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 OIF 
 
 KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 DELEA^ERED 0:N' JULY FOUKTH, 1870. 
 
 By SOLOMON DRAPER. 
 
 (= 
 
 NIOJJKAllA. NKCEASKA: 
 
 ' 1 N EER PUBLlSHlNcl HOUSH. 
 1S76. 
 
-A-TsT 
 
 fn^'i'o'i(idSi< f^KijTCS 
 
 OiF" 
 
 KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 DELiVEPvEU ON JULY FOUIOTI, 187G. 
 
 By SOLOMON DRAPER. 
 
 NIOBRARA, NEBRASKA: 
 
 PIONEER PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
 1876. 
 
■KiDi 
 
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 By SOLOMON DEAPEE. 
 
 This county, bounded on the north by 
 the Missouri and Niobrara rivers, on 
 the west by range line between ranges 
 eiglit and nine, west; on the south by 
 tlie township line between townships 
 twenty-eight and twenty-nine, and on 
 the east l)y range line between ranges 
 one and two, west, in the jS'ebraska sur- 
 vey, had its first settlement by white 
 men, June 7, 1856. 
 
 THE FIRST SKTTLERS OF THE (BOUNTY. 
 
 This settlement was made by ])r. B. 
 Y. Shelley, now a resident of tlie county, 
 and one II. R. Cowan, wiio came to the 
 present site of Niobrara, the comity 
 • seat, for the purpose of locating a town. 
 Previous to 18.53 this portion of Xeln-as- 
 ka, and indeed all the country between 
 the Platte and Niobrara rivers, was 
 claimed by the Omaha Indians ; but by 
 a treaty made in this year between the 
 Omahas and the United States, they re- 
 linquished to the government all claim 
 to the lands lying between these rivers, 
 sa"e what -might be sufficient for a 
 suitable reservation. The Indians would 
 appear by the terms of the treaty, to have 
 intended that part of their old domain 
 lying between Aaoway creek and the 
 Niobrara for their reservation, as by an 
 
 article in the treaty this section was ex- 
 pressly designated as such, but with a 
 shrewd proviso that they might select 
 some other under certain conditions. In 
 this year, 185:!, the agent with the chief 
 men of the Omahas, without examining 
 the Niobrara country as directed by the 
 government, chose the Black Bird 
 country, their present reservation, as the 
 permanent home for their tribe. 
 
 OPENING THE INDIAN COUNTRY TO 
 SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The result of this change of the 
 Omaha reservation, confirmed by the 
 government, was that the country be- 
 tween Aaoway creek and the Niobrara 
 river, reverted to the United States sub- 
 ject to pre-emption laws like other pub- 
 lic lands. But no sooner had matters 
 been definitely settled with the Omahas 
 than the Poiicas influenced, as it is 
 claimed, by traders, began very strenu- 
 ously to urge tlieir claims to this Nio- 
 brara country. They warned the whites 
 to keep off, and certain white men in- 
 terested in trade with them did all they 
 could to create the impression that this 
 portion of Nebraska was not open to 
 settlement. In June, 1856, however, the 
 gentlemen above referred to, satisfied 
 
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 that tlie Iiulian title to this country had 
 l)een extinguished, set out to explore it. 
 On arriving at the west branch of 
 Aaoway creek, at the sight of tlie pres- 
 ent town of Ponea. in Dixon county, 
 they found at the crossing of the creek 
 a post set in tlie ground with a. hoard 
 nailed upon it, and on whicli was written 
 the following warning!;: 
 
 "I will not be responsible for the in- 
 jury done to white men or tlieir property 
 on this side of Aaoway creek". 
 
 (Signed) "MuaiKL Saykk. 
 " Chief Foiica.sy 
 
 Little attention, liowever, was paid to 
 this Avarning. and the journey was con- 
 tinued near enough the Missouri river 
 to note Mdiere the ]!^iob]-ara poured its 
 waters into the former. On arriving on 
 the iSTiobrara bottom a I'ouca village 
 was found. .Vntoine, one of the present: 
 chiefs of the Poncas, came out and met 
 these pioneers some distance below the 
 village and conducted them into the 
 ])resence of the head chiefs — Hard 
 "Walker, Iron Whip, and the business 
 chief, Michel, 
 
 LOCATING THE TOWX SITE. 
 
