a wagon who invited them to ride. Young Huffman going behind the wagon laid his gun in with the muzzle toward him and the hammer coming in contact with the wagon box dischared the gun, the contents striking him in the face and side of the head. He was hurridly taken to town and the entire medical profession of Beaver Crossing called to his assistance hut he gradully sank until between one and two o'clock the next morning, Tuesday, February 20, 1906, his spirit took its flight to the one who gave it. He was born and always lived at Beaver Crossing. He left to mourn his untimely death, a father, mother and five brothers.

H. \V. Bentley, one of Beaver Crossing's respected and valuable citizens met death while at work in his blacksmith shop, about 5 o'clock, p. m., Friday, April 5, 1895, by the bursting of an emery wheel upon which he was polishing a plow shear. The stone was run by a steam engine and just previous to the accident Mr. Bentley said to the boy who was assisting him that the wheel was not running fast enough and to "put on more steam" which were the last words he ever said, a portion of the emery wheel striking him in the head and killing him almost instantly. The wheel was comparatively a new one, having been used but a few times. It was broken in three pieces, two of which were found in the shop, the other having made a hole through the roof, was found several rods east of it. Mr. Bentley left a wife and two small daughters to mourn his untimely and tragic death.

Death Of Mathew Millspaw

Mathew Millspaw, an early resident of Seward county, met with what proved to be a fatal accident at Goehner, November 23, 1892. He was operating a shelter and shelling corn when one of his coat sieves was caught in the machine, drawing his arm in and crushing it. The arm was amputated, but he died from the effects of the injury. He was a brother of Daniel Millspaw, early pioneer rancher.

Untimely Death Of Mary Strayer

A very sad fatal accident occurred just north «,f the city limits of Seward Saturday evening, August 18, 1894. John M. Strayer and family, consisting of wife and three daughters, resided one mile north of the city. On' the evening named, Mrs. Strayer and the three daughters were out riding in a buggy, when one of the girls in turning round to return home, made too short a turn, tipping the vehicle and throwing the occupants all to the gronnd. The mother and two older girls were slightly injured while little Mary, the youngest, sustained a dislocated neck. A docter was quickly summoned, but arrived only in time to see her breathing her last. She was between four and rive years old, the pet of the family and neighborhood.

Death Of Peter Hubertus

Peter Hubertus, a farmer residing about two wiles north of Beaver Crossing, in -L- precinct, went to the Held about 6 o'clock Friday evening, April 3, 1896, to relieve one of his boys who was running a stalk cutter. He took charge of the machine, which was being drawn by a team of youiij , spirited horses, and soon after starting them a dog after a rabbit frightened them and they started to run. Mr. Hubertus was thrown off and one of his feet becoming caught in the machine he was dragged until the leg was mangled in a terrible manner. His family managed to get him to the house and summoned Dr. Doty who amputated the shattered leg, but on account of the loss of blood and internal injuries the unfortunate man did not regain consciousness, lingering until the next morning when death relieved him of his suffering. He left a wife and several sons and daughters to mourn the sad departure of a husband and father.

Lewis J. Graul

Lewis J. Graul, a homestead settler in -K- precinct was killed in his barn yard by lightening, May 20, 1897. A wife and several sons ard daughters survived him. Mr. Graul was for severl years a neighbor of the writer, and known to be a kind and honorable citizen.

Death Of Jeff Stevens In 1871 And 1915

The accidental death of two persons on the public highway, under similar circumstances, both of the same name, seems more than ordinarly strange, and is an incident that perhaps will never occur in Seward county again. The unfortunate men were undoubtedly relatives. The date of the first accident together with the age of the latter victim shows that the first accident occurred nine years previous to the birth of the second person.

On the morning of July 6th, 1871, Jeff. Stevens, a resident six miles north-west of Milford, was found dead under a load of overturned lumber, about four miles east of Milford, near the Middle creek bridge. He left a wife and ten children to mourn the untimely death of a husband and father.

On the morning of January 12, 1915, Jeff. Stevens, who resided about seven miles south-west of Seward, was found about one mile west of his home, in a ditch at the end of a high culvert, dead under his horse and buggy. He had left Goehner about nine oclock the evening before for his home. The horse was blind and evidently went so near the end of the culvert that the wheels on one side of the buggy ran off and tipped it with Mr. Stevens over into the ditch, and the tightening of the lines caused the horse to back off and fall upon them. The fall had disabled the horse so he was unable to move and laid on the unfortunate man all night. Mr. Stevens was born in Seward county, and was thirty-five years of age. He left a wife and five children to mourn his untimely doath.

