Lincoln City (part 6 of 19)

arms bejian to arrive. The Governor wns also promptly notified, and secured an almost immediate order for the movement of the 23d U. S. infantrv from Omalia to the scene of tiic revolt, "The citizens had nerve enont>h," says Mr. Xobes, "but they were not used to discipline and von could not count on them. You might station a man at a certain point and in five minutes find that he had gone somcAvhere else. I tell you I felt a good deal better when I heard the measured tramp of the regulars, and the orders of the offiers which I knew would be obeyed to the letter."

The company of regulars under Major Randall arrived about one o'clock in the morning, and at once proceeded to throw a line of guards about the walls. The warden and his wife, and two guards, in the meantime, were the pris(»ners of the mutineers. The latter made one or two experiments in the way of going into the yard, but a fnsilade from the guards convinced them that such experiments were far from .safe. They discussed many plans during the night, which were overheard by the imprisoned guards and the warden and his wife. One plan was to go out to the gates with the imprisoned guards in front of them, and another was to secure still more certain immunity from being shot by forcing Mrs. Woodhurst out ahead of them. These plans were abandoned, however, as impracticable, and they gradually lost their courage and hope as the slow hours of the night wore away.

About six o'clock in the morning Mrs. Woodhurst ap]ieared at the southwest window of the chapel, much to the relief of her husband and sons, (who were separated from her during the eventful night,) as Avell as her many friends among the citizens before the walls. She stated that she thought the mutineers could be persuaded to surrender to her. The troops were making preparations to enter the yard and storm the building occupied by the mutineers, but before they started the convicts agreed to surrender to Mrs. Woodhurst, stipulating only that they should receive no excessive punishment.

The coiidnct of Mrs. AVoodhurst through all that trying exi)erieuce is spoken of with the highest praise. When she was allowed by the convicts to go to her own room and stay there, she made her way to another romii whence she was able to alarm the guards on the walls, and thus prevent them from coming to the house, where they would have licen captiired. Her behavior was marked by the utmost intn'i»iditv ;iii(l j)i'esence of mind tlironghout the entire night. At one time she secured the arms of the mutineers, hid them in her wardrobe, and concealed their ammunition in a bucket of water. She gave them back their arms, however, when they began to batter down the door of the wardrobe where she had concealed them.

Deputy warden Nobes kept the promise which he made to Warrell, the convict who untied him when he was a prisoner in the stone shop. On April 5, 1 875, Governor Garber granted Warrell a full pardon, and the deputy had the pleasure of reciprocating the favor done him at a time when he needed it desperately, by opening the prison gates and letting the convict who had saved him step out into the world a free man.

McWaters was a restless, irrepressible character, and, not discouraged by the failure of this revolt, set immediately to work planning another. The plan for this one was discovered through the dropping of a note, which one of the conspirators had written to another. The attempt was to be made on the 26th day of IMay. Kolkow, the keeper of the wash-house, was to be killed. The deputy warden was then to be disposed of, and a rush for liberty made. When the 26th of May came the convicts were kept in the main building all afternoon. The next day they were marched out, but the guards were under special instructions to keep a close lookout, and to shoot anv convict who made any suspicious demonstration. A short time after the convicts had gone to work, John Geary was granted leave to go to the privy. Just as he was returning McAVaters held up his hand, and was given permission to go. He met Geary just under the guard's cage, and touching him, said something. The guard did not hear what it was, but the fact that anything was said was warning that something was wrong, and he was at once upon the alert. When McWaters stooped and picked up a stone and made a motion to throw it at the guard, the latter fired. McWaters stood upright a moment, without making any outcry, and then walked forward about twenty feet, where he was caught by Cochran, the overseer. The blood was gushing from the carotid artery, and within a few seconds from the time he stasfo-ered into the overseer's arms, he died. The ball from Hugh Blauev's gun had passed through McWaters's left jaw, entered the neck, severed the carotid artery, passed down through his body, and came out just above the left kidney.

jfiin, and ordered Geary back tt» work, lie then gave the alarm by ringing the bell in the yard, and those in the warden's and deputy's rooms. The alarm brought out the warden and dejjuty, and after the convicts had been allowed to work long enough for the excitement to subside somewhat, they were marched into the main building and an extra guard set over them.

!Mc Waters was not the only one of the mutineers who was a figure in a sul)se(|ucnt tragedy, (^uin Bohanan's term expired October 13, 1877. On the 19th of February, 1882, in a quarrel with James Cook, at Waverlv, over the spelling of the word "pedlar," he killed Cook. He was tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for life, but after serving a short part of his time, he succeeded in getting a new trial. The result was far from being what he expected, for the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree, and he was sentenced to be hanged.

He was confined in the Otoe county jail, awaiting some further judicial proceedings, his case having been appealed to the United States Supreme Court; but on the 22d day of June, 1887, he escaped, and has since succeeded in eluding the officers, spurred on as they are by a heavy reward.

Bohanan was of that peculiar temperament that either could not appreciate disgrace and the apparent hopelessness of his situation, or, appreciating them, could not be depressed by them. He seemed never to allow the idea of escape to leave his mind. An incident occurred during his second trial which Mr. Nobes never made public, because Bohanan's attorneys feared it might prejudice his case. AVhen Nobes took Bohanan into the buggy to bring him to the city for trial, he fastened his handcuffs to an iron in the buggy seat. When about half way to town he suddenly discovered that Bohanan had taken off* the nut which held the iron, and was almost free. As the team was a very sj)iritcd one, the situation was somewhat critical. I^ooking Bohanan sternly in the eye, he ordered him to ])ut the nut back, which lie did.

" For (iod's sake, Mr. Nobes, don't shoot me !" exclaimed Bohanan, who saw that Nobes was a good deal agitated, and evidently feared that he might conclude to act as executioner without further delay.

Elder, who was also one of the mutineers, went to Kansas C.^ity after his term expired. I was sitting in a hotel at Kansas City one day," says Mr. Nobes, " when somebody tapped me on the shoulder and spoke to me. I looked up, and before me stood Elder, arrayed in the height of fashion and sporting a pair of eye-glasses and a shiny silk hat. He asked me if I had been to breakfast. I told him that I had, and he said he would see me after he had breakfasted. When he came out he asked me to take a walk with hiai. He took me down town to a good office building, and following him up stairs, I found myself in an elegantly-furnished room, the windows of wdiich proclaimed that it belonged to ' Dr. Elder.' He was working a patentmedicine fake, and was making plenty of money and flying high. He asked me not to give him away, and as I had no particular reason for doing so, I left him to practice his improved style of villainy undisturbed."

In March, 1875, L. F. Wyman was made warden, and he served until October, 1877, when he was succeeded by Henry C. Dawson, who acted in that capacity until September 7, 1880.

C. J. Nobes was the next warden, and under his management, which continued for six and one-half years, affairs moved very smoothly ; the discipline of the prison was greatly improved and its sanitary condition carefully looked after.

Mr. Nobes was succeeded in 1887 by E. W. Hyers, who held the office until January 1, 1889, when he resigned, his place being filled by the appointment of Dan Hopkins, who is the present warden. Mr. Hopkins seems to be especially fitted for the place he holds, as is evidenced by the continued good order prevalent at the penitentiary and by the respect with which he is treated and the esteem in which he is held by the prisoners. Mr. Hopkins is a man of just a little over forty-three years of age, having been born August 30, 1846, in Rush ford, Alleghaney county, N. Y. His parents both came from Vermont. Mr. Hopkins's early life was passed quietly, without special incident worthy of note. He lived in Alleghaney county until he was twelve years old, when his parents moved to Cataraugus county.

X. Y., wIktc he finally resided until 1871, or until Dan, as lie is familiarly called, was twenty-five. On September 23, 1863, Mr. Hopkins beino- then mider the age rc<juired, enlisted in the service of his country, to help fight her battles and throttle the treason that seemed for a time to have a death grip on the nation's throat. He enlisted in the Ninth New York Cavalry, Col. Xicholls commanding. This regiment was assigned to duty in the Shenandoah valley, in the Second Brigade of the Cavalry Corps of the First Division, under command of Gen. Merritt. Gen. Deven was in command of the division, the officer of Company I, Hopkins's company, being Capt. Putnam. Mr. Hopkins prides himself upon the fact that he is one of the very few remaining high privates who now survive the years and ravages of disease. When he went into the service he weighed only ninety pounds, and, of course, being only seventeen, had to stretch the truth one year to be allowed to enlist; but like a good many other boys whose patriotism rose with danger, this little prevarication was counted as nothing. \\'hat he wanted was to get a shot at a traitor, and the end justified the means.

Mr. Hopkins's battle experiences are those of every soldier who fought and skirmished with the enemy up and down the beautiful Shenandoah valley from 1863 to 1865. If these experiences were rightly written they would make a volume of rare interest - war, tragedy, love, adventure, defeat, and victory, all mixed together in one grand plot. He was, of course, in Sheridan's command, but was not permitted to be present at Lee's surrender, as his horse had been condemned and he, together with hundreds of others, had been ordered Ijack to Remount camp, below Harper's Ferry, as a guard for prisoners taken during the campaign, and to get a fresh mount. After the remount he went back- to the valley, where his division did ]>atrol duty to the end of the war. He was mustered out of the service at Winchester, on June 1, 1865, having staid in the service without a wound or accident until the close of the war.