 Our pioneers told the Indians that 
 they came to see their country, but came 
 as friends, and asked if tliey had any 
 objection to their going up the Xio- 
 brara, to which the Indians replied, 
 "No objection." They proceeded as 
 far as the second small creek above 
 Xiobrara, ac(;ompanied by three young 
 Ijraves, who had been sent along by the 
 chiefs. Here they turned back and 
 camped near where Joseph Sedivy now 
 lives. Xext morning they came down 
 the river until they reached the timljer 
 near AVilliam Lamont's place. Here the 
 doctor blazed a willow tree and marked 
 it the soutliwest corner of their claim. 
 They then returned to tiie Ponca village 
 and tolil Micliel and Anloine what thev 
 
 had done, and tliat their object was to 
 locate claims for themselves and a num- 
 ber of friends, and tliat they might as 
 well be the lirst to come upon tlieir 
 lands as anybody else. Our pioneers 
 asked permission to lay a "foundation" 
 with logs down in the timher, which the 
 Indians readily granted. ^Vfter laying 
 their "foundation" they returned down 
 the river, and on reaching 8ioux City 
 and Council Uliilfs tliey told some 
 friends what tliey had done, and asked 
 tliem to join in starting tlie town of 
 Niobrara. A company was tlien for 
 tlie time formed and called "L'eau qui- 
 Court Company." The company shortly 
 afterward commenced to-make improve- 
 ments, but this did not please the I'onca 
 Indians, who had already been instigated 
 by their old friends, the French traders. 
 These traders were the parties Avho 
 originally started the town of Rulo, in 
 the southeastern part of the State, and it 
 was thought desired tlie Niobrara coun- 
 try at this time for their own use. ])uring 
 this winter of 18."MJ-T all the houses and. 
 improvements, except the "old fort," in 
 which the settlers at that time had gone 
 for safety, were burned by the Indians. 
 Piecourse was also had to misrepresen- 
 tations, and urgent appeals to the com- 
 mander at Fort Kandall. Colonel Lee, 
 then commanding there, represented in 
 his orders tliat they Avere sanctioned, or 
 recommended, by the then Oovernor of 
 Nebraska and other functionaries of the 
 Territory, Avhich orders Avere peremp- 
 tory to the white residents of Niobrara 
 to leaA^e the place forthwith, or he should 
 be obliged to coerce them as intruders 
 upon Indian lands. This combined 
 attack of Indians, speculators, and men 
 of different I'anks, grades and stations, 
 poAverful as it may seem, Avas success- 
 fully resisted and oA'ercoine; although 
 it manifested itself also Avith consider- 
 
HISTORY OF KmLY COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 able streiigtli in its efforts to defeat tlie 
 passage of an act incorporating tlie 
 L'eau qui Coiirt Company. The com- 
 mander at Fort llandall having Ijeen 
 furnished the opinion of the Secretary 
 of tlie Interior, declaring the disputed 
 country open to M'hite settlers, and cor- 
 responding instructions having been re- 
 ceived from the Secretary of War, im- 
 mediitely suspended all interierence 
 w'ilu these determined men. After this 
 the prospects of the company seemed to 
 brighten, but 
 
 Till-: IXDIAN AXNOVAXCKS 
 
 still continued, and during the s])ring 
 months of 1857 numerous acts of hostil- 
 ity were committed. Live stock and 
 other property were destroyed. The 
 I^oncas, made drunk by traders, fre- 
 quently tried to intimidate and frighten 
 settlers away from their claims. It is 
 not often that a contest can so long be 
 waged between frontiersmen and In- 
 dians without l)eing placed upon record 
 with traces of carnage and l)lood. Too 
 much cannot be said for the Avisdom 
 and cool, prudent conduct in this stivig- 
 gle of the men who passed the lirst 
 winter at Xiobrara. Colonel Lee fre- 
 quently expressed his surprise at the 
 luiaccountable obstinacy of those men 
 who held the place ; Re advised them to 
 leave "the Ponca country," as he ex- 
 pected daily to hear of their being 
 scalped. 
 
 OKGANI/AtION of L'EAV (^11 COl'KT 
 COrNTY. 
 
