Grand Island City

Grand Island City

First Buildings - Organization of the Town - Action taken by Commissioners - Town Oeficiaes 1872-1919 - Property Eeeonging to City - Parks - Amusement Parks - The Fire Department - Paving - Sewers - Lighting Plants - Municipal Light and Water Plant - Sources of Taxation and Revenue - Grand Island's Tax Rate - The Public Library

Grand Island takes its name from the older settlement, which has heretofore been treated at such length, and on the island -called Grand Island of the Platte.

Here in this city is the seat of justice of Hall County and the center of commercial and manufacturing growth for the Platte Valley in Central Nebraska. Its location is one of the prairie ridges and affords natural drainage; its elevation of 1,860 feet above the sea level renders it free from malarial influences and denies it the rigorous winters of higher altitudes.

This chapter will only treat of the early settlement and civic development of Grand Island. Its city government will be detailed and the development and growth of its public utilities and parks. The part that Grand Island has played in the manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and financial achievements of Hall County will be merged in the separate chapters on those subjects that are to follow this one. Likewise will the growth of her churches be included in the treatment of their respective denominations, her schools treated as -a part of the school history of the county, the press, professions and social and fraternal institutions be taken up in separate chapters relating to those respective activities.

The first track of the Union Pacific railroad was laid here July 8, 1866, and the first construction train run in. This train was drawn by the locomotive Osceola, in charge of George Loomis. The engine was captured in 1868 by the Indians six miles west of Plum Creek.

During the fail the railroad house was erected, which was used until the completion of the later railroad house in December, 1875, when part of the old building was purchased by Fred Hedde and removed to the southwest corner of Third and Locust streets, and another part was converted into a dwelling by P. Touhey, and occupied in 1876 by C. W. Thomas..

The postoffice was established in 1866 with D. Schuler postmaster, and about this time the store of M. S. Hall, a railroad contractor, was opened, and the O. K. store was moved into the new town early in 1867 by Koenig and Wiebe. Henry Koenig also established the State Central Flouring Mills and the pioneer lumber yard. William R. McAllister and C. W. Thomas also opened their stores the same year.

The original plat of Grand Island was filed for record September 29, 1866, and recorded in Book B, page 13, by Clerk Fred T. Evans. The document was found by Abstractor William Frank, at Omaha. Prior to this time Grand Island had nothing to show title to streets and alleys, beyond twenty-one years possession of the same, the county records then showing title only in the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

Organization Of The Town

A final meeting to consider the question was held on November 25, 1872, and a report was received from a committee previously appointed, in favor of presenting a petition to the commissioners. George H. Thummel, O. A. Abbott, A. Thorspecken, and Henry A. Koenig were the members. The persons appointed to circulate the petition were W. H. Piatt, A. Thorspecken, and W. C. Buderus. On December 10, 1872, the petition for incorporation was granted, and John Wallichs, R. C. Jordon, A. Thorspecken, H. N. Chapman, and Christian Wasmer named as the first board of trustees.

"Your petitioners, taxable inhabitants of the town of Grand Island, respectfully request your honorable body to declare the town of 'Grand Island a body politic and corporate by the name of and style of the Town of Grand Island, and they do also request that R. C. Jordon, John Wallichs, A. Thorspecken, H. N. Chapman, and Christian Wasmer be appointed trustees of said town. And your petitioners will ever pray.

Action Taken Bv The Commissioners

A petition of the taxable inhabitants of Grand Island being presented to the board of county commissioners and it appearing that a majority of the taxable inhabitants of said town having signed said petition :

It is therefore ordered by said board of county commissioners that the town of Grand Island be declared incorporated by the name and style of "Grand Island", with the following limits : The northwest Y^ and the northwest V4 of the southwest i/4 of section fifteen (15) and the northeast 14 and north 1/0 of southeast I4 and northeast 14 of southwest 14 of section sixteen (16) in township eleven (11) north of range (9) west, and the following persons be appointed trustees of said town, towit : R. C. Jordon, John Wallichs, A. Thorspecken, H. N. Chapman and Christian Wasmer.