Returning home at the close of the war, he engaged in farming and stock buying until March 16, 1871, when he married, and with his bride started for the West. Mrs. Hopkins's maiden name was Morrill - Miss Jeiniie ^forrill - closely connected with the family of Senator ^Torrill, of N'ermont, on her father's side, and on her mother's >i(lc witli that of Secretary Seward. .Mr. Hoi)kins j)roceeded direetly to Lone Tree, now Central City, where he took a homestead .six miles southwest of the village, perfecting his homestead right in the usual manner. In August, 1873, during the trying grasshopper times, he temporarily abandoned farming, (as did many Nebraska farmers, of necessity,) and went to Wyoming in the employ of the Union Pacific railway. He remained in the employ of this company, holding a responsible position, until December, 1875, when, with his lainily, he went back to New York, where he remained only a year; but that was long enough to give him a disastrous experience in the oil countrv. In December, 1876, he came back to Nebraska, a wiser if not a sadder man. He went on his farm, but only stayed there a short time, moving soon into Central City, where he was appointed Deputy Sheriff'of Merrick county in 1877, which place he held for two years. In 1 879 he was elected Sheriif, and again, in 1881, was chosen by the people for the same position. In 1883, on retiring from office, he engaged in the implement business in Central City, and continued that two years. But at the end of that time he accepted a flattering offer from the Great Northwestern Stage Company, and in February, 1886, went to Denver, the company's head(juarters, as Superintendent of that company's lines in Wyoming and Colorado, spending a considerable portion of his time traveling over the routes and inspecting the lines.

Until March 15, 1887, Mr. Hopkins remained with this company, when he resigned on information received of his appointment by Governor Thayer as deputy warden. With his family he arrived in Lincoln April 1, 1887, and immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties. This place he filled in a most satisfactory manner until the resignation of Warden Hyers, on January 1,1889, when Mr. Hopkins assumed the duties of warden, on appointment of Gov. Thayer. Mr. Hopkins has dispensed with the office of deputy warden, V. U. Heiner acting as principal keeper. Elder P. M. Howe is the cliaplain.

The position of warden in the Nebraska penitentiary is a difficult one to fill. In fact, the duties of warden of any prison require gieat care, judgment, a knowledge of human nature, firmness, and yet kindness. It is a trying place, but Mr. Hopkins has shown himself possessed of these qualifications in a large degree, and the result is seen in the smoothness with which affairs within the walls move.

J^iiK'olii, aiul the erection of the State University, the Commissioners were directed to h)eate, on or near the site of" said town, a site for a State Lunatic Asylum, and from the proceeds of such sales tlie sum of ^;r)( ),()()() was appropriated and directed to be expended, under the supervision of the Commissioners, in the erection, upon such plan as they should adopt, of the necessary building. Accordingly, a site containing about 160 acres, and situated about two miles southwest of the site of the old town of Lancaster, was set apart for that purpose; and after having; issued the notices required by laM', and having adopted the plan of Prof. D. Winchell, an architect from Chicago, the contract for the construction of tiie building was let, on the 15th day of August, 1869, to Joseph Ward, also formerly of Chicago, who stipulated for its completion on or before the first day of December, 1870, the contract price for the work being §128,000. On December 22, 1870, the asylum was opened for the reception of patients. A little while before this it was set on fire, near the roof, but the flames were extinguished before much damage was done. Dr. Larsh, of Nebraska City, was appointed the first Superintendent, and had twenty-six patients when he took charge. On the night of April 18, 1871, the building was burned to the ground. Whether set on fire, or ignited by a defective flue, has not been determined. Two or three of the insane persons at the time in the building were burned to death. The city of Lincoln made temporary arrangements to accomniodate the patients thus rendered homeless, advancing §4,500 for that purpose. This sum was afterward repaid by the State.

The burned asylum building had been insured for $96,000. The insurance companies took their option and rebuilt the building, the contract ])rice being $71,999.98. William H. Foster, of Des Moines, Iowa, was the architect of the second building, atid R, D, Silvers the contractor for the erection of the main building and one M'ing. The contract called for a facing of limestone ashlar, rough flnish, but this was changed later on to Carroll county (Missouri) sandstone, with rubble-work finish and rustic joints. It was finished on October 2, 1872,

The building was crowded as soon as completed, and the Legislature of 1875 a[)i)ropriated $25,000 for an additional wing, which was at once erected, under the supervision of the trustees. Three more wings have been added since that time, which, with kitchen, boilerbouse, and other improvements, have cost in the aggregate $196,618, and the plant had cost, on January 1, 1889, as estimated by the Secretary of State, the sum of $272,413. The asyhun is credited with additional property valued at $70,668.05.

On February 5, 1889, one of the boilers in the boiler-house of the asylum exploded, killino; one engineer and two patients, and wrecking the boiler-house. The Legislature was then in session, and an investigation indicated incompetency in the engineers. An appropriation was made at once for rebuilding the boiler-house, and the work has been completed.

The present number of patients is nearly 400, and the average weekly expense of their maintenance was $4.66 per capita during 1887 and the first eleven months of 1888.

The institution is now under the management of Superintendent W. M. Knapp, M.D., with Dr. J. T. Hay as first and Dr. Miss Helen B. Odelson as second assistant physician. Mr. J. Dan. Lauer is the steward, to whose management is due much of the financial success of the institution, and Mrs. Mary Magoon, the matron.

The State Legislature, by an act of February 28, 1881, established a Home for the Friendless, to be controlled by the Board of Lands and Buildings, at or near the town making the largest donation for the Home. Lincoln contributed $2,050, and secured the institution, and the State expended the S5,000 appropriation in buildings and grounds. The Legislature of 1883 appropriated $2,000, that of 1 885 $10,000, and the session of 1887 $11,895.30, making the cost of the plant, to date, $28,895.30. The Home has other property valued at $5,988.80.

The Home is supported in part by benevolent contributions from generous people, and is managed by the Society for the Home for the Friendless, a band of women organized about fifteen years ago, and since incorporated under the laws of the State and subject to a general control of the State Board of Lands and Buildings. This is one of the most commendable charities in the State, and the ladies at its head deserve the highest praise for their practical work in the cause of humanity.

The Home now maintains about 100 children, some of them infants but a few days old. Good homes with families are found for these children as fast as possible. The Home is now under the immediate management of Mrs. A. B. Slaughter, Superintendent ; Miss Alice Huff, Physician ; and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, Matron.

LixcoLN's Educational Institutions - Hek Public Schools - Earlt Times - The Wonderful Growth Noticed - The Number of School Buildings and Teachers, and the Annual Cost of Conducting the Work - The Higher Institutions of Learning - Other Schools.

The schools of Nebraska have closely followed the earliest settlement of the State. This was true of Lancaster, which became Lincoln. In fact, Elder Young's Lancaster Seminary Association cameto this region for the very purpose of founding a school, and a female seminary at that.

The ''Lancaster Colony" laid out "District No. 1" in the latter j)art of 18G4, the same year that Lancaster was platted. This district was six miles square. The first board of directors were Jacob Dawson, John M. Young, and Milton Langdon. The following year, 1865, District No. 2 was organized at Yankee Hill, with John Cadman, W. R. Field, and AV. T. Donovan, as directors. In this district, in the dugout home of John Cadman, not far from where the Insane- Asylum now is, one of the first schools in this vicinity, and probably in tlie county, was taught, in the w^inter of 1865-6, by Robert F. Thurston, with about fifteen scholars in attendance. Judge A. W. Field and his sister, Mrs. J. E. Pliilpott, four of Cadman's children, three of Donovan's, and others, were pupils in this school. It is j)roba1jle that a school was in progress at the same time at Saltillo. Probaljly late in 18(j6 the Stone Seminary was so far coiin)leted in Lancaster that it was decided to open a school in one room in this building, which occu])icd the ground on the northeast corner of Ninth and P streets, where the tState Journal block now stands. The interior of the building was not finished by any means. In fact, but one room was in condition to u.se, and carpets and other cloths had to be hung up to keep the wind out and make the place tenable. There was no fioor the ground, and the partitions were merely lathed up. Here, liowcvcr, Mr. 11. W. Mcn-ill conducted the first school in

Educational Institutions

Lancaster, in the latter part of 1866, The term concluded with an "exhibition.'' About thirty pupils attended this school of twentythree years ago. Early in 1807 Mrs. H. W. Merrill taught a term of school in the stone seminary. She was a lady of a good deal of culture, being possessed of a good academic education and could sing well besides. The directors were anxious to find a teacher, and urged Mrs. Merrill to take the school. She said it would be impossible, as she had a baby only about a year old. The directors told her to take it to school with her, and to this arrangement she finally consented. So Mrs. Merrill labored with the youth of Lancaster with a baby in her arms part of the time. She lived in one end of the building, and John Montieth had a shoe shop in another part. Rooms were scarce in those days. During her term, just after an old-fashioned spelling school, the stone seminary caught fire from a misconstructed flue, and the woodwork of the building burned to the ground. That was the last of the stone seminary as an educational institution. The walls stood there until the fall of 1867, when John Cadman rebuilt the woodwork and opened the "Cadman House."

In the fall of 1807, soon after the first sale of lots, the directors of the district caused a small stone school house to be erected near the northeast corner of Q and Eleventh streets. In this, during the fall of 1807, Mr. George W. Peck taught the first school in the town after it became Lincoln. Mr. Peck still resides in the city. His average attendance was about thirty-five pupils. In the winter of 1808-9 school was continued in the stone school house, with Prof. James as teacher. The attendance had grow^n to about sixtyfive, and the directors then bought the -Methodist church, at the southwest corner of Q and Tenth streets, and divided the school, and instruction was begun on May 5, 1809, in both places, with T. L. Catlin teacher in the church. Both schools were well attended. The stone school house became a town jail about 1873, and the old Methodist church continued a school house until the present summer of 1889, being known first as the South School House, and for years past as the "J Street School." It stood near the northeast corner (.f Eighth and J streets, and was removed during the present summer.