 During the session of the Territorial 
 Legislature of Nebraska, in 185()-7, the 
 L'eau qui Court Company, having pre- 
 viously been made up of gentlemen 
 scattered over the Western States and 
 Territories, was properly and duly in- 
 cor])orated. In the act of incorporation 
 the town of Xiobrara was located, the 
 company's claim defined, and liberal 
 
 ferry and bridge privileges guaranteed. 
 The claim of the company embraced 
 almost the entire Niobrara bottom for a 
 town site. Their motto seems to have 
 been the same as that of the wife of 
 Jack Means, in Mr. Eggleston's "Iloosier 
 Schoolmaster," — "AVhileyou are a gittin', 
 git a- plenty." At the same session an 
 act was passed creating the County of 
 li'eau qui Court, and by which Niobrara 
 seciu'ed the county seat in its corporate 
 1 imits. The State Legislature, however, 
 Fel)ruary, 187:3, passed an act to take 
 effect April 1, 187o, changing the name 
 of the county to Knox, its present name. 
 The change is a great convenience, and 
 county oflicers and lawyers certainly 
 ought to be thaidcful. 
 
 co>i.mi:x(i;mext of busixess. 
 The permanent improvements, how- 
 ever, date from about the first of July, 
 18.'57, although a snudl store had been 
 opened a month or two earlier. The 
 steamer Omaha, from St. Louis, laden 
 chielly for Niobrara, landed there .Tune 
 2!)th, greatly to tlie Ijewilderment of the 
 six hundred Ponca Indians who 
 swarmed upon the levee, and who still 
 maintained their groiuul upon the town 
 claim. Thi-ee days after the first frame 
 building was completed in Niobrara. 
 Q'he steam saw mill was immediately 
 put in operation, and in little more than 
 three months thereafter a hotel had 
 been built and opened, at that time the 
 largest j'jct erected in Nebraska, being 
 three stories high and costing about 
 !?10,()00. In August of this year there were 
 over sixty men living at and near Nio- 
 brara. At the Territorial election, held 
 this month, the first ^leld in the county, 
 there were forty-two votes cast. The 
 first United States mail arrived in Nio- 
 brara this month. 
 
 TIIETKEATY A\ ITII THE TOXCA IXDIAXS. 
 
 The Poncas continued the destruction 
 
6 
 
 HI8T0RY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 of property, and it soon became evident 
 that it was necessarj' for the govern- 
 ment to have a treaty with them. Ac- 
 cordingly, in October, a council was 
 held and arrangements made for some 
 of the chiefs to go to Washington to see 
 the "Great Father." In January, 1858, 
 while the chiefs were away, some very 
 serious depredations were committed, 
 and the Indians assumed an attitude so 
 decidedly hostile that protection was 
 asked of and granted by the commander 
 at Tort Ilandall, and a detachment of 
 soldiers was sent to Niobrara for about 
 a month. A treaty was effected in 
 March, and in May following the Poncas 
 were removed to the north side of the 
 Niobrara liver, and thus terminated the 
 tedious sti'uggle. 
 Still there were other 
 
 OBSTACLES TO CONTEND WITH. 
 
 The monetary crisis of 18.i7 stripped tlie 
 whole frontier of all available funds, 
 destroyed confidence, stagnated busi- 
 ness, and crippled for a time the invinc- 
 ible energies of the Great West, and 
 Niobrara, with our entire county, was 
 no exception. For the next few years 
 but little was done. 
 
 ORIGlNATOnS OF THE TOWN OF MO- 
 BHARA. 
 
 The L'eau qui Court Company failed, 
 and a new company, " Tlie Niobrara 
 Town Company," was organized. The 
 failure of the old company took place 
 before they had secured title to the town 
 site, and the patents were finally issued 
 to the Niol)raraTown Company. Among 
 the leading men in the old company were 
 Dr. B. Y. Shelley, James Tufts. H. W. 
 Harges, .1. Austin Lewis, W. H. Benner, 
 Geo. W. Gregg and Henry Thompson. 
 The new company was composed of 
 a part of the members of the 
 old company, and some new 
 men, among whom were Dr. Joel A. 
 
 Potter, J. Sliaw Gregory, Robert M. 
 Hagaman, Walter M. Barnum, Ferdi- 
 nand Weis, and others. Tliis new com- 
 pany was formed in ISGO, and the patents 
 for the land were issued in 1861. The 
 new company was never very prospei'- 
 ous. The war of the Great Rebellion 
 came on, and with the Indian massacre 
 in Minnesota in 1862, greatly impeded 
 the settlement of Northern Nebraska. 
 "OLD si:ttlf:rs" still ifere. 
 Of the old settlers who are now in 
 Niobrara. William J.amont, C. G. Ben- 
 ner and T. N.Paxton.and their families, 
 came in 1858; T. G. HuUihen and H. 
 Westermann, in 1859; Otto E. C. Knud- 
 sen in 1800, and Fritz Bruns in 1862. 
 In 1859 about seventy-live men left 
 Niobrara for Pike's Peak. 
 