Alayor, Edward Hooper; Council, Joseph Killian, W. C. King (no record of the other two); Clerk, John Wallichs; Judge, W. H. Piatt ; Treasurer, Wm. Hagge.

Mayor, W. H. Thompson ; Council, John Alexander, President, H. C. Miller. R. H. Mc- Allister, H. W. Potter, A. Cosh, J. A. Woolstenholm, Edw. C. Schourup, Henry Vieregg; Clerk, Carl H. Menck ; Judge, Joseph Fox ; Treasurer. W. R. King; Attorney, Fred W. Ashton; Street and Water Commissioner, Geo. Loan. Sr; Weighmaster, D. Morgan; Chief of Police, Roger Ryan; Chief of Fire Dept.. Wm. Scheffel; City Engineer. A. C. Koenig.

Waldron; Water and Street Commissioner, Geo. Loan, Sr. ; Chief of Police, Fred Meier; Chief of Fire Dept., Fred Lohman; City Engineer, A. C. Koenig.

Mayor, W. H. Thompson; Council. J. A. Woolstenholm, President, A. Cosh, R. Goehring, R. H. McAllister, H. W. Potter, H. H. Glover, H. A. Bartling, E. C. Schourup; Clerk, Edward Hooper; Judge, O. A. Abbott, Jr. ;Treasurer, W. R. King ; Attorney, W. S. Pearne ; Chief of Police, Fred Meier ; Chief of Fire Dept., R. A. Kelso; Weighmaster, L H. Waldron; City Engineer, A. C. Koenig; Water Commissioner, Lafe Myers; Street Commissioner, W. F. Martinsen.

Mayor, James Cleary; Council, W. F. Mc- Laughlin, President, H. E. Clifford, R. Goehring, A. W. Sterne, Edward Bearing, R. H. McAllister, J. A. Kelso, G. A. Leiser; Clerk, Edward Hooper; Treasurer, W. R. King; Attorney, Madison T. Garlow; Judge, Henry Garn; Water Comm.issioner, W. V/. Waters; Street Commissioner, E. C. McCashland ; City Engineer, C. A. Baldwin; Chief of Police, Philip Loeplin ; Chief of Fire Dept., Thos. M. Dillon; Weighmaster, J. G. Hendryx.

Mayor, Henry Schufif; Council, H. E. Clifford, A. W. Sterne, A. W. Buchheit, Geo. A. Leiser, C. P. Birk, Albert Etting, Edward Dearing, Geo. W. Broadwell ; Clerk, Edward Hooper; Treasurer, W. R. King; Attorney, W. A. Prince; Judge, Henry Garn; Water Commissioner, W. W. Waters ; City Engineer, C. A. Baldwin ; Chief of Police, Philip Koeplin; Chief of Fire Dept.. Thos. M. Dillon; Weighmaster, Benj. Van Buskirk ; City Physician, Dr. M. L. Rich.

On March 6th, 1906, a special election was held upon the proposition of a new municipal lighting plant, resulting in 926 votes in favor of the bonds and 361 against.

City Attorney Prince was made clerk pro tem during the illness of City Clerk Hooper, and on March 28, Councilman H. E. Clifford was selected as City Clerk vice Edward Hooper who had died shortly before, and

Mayor, Henry Schulf ; Council, C. P. Birk, Albert Etting, John Schwynn, Geo. A. Leiser, F. M. Milliken, A. W. Sterne, A. W. Buchheit, Geo. W. Broadwell; Clerk, H. E. Clifford; Treasurer, W. R. King; Attorney, W. A. Prince; Judge, Henry Garn. Appointive officers same as 1905, except R. O. Watters, Water Commissioner.

Mayor, ]. L. Cleary ; Council, Jas. E. Hanna, Jufius Boeck, A. C. Menck, R. W. Bock, Wm. F. Krehmke, Joe Alexander, Walter Peterson ; John A. Ferguson resigned in 1918 and was succeeded by Carl V. Willard. These eight are still serving through 1919.