During the spring of 1809, Miss Griswold, afterward Mrs. S. BGaley, taught a select school. In 1870 the schools had grown to three, and the following spring the question of bonding the district for §50,000 of ten per cent bonds, to build a "high-school building," began to be discussed. Finally, on the 17th day of June, 1871, an election was held at the "White School House" to vote on the bond 4|uestion. At this election Messrs. C. M. Parker, W. A. Colman, and B. AV. Ballard, were judges, and 211 voters were out, of which 151 Mere for bonding the district and sixty against. We find on the polling list of this election such familiar names as R. E. Moore, C. M. Parker, R. P. Beecher, Geo. B. Skinner, T. H. Hyde, W. J. Hyatt, J. K. Philpott, L. E. Cropsey, H. J. Walsh, John McConnell, P. Way, T. P. (^uick, Amasa Cobb, D. B. Cropsey, D. L. Peckham, A. Humphrey, P. H. Cooper, C. M. Leighton, A. M. Davis, G. Ensign, John McManigal, J. H. Ames, and J. P. Hebard.

On August 19th an election was held to determine the location of the ])roposed !i>50,0()0 high-school building. There were three sites before the election from which to choose. One was block sixty-three, where the high school now is, between streets Fifteenth and Sixteenth, and M and N; another was block 155, bounded by F and G and Fifteenth and Sixteenth ; and the third was block 120, bounded by J and K and Eleventh and Twelfth. There were 235 votes cast, of which 185 votes were cast for block sixty -three, thirty-two votes were cast for block 155, and eighteen votes for block 120. So block sixty -three won the location. The board this year was composed of Philetus Peck, Moderator ; S. J. Tuttle, A. L. Palmer, John Lamb, A. L. Pound, and W. T. Donovan. Palmer or Tuttle acted as secretary of the meetings for several years after this.

On September 9th the board held a meeting, and " Elder Lamb was authorized to answer the Citizens' Bank at Sidney, Ohio, that they could have twenty thousand dollars in bonds at 90 cents on the dollar." The same meeting records that Mr. Lamb was appointed *' to procure a strip of breaking for shade trees and to save the building from fire." Some of those shade trees can now be seen around the high school block, and it would be difficult for a prairie fire to get at the building at the present time. Mr. Palmer also records that the board ordered a " Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and Lippincott's Gazette," probably meaning Gazetteer.

Oil J)('cembcr 2:J, 1871, the board adopted the plans and specifications for the new school house oifered by Roberts tt Boulangcr, at a cost of |1,.300, the architects to superintend the work. On February

Educational Institutions. 229'

]5, 1872, the board decided to advertise for bids on the construction of the high-school building, to be completed by September 1, 1872. On March 11th the V)id of Moore & Krone for doinp- all the brick, stone, iron, and masonry work on the house, was accepted. Also Mr. Parcell's bid to do the carpenter work for §12,300 was approved. Parcell was of the firm of Parcell & Dehart. The stone, brick work, etc., were to cost $30,760, or the building, finished, $43,060. The contractors were to give bond on or before March 18th. On the 1st of April, 1872, S. J. Tuttle was reelected to the board and J. M. Jamison in place of A. L. Pound, after a hot fight to prevent Jamison & Stout from getting the school-house contract.

On June 11, 1872, J. W. Cassell was employed as Superintendent of the city schools for the ensuing year, at a salary of $1,400 per year. Probably a corps of seven teachers served with him, at "the Stone School House," the stone church, at the northwest corner of Twelfth and J streets, the "South School House," and the new high-school building, during 1872-3.

On September 26 the board authorized the erection of "a suitable number of lightning rods" on the new building. But the carpenters working on the structure dragged along, and it was not completed until the first of January, 1873. Then, on January 9th, arrangements were made by the board to occupy the new school house, and abandon the old stone school house near Eleventh and Q.

From this time the real prosperity of the city schools dates. Newmaps and charts were ordered. The German language was ordered taught in the new building, on January 9, 1873. The school had a bell, a janitor, and Prof Leland was employed to teach music at a salary of $10 per month.

schools as superintendent, ami occupied that position until about the close of the year of 1880, when Prof. S. R. Thompson became superintendent, with a corps of over twenty teachers. He was followed by Prof. J. M. Scott, who held the place until June, 188.3. District No. 1, Lancaster county, had, some time before this, become the School District of Lincoln.

Of late years the schools have made rapid strides in every respect, as the subjoined exhibit of facts and figures showing the status of the schools of to-day will demonstrate. In brief, the schools of Lincoln exhibit superior development for a city so young. A most wonderful growth lias taken place in the last ten years, and the methods of work have kept even pace with the growth in numbers. To Supt. E. T. Hartley, who has had charge of the schools for the past seven years, is due very much of the splendid condition in which they are to-day. Prof. Hartley is a man of wonderful energy, great tact, thorough business methods, and liberal education, and these qualifications, to which must be added his great love for the work, make him a man peculiarly qualified for the place he holds.

The number of school buildings has grown to sixteen, with rooms for ninety schools, and possessing a seating capacity for 5,000 pupils. Tiie total enrollment for the past year was 4,748, of whom 2,375 were boys, and 2,373 were girls. It required over eighty teachers to instruct these five regiments of pupils. Tiie total amount of money paid out for the support of the city public schools for tiie year ending July 8, 1889, was S98,451, of which sum $43,175 was disbursed for teachers' salaries.

The elementary schools cover eight years of work, and have been arranged in sixteen grades. All the common-school branches are completed in the eight years, including United States history, an eight years' course in music and drawing, temperance hygiene, and four years oral instruction in English language preparatory to the systematic study of grammar.

The high scliool curriculum comprises four parallel courses of three years each, tlie English, tlic Latin, tiie (German, and the Classical. These courses inchide instruction in algebra, book-keeping, geometry, botany, human jihysiology, physical geography, chemistry, physics, geology, English (-oiiij)ositioii, word analysis, technical grammar, orthoepy, elocution, history and (k'veloj)ment of English literature, rhet- oric, political economy, civil ^government, elements of commercial law, general history, three years each in Latin, Greek, and German. It will be seen that the public schools furnish a good practical education, well rounded out, even if the pupils do not go to college, and if they expect to enter a higher institution, they are prepared to do so.

The work of the High School is arranged in departments, and employs nine instructors. Special reference libraries are supplied for the departments nf history and English literature, and a working laboratory in chemistry and physics is provided, enabling pupils to perform their own experiments. The department of physiology is well with fine skeletons and a series of plaster and papier-mache models. In addition to the general reference library, each department lias a special library. A feature of the Lincoln schools is a circulating library, from which the pupils made 35,510 loans last year, a remarkable record considering the other public and private libraries of the city.

Principals Of Ward Schools

A notable feature of the high school is a series of lectures on subjects directly or indirectly connected with the course of study, given by persons prominent in educational circles, and occurring once or twice per week thronghout the year. Among the lecturers have been the Governor of Nebraska, and other State officers, the Chancellor and other members of the faculty of the State University, lawyers, ministers and physicians of Lincoln, and the instructors of the high school.

The State University

The high standard of general intelligence which has made Nebraska able to boast of having a less percentage of illiteracy among her citizens than any other State in the Union, is as old as the settlement of the Territory. The founding of the present State University came through a process of evolution. To fonnd a university seems to have been the highest ambition of many of Nebraska's earliest politicians, and to become the home of a great educational institution, the goal for which nearly all of her earliest towns strove earnestly and well.

In the first session of the Legislature charters were granted to Nebraska University, located at Fontanelle ; Simpson University, located at Omaha city, and the Nebraska City Collegiate and Preparatory Institute, located at Nebraska City. In the next session Simpson University asked for a renewal of its charter, and charters were granted to the Nemaha University, at Archer; Washington College, at Cuming City; the Plattsmouth Preparatory and Collegiate Institute, and the Western University, at Cassville. In the third session the Legislature added to the list the Brownville College and Lyceum, the Salem Collegiate Institute, the Rock Bluif Academy, the Dakota Collegiate Institute, the Nebraska University at AVyoming, the Omaha Collegiate Institute, St. Mary's Female Academy, the University of St. John, the Omaha Medical University, and amended the charter of the Western University. In the fall session of the same year charters were granted to the University of Nebraska, Wyoming College^

De^^'itt Colleoiate Institute, Falls City College, the Literary Association of the Elkhorn, the Dodge County Lyceum and Literary Association, and the State Historical Society. In 185S Dempster Biblical Institute and the Lewis and Clark College Avere chartered.

There was a general impression that the chartering of universities Avas a good thing, and the Legislatures of those early days had a blank form of charter which became a bill for the creation of a university, readv for introduction as soon as the name of the prospective institution was inserted.