Death Of John G. Salnave

John Gilbert Salnave was killed by the kick of a horse, Monday, August 31, 1891. He was engaged at work with a team of horses for Dewit Eager and after feeding the animals at noon ha passed behind one of them and to make it stand over, slapped it on the rump when the horse kicked, striking him in the abdomain. He lingered between life and death until Tuesday, about twenty-four hours, when he passed away from his suffering. John was a single man, thirty-nine years, eight months and four days of age, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Salnave who settled on a homestead in -Lprecinct in 1869. His father and mother having preceded him to rest, he left to mourn his untimely death, one borother, B. F. Salnave of North Chemung, N. Y., and six sisters; Annett, wife of W illiam Rumsey, Lucey A., wife of O. C. Fish, both of Beaver Crossing, Lydia M., wife of J. H. \\ aterman of Friend, Nebraska, Maigaret J., wife of Paton Dillon, Lenora, wife of Chris. Maurer, and Pamelia Grace, wife of Edward C. Lanning, all cf Lexington, Nebraska. His sisters and husbands were all in attendance at the funeral, September 3, 1891, condcted by Rev. J. P. Ash.

Poisoning Of The W. D. Camp Family

One day in the latter part of iMay 1895, the family of W. D. Camp, residing one mile and a half north of Beaver Crossing, in -L- precinct, was poisoned by eating greens. Medical aid brought the older members of the family, Mr. and Mrs. Camp and his mother, Lucia Camp, through the afliction, but the three children were seriously effected and confined to bed several days, the younger one, Dwight, dieing from its effects, Monday, May 27, lcS95.

Little Merwin Tucker

A very sad accident in the drowning of Merwin Tucker, small son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Tucker, of Beaver Crossing, occurred on July 19, 1914. He with his parents, playmates and friends assembled at the river just west of Beaver Crossing on a picnic and fishing outing, and amidst the exciting pleasure of the occasion, while with other children at some distance from his parents the unfortunate boy slipped and fell down a steep bank into the water and met his death before assistance could reach him. In the struggle of the father to rescue his boy, being unable to swim he was only saved from drowning by the assistance of others of the party. Merwin was born at Pleasanton, Nebraska, April 3, 1908, and was 6 years, 3 months and 26 days old at the time of his death.

Think of him faring on, as dear In the love of There as the love of Here; Think of him still as the same, 1 say; He is not dead; he is just - away !"

Eloren Geiger

Floren Geiger, a German farmer and an early settler in -L- precinct, went to Utica, Friday, June 16, 1894, after a load of lumber. He started home with his loaded wagon, setting on top of it using a keg of nails for a seat. When almost to his home, in going down a hill the lumber slipped forward, striking and frightening; the horses and they started to run. The keg of nails tipped with Mr. Geiger and he fell under the wagon, the wheels passing over his chest killed him instantly. He left a family of wife and children.

Aleeru Palmer

Alfred Palmer, or more properly Alfred Street, was a very weak minded young man who had lived all of his life with Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Palmer, p oneer homesteaders in -L- precinct. After Mr. Palmer's death in" 1887, Alfred formed a habit of roaming over the neighborhood and would freqiently forget the way home. He would enter anybodvs house without the formality of knocking at the door. On March 30, 18% he vvandred to the residence of Patrick Smith, about three miles south-west of his home where he remained until early the next morning when he left to go home- Mr. Smith went nearly to his home with him and until he thought Alfred would find the ballance of the way, but he did not rind his home and wandered around until he got onto the Northwestern rail road track just ahead of the south bound freight train. This was a new sight to him and he was seen, by the engineer, advancing towards it. Thinking the man would step to one side the engineer paid no attention until nearly to him when he became alarmed and reversed his engine, throwing on all the breaks in an effort to stop the train and at the same time giving the warning whistle. The man continued to advance until within a few yards of the engine, throwing his arms in an uninteligible manner and then turned to run the other way, but did not leave the track. He made but a few steps when the front guard struck him and he fell back upon the cow catcher, striking his head against the front end of the engine, crushing his skull. The train crew picked him up and took him on to Beaver Crossing and Dr. Doty was summoned, but found him past all human help. He was placed in the depot where he remained nearly all day before anybody was able to recognize him. Undoubtedly Alfred was acting in the strange way he did, and throwing his arms so misteriously to banter the train for a race, and had no idea it could catch him.