Police Tudge E. G. Kroger was succeeded January 9, 1919, by Hon. D. W. Hoyt, and he resigned in August, 1919, and was succeeded by W. J. Wilkinson.

Property Belonging To The City In 1901

Cemetery - The southwest quarter of the southwest quarter, section 20, the north half of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter, section 29, and the south half of lot 2 section 19, all in township 11, range 9, containing 60 acres, more or less, chased in 1897) 4,000.00

First Precint, First Ward, Engine real estate buildings, etc. (pur- House and voting place, lot 2 in block 22 Nagy's Addn. lot and building 500.00

Fifth Piicint, Fourth Ward. Engine House and voting place, fractional lot in block 12 original town with fraction in H. G. Clark's addition, lot and building 600.00

Personal Property Fire Department

The city now has all the property listed above, or better property replacing it, and a great deal more. To the water works has been added a city light plant which will be taken up more in detail later; considerable new fire equipment has been added; the storm sewer

Grand Island has a fair beginning made in the matter of parks. When disposition was made of the old court house several attempts were made to sell the square, and eventually a Women's Park Association was formed and leased the square from the county for a period of ten years. Through the eflforts of these ladies a beautiful small park has been fitted up, which was appropiately given the name of "Pioneer Park." Cement walks criss-cross through the park ; a nice fountain occupies the center, drinking fountains are conveniently distributed, benches are profusely scattered through the park, and the artistic floral beds add a brilliant touch to the attractive resting place this makes near the heart of the city. This square was originally donated to the county by the Union Pacific railroad and the old court house placed thereon. When the new court house was built at First and Locust streets, on the old Koenig property, the first block was left idle, but has been turned to as suitable a purpose as could have been chosen.

Amusement Parks

Grand Island is unusually endowed with amusement parks under private management. Perhaps the most notable of these is Schimmer's Lake. This lake was constructed by damming up a channel of the Platte River and a skillful course of preparation of the vicinity now covered by its waters. The lake lies to one side of a main road between Grand Island and the south part of the county; it has a driveway clear around its shores, and a large island in the center, which is reached by little bridges. A great many cottages have been built on both the island and the shores. Across the road from the lake is located the resort called Sand ,Krog, where picnic grounds, a large dancing pavilion with refreshment parlor, and various conveniences required by such a resort are maintained. Mr. Schimmer and Mrs. Scheel conduct this resort, which all through its history has attracted a great many people from distant points.

There are numerous other private parks which are well equipped with pavilions for dancing, refreshment, and recreation. Some of these will recall very vivid memories in the minds of those who have spent many happy evenings with their confines. Midway Park to the south of the city ; Harmony Hall to the east end of the county, just beyond the eastern confines of the city; and Lion's Grove, south of the city, are among the most notable of these places which are still in operation.

The Fire Department

flagrations. Of course in the first few years of Hall County's history, before Grand Island really became a town of any importance, prairie fires swept across the new community and inflicted what was then very serious damage. But at no time has the city ever had a conflagration that took away any considerable portion of it. It has from a very early date been provided with volunteer fire departments that have extinguished each incipient blaze, and that have kept in touch with most modern devices and methods in the way of equipment and organization. When the time came to establish a paid fire department it was by no means on account of the lack of efficiency in the men who have voluntarily taken charge of this service of protection, but because of the rapid growth of the city and the growing need for a team and driver to be constantly on hand in order that distances might be covered by the equipment in shorter time. Grand Island's fire department has seen the same evolution as that of other towns of similar size. First was the loosely formed mutual organization that would rush to the proper barn when the whistle blew, grab a wheel-cart and hotfoot it over to the scene of the fire, reinforced, if necessary, by the citizenry bucket brigade. Then came the firmer organization with equipment that could be hitched to the first team that could arrive, with a supply of ladders as well as hose carts. Then the chemical wagon, pulled by a team of horses, with a large hook and ladder, and eventually the autotruck fire equipment which can make the distance in double-quick time.