In a very complete paper on the university, read by Professor H, W. Caldwell before the State Historical Society at its 1889 meeting, and from which the foregoing facts have been taken, it is recorded that the bill organizing the University of Nebraska Avas introduced into the Senate February 11, 1869, by Mr. Cunningham, of llichardson county. It was referred to the Committee on Education, of which Hon. C. H. Cere was chairman, and was reported back the next day, with amendments, and passed. It was passed by the House and signed on the loth, having become a law within four days from its introduction. A bill was passed about the same time in the session, providing for the sale of unsold lots and blocks in the town site of Lincoln, and for the erection and location of a State Lunatic Asylum and a State University and Agricultural College ; and as an illustration of the jealous care witli which the State's educational interests have always been guarded, it may be mentioned that on February 12th the bill was amended, on motion of Mr. Tullis, of Lancaster, by striking out the words, "lunatic asylum" before the words, "university" etc., and inserting them after those words. The original charter of the university provided for a board of twelve regents. Nine of these were to be chosen by the Legislature in joint session, three from each judicial district, and the Chancellor, Superintendent of Public Listruction, and Governor, were made ex-ojtcio members of the board. In 1875 an amendment was passed providing that the Chancellor should not thereafter be a member of the Board of Regents, and at the same time provision was made against an increase of the number of regents by an increase in the number of judicial districts. The constitution of 1875 creates a board of six regents, to be elected by a direct vote of the people.

The charter of the university provides for five colleges, viz: A college of literature, the sciences and arts; a college of law; a college of medicine ; a college of agriculture and the practical sciences ; and a college of fine arts. The contract for the erection of the building was let August 18, 1869, the corner-stone was laid September 23d, the building was accepted January 6, 1871, and the university was opened with an enrollment of about ninety students January 6, 1871. The corner-stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies. "Major D. H. Wheeler," says Mr. Caldwell's paper, was master of ceremonies. A brass band from Omaha headed the procession. In the evening a grand banquet was given, Governor Butler made a few remarks, Mr. Wheeler a short speech, then Attorney General Seth Robinson gave an address on "Popular Education." There was a banquet attended by a thousand people, and dancing was indulged in from ten till four o'clock.

The record of the doubts and fears of the Board of Regents and citizens of Lincoln as to the safety of the university building, forms an interesting chapter in the history of the institution. Before the doors were even opened to students the rumor gained currency that the building was unsafe, and in June, 1871, three professional architects were secured to examine it. They reported that it was safe for the time being, and that a few inexpensive repairs would render it safe beyond a doubt for years to come. The repairs were made and the university opened. In March, 1883, at a special meeting of the regents, a report was received from another set of architects, and a new foundation was ordered put under the chapel, and this was done. June 26, 1877, the Chancellor in his report called the attention of the board to the condition of the building. This time four architects were employed - one from Omaha, one from Nebraska City, and two from Lincoln, and on the strength of their report the regents resolved, July 6, 1877, to tear down the building and erect a new one at a cost of $60,000, $40,000 to be raised by the citizens of Lincoln, and work was to commence immediately on securing the above amount. The citizens of Lincoln were not satisfied, and sent to Chicago and Dubuque for architects, who examined the building and pronounced it easily repaired. August 15th a committee of Lincoln citizens met the regents, and upon the new light presented by them, the resolution to tear down was reconsidered, and a new foundation and other repairs were ordered, to be paid for by the citizens of Lincoln. The repairs were made at a cost of S6,012. Various attempts have been made to secure an appropriation to reimburse the citizens of Lincoln for this expense, but all have failed.

Mr. Caldwell's paper states that on June 3, 1869, a committee consisting of Regents C. S. Chase, Supt. Beals, and Rev. D. R. Dungan, Avas appointed to secure names of suitable persons for Chancellor. January 6, 1870, the salary of the Chancellor was fixed at $5,000, and A. R. Benton was selected on the second ballot. H. S. Tappin, J. D. Butler, E. B. Fairfield, and A. Barns, each received one vote on the first ballot. The next year the Chancellor's salary was reduced to |4,000 and the salaries of professors fixed at $2,000. The first faculty was elected April 4, 1871, as follows: Ancient Languages, A. H. Manley ; Mathematics, H. E. Hitchcock; English Literature, O. C. Dake; Sciences, H. W. Kuhn, who declined and recommended Rev. Samuel Aughey, who was unanimously elected at the June meeting. June 13, 1871, a tutor was authorized, and G. E. Church was chosen as the first tutor at a salary of $1,000. Finally the first faculty was completed, by the election, September 6, 1871, of S. K. Thompson to the chair ol' agi-iciilturc, with the condition that he was not to enter upon the discharge of his duties for at least one year. From this modest beginning of four professors and one tutor the faculty has developed into a body of twelve professors, two associates, two adjunct professors, two instructors, two tutors, two lecturers, and the principal of the Latin school, besides assistants in the laboratories and the teachers in art and music.

The character of the development of tiie university course of instruction can not be better summarized than by quoting the words of Prof. Caldwell: '^Two sharply-marked principles have governed in the formation of the courses of study. The first period was characterized by an almost inflexible course of study; there w'ere practically no elect ives. The classics and mathematics formed the backbone of the work. A term or two of history and of English literature, a couple of years of some modern language, and a text-book study of two or three sciences, were switched in, with no expectation of securing more than a mere outline knowledge of these subjects. They were not supposed to be able to give mental culture; the scientific course even was not made to secure a mental development ; its object was to give practical knowledge. In short, whether for better or worse, the ordinary college course of the renaissance type, only slightly impregnated with the modern scientific and historic spirit, was the only one recognized.

" The second period begins in 1 880 and marks an entire revolution in ideas. An elective course was introduced and the principle recognized that all studies may be made about equally valuable for purposes of mental culture, and therefore the courses were planned with reference to continuity of work in each line. The pamphlet announcing the change says : 'The elective system is the one that insures the greatest interest and profit in every study, and it is the only system that allows a student to become a special scholar in any one department, while still leaving to him the option of a general education.' "

The progress of the university, under the system introduced in 1880, has been steady and rapid, and the institution has becomewidcly known for its original work in several departments of investigation. The department of liistory is especially strong, and with the ])ossible exceptirjn of the Michigan and California universities, no institution west of the Alleghanies has developed its e(]nal. The work which has just been published by Prof. George E. Howard, the head of this department on "Local Constitutional Government in the United States" has been most favorably received by the great historians of the world, and gives him higli rank among specialists in historical investigation.

The income of the university is derived from the interest on the proceeds of the sale of the Agricultural College and University lands, donated to the State by Congress, from the rental of unsold lands and fi'om a university tax, levied by the State. The total grant of lands amounted to 135,576.31 acres. The income from this source in 1888 was about $38,923.64." It is estimated that under the present policy of disposing of these lands, the total permanent investment will be about $1,000,000.

The unity of the educational system of the State is recognized both by the university authorities and those who have the direction of the common schools. The high schools of the State are gradually and systematically being brought into close relations with the university by being accredited as preparatory schools whose graduates are admitted to the university without examination.

The university has passed the dangers of the formative period. It has a well-defined policy and course of study established upon tlie broadest and most modern basis. It has passed safely through the period of sectarian intermeddling, and the dangerous reaction which followed, and the spirit which controls its management now is one which, while recognizing the Christian element Avhich pervades all our institutions, is broad and tolerant. There is no reason why, with the development of the State, the institution shall not become the equal of any in the United States.

The Christian University

This institution, which, from its prosperous beginning, promises to be one of the leading schools of higher education in the West, had its origin in the following manner :

In July, 1887, a proposition was made to the Nebraska Christian Missionary Board to donate certain lands, in or near the city of Lincoln, on condition that a university of the Christian church be established thereon. After investigation and consultation, a committee especially appointed, decided to locate the proposed university on what was known as the Hawley form, adjoining the city on the north- east. The donations of land received consisted of three hundred and twenty-one acres of land and city lots valued at four thousand dollars. At a meeting of the committee, held February 14th, articles of incorporation Mere adopted and a subcommittee appointed, of whi'cli J. Z. Briscoe was chairman, to consider plans and specifications of a main building to be begun on or before May 1, 1888.

The corner-stone of the first building was laid with appropriate ceremonies, April 30, 1888. The building consists of Milwaukee brick, trinmied with Michigan red sandstone. It is four stories liigh, exclusive of basement; one hundred and eight feet front by .seventy-eight in depth.

firmed by the State Convention held at Lincoln, August 28th to 30th' 1888. A board of trustees was elected, to be known as the Nebraska Christian Educational Board. It consisted of J. Z. Briscoe, President; Ex-Governor Alvin Saunders, Vice President; C. R. Van Duyn, Treasurer; Porter Hedge, Secretary; and W. P. Aylsworth, W. T. jSTewcomb, Ira Titus, C. J. Hale, Thos. Wiles, J. T. Smith, C. C. Munson, E. T. Gadd. Subsequently the contracts were let for the :first building, aggregating a cost of $65,000, to be completed about the first of January, 1890. The work thus far has progressed very satisfactorily, and is nearing completion. All expenses have been promptly met by the sale of lots.

At a meeting of the Board in April, 1889, it was decided to open the school October 1, 1889. The following-named persons will constitute the first faculty :

The present prospects of the enterprise are very bright. Already several buildings have been erected and others are under way. A boarding: hall for the accommodation of the students has been ordered built to be ready for the spring of the school year October 1st. A streetcar line has been projected and material ordered, connecting the city directly with the university campus, known as "the Befhany Heights street-car line." The prospective endowment is thought to be not less than one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars. Twenty-five thousand of this amount is a donation by J. J. Briscoe, which is designed to be used as a basis of support for the Chair of Biblical Literature.

The Nebkaska Wesleyan Univeesity

By an agreement entered into by the three Nebraska Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church a commission, was appointed, consisting of members of each Conference and representatives of the Boards of Trustees of the then existing colleges, for the purpose of considering the matter of locating a central university, under

The commission met in Lincoln, in December, 1886, and selected Lincoln as the location of the future university. Trustees were chosen, and they entered upon the work of preparation at once.