Leonard Weibly

Leonard Weibly, of Cordova was drowned in the West Blue river while bathing with companions, July 8, 1893. It was thought that he was taken with a cramp while in deep water and it being dark, in the evening his com. panions were not aware of his condition until too late to render him assistance. He was 34 years, 1 month and 2 days of age.

Fred Feigin Killed

Fred. Feigin, a farmer residing two miles south of Seward, an early settler, was killed by a train of cars upon which he had been a passenger to 1 amora. He had arrived at Tamora when the accident happened and it was thought that in trying to get off of the car before the train stopped he had been thrown under the wheels, but it is probable that he lost his ballance and fell off of the platform between the cars, the rear car running over him. He had been a resident of Seward county for thirty years. A wife and two children were left to mourn his untimely death.

In August 1899, Clifford Heizart, a boy about fifteen years old, resident of Beaver Crossing, was drowned in the river, west of the village. He was subject to fits and was at the river alone and it was thought that he fell in the water while in a fit.

William TJarks, a young man seventeen years old, of Dunbury, Nebraska, in company with Emil Honbrock. a young man of the same place and Wm Sherwood of -L- precinct, were in the river bathing, just south of the depot at Beaver Crossing, July 7, 1893, when young TJarks started to wade accross the stream and when near the middle he stepped into deep water and was drowned. His companions both being unable to swim could render no assistance.

Near Mayrsville, in -C- precinct, in June, 1882, a young man named Mentz, while plowing corn, was dragged into the millpond by his team and was drowed with his horses.

Rev. William Murphy

Rev. Father Murphy, pastor of the Catholic church at Beaver Crossing was killed about two miles north-west of that village, by the overturning of his automobile, November 7, 1913. He was driving fast and overtaking a buggy he made an effort to pass it and turned into a deeb ditch which caused the accident. Rev. Murphy was well known throughout Nebarska, and held in high esteem by the general public, regardless of religious creeds. His aim seemed to consist in living a true christian life and to do good to any and all whom he came in contact with.

Shooting Accident

Alfonzo Mellick, a thirteen year old boy who resided with his parents on a farm south of Pleasant Dale, accidently shot himself while Irving to mount a horse with a loaded gun. He was away from home and failing to return his father searched for him, rinding his dead body, Saturday afternoon, February 15, 1902.

William Allison Killed

William Allison, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Allison, 1869 homestead settlers in -K- precinct, who spent the greater part of his life in Seward county, was accidently killed by an engine in the railway yards in West Lincoln, Saturday, July 15, 1905. He was employed by the B. & M. rail road company and was on duty at the time of the accident. A father and two brothtrs survived him, his mother having died some time previous.

Killed In Harvest Field

Herman Webermeir was the victim of a fatal accident in his harvest field July 25, 1903. He was running a harvester and something got out of order with the harness on one of the horses and he stepped out on the tongue of the machine between the horses to fix the harness, which frightened them and they started to run, he falling to the ground in front of the machine which passed over his body. He died that evening at eleven o'clock. Mr. Webermeir was a resident of -N- precinct where he owned a large farm and was a progressive and prosperous farmer. He left a family.

Nick Springer

On October 3, 1915, Nick Springer, twenty-one years old, son of Valentine Springer, residing eight miles south-east of Seward, was found dead in the Blue river near his home. He had gone hunting and had been riding in a boat and when he picked up the gun to leave the boat it was thought it was accidently discharged, the ball entering his head.

Frozen To Death

January 15, 1893, a German gentleman, named Schull, about seventy years of age, residing near Milford, started to walk up the railroad track from East Milford to attend the dedication of a new German Lutheran Church near Ruby, about six miles distant. He did not reach the church and after the close of the services his dead body was found, frozen stiff, within about half a mile of it. He was in feble health and it was thought that he had become exhausted by the walk facing a cold north wind and set down, frezing to death.