So far as records are immediately available the first fire company was organized June 8, 1874, with C. P. Henderson, foreman ; N. P. Kelly and T. C. McCoy, assistants; E. Tomlinson, secretary ; and James Cl'eary, treasurer; S. N. Wolbach, James Clear}^ and J. B. Davis together with the officers were trustees.

Several months later in the same year the hook and ladder company was organized with W. J. Cuddy, later member of the staff of the Portland Oregonian, as foreman; P. Dunphy and H. Baumann, assistants ; W. F. Bering, treasurer; Joseph Jenneman, secretary. In 1876 there were twenty-five members of the department, with John Kraft as chief. The city at that time did not exercise any control, but later assumed such, which, however, until more recent years was largely nominal.

In March, 1884 Ch. Neilson, W. Cornelius, Ch. Guenther, Th. Zimmerman, H. Henk and F. Kruse were elected officers of the Hook and Ladder Company. John Riss was captain, succeeding Milisen. The fire department was then presided over with Nabel as chief and C. L. Howard as assistant. At the Fireman's Tournament held here in 1885 the Fremonts took the prize away from the Fitzgeralds of Lincoln, winners at Omaha, by a close tussle.

Protection Hose Company No. 2 completed organization in June 1886 with E. C. McCashland, president ; W. F. McLaughlin, foreman : C. Milisen, secretary; S. Elliott, treasurer; E. Dawson, George Hunter and G. H. Geddes, trustees. In March, 1887, H. C. Miller was chosen president of the fire department ; John A. Matthews, chief ; William McLaughlin, assistant ; John Voitle, second assistant ; J. W. Bartholomew, secretary' ; Charles Haux and David Zink, treasurer. In 1890, ^V. R. Mc- Allister was president ; D. C. Zink, secretary ; J. A. Matthews, chief.

Following the first "big fire" related in the chapter on pioneers of the first colony as having swept the old settlement in the late 'fifties, the next big fire was that of Engel & Siegmund's pearl barley mill, destroyed in 1876. The mill had been erected only a year previously at a cost of $5,000. With the exception of the Union Pacific water tank structure, this was the first conflagration since the town was founded in 1866. An attempt to burn West's store and the Grange Hall was pre- vented by James Cleary. In December, 1884, there was a fire in the Cleary and Grand Island Banking Company buildings that but for the thorough work of the department would have destroyed those blocks. Schaupp's mill was burned to the ground in 1886. This fire, one of the largest in the town's history, destroyed a three-story roller patent mills and a five story elevator. Wilsey's barn and five blooded horses were destroyed in 1887. Rollin's feed mill was destroyed in 1888. The Burning of the Sass hotel (known as the Wyoming house) was another big fire. In more recent years the fire at the Martin store, with damages of $30,000, the destruction of the old State Central and later Grand Island

Brewery and the total loss of the Pacific Hotel were the most extensive conflagrations. In 1910 the Nebraska Mercantile fire was a cause of enonnous loss.

Paving

Grand Island has acquired a goodly number of miles of paving in recent years. Probably more impressive and enlightening for future comparison than a mere statement of number of miles would be a brief outline of the present paved districts of the city, in 1919.

Practically all of the streets of the business district are paved. On the south side, Third street is paved from Kimball west about a mile from Locust; Second, with the seedling mile coming in from the east, is paved from the BurHngton tracks subway on the east, westward about a mile or so from Locust street ; First is paved from Sycamore to the west end of the residence district; Division, form Locust to the west end of the residence district; and Koenig is just being completed through the western residence district. This gives five streets through the west residence districts, with agitation under way on streets farther south. Locating the new junior high school on Charles street will no doubt hasten along the addition of another east and west paved street. North and South, on the south side of town. Pine, Locust, and Wheeler are paved through the business district, and Walnut some. Numerous cross streets in the west part of town are either paved or districts in process of formation. On the north side of town Pine and Walnut have paving up to Tenth, and Tenth is paved across from Plum to Eddy. Now paving is under way or districts are being formed on Eddy and on Ninth and Sycamore is about to be formed into a district. Another few years will find material additions to the list sketched above.