 STORIES OF the "OLD TIME." 
 
 Many interesting stories are told of 
 these new times. Indian scares were 
 of frequent occurrence. They were 
 sometimes genuine, and sometimes 
 manufactured. Even after the Poncas 
 were taken across the river many of 
 them, and sometimes the Sioux, would 
 come around in great numbers. In the 
 fall of 1859 the danger was so imminent 
 that tlie most of the ijeople would gather 
 at the liotel to sleep and put out guards- 
 One night, II. Westermann, Robert 
 Ilagermaim ;ind Walter M. Barnum were 
 sent out on tlie second watch, and after 
 walking around the hotel a few times, 
 long enough for the first watch to get to 
 sleep, they concluded that it was a poor 
 night for Indians, and so went in and 
 laid themselves down to sleep also. But 
 no sooner tiad they begun to dream of 
 happier days tlian a commotion was 
 heard outside, wliich seemed to indicate 
 that the whole Sioux nation had come. 
 The alarm was immediately given, and 
 preparations quickly made for a death 
 struggle. (Jn investigation, however, it 
 
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 WHS found that the noise was all caused 
 by the arrival of one Fred. Reinier, with 
 ' an ox team loaded with flour. These men 
 were not sent out on guard again. 
 
 A MANUFACTURED INDIAN SCARE. 
 
 On another occasion the presence of 
 one Jim Brown became distasteful to 
 many of the residents, and it was re- 
 solved to have an Indian attack for 
 his benefit. Accordingly arrangements 
 were made, and about midnight the 
 attack commenced. A party of 
 men sallied out to drive the supposed 
 Indians away, which they succeeded in 
 doing, but shortly returned with one 
 wounded man and a manufactured 
 corpse out of the body of H. Wester- 
 mann. Brown locked himself in his 
 room and would see no one that night. 
 Xext morning the corpse was laid out 
 on the counter in the store of its "live- 
 ly" i)OSsessor, and Brown taken to see 
 it. He only looked through the window 
 and then started f<.)r civilization, and 
 did not stop until he arrived at St. 
 John, ten miles this side of Dakota City. 
 Here he infcnmed the people that the 
 Sioux had attacked Niobrara, killed H. 
 Westermann, mortally wounded another 
 man, and proliably had killed and 
 scalped all the settlers, as they were 
 still hi the vicinity when he left. This 
 report was ])ublished in the St. Louis 
 Republican and other newspapers, and 
 generally circulated. 
 
 GOOD TIMES FOR MONEY. 
 
 In July, 1860, the Ponca Indians, half- 
 breeds and Frenchmen received their 
 first annuities and damages from the 
 government on account of the change 
 in their reservation ))y treaty. Money 
 was a))undant for a short time. People 
 could be seen on the streets with their 
 silver in old flour sacks thrown over 
 their shoulders. One trader, who sup- 
 posed that his entire stock was not 
 
 ' worth to exceed three hundred dollars, 
 I found no trouble in taking in nine hun- 
 
 dred and fifty dollars in one day. 
 i Christmas, 1869, is said to be the only 
 other good day Niobrara has ever had 
 for trade with Indians. At this time 
 one thousand dollars in large bills were 
 taken in one day, and three six-quart 
 milk pans full of fractional currency 
 were received, but considered too small 
 to count accurately. No wonder Indian 
 traders sigh for the good old 1 imes of 
 yore. 
 
 A GENUINE INDIAN SCARE. 
 
 In 1862 occurred the genuine Indian 
 scare. This was the result of the Min- 
 nesota massacre, and while it turned 
 out that the people in Northern Nebras- 
 ka were in no real danger, the incident 
 shows the state of alarm in whicli the 
 people lived. They all left with the ex- 
 ception of William Laniont, William 
 Bigham, Harry Hargis, T. O. Ilullihen, 
 and Antoine La Riviere. The last two 
 of whom, H. Westermann claims he left 
 to guard a barrel of whisky, l)ut on re- 
 turnnig he found the barrel and men all 
 right l)ut the whisky was gone. The 
 guaids, however, and their fiiends re- 
 taliated by saying that Westermann 
 took a race with the mail to Council 
 Blufts and Iteat it by three days time. 
 Tlie scare was of short duration, and 
 the people returned to their homes. 
 