The Schultz Tragedy

The most heart rending accident known in Seward county occurred near Goehner, Wednesday evening, October 30, 1903. F. Schubz went to the field, a short distance from his house, to mow some grass, and unobserved by him, his almost infant daughter followed him and thinking to play a joke upon him, hid in a bunch of tall grass in the way of the cicle of the machine and her father was not aware that she was even in the field until the knives had run upon her and severed both of her feet. Physicians were soon in attendance and did all that was possible to save her life, but the little sufferer passed to the one who said "suffer little children to come unto me," in the early morning of the next day.

Five Young Men Killed By Lightning

On Sunday, July 6, 1899, five young men were riding in a buggy north of Staplehurst, when a storm overtook them and lightening striking their rig, killed all of them. Their names were: Victor Oobson, Ira Dobson, John Ames, Thomas Bidwell and Herman Egars. They lived in the vicinity of Staplehurst and were trying to reach home before the storm.

Otto Hallstein Killed By Train

Otto Hallstein, nineteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hallstein residing near Goehner, was instantly killed by a B. & M. railway train at the crossing one mile north of Seward, Wednesday morning, March 18, 1903. The young man had attended a dance at Bee and had taken Ada Wickersham to her home, about one mile and a half east of where the accident occurred, in his buggy, and then started for his home, and the return of the horses there without the buggv or driver aroused suspicion of his friends and a brother who went to look for him found the vehicle torn to peices and the lifeless body of his brothet laying near the track. I he hurses were not iniured.

Claud Smith, a thirteen year old boy, started to cross the rail road in front of a train near Utica, May 28, 1887, and was run over and killed.

Frank D. Grant, son of an -N- precinct pioneer, was dragged to death by a runaway horse, his foot becoming caught in the stirrup of the saddle, July 24, 1879.

An accidental shooting occurred at Utica, November 8, 1898 by which a twelve year old son of Joseph Manweiler, of that place, lost his life.

In August 1899 Samuel Manley, of Seward, was killed in Montana by a bronco pony he was trying to ride. He was brought home to Seward for burrial.

Fredrick Beckman, a farmer residing near Germantown, was killed July 7, 1895, by the kick of one of the horses he was working with in his field

William A. Thomas, a resident of Bee, lost his life on a street of Daven" port, Iowa, where he was visiting friends, April 18, 1904, by being accidently thrown from a bicycle he was riding, in front of a street car. He was brought home to Bee and hurried in one of the cemeteries at Seward.

On Sunday, June 4,1916, D. L. Adams, residing about a mile south-west of Beaver Crossing, sustained injuries in an automobile accident which resulted in his death fifteen days later. He was sixty-five years and two months of age. A wife and several sons and daughters survived him.

April 22, 1880, Ira Windall lost his life by being caught in the machinery in the mill at West Mills. He left a wife and two children to mourn the tragic death of a kind husband and father.

The seven year old son of William Teuscher, of J- precinct was run over and killed by the water tank of a traction engine, Tuesday, November 6, 1906. The boy was at school and having been dismissed for recess was playing with other children around the machine. While trying to ride on the tongue of the wagon he fell off and before the engine could be stopped the wheels passed over his body.

Wm. J. Hannah an early settler in -L- precinct was kicked by one of his work horses in the abdomain, and after intense suffering for eleven davs was relieved by death, August 23, 1912. A wife and several grown sons and daughters survived him.

Frank Hedge, a young man twenty-six years old, a resident of Seward, was drowned in the Blue river at that place, Friday, June 23, 1916, while bathing with a companion.

Wm. A. Pierce, a former Staplehurst boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Pierce, early residents of that place, was crushed by the cars at Ashland, Nebraska, Tuesday, May 23, 1906, and died shortly after the accident, aged twenty-three years. His remains were entered in a Seward cemetery.

Wm. D. Bowers, a pioneer settler in the city of Seward, and well known by a majority of Seward county settlers, was found dead in his bed April 27 1891. He had been in failing health several months.

Frank Oldenberg, for many years a resident of Seward, and familiarly known as "Dutch Frank," being for some time in failing health was cared for at the county poor farm where he was found on the morning of May 6, 1901, dead in his bed.

William Ladwig of Seward died November 25, 1914, from the effects of burns received twenty-four hours previous. His clothing caught fire from a blazing paper which blew against him while in an alley. He was one of Seward county's earliest pioneers, who had been a resident of it forty-five years. He was eighty-seven years of age. I wo sons and two daughters survived him.