The city's present storm sewer and entire sewerage system has proved sufficiently inadequate that the voters on July 2, 1919, voted $200,000 to begin a program of construction of several main sewers, with a labyrinth of laterals, which when completed will render sewerage available to practically every lot now within the city limits and to a number of prospective additions that may be added to the city within the next few years.

Lighting Plants

The Gas and Electric Light Company was organized in July, 1884, with George H. Thummel, president ; H. A. Koenig, vice-president ; Dr. M. J. Gahan, secretary ; and Chris Wasmer, treasurer. In 1889, Henry Miller was superintendent.

The Grand Island Gas Company was incorporated March 21, 1887, with A. S. Maxwell, Samuel N. Wolbach and John L. Means as stockholders, and Mr. Maxwell, as managing director.

The Grand Island Light and Fuel Co. was a manufacturer of gas. This plant was established prior to 1890, and was built at the foot of East Third street.

Grand Island Electric Company

The Grand Island Electric Co. was organized in September, 1905, with B. E. Sunny, of Chicago, Illinois, as president; T. H. Fritts, of Grand Island, as secretary-treasurer and general manager; and with directors as follows: B. E. Sunny, George P. Townsend, A. Burt, A. D. Fonger, A. L. Munroe, of Chicago, and T. H. Fritts and W. H. Thompson of Grand Island. In 1905 the plant had a capacity of 150 K. M. or 200 horse power. In 1915 the company had developed a plant with 625 KVA capacity, or 833 horse power.

Central Power Company

The Central Power Company was organized in July, 1915 with B. E. Sunny president; T. H. Fritts, vice-president and treasurer; W. H. Weston, secretary; directors Frank J. Baker, Edward J. Doyle, Louis A. Fergusen, William A. Fox, John F. Gilchrest, John H. Gulick, Martin J. Insull, Samuel Insull, Chas. A. Munroe, L. E. Meyers, F. S. Peabody. Edward P. Russell, Marshall E. Sampsell, Frederick Sargent and H. L. Stewart, all of Chicago.

During the year of 1916 the Boelus Hydro plant was developed. This is the leading water power plant of Nebraska and has harnessed the waters of the Loup River a few miles west and north of the northwest corner of Hall County and made it possible for the Central Power company with that plant and their reserve plant at Grand Island to become the distributing center of light, current, and power for a great many towns throughout central Nebraska. The capacity in steam and hydro generating plants is 5,133 KVA or 6,844 horse power,- or eight times the capacity when the Central Power Company succeeded the Grand Island Electric Company.

will approximate 8,935,000 K. W. H. for 1919. The company now has 200 miles of high tension transmission lines in operation. The following towns are now served from this company's plants : Clarks, Central City, Chapman, Grand Island, Doniphan, Alda, Wood River, Shelton, Gibbon, Kearney, Odessa, Abbott, Cairo, Boelus, Danneborg, St. Paul, and also

Waterworks And Municipal Light Plant

Practically forty years ago Grand Island voted bonds and took steps to secure a municipal water plant. She was perhaps one of the first cities in the state to make this progressive move. At first fire protection was the impelling motive; the necessity of flushing sewers followed, and later the system was tapped for domestic purposes and for the use of the Union Pacific shops. Eventually industrial and manufacturing plants multiplied and uses have piled up one after another, until the plant is an all essential institution.

to secure electric lighting service, and $35,000 bonds were voted to extend the activities and equipment of the municipal water plant to include a municipal electric plant. The bonded indebtness, outstanding warrants, taxes, interest, and surplus, the items making up the liabilities, for the electric plant on May 1, 1909, were $57,097.21 ; the assets balancing with the same total; for the water plant, the liabilities and assets shown were $102,348.95.

without much delay. A few have to be prodded by the treasurer or by the police before they will dig. Others may find their places of business closed if they don't "come across."