 REBELLIOUS SOLDIER GITARDS. 
 
 I}i 1864 soldiers were brought to Nio- 
 l)rara to protect the settlers from the 
 Indians. They, however, proved a far 
 worse scourge than the Indians them- 
 selves. These brave protectors went 
 into people's houses and took tlie nieals 
 prepared for the family, killed chickens, 
 turkeys and pigs, milked the cows, tore 
 down, and even Vturnt, dwellings and 
 other buildings. So oppressive did 
 they become that the peoi)le were com- 
 
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 pelled to leave. The records of the 
 (•♦uuty ^\ore sent to Omaha, the mail 
 was stopped, and the town abanaoned. 
 The soldiers were soon sent elsewhere, 
 and the settlers returned to their homes. 
 However, thej^ were not permitted to 
 rest imdisturhed long. Tn 1S(J() the 
 Santee Sioux Indians were brought and 
 settled in the midst of their homes. 
 We shall speak of the outrage of bring- 
 ing and keeping tliese Santees in our 
 county, furthei- on. 
 
 THE FIRST ASS]:SS:MEXT AXD TAX-LEA'Y. 
 
 In 18G6, the records of the county were 
 brought back from Omaha, and, in 1868, 
 the first assessment and levy of taxes 
 made. In 18(59 the first taxes were col- 
 lected in the county, amounting to 
 about three hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 OTHEll EAULY SETTLEMICNTS. 
 
 There were three other settlements 
 of some note in the early history of the 
 county. Frankfoi-t, Breckenridge and 
 the Running Water. 
 
 Frankfort was first settled by S. 
 Loeber, recently d(>coased; in 1850 he 
 opened an Indian trading post here. 
 Smutty Bear had the camp of his tribe 
 across the river, making this a good 
 trading point. In the following year 
 Mr. Loeber was joined by his In-other, 
 Justus Loeber, Es(i., the present pro- 
 prietor of Frankfort. The town was 
 laid out in 1857, and the plat filed in 
 St. James, the then seat of justice of 
 Cedar county, and was afterwards 
 burned Avith other records of that 
 county. Fifteen or twenty men located 
 here and a luimber of houses were built 
 during this year, and, at one time, it 
 Avas thought that Frankfort would be 
 the town on the Upper Missouri. The 
 people here also had their trouble with 
 the Indians. One undertook to kill S. Loe- 
 ber in 1857, but AVm. Loeber snatched 
 the gun from him and drove him away. 
 
 Goods and i)ro visions were brought 
 from Sioux City at this time with ox 
 teams. 
 
 THE IltGIlES r RISE OF AVATER KNOAVN. 
 
 In 185f) it is said that the highest 
 Avater occurred ever knoAvn in the Mis- 
 souri at this ])lace, the entire loAver por- 
 tion of the Frankfort bottom being OA'er- 
 fioAved. 
 
 INDI'STUlors AND AAHOALTIIY FARMERS. 
 
 Of the old settlers uoav living about 
 this place, Louis Steltner came to this 
 county in 1850; Justus Loeber and 
 Charles Mischke in 1857; Leonai'd 
 "NA'eigand, .Tohu BuhroAv, John Leeder, 
 deceased, and Mr. Mettsler, in 1862. 
 These men all came to the county pos- 
 sessed of but little property, and they 
 luwe since been steadily accumulating 
 until they have become (piite Avealthy. 
 One of them, at least, Mr. Weigand, 
 values his property at thirty thousand 
 dollars, and has raised nine children in 
 the meantime. The remains of Avagons, 
 with wheels made of saAved sections 
 from large logs, iised by some of these 
 men Avhen they were too poor to afford 
 anything else, can still be seen upon their 
 farms. Twelve or sixteen years ago, 
 these men Avere poor; uoav they are 
 rich, and have made their money in this 
 county. As they have done, so other 
 men of industrious, economical habits 
 can do. 
 
 TJIK TOWN OF BRECKENRIDGE. 
 