The corner-stone of the first university structure was laid in September, 1887, and the institution was opened for students in September, 1888.

The property of the university consists of an endowment fund of one hundred thousand dollars, and five hundred lots in University Place, and a campus of forty-four acres.

The cost of tlie building was about seventy-five thousand dollars^ The building is fully completed, and is being thoroughly furnished for the best class of work.

There are three .regular courses of study - classical, scientific, and philosophical - besides complete courses in music, art, and elocution. There are eight regular professors, besides tutors.

Tlie village of "University Place" was incorporated in 1888, and is raj)idly developing as a first class educational center. The elements that cluster about it are such as to insure its future character as a vilhige of exceptional morality and intelligence.

The Nebraska Wesleyan University, by the terms of the " Plans of Agreement" adopted by the "commission/' became the head of all the colleges, academies, and other schools, existing or to be hereafter organized under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Nebraska.

The Lincoln Business College

The Lincoln Business College was founded in 1884 by Prof. F. F. Roose. The following year Prof. D. R. Lillibridge was admitted, and since that date the college has been conducted under the firm name of Lillibridge & Roose. It has been uniformly successful, its patronage growing constantly and the scope and efficiency of its instruction improving all the time. It is now recognized as one of the best schools of its class in the West, possessing a complete and thorough business course, including full short hand, normal, penmanship, type-writing, and telegraphic departments. That it is a superior school is shown by the fact that its attendance was six hundred students during the past year. The entire third floor of the Academy of Music block, at the southwest corner of Eleventh and O streets, is now required for the accommodation of the various departments. Students attend this excellent school of practical instruction from Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, those States being its regular field of patronage. Occasional students come from all parts of the L^nion. Seven teachers are employed regularly in the college.

The graduates of its various departments readily find employment in the lines of work for which the school has given them special training. In securing situations the managers of the institution offer constant and cheerful assistance. The Lincoln Business College is one of the most excellent institutions of this city. Messrs. Lillibridge and Roose are among our most popular business men and citizens. Mr. Lillibridge is now Commander of Appomattox Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and holds other prominent social positions. Mr. Roose is Deputy Head Consul of the Head Camp of Modern Woodmen of America, the highest official, save one, in that order. He is also a prominent member in other orders.

The Catholic Schools

THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. One of the successful schools of the city is the Catholic Seminary, located east of Fourteenth street, between U and Y. The building M-as originally built by a stock company as a dormitory for the State University, but it did not pay, and was sold at sheriff's sale in 1882, and was bid in by ]\Ir. John Fitzgerald. He sold it to the Sisters of the Holy Cliild Jesus, who opened a general school there, and have conducted it ever since. For some time it did not fully pay expenses, and Mr. Fitzgerald generously sup])lied the shortage from his own ])Ocket. It now is self-sustaining. INIrs. John Fitzgerald has labored constantly to encourage the school, and establish it; and owing largely to licr kind offices, and the good work done by the sisters, the school has become one of the permanent and growing institutions of Lincoln. It will continue partly a general and partly a select school until September, 1890, when the parochial school building, now being erected near the pro-cathedral, at the northeast corner of M and Thirteenth streets, under the direction of Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum, will be completed.

This building will cost about $35,000, and a school with preparatory and academic courses will open there in the fall of 1890, for young men. It will be conducted by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and will open with a corps of five teachers. The curriculum will include a full commercial course of study and other practical instruction. AVhen this school is opened the grade of instruction in the young ladies' academy will be raised, the advancement having now been made in part, with a high standard of excellence in every particular. Young ladies from all parts of Nebraska, without regard to religious belief, will be received and taught on equal terms.

Other Schools

An important educational institution is now being founded by Prof. O. B. Howell, of this city. This is the Nebraska Conservatory of Music. A three-story building of cut stone and brick, 50x132 feet^ with massive towers, is being erected at the southeast corner of L and Thirteenth streets, in which is to be opened, this fall, a college of music and fine arts. The conservatory will be incorporated under the laws of the State, with a Board of Trustees, and graduates will receive diplomas. Students who are given special training as teachers will receive certificates.

A full corps of the best teachers will be engaged. Each department will be in charge of a principal, who will be assisted by competent instructors. Private instruction will also be given. A home will be furnished in the building for young ladies attending from a distance. This home will be under the supervision of the director, preceptress, and matron. At the beginning of each school year one free scholarship will be given some person in the State who has natural ability but not the means to acquire a musical education.

It is needless to state that this institution will be an important addition to the educational advantages of Lincoln, and, indeed, of the entire State. Professor Howell is a man of energy and ability, and will doubtless make the conservatory successful.

Ill this fonupctiou it is proper to state that in 1887 the first of a series of aniiiKil musical festivals was attempted, and it Avas so successful that it was repeated and improved in 1888, and again in the spring of 1889. The last festival was received with every mark of i)opular approval, and drew crowded houses for three successive nights. Such music as the "Hallehijah Chorus," and some of the famous oratorios, were rendered by able singers from abroad, assisted by the best home talent. The credit for the success of these musical events was largely due to Mrs. V. V. ]M. Ivaymond, a most estimable lady of Lincoln.

Elder Johnson established a denominational school for the Seventhday Adventist Church, at the corner of Fifteenth and E streets, in 1887. which still continues, with a motlerate attendance.

It will be seen from the foregoing that Lincoln's claim of being the educational center of the West is well founded, and that the pride of her people in their institutions of learning is fully justified by the facts as they exist to-day. And the future holds much in store.

Lincoln S Churches Chapter Xviii

I^incoln is ]>rc('miiiently a city of clinrches. As an educational center the city is not eqnaled in the West. And while this is true it is equally true that no city in the West can equal this in the number of its church organizations and the beauty of its churches. The present chapter is devoted to historical sketches of the various churches, which nunii)er about forty. A former chapter has o-iven iin account of the very early church work in the town of Lancaster, iind the present will deal with the churches now occupying the field.

In harmony with the spirit of Methodism, as soon as the emigrants' wagons had made a [)ermanent halt on the prairies of Lancaster county, the Methodist Episcopal itinerant was on his track, and in 1867 Rev. Robt. Hawks was appointed to what was then called Lancaster Cir- -cuit. He formed a Methodist class at Lancaster, and at the close of the conference year, Lancaster class had sixteen members. During the year 1867, the town Lancaster was changed to Lincoln, and the capital of the State located at Lincoln. No sooner was this done than the prophetic eye of ^Methodism took in the situation, and was laying plans to meet the emergency. In the spring of 1868, Lancaster class was made a station, and the society named the First M. E. Church of Lincoln, and Rev. H. T. Davis was appointed its pastor. When Elder Davis arrived on the ground he found a society of sixteen members, a small shell of a church on Tenth street, just inclosed, with a S400 mortgage on it, and no parsonage. Among the sixteen original members can be mentioned Captain Baird and wife, John Cadman and wife, AYm. Cadman, A. K. White and wife, J. Kimball and wife, Mrs. J. Schoolcraft, with J. Kimball as class leader. At the end of the first year the little church on Tenth street was too small for the people. It was cleared of the 8400 mortgage and sold for school purposes, and a larger building, costing

S3,000, built on the ^ite the hirge 8t. Paul stone church now occupies^ Elder Davis stayed three years, and closed his pastorate with a membership of 202. Rev. J. J. Roberts was the next pastor. He came in 1871, from the Genesee Conference, N. Y. lie came to Nebraska with hopes of improving his health, which was poor; but instead of his health being improved, he continued to grow worse, and at the end of one year he was compelled to give up Avork. His pastorate, though short, was successful, the membership having grown to 300, and a parsonage having been built - the present parsonage, less an addition since made. In 1872, Rev. G. S. Alexander was appointed to this church, and his pastorate is remembered because of the prominent part he took in the Woman's Crusade. In 1874, Rev. W. B. Slaughter was sent to the Lincoln M. E. Church. He came from Brownville and remained three years, the full pastoral term. His pastorate was a very successful one, and the increase in membership, and the growing audiences, demanded more room, and another wing was added to the church. Mr. Slaughter was succeeded by the Rev. H. S. Henderson, of Iowa, who came in 1877, and served the church two years. The Young People's Meeting was organized during Mr. Henderson's pastorate, with Dr. Paine as leader. Rev. A. C. Williams was the next pastor. He came in 1879, and remained the full ]iastoral term, three years. The A street society was formed during Mr. Williams's term, and a church built, but this was done contrary to his judgment and Avishes. There was quite an opposition to the movement, though a majority thought the time had come for this church to enlarge its borders and establish another church. Owing to the strong opposition to the movement, or from some other cause, this church made no growth or advancement till, at a later day, it was moved and changed to Trinity, as will hereafter be noticed. Rev. R. N. McKaig succeeded Rev. AVilliams in 1882. Rev. McKaig was an inveterate worker, and the church took a new impetus at once on his arrival. The congregation grew, and the question of a new church, which had been contemplated during Rev. Williams's pastorate, now revived, and the sentiment for a new church was strong. On April 23, 1883, an official meeting of the church was held, and it was decided to proceed at once to the erection of a new house of worship. Committees were then a])pointcd to look after the various departments of the work. On June 11th the plans of a Mr. Wilcox,.

Lincoln'S Churches

of Minneapolis, were accepted, the cost of the proposed building to be $25,000. Excavating for the new cliurch Mas begun on July 1st. It Avas soon found that the church would cost much more than contemplated, but it was decided to go on with the work as arranged, and a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for tiie excess of cost. The corner-stone of the church was laid by Dr. Marine, since pastor of the church, in the spring of 1884, and tiie church was dedicated by Bishop Bowman on Sunday, August 23, 1885. The church cost $45,000 instead of §25,000, but this amount was soon paid in, leaving the church free from debt. This church Avas then called, as it had first been named, the First M. E. Church, Avhich name was changed, in the fall of 1883, to the St. Paul M. E. Church.