The business occupation tax is one of many. It must be paid by non-resident corporations, such as the Western Union, the express company, the Standard Oil, etc., and also is paid by places of amusements, such as theaters. The amount of this tax varies from $10 to $50 per

Sources Of Revenue And Taxation

Something of the magnitude of the city's business and the amount of property now belonging to the city, as well as the multiplicity of burdens resting upon a city administration and the numerous sources of revenue at the city's command may be gained from some comparisons and statements published in the Independent, July 19, 1919:

Just at present time City Treasurer W. R. King is finding money on all sides. There are numerous taxes which must be paid by residents of Grand Island, in common with the residents of other cities. Most of those who owe taxes are paying without complaint or year. All of these taxes are now paid with the exception of the tax due from one theatre. Twelve amusement taxes have been received. The pool hall man pays a tax into the same business occupation fund, but under a different ordinance. Bowling alley owners pay under this second ordinance also. Fourteen of these have paid their taxes and only one man is delinquent. Unless the tax is paid the police will close up the place of business. The tax amounts to $10 a table or per bowling alley. One place has nine tables and three bowling alleys, and thus pays a tax of $120, which is the highest amount to be paid by any one such business house.

The dog tax is another one in which the city treasurer has an interest. More than 300 such taxes have been paid, which is about the same number as paid last year. According to this there are only 300 and some dogs in the city. Complaints received by the police at times from people who say they are kept awake or otherwise annoyed by canines, indicate that these 300 dogs travel in a body and visit various neighborhoods which have no legal right to be in the community.

Other licenses include that for peddlers, such as that paid by a stranger who disposed of large quantities of razors and combs on a down town street comer the other day at a price around one dollar.

The circus license is another one which goes into the city treasury. The Yankee Robinson circus which is to be here this month, has paid a tax of $75 to Mr King. The tax is based on the number of cars used by the circus. The size of this tax shows the circus has more than 20 railroad cars and less than 30 cars.

Mr. King heard of a new tax on Friday when a man called and wanted to pay a milk tax of $1 a year. He told the treasurer this tax goes into effect soon. Mr. King declined to accept the money much to the visitor's disappointment, as the treasurer said he had received no instruction to collect a milk tax and was not authorized to receive the money or issue a receipt.

From Daily Independent, August 7, 1919: A good sized jump in the city tax levy for the new fiscal year beginning the second Monday in August was decided on when the council last night passed the appropriation and tax levy ordinances. The total appropriation voted on is $195,858 as compared with $151,670 the past year, or an increase of $44,- 288. The total tax levy is 46 mills against 34 mills last year, or an increase of 12 mills.

tax levy on the city property was published. It was 103 mills. The estimate may be changed now with the following items : City levy, 46 mills ; school levy 45 mills ; state levy, 13 mills ; county levy, 9 mills (estimated) ; total levy on city property, 113 mills.

So far as the water works appropriation is concerned, it should be mentioned that the $50,000 put down is meant only to keep the city books straight. The sum appropriated to be raised by a tax is only $5,480, the same as last year. The rest of the amount comes from the receipts of the city plant.

The city tax rate of Grand Island is the lowest among twenty cities and towns of Nebraska. The total ta.x; paid by a resident of this city for all purposes is so low that only one of these twenty cities has a lesser rate. Only two of the twenty cities have a lower school levy.

These pleasant facts have been learned by County Treasurer Neumann after making inquiries in other counties. Mr. Neumann thought he would like to make a comparison of rates so as to have facts at hand to meet some of the chronic kickers who growl about their taxes every time tax paying time approaches.

"Well, just to sorta glance at things, we got one of the biggest beet sugar factories in the country, the livest Commercial Club agoing, the finest Elks temple in the state, the best auditorium for any city of its size, a people that has met every war quota, one of the most modern collections of Union Pacific buildings on the system, a bunch of horse barns that would make your eyes stand out.

the Lincoln Highway, the S. Y. A. road, the Grainland route, and another highway in project, two of the grandest little railroad systems in the United States, the most active demand for houses to be found anywhere, a Soldiers and Sailors Home colony, a Country Club with eighty acres of club land, some of the most sizeable ranches in Nebraska, the best little automobile and style show you ever saw, the lowest fire loss record you can imagine, ten miles of paving and more started, scores of beautiful homes, a neat assortment of mercantile establishments and wholesale houses, a grand market center for farm products, the lowest tax rate in the state, and - ."