 Breckenridge, noAV Santee Agency, 
 Avas located in 1857 by Maj. J. Shaw- 
 Gregory, Dr. Joel A. Potter, the Stein- 
 berg Bros., and others. This place has 
 the honor of having the first mill in the 
 county. It was a wind mill, and ulti- 
 mately proved a failure. Some of these 
 men subsecpiently became interested at 
 Niobrara, and the improvements made 
 here were suffered to go to ruin. Lands, 
 hoAvever, were entered near here, and 
 
HmTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 have recently been patented to the 
 heirs of Alexander Cook and Anthony 
 Jenick, and one-qnarter section on the 
 Bazile patented in 1861 to M. Hnddles- 
 ton. 
 
 THE RUNNING WATER SETTLEMENT. 
 
 The Running Water settlement, now 
 Pischelville, on the Nioljrara, was com- 
 menced in 1858 by Judge T. N. Paxton. 
 He lived here live years, and was com- 
 pelled to leave by the Santee Sioux In- 
 dians. At the time of leaving, the 
 judge had the best farm in the county, 
 and certainly had one of the iinest loca- 
 tions in the West. A William Steel and 
 William Smith also lived here for a 
 while, and, had it not been for the 
 trouble with the Indians, we probably 
 should have had the Ijest farming com- 
 munity at this place to 1)6 found in our 
 county. 
 
 SANTKE SIOUX INDIANS. 
 
 To make what 1 wish to say on this 
 subject perfectly intelligible, I shall re- 
 fer to some of the Acts of Congress and 
 the Sioux Treaty of 18(JS. 
 
 The Santees were originally composed 
 of four tribes — the Sisseton, the Yv alipa- 
 ton, the Medawakanton and AV'ahpo- 
 koola, and were the authors of the Min- 
 nesota Massacre in 1862. After the 
 massacre, a part of them ran away to 
 the northwestern plains, some of whom 
 were afterward settled in Xorthern 
 Dakota, where they now are. 
 
 The first act on the part of Congress 
 in regard to these Indians, after the 
 massacre, was approved February Kj, 
 1863, and provided that all treaties 
 heretofore made Ijetween these Indians 
 and the United States are declared al:»ro- 
 gated and annidled ; and all grants and 
 rights of occupacy within the State of 
 Minnesota, and all annuities and claims 
 heretofore accorded to these Indians, or 
 any of them, to be forfeited to the 
 
 I' nited States. (See Vol. 12, U. S. Stats, 
 at Large, p. 6.52.) 
 
 The next act of Congress on this mat- 
 ter, approved March 3, 1863, provided 
 tliat the President be authorized to with- 
 draw by order, and set it apart for these 
 Indians, a tract of unoccupied land, 
 outside of the limits of any State, suffi- 
 cient in extent to assign to each, dis- 
 ]»(jsed to follow agricultural i)ursuits, 
 eighty acres of good agricultural lands; 
 and that these Indians shall ])e subject 
 to the laws of the United States, and to 
 the criminal laws of the State or Terri- 
 tory in Avhich they may happen to re- 
 side. (See Vol. 12, U. S. Stats, at Large, 
 p. 819.) 
 
 The next Act of Congress we tind on 
 tliis subject, is in the Iiulian appropria- 
 tion bill, approved March 3, 1865, and 
 gives to these Indians, Avithout any 
 restoration of treaty rights, or even ex- 
 planation on tlie subject, the back an- 
 nuities up to, and including interest, 
 payable July 1, 1866, amounting to 
 $44(5,433.56, and for their subsistence, 
 clothing, and incidental expenses $100,- 
 000 additional. (See Indian Appropria- 
 tion Lill, Vol. 13, U. S. Stats, at Large, 
 p. 559.) 
 
 We next tind these Indians in the 
 Great Sioux Treaty at Laramie, in 1868, 
 and in section eleven of this treaty, 
 in consideration of the reservation 
 granted, and provision and clothing to 
 be furnished, they relinquished all 
 right to occupy permanently any lands 
 outside of their reservation in Dakota, 
 See Vol. 15, U. S. Stats, at Large, pp. 
 637 and 647. 
 
