History of Custer County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic developement from the early days to the present time

Front matter

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Preface

Long centuries ago when the children of Israel had passed dry-shod over the river Jordan, intent upon invading and subduing the promised land, their youngleader, whose reputation was then unmade, commanded that there be taken out of the ri\er twelve stones and that they be set up in monument form in the first camping place. "And it shall come to pass," he said, "when your children shall say to you, '\\'hat mean these stones ?' ye shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut oft before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord when it passed over Jordan, and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever."

The contents of this volume are given to the public to^^erve exactly the same purpose for the people of Custer county that those stones which Joshua caused to be carried from the river and set up in the land of milk and honey served for the children of Israel. \\'e have gone to the river of forty years ago and from under the waters of the past have brought up stones with which to build a monument to another set of pioneers who at a later date invaded another promised land. We have attempted to establish a few landmarks, to erect an enduringmonument and to embalm the traditions of the earlv pioneers for the benefit of the next succeeding generations. A\'e claim for the work no literary merit. It has no distinguishing marks of genius to parade. We claim only that it is a simple recital of a comparatively few things which took place in this county since the exit of the Indian and the coming of the white man. In addition to this, we claim that it is a roster of heroic names that shotild be preserved, and contains life sketches of some of those indomitable spirits whose early achievements were the foundation stones of our present-day homes and public institutions.

There was a great demand for a volume of this kind. Only a limited number of the first settlers who actually had to do with the beginning of things were alive, and if their storv was to be preserved, first-handed, the time to write it had come. Any history that laid any claim to accuracy mtist be written under their direction. For this reason we vielded to the pressure of the prominent citizens of the county and attempted the work. How well we have succeeded, the readers must judge. In the compilation we ha\e encountered innumerable difficulties which have been accumulating for forty years. The records of early-day events and public transactions are few and meager. The memory of man is exceedingly treacherous. Traditions are always contradictory, but with the material at hand we have done the best we could to give an accurate account of

8 INTRODUCTION

those early days which will never return.. W'e lay no claim to infallibility. There are doubtless errors and omissions, it could hardly be otherwise. When records failed us we depended upon the memory and statements of those who had best opportunity to know. When there was a conflict of statements and records, we gave preference to the records, and when there was a conflict of statements, without records, we made reconciliation by careful analysis of known conditions and turned upon the mooted question the light of probabilities in connection with general events.

A\'e acknowledge with deep gratitude the valuable service rendered by people from all parts of the county, who contributed much valuable information and in every way assisted the compilation of this volume. The newspapers gave us free access to their files. The county officials were exceedingly courteous, and explored for us the dust\" volumes of early records in the county vaults. Pioneers who had long since left the country wrote valuable contributions, and so much help has been extended that we can lay no claim to originality. We have gathered from other men's flowers and claim only the poor form into which we have woven them.

Very sincerely,

W. L. Gaston

A. R. HUMPHRKY

CHAPTER I — In THE Beginnixg 19

The First Owner — In Far Off Days — The Prehistoric Tribes Were Here — The Finding of Pottery — The Indians of Sixty Years Ago — No Indian Atrocities in Custer County— Probable Battles — Well Marked Rifle Pits — The Signs of Battle — A Fort in Custer County — New Helena Frightened — An Indian Battle — The Clarion Article — Who was the First White Man? — Did Coronado Find Us? — Plenty of Wild Game — Other Expeditions — General Warren was Here in 1855 — John Wilmouth the First Man Here — Uncle John's Story