The total tax levy imposed on a resident of Grand Island is 88 mills. Out of twenty cities only one has a rate as low or lower and that is Seward with 86 5 mills. The levy for city purposes is 34 mills which is the lowest of any of the twenty cities. The school levy is 37 mills and only Omaha and Seward have lower levies for that purpose. The state and county levy is 17 mills which is the same as that in Hastings, while four places, Seward, York, Wymore and Beatrice, have lower state and county levies.

One of the institutions to which Grand Island can point with pride is her City Library. In the early 'eighties the library sprang up, a rather meagre afifair, promoted by private interest. In 1884 a board appointed by the city took charge and the service and equipment were gradually improved from year to year. The old library was located on East Third for many years, at one time in the Scarff building. It was then located in the City Hall until its splendid home at Second and Walnut was completed in 1905.

The presidents of the Library Board have been: From 1884 until 1898, Charles F. Bentley ; his- successor was Prof. R. J. Barr, and after him, Henry S. Ferrar served for about five years ; in 1905, Mrs. O. A. Abbott. Sr., became president, and she has devoted her time and energies very liberally to that position for the past fourteen years. Mrs. Abbott had served as vice-president of the Board for several years before she took the chairmanship.

Nathan Platte served as secretary of the Board for a good many years, until his death in 1897; John F. Matthews then took that work for a couple years, then Bayard H. Paine served for- five years, during the strenuous two or three years when the Board was accepting Mr. Carnegie's generous offer made in, 1902, securing a site and an architect, letting the contract and waiting for the construction of their building; Prof. J. F. Matthews, two years ; Prof. D. A. Trivelpiece, five years and Mrs. J. A. Costello for the last six years have been the succeeding secretaries.

The longest term of service on this Board has been that of Mrs. O. A. Abbott, who has served continuously since the institiution of the Board in 1884, a service of thirty-five years. Other rather long terms of service for such a board have been those of Chas. F. Bentley. from 1884 to 1898, and after a lapse of one year, in which the Bentley family did not assist on the Board, Mrs. Charles F. Bentley became a member and served for eleven years, until May 1, 1911, when death robbed the Board of this helpful and sincere member. Bayard H. Paine served from 1899 until 1904 and after an absence of one term returned to the Board in 1907 and served another twelve years, until 1919, making seventeen years service on this Board, during a part of which time he was secretary.

Nathan Piatt served from 1885 until his death in 1897, making twelve years, during practically all of which time he was secretary of the Board. Mrs. T. O .C. Harrison serv^ed from 1884 until 1899, fifteen years. Recently after the death of her husband, Judge T. O. C. Harrison, who left her with a large library she did not sacrifice many volumes to a sale that would net less than their worth, but donated a goodly number of them to the library. Geo. B. Bell served from 1887 to 1899, a twelve year period ; Dr. H. D. Boyden was a member from 1884 until 1897, thirteen years ; Mrs. Geo. Everett was a member from 1884 until 1888 and again from 1895 to 1898, seven years total service ; Mrs. R. C. Glanville served from 1891 to 1900, or nine years; others who served two or three terms in the earlier history of the Board were D. H. Vantine, 1887 to 1895; Geo. H. Thummel, 1889 to 1897.

Of the first board, Messrs. Bentley, and Dr. Boyden have been mentioned, also Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Harrison, and Mrs. Everett, the other members were H. O. Brown, who served one year, and H. E. Clifford finished his term ; W. H. Michael and J. P. Kemohan, who each served three years, and Mr. Sharp who served one year. Chas. Rief and Mrs. E. B. Smith eacli, served a short time on the Board during the late 'eighties.