Rev. C. F. Creighton, of Circleville, Ohio, succeeded Rev. ^Mr. Williams by appointment. He came in 1885, and remained two .years, being elected Chancellor of the Nebraska Wesleyan University in the fall of 1887. The first year of Rev. Creighton's j)astorate was doubtless the most successful in the history of the church. It was during this year that the great Bitler revival took place This large revival swelled the church membership, including the j^robationers received from the meeting, to about 1,200. This large membership was too much for one pastor, and Rev. J. S. Bitler, the evangelist, was elected as assistant pastor till conference. It Avas during this year, on March 19th, that the churcli decided to build a new church, east of the Antelope. A site was selected, and a temporary tabernacle erected for services till a new church could be built. This new church was commenced on the corner of R and Twentyseventh streets, and work on it was pushed with all possible speed. In less than four months from its commencement it was ready to be turned over to the trustees.

At the annual couference held the following September, J. T. Minehart Avas appointed pastor of the new church. The society Avas named Grace M. E. Church, and the ncAV church building, costing $11,000, Avas dedicated September 19th, 1889, by Bishop Warren, free from debt. The second year of Rev. Creighton's pastorate, 1886, Avas an eventful one. Grace Church had become well established, and Avas moving on, but still there were calls from South Lincoln and West Lincoln for help on ncAV churches, and during this year Trinity M. JE. Church Avas established, which absorbed the old

A Street church, heretofore mentioned. A new site was selected, and a new church built on the corner of A and Sixteenth streets. At the next conference, Rev. H. T. Davis, the present pastor, was ap- ])ointed to Trinity Church, and since Elder Davis's connection with it, it has steadilv orown,and is to-day one of the most prosperous church societies in the city, having a membership of upward of 260.

This same year, Asbury JNI. E. Church, at West Lincoln, was built bv tlic assistance and under the guardianship of St. Paul M. E. Church. This was dedicated in November, 1887, and Rev. Clay Cox was appointed its pastor. This church cost, with furniture, about S2,000. The Nebraska AVesleyan University thrust itself on St. Raul Church this year, and its pastor was the leading spirit in the interests of Lincoln, and every one seemed to look to him for leadershi}).

A\'iicn the university was located. Dr. Creighton was elected its president, and resigned the pastorate of St. Paul's. He was succeeded bv Dr. Marine, who was transferred from the Indiana conference. His ti-ansfer was a very unfortunate one, on account of his health. The church, especially at the time of his coming, needed a man of great physical activity to shepherd the people and gather up the scattered ones. Dr. INIarine took sick in the summer of the first year, which developed into brain trouble, and for weeks he laid at death's door. He finally recovered, contrary to the expectations of everv one, and was able to attend the annual conference. He thought he was as well as ever, and on the statement of his physician that he was able to take tlie work, he was returned to St. Paul Church for the .second year.

On September 10th, 1888, W. H. Prescott was elected by the official board as associate pastor and financial secretary, and was appointed by the Presiding Elder. On the return of Dr. INIarine for the second year, he found himself able to occupy the pulpit only occasionally, and he soon was taken down with another serious attack of brain trouble, which entirely unfitted him for the duties of ])astor. The official board granted him a vacation of three months, for him to go East, in hopes of his recovery. On Eebruary 4th, 1888, Rev. W. H. Prescott resigned as assistant pastor and financial secretary. The pulpit was supplied by transient ministers for several months. Dr. Marine's licalth was made worse by his trip East, and he soon returned, \vorse than -when he left. It now beino- evident to himself that he would not be able to assume his duties again, he tendered his resignation as pastor, which was accepted April 1st, 1888. The official board then recjuested the Presiding Elder, with the aid of the Bishop, to secure a new pastor for St. Paul Church as soon as possible, and at a meeting of the Bishops at Delaware, Ohio, in May, several united in recommending Rev. F. S. Stein, of Milwaukee, Wis., who was appointed. His transfer to the Nebraska Conference was arranged, and on June 1, 1889, liev. Stein was on the ground as pastor. The membership of St. Paul's is now nearly 000.

The Rev. Father Emmanuel Hartig, O. S. B., the jiresent German pastor of Nebraska City, is the founder of the Catholic Church of Lincoln. He was born at Inchenhofer, Bavaria, May 1, 1830. In Septembei", 1857, he came to the United States, and went to St. Vincent's monastery, Westmoreland county, Penn. Here he remained until September, 1860, when Rt. Rev. Abbott Wimmer sent him to Atchison, Kansas. At this place he was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. John Miege, first Bishop of Leavenworth, July 10, 1861. His Superior, Rev. Augustine Wirth, sent him on the same day to take charge of Nebraska City mission. From Nebraska City he administered for several years to the sj^iritual needs of all the Catholics in the South Platte country, includnig Salt creek. When, in 1867, Lincoln became the capital of the State of Nebraska, he came hither in the interests of his charge. He found but few houses in Lincoln ; at one of these, the house of Mr. Daily, he held service until the erection of the first church, in 1868, a frame building, 24x50, costing $1,000. On the completion of this church Lincoln had service once a month. Rev. Father Hartig being no longer able to operate successfully over so broad a field, Rt. Rev. Bishop Fink sent him an assistant in the person of Rev. Michael Kaumlcy. From August, 1868, to February, 1869, either Rev. Father Hartig or Rev. Father Kaumley held service in Lincoln once a month. At the latter date, Rev. Father Kaumley was recalled and his place taken by Rev. Father Michael Hofmeyer, of St. Vincent's Abbey, Westmorland county, Penn. For some time he attended Lincoln from Nebraska City, but finally located at the capital, and thus became the first resident Roman Catholic priest of our city. He added thirty feet to the church and began to keep the parish records of Lincoln. Until his arrival the records had been kept at Nebraska City. The first marriage mentioned in the Lincoln records is that of Silas Half and Catherine Curtin, in the presence of Thos. G. Murphy and Honora Murphy, Rev. Father Hofmeyer being the minister. The first interment was that of Henry Armon, who died in October, 18B9. The first recorded baptism took place September 26, 1869. The last record made by Rev. Father Hofmeyer is that of a marriage on December 26, 1870. During his charge at Lincoln he performed seven matrimonial and sixty-five baptismal services.

Rev. Father Hofmeyer was succeeded by Rev. William Kelly. Rev. Father Kelly's first recorded act is that of the marriage of John J. Butler and Mary J. Kennedy, which took place, May 16, 1871 ; his last official act was a baptism on April 29, 1874.

Within the past ten years the growth of the Catholic population of Lincoln and of the whole South Platte country became so pronounced that the Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, Bishop of Omaha, petitioned the Bishops of the Third Plenary Council, of Baltimore, to erect the South Platte country into an independent diocese, with the See at Lincoln. The wishes of the learned prelate were acceded to. Rt. Rev. Thomas Bonacum was appointed to the new See.

Rt. Rev. Thomas Bonacum was born near Thurles, Tipperary county, Ireland, January 29, 1847, During his infancy his parents emigrated to {he United States and settled at St. Louis. His early education was conducted by the Christian Brothers until his fifteenth year, when he entered the ecclesiastical seminary of St. Francis de Sales, near Milwaukee, Wis. At this renowned institution, during a period of six years, he applied himself to the classics, English literature, and the sciences. He devoted himself to the studies of philosophy and theology under the Lazarist Fathers, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., until the time of his ordination. He was ordained June 18, 1870, at St. Louis. Some time after this he went to Wiirzburg, Bavaria, and spent a number of years in the profound theological course, the study of canon law, and German literature. At the end of this course he made the tour of Euroj)e. AVhen he returned to the United States, he successively had charge of various missions, all of which he administered in a manner commendable to himself, beneficial to the interests of religion, and satisfactory to his ecclesiastical snperiors. In 1881, as an appreciation of his success in more contracted fields, he was appointed rector of the very important parish of the Holy Name of Jesus, in St. Louis. Here he continued to labor successfully until his election to the See of Lincoln.

In 1884, The Most Rt. Rev. Richard Kenrick chose Rev. Father Bonacum as one of the two theologians who always go with a Bishop to a council. This choice, coming from one of so distinguished sagacity, marked the Rev. Father Bonacum as one who would soon receive even still more remarkable favors. The subsequent facts soon verified this anticipation. The fathers of the Third Plenary Council, of Baltimore, decreed to divide the diocese of Alton, locating the See at Belleville, in Southern Illinois. By the unanimous consent of the assembled fathers. Rev. Father Bonacum was chosen to preside over the new diocese. Rome, at that time, did not ratify the erection of the proposed See, and the matter was held in abeyance. Xevertheless Leo XIII did not overlook the young candidate proposed by the council of Baltimore. When, therefore, the request of Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Connor was granted by Rome, Rev. Father Bonacum, the previous choice of the fathers of the council for Belleville, Avas appointed Bishop of the See of Lincoln.