Fred Meyer, a farmer residing one mile north of Seward, received fatal injuries in a runaway accident near the Northwestern depot, Saturday, October 31, 1903, from which he died the next day. The team was a pair of mules which became frightened at a railway train.

April 15, 1901, Mrs. Christiana Obermeyer, wife of W. B. Obermeyer of Beaver Crossing, lost her life in an Omaha hotel by asphyxiation from an open gass jet.

February 5, 1900, a two year old child of Herman Lang°r, of Seward, was scalded to death, and March 5, 1900 a three year old child of L. G. Soverign, of Ruby, was burned to death.

There is no class of unfortunates for whom there seems to be so much room for double sympathy as that class known as suicides. The frightful mental strain and anguish leading up to and prompting the act of self destruction can only be understood by those who have yielded to its influence. And following this is the ending of the most precious gift God has given to humanity in some tragic and violent manner. The voluntary last seperation from loved kindered and friends, together with the self willed "leap in the dark," down through the valley and shadow of death, cannot be attributed to sanity nor charged against insanity as an offense. In the loss of reason may "always be found a diseased brain which is no more offense than a diseased body, and in this misfortune lies the cause of the suicide's death.

W. S. Wallick, an 1875 settler in -F- precinct, took his own life by shooting himself in the temple with a 32-calibre revolver, at Tamora, Tuesday morning, March 10, 1914.

Fred Wimken, a farmer who resided six miles south-west of Utica, hung himself Friday morning, May 5, 1893; The cause for his act of self destruction has never been understood. He was financially well fixed, out of debt and had no family or neighborhood trouble.

Harry A. French, a long time station agent at Utica, committed suicide by shooting himself at Ashland, Nebraska, Monday, April 5, 1915. His rash act was attributed to despondency over ill health.

John Doody, an early settler on the north-east quarter of section 22, -Lprecinct, was found dead in his bed, January 13, 1878. He was a bachelor living alone, and his death was undoubtedly due to self administered poison.

Mrs. A. L. Johnston

Mrs. A. L. Johnston, an aged widow lady, living alone in Beaver Crossing, committed suicide by hanging herself in an outhouse of her home, Wednesday night, June 26, 1901. Her lifeless body was discovered hanging in front of the door, Thursday morning by Mrs. W. A. Wilsey who lived near Mrs. Johnstons home. Despondency over her lonlevness was evidently the cause of her act of self destruction. She was the mother of three sons all surviving her.

Suicided In Jail

Hugh R. Fullerton, a young man confined in the jail at Seward, committed suicide by hanging himself with a rope constructed of a pair of drawers, Saturday, April 14, 1894. He left a short note to his father as follows: "Well father I have waited for you till 1 can't wait any longer. 1 want you to take me back home and lay me by the side of my brother, so 1 will bid you all goodbye. 1 would sooner be dead than shut up in a cage.

Burned Himself To Death

William R. Connor, twenty years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Connor of -A- precinct, destroyed his own life, Saturday night, August 24, 1906 bv burning himself to death in his father's barn. 1 here was a disagreement existing between the young man and his father and he had left home in the spring. He returned home about two weeks prior to the tragedy, but there was still a feeling of disagreement between them which seemed difficult to become reconciled. He tried to borrow a revolver and failing to do so, resorted to the terrible manner named, of ending his trouble. He left a note which was afterwards found, stating his intention to burn himself and the barn together.

John Muir Suicide

Despondent over financial dificulties and the death of a baby daughter, John Muir, one of the early settlers of Milford, took his own life by firing four shots into the right side of his body from a 32-calibre revolver, September 30, 1902. He left a note directing the disposition of his life insurance, amounting to four thousand dollars, which he wished divided equally between his wife and little son.

JOHN TUCKER drowned himself in Conelley's fish pond, five miles west of Seward, May 30, 1901. He was suffering with a despairing fit of insanity, resulting in self destruction.

Mary A. White

Mary A. White, aged sixty- five years, committed suicide by taking strychnine, Monday afternoon, September 25, 1899, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Neff, who lived twelve miles north of Seward. Mr. and Mrs. Neff had been at Seward during the day and were greatly shocked at the sad occurance, both being very old people. A nephiew to whom she told that she had taken the poison, ran to a neighbor's and gave the alarm, a physicion being immediatly summoned, but he arrived too late.