In 1897 several new members came onto the Board. Rev. Jordan served a short time; Rev. T. C. Clark served from 1897 until 1905. J. F. Matthews served for nine years, until 1906. In 1899 three new members came on: Judge John R. Thompson, who served until 1905, six years ; Henry S. Ferrar, who served the same period of six years ; and Judge J. H. Mullin, who served also the same six years. Geo. H. Sands came on in 1904 and served one three year tenn ; C. J. Pope likewise came on in 1903 and served one three year term. E. J. Hatch served from 1901 to 1904, during the latter part of which time he was secretary. C. H. Tully came on in 1904 and has been a member continuously since that time, a service of fifteen years ; Mr. Hehnke served one term ; I. T. Benjamin served from 1907 until 1914; Ralph R. Horth from 1906 to 1909, and S. D. Kelley served from 1906 to 1911, resigning upon May 1, 1911, after he had rendered valuable service as chairman of the building committee; J. W. Rose served from 1909 until he resigned on March 23, 1914, when he left the city. Prof. D. A. Trivelpiece served' from 1906 to 1911, and Mr. Hanna has served one year, in 1905-6, the first year of the term in which Mr. Trivelpiece came onto the Board.

had practically the same six associates. Mrs. S. D. Ross came on in 1914 and has served since then; Rev. T. A. Dungan came on in 1915 to remain until this time; Dr. George Sutherland came on in 1913 and stayed until 1918 when Peter Nelson served one year; Rev. L. A. Arthur came on back in 1907 and has served twelve years. Mrs. F. W. Ashton came on to the Board in 1911 and has served for eight years now, and Mrs. J. L. Cleary came on in 1910 and has served nine years. In 1919 under the new law the Board was reappointed with five members, and these are first assistant was Miss Alma Etting, and Mrs. J. A. Costello was second assistant; in recent years Mrs. Costello has been fixst assistant and secretary of the Board.

Street Railway System

Grand Island has never reached the proportions where it could maintain an electric street car system, but thirty years ago had a good horse and mule-car street car system in

A contract was made with C. D. Irvine about 1888 for quarters for the library and he acted as librarian for a short time. For seven years Mrs. Mary Irvine held this position, and upon her resignation. Miss Edith Irvine was temporarily librarian until Miss Clara M. Body took the position. She served about four years, and then went to England upon a leave of absence. Miss Frances Wiseman took the work in her absence. In 1905 Mary H. Ames was brought from Lincoln to take charge of the library. In 1909 she was succeeded by Frances Cunningham, and in 1910 the present efficient librarian. Miss Daisy Houck, was elected. For a time her operation. The incorporators of this street railway, in 1887, were O. A. Abbott, I. R. Alter, Henry A. Koenig, William Hagge, A. H. Baker, O. B. Thompson, and C. W. Scarff This company built up a transportation system which served the people of the community for a decade or so. Especially, during the vast assemblages occasioned by the annual reunions of the Grand Army of the Republic was this service of immeasurable value. Its equipment increased until the company at times operated twelve or fifteen cars. The route first started at the Soldiers' Home, turned at the corner where O. B. Thompson's residence was located, circled over to Eddy street and came south across the Union Pacific tracks to Third street, where it turned east and went through the business section of town to Oak street and thence northeast until it reached the Burhngton passenger station. Another route turned south at Third and Clebum, the location of the car barns (present location of J. A. Woolstenholme residence), ran to Second street, and on out westward to the sugar factory, and eastward through the business section. Later a route came in on Koenig street from the west and north on Locust street, making two circles around which the cars were routed. Eventually an hourly service was establisehd on the northern route to the Soldiers' Home and southern route toward the sugar factory,

During the depression of the 'nineties the business dropped down, and financial institutions which financed and backed the street car company, and in which some of its officers had their large business interests, went uiiider, and these facts cumulated to accomplish the gradual disappearance of this company, and during the late 'nineties it stopped operation. The tracks were finally sold to parties who had use for the material in them.