The bulls were issued August 9, 1887, by Leo XIII, and the consecration took place November 30, 1887, at St. Louis, in St. John's pro-cathedral, in the presence of a vast concourse of prelates, clergy, and laity. The Venerable Peter Richard Kenrick, Archbishop of St. Louis, was the consecrator. The general approval of the choice of Rome was evidenced by the largest gathering of prelates and priests that ever took place on a similar occasion in that sacred edifice.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum's reception, which took place at Funke's opera house, December 20, 1887, will long be remembered by all who were present as one of the most notable events connected with the history of our city. With the coming to Lincoln of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum, a new and powerful energy was infused into all the Catholic enterprises of the South Platte country. Not less than thirty churches have been dedicated in the period of twenty months. But it is in the city of his See, as one would naturally expect, that the most remarkable proofs of his zeal are to be found. The enlargement of the pro-cathedral, the furnishing and decoration of the interior, the procuring of suitable sacred vestments, etc., were the first objects of his solicitude. All these ends were attained at a cost of about $18,000. While this woi'k was in progress, the organization of a German congregation, and the building of St. Francis de Sales Church for this people, was i)art of his occupation. The erection of St. Francis de iSales Church has effected a complete reunion and revival of German Catholic interests. The Rt. Rev. Bishop soon saw the great need of a hospital in so large a city as ours, and set himself to the task of getting one worth his accustomed energy and firmness of purpose. With this object, he purchased the beautiful home and grounds of J. A. Buckstaff, for S*2( >,000. He gave charge of the sick to the Sisters of St. Francis, trained nurses, who opened the hospital September 1, 1889. The purchase was made June 15, 1889.

On the acquisition of this handsome property, he entered into a contract with the city by which he assumed the care of the sick for a period of seven years. The terms of the contract on the Bishop's part are exceedingly moderate. The getting of the hospital was a gratification to all humane people.

A\'eighty and various as these cares were, they could not divert the mind of the Bishop from one of the subjects of his deepest anxiety : the establishment and promotion of the cause of Christian education among his people. Reverently obedient to the instructions of the Third Plenary Council, of Baltimore, that the Bishops of the United States should supply all parishes with schools, he commenced the splendid school building which is in course of erection between the pro-eathcdral and the pastoral residence, on M street. Whatever skill and experience can devise will be done to make the edifice one of the most complete of its kind in the State. The cost will range between .s20,000 and S25,000. The Rt. Rev. Bishop has a very efficient body of clergymen, on M;hom he was dependent for the accomj)lishment of the works we have enumerated.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Jionacum is an early riser and late worker; very methodical in all that he does. He is simple in all his tastes and habits. In maimer he is dignified and courteous ; in etiquette he is very considerate of the wishes of others. Hospitality is a pronounced trait of tiie Bishop's. As a prelate he is very broad and far-seeing, thoroughly ((|uii)j)(d w itli all the spiritual and worldly knowledge necessary for his exalted position. He has a iiiiiid which, while <;omprehensive, has a singular facility for grasping details. He is pliant enough when principle is not involved, but where it is a matter of right or justice, he is inflexible and inexorable.

The First Presbyterian Church is one of the most prominent, prosperous, and influential, of the leading churches of Lincoln. It was organized with eight members April 4, 1869, by Rev. J. C. Elliott, of Nebraska City. It was not until January, 1870, that the church secured the regular services of a minister, the Rev. H. P. Peck commencing his labors January 15, 1870, with "only five effective members" on the ground. January 26, 1871, Rev. H. P. Peck was elected the first pastor of this church, and was duly installed on the last Tuesday of April, 1 871. The first church edifice was erected near the corner of Eleventh and J streets, on lots donated by the State, and was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God October 9, 1870, the Rev. T. H. Cleland, D. D., (then of Council Bluffs, Iowa,) preaching the sermon. This first sanctuary was built at a cost of $5,000, and with various improvements from time to time, continued to be the house of worship for the First Presbyterian Church until December, 1884. Ground was broken for the erection of the present church edifice at the southwest corner of Thirteenth and M streets, in April, 1884; its vestry room was completed in September, 1885, and was occupied as a place of worship till the middle of January, 1886, when the main auditorium was finished and immediately set apart to its sacred uses. This new and beautiful sanctuary, costing $40,000, was formally dedicated to the worship of God July 18, 1886, the Rev. A. Y. V. Raymond, D. D., (now of Albany, N. Y.,) preaching the sermon.

Superinteudeiit, Mr. W. G. Maitland First and Miss L. W. Irwin Second Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Charles A. Hanna is Secretary and Treasurer. Its I^adies' Aid Society, Ladies' Missionary Band, Young Ladies' Mission Band, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and Children's Bands, are all prosperous and doing good work. The officers of the First Church are as follows : , Edward H. Curtis, Pastor.

The First Presbyterian Church building is one of the six fine structures erected by the leading denominations of the city, costing on an average -f 45,000, exclusive of grounds, and taken together perhaps are not equaled in a city of twenty-two years of age on the continent. An additional half dozen costly and elegant church buildings exist in the city, although not so fine as the first six referred to. All the church buildings are of modern architecture, and exliibit great liberality on the part of the people of Lincoln.

In October, 1888, a number of persons interested in the work of the Presbyterian Church, met in a vacant store building near the corner of O and Twenty-seventh streets and organized a Sabbath School. At this meeting there were sixty-four persons enrolled as members of the school, and Mr. Thomas Marsland was chosen Superintendent, Mr. George G. Waite Secretary, and Mr. Almon Tower Treasurer, and a full corps of teachers selected, and classes organized. Preaching services were held in this store-room every Sabbath by different ministers until February 14, 1889, when the school moved into the basement of a church being erected on the corner of Twenty-sixth and P streets, on lots donated in part by William M. Clark. On the evening of March 13, 1889, those interested in the work convened and formally organized a church, to be known as tlic Second Picsby-

On April 1, 1889, Rev. Charles E. Bradt, by invitation of the church, took charge of the work. The society has gone steadily on, until at present the church has an enrolled membership of eighty -seven, a Sabbath School numbering above 200, and a strong, groAving, Young People's Society of Christian p]ndeavor. The Church is still worshiping in the basement of what is to be the lecture-room of the church building. This basement has been put in at a cost of about $1,200, with the hope that the superstructure may soon be erected to meet the growing demands of the church and congregation.

Prominent among the prosperous and influential religious societies of the city is the Congregational Church. The First Congregational Church, whose elegant building stands at the northwest corner of L and Thirteenth streets, is one of the pioneer religious organizations of the city. The Official Manual of the church for 1889 contains the following historical sketch :

"This church was organized August 19, 18G6, with six meml)ers. At that time, according to the records of the Council assisting the organization, there were in the town seven buildings, viz., one seminary, four dwellings, one store, and one blacksmith shop.

" Rev. E. C. Taylor was pastor of the church from its organization imtil October, 1807. The members of the church at its organization were F. A. ]^idwell, John 8. (Gregory, Mrs. Welthy P. Gregory, Mary E. Gregory, Philester Jessup, Mrs. Ann M. I^angdon.

"Rev. Charles Little accepted a call to become pastor of the church on November 8, 1867, and continued until April, 1870. During his ministry the first meeting-house was erected. It was built in 1868 and furnished in 1869. An Ecclesiastical Society, to have charge of financial affairs, was organized April 11, 1868, which surrendered its authority to the church and disbanded January 16, 1873. The church was incorporated Jamiary 2.'>, 1873. Rev. Lebbeus B. Fifield was called to the i)astorate September 12, 1870, and resigned June 4, 1872.

The Fikst Congregational Church

Aui;u?^t 1, 1872, Rev. Samuel R. Diniock was asked to preach. He was installed bv Council January 2, 1873, and dismissed on advice of Council Januarv 15, 1875. During his pastorate (1873) the meetinghouse was considerably enlarged. A call was extended to Rev. Lewis Gregory September 10, 1875. He was installed by Council November 23, 1876. The church building was repaired and refurnished in 1878. April 29, 1883, the church voted to build a new meeting-house. The plan for the present building was adopted September 20, 1883. Work began November 6, 1883. The basement and chapel were occupied for Sunday services January 17, 1886, and the auditorium on February 7, 1880. The building was formally dedicated January 9, 1887.

The First Congregational church now has between 300 and 400 members, maintains a large and prosperous Sunday School, and successful missionary societies and Society of Christian Endeavor,

During the first week in August, 1887, a low, rough board house was erected, at the instance of Rev. Lewis Gregory and under his direction, near the northwest corner of Seventeenth and A streets. The work of construction required but two days, and with the chairs to seat it, cost only about S2()0. On the following Sunday, services were held tiierc, under tiie direction of Rev. E. S. Ralston, and religious exercises continued to be held there regularly until the first Sundav in November, 1887, when the society was organized as the Second Congregational Church of Lincoln, and it was so incorporated. IJut at the first business meeting in 1888, the name was changed to that of "Plymouth Congregational Church."

This primitive tabernacle first Imilt was used as a meeting house until December, 1888, when the new church building, on the same corner, was so far completed that it could be used in part. On Easter Sunday, 1889, the main auditorium was first iised. When fully completed this building will be a commodious, complete, and handsome structure, worth $10,000. The lots are valued at $5,000 more.

Plymouth Church now has a membership of over 100, and a Sunday School of about 200, The membership of both church and Sunday School is constantly growing. It has an active Society of Christian Endeavor, the second organized in Lincoln, the first having been founded in the First Congregational Church. Its Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society and Young Ladies' Missionary Society are doinggood work.

The present officers of the church are: Rev. E. S. Ralston, Pastor; J. A, Wallingford, Clerk ; W. A. Hackney, Treasurer. Trustees - J. A. Lippincott, W. A. Selleck, J. A. Wallingford, J. P. Walton, and W. A. Hackney. Deacons - J. A. Lippincott and Newton King.

A Congregational church mission is now doing active work on the north side of N street, betAveen Twenty-first and Twenty-second. A Sunday-school is held there, of which Miss Jennie A. Cole is Superintendent. A small building was opened there for the mission on the last Sunday in July, its dimensions being about twenty-five by fifty feet. This mission promises to soon grow into the third organized Congregational society in Lincoln, It has been named the "Pilgrim Congregational Church."

The German Congregational Church was organized in the spring of 1889, by Rev. Adam Frandt, and services have been held at the corner of Eighth and J streets. Though one of the latest societies formed in the city, it appears to be prosperous and growing in membership.

The fir.st service of the Episcopal cluireh was held in Lincoln in May, 1868, by the Rev. 11. W. Oliver, D. D. On the 17th day of Xovember in the same year, the Rev. Geo. C. Betts, of Omaha, held the second service, and of those who were present only one was a member of the church. Subsequently the Rt. Rev. R. H. Clarkson, D.D., Bishop of the diocese, visited the city, holding services and preaching. About this time the Rev. William C. Bolmar was appointed missionarv in charge. In January, 1869, steps were taken toward the oro-anization of a parish. A meeting was held, at which were present : Michael Rudolph, A, F. Harvey, John Morris, J. J. Jones, H. S. Jennings, E. Godsall, A. C. Rudolph, John G. Morris, R. P. Cady, J. C. Hire, Wm. C. Heddleson, S. L. Culver, and J. S. Moots, who signed a petition which was sent to the Bishop, praying for permission to organize a parish, under the title of "The Church of the Holy Trinity." The Bishop's consent having been granted, on the 10th of May the same year another meeting was held, at which a parish organization was effected, by the election of a vestry consisting of Michael Rudolf and A. F. Harvey, warders; and J. J. Jones, A. C. Rudolf, H. J. Walsh, Dr. L. H. Robbins, and J. M. Bradford.

The parish was admitted into union with the council of the diocese in September of the same year. The congregation worshiped at various places in the city until 1870. The Rev. Mr. Bolmar left the parish in February, 1870, and in May of that year the Rev. Samuel Goodale took charge. Measures were at once adopted for the erection of a suitable place of worship, and a sufficient sum was subscribed to proceed immediately with the work.

A church edifice costing $4,000 was erected at the corner of J and Twelfth streets, on lots belonging to the parish. It was consecrated March 5, 1871. At the end of a year the Rev. R. C. Talbott, now at Brown ville, succeeded the Rev. S. Goodale, and continued in the rectorship until October, 1875. In April, 1876, the Rev. C. C. Harris became the fourth rector, and served the parish for seven years. During that time many improvements were made. A rectory was built, trees were planted, the church was repainted, a pipe organ was purchased, the church edifice enlarged, and the number of communicants rbsc to one hundred and four.

Mr. Allen steps were taken for the erection of a new and larger church. AVith this in view, Mr. Guy A. Brown, a most zealous and generous churchman, issued a small parish paper, the purpose of which was to awaken interest in the enterprise. On June 14, 1888, the cornerstone of the new church was laid by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Nebraska, Bishop Worthington also taking a prominent part in the ceremonies. The building is just about completed at this writing. It is built of Colorado red sandstone, Gothic, cruciform; will cost about S35,000, and will accommodate about 500 people. Holv Trinity Church is the mother of two other organizations in the city. In the spring of 1888 the old church was removed to a lot on Twelfth street, between U and V, and a congregation was organized under the ministry of the Rev. R. L. Stevens, and took the name of" The Church of the Holy Comforter. In 1889 the Holy Trinity Chapter of St. Andrew's Brotherhood came into possession of the house of worship which had been used by the Baptists, and moved it to a lot on the corner of Washington and Eighth streets. Regular services are held here by the rector of Holy Trinity and a lay reader.

The working agencies of the church of the Holy Trinity at this time are: 1. The Holy Trinity Chapter of St. Andrew's Brotherhood, thirtysix members. 2. The AVoman's Aid Society, forty members. 3. The Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions, 110 contributors, 4. The Altar Guild, twenty-eight members.

There are about 120 children in the Sunday School, of which Mr. W. L. Murphy is Superintendent; about 150 communicants, and about 600 individuals connected with the parish.

H. J. Walsh, Sen. Warden; J. C. Kier, Jun. Warden; D. R. Lillibridge, Secretary; AV. L. Murphy, Treasurer; R. H. Oakley, J. F. Barnard, E. P. Holmes, James Hearn, and C. H. Rudge. The Rev. John Hewith became rector March 1, 1889, before the completion of the new church.

Prominent among the religious denominations of the city is the First Baptist Church. The Baptist Society is one of the most prosperous and progressive in the city, and its new edifice at the northwest corner of K and Fourteenth streets is a beautiful structure costing about

$40,000. The new and handsome parsonage is situated on a lot immediately west of the church. A brief historical sketch of this society in Lincoln is here given.

The First Baptist Church of Lincoln, Neb., was organized August 22, 1869, with fourteen members. The first pastor was Rev. O. T. Conger, mIio began his labors here in June, 1870, and remained four and one-half years, until January, 1875. During his pastorate the church edifice on the corner of Eleventh and L streets was erected and 169 persons were received as members of the church.

In May, 1875, Rev. W. Sauford Gee began a pastorate of three and one-third years,during which the parsonage on L street was built, and 110 members were re(;eived.

In January, 1882, Rev. Dr. Chaffee began his pastorate, which continued one and three-fourths years, during which 115 members were received.

May 4, 1884, Rev. C. C. Pierce began his labors with this church. During the latter part of his pastorate, a large subscription for the purpose of erecting a new church edifice was secured, and three lots at the corner of K and 14th streets were purchased. Rev. Mr. Pierce resigned September 5, 1886, having received 120 members into the church during his pastorate.

The church immediately extended a call to Rev. O. A. Williams, who accepted it, and began his labors in November, 1886. Lender his ministry the church has been very prosperous. About 200 members have been added since he commenced his pastorate here; the large church building has been erected, and branches of the denomination have been organized in other parts of the city, of which he has general charge. A prosperous Sunday School is maintained, besides the usual subordinate organizations that are associated with all leading church societies. The membership is large and numbers many of our best and most influential people.

Three Baptist Missions have been organized in the city, where Sunday Schools are maintained, and of which Kev. O. A. AVillianis is the mission pastor. One of these missions is at the corner of J and Twentieth streets, Mr. L. G. M. Baklwin being Superintendent of its Sunday School. The North Lincoln Mission is quite prosperous, and will soon bnild a church to cost S3,000. Mr. H. J. Humphrey is Superintendent of its Sunday School, which is held at the corner of Twelfth and Butler avenue.

The East Lincoln Mission is located at the corner of Twenty-seventh and W streets, and Mr. S. S. McKinney is Superintendent of its Sunday School.

The Central Church of Christ in the City of Lincoln was organized with twenty-eight charter members, on January 24th, 1860. Their first place of meeting was in the house of J. M. Yearnshaw, who was also their first regular minister. Miss Julia McCoy, now Mrs. Marshall, and still a member of this congregation, was the first person immersed by them in Lincoln. The private house becoming too small, their place of meeting was changed to the old capitol building, and here they spent the fall and winter of '69. Joseph Robinson was the first elder of the church, and Bros. Haw'k and Akin its first deacons. On July 3d, 1869, out at Crabb's mill, on Salt creek, the initial steps were taken toward the erection of a house of worship. G. W. French, J. M. Yearnshaw, and J. H. Hawk, were appointed a building committee. Slowly, and yet with patient persistence, the work went on, until on July .3d, 1870, the church house now standing on the northwest corner of K and Tenth streets was dedicated. Here, with varying success and fiiilure, with mingling lights and shadows, the church has worshiped until this writing.

The Christian Church

The history of the years from '71 until '87 is about such as comes to the average church. The church now numbers some 460. It has a house and lot in West Lincoln, and also a good lot in East Lincoln- Kegular preaching and Sunday school services are held at all of these places, and are well attended.

The church has an "Auxiliary to the Christian Woman's Board of Missions," and an efficient "Aid Society." It has a large "Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor," and a " Young Ladies' Mission Band." Its present official board comprises the following:

In the fall of 1886, realizing that it would soon be necessary to provide larger and more commodious quarters, the church purchasal two lots on the northeast corner of K and Fourteenth streets, and earl/ in 1887 steps were taken looking toward the erection of a new house of worship. Finally, after much consultation and delay, on October 25, 1887, plans were chosen and a building committee, consisting of J. Z. Briscoe, G. E. Barber, O. C. Bell, Porter Hedge, and C. C. Munson, was chosen. The corner-stone was laid July 3, 1888, President A. R. Benton, of Indianapolis, making the address. The church was dedicated on Sunday, August 25, 1881), with impressive services. It is a most beautiful structure, one of Avhich the church may well be proud.

The First Free Baptist Church of Lincoln was organized May 2, 1886, with eighteen members, electing Rev. A. F. Bryant pastor, A. ]). Baker deacon, and G. W. Sisson secretary.

Land was purchased on the corner of F and Fourteenth streets, and a church house erected in the same year of the organization, and was occupied, though not wholly completed. Meanwhile Rev. Bryant removed, and Pev. \\. F. McKcnney succeeded to the pastorate.

By the liberality of friends, and the aid of the Home Mission Board, the church house was completed and dedicated in June, 1888, the pastor preaching the sermon, and Rev. E. H. Curtis, D.I)., of the First Presbyterian Church, and Rev. O. W. Williams, D.D., of the First Baptist Church, assisting.