 By virtue of the second act referred to > 
 the Santee Sioux, now in our county, 
 with the exception of those under arrest 
 at that time for participating in the 
 massacre, were located by order of the 
 President on Crow Creek, above here in 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY ()F KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 Dakota, in 1N(34 or '(w. In April, 1800, 
 tliese Indians were In'ongiit from Crow 
 Creek, and with tliosc wlio had been 
 under arrest, settled on the Niobrara 
 bottom, and on land already entered 
 and ])atented. In the following fall 
 they Avere removed to tlie IJazil on and 
 about the Huddleston plaoe, where they 
 were wintered and destroyed some of 
 the liest timber ever in the county. In 
 the following- spring tliey were remoA ed 
 to where they now are. 
 
 It will be noticed tl Kit these Indians 
 have no treaty with the government, 
 except the Sioux treaty of 1808, and by 
 wliich they agree to go upon their 
 reservation in Dakota. Also that the 
 lands now occupied by them, in this 
 county, were withdrawn by order of the 
 President by virtue of the act of March 
 3, 1803, providing that the lands with- 
 drawn should lie outside of the limits 
 of any state, and unoccupied. 
 
 The enabling act, for the admission of 
 Xebraska as a State into the Union, 
 was approved April ID, 1864. A consti- 
 tution had been adopted, and Xebraska 
 was virtually a State before this' land 
 was withdrawn. Further, a part of the 
 land first taken in our county, and even 
 of these now held, were at that time 
 occupied lands, and some were even 
 owned in fee by the white settlers. 
 (See record of that date in Land Office 
 at Xiobrara.) I also call attention to 
 the following by the Agent of the San- 
 tees. After reciting the authority un- 
 der which he acts, and the boundaries of 
 the so-called Santee reservation, the no- 
 tice proceeds : 
 
 " All persons are therefore hereby no- 
 tified that the above described tract of 
 land is set apart by government for the 
 Santee Sioux Reservation, and no en- 
 croachment or occupation by white 
 men will be allowed thereon, and any 
 
 property erected or put on said land or 
 wood cut thereon, will be taken for the 
 use of the government, and all persons 
 now residing on said reservation are 
 notified to leave the«same forthwith, or 
 subject themselves to the penalty of 
 law for su(;h cases made and provided. 
 (Signed.) J. M. Stone, 
 
 U. S. Ind. Agent. 
 
 Datku, santee Agency, Neb., August 1'),1867." 
 
 (See original in possession of H. West- 
 ermann.) 
 
 Notwitlistaudiug the high source 
 from which the order withdrawing 
 these lands came, the President of 
 the I'uited States, we respectfully 
 sul)mit that it is null and void, 
 and never has had and has not 
 now, one particle of legal force upon 
 the people of Knox county. However, 
 as paradoxical and ridiculous as it may 
 appear, the "good men" who control 
 these Indians took them to the Sioux 
 Treaty in 18(;s, and there had them re- 
 linquish their right to occupy these 
 lands in our county. 
 
 Different attempts have been inade 
 on the part of our officials and citizens 
 to have tliem taken to their reservation 
 in Dakota. This last winter a petition, 
 by our county officers, setting out that 
 these Indians were here in violation of 
 law, and were a great detriment to our 
 county, and praying for their removal 
 was presented by Senator Paddock in 
 the United States Senate, and referred 
 to the committee on Indian Affairs. 
 This committee, after consultation with 
 the Indian Department, reported ad- 
 versely to the removal. 
 
 Our county has had a pack of barbar- 
 ous vagabonds, tliat the State of Minne- 
 sota could not and would not endure, 
 (juartered upon it, not only illegally, luit 
 in violation of law, who have more 
 than eight years ago entered into a 
 
HISTORY OF KNOT COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 11 
 
 solemn treaty with the government to 
 leave it and go upon their reservation, 
 yet they are still here, and the entire 
 State of Nebraska has not the political 
 infhience to have them removed. 
 
 AVhile the officers in the Land office 
 liave no authority to permit persons to 
 tile on lands included in this so-called 
 reservation, all that any person has to 
 do, who wishes to secure any of these 
 lands is to go upon them and stay until 
 he can file Ms claim in the land office, 
 and there is no poioer in the United 
 8t(des tvith a particle of authority to 
 2)td Imn off. 
 
 ANOTHER OITTIIAGE UPON OUR COUNTY 
 
 was perpetrated in 18()8. in a special 
 treaty with the Ponca Indians, by 
 wliich it is provided that all of the 
 Island in the Niobrara River shall be 
 included in .their reservation. This 
 treaty, however, has never been ratified, 
 and is really of no binding effect. 
 
 IMMKiRATIOX AND SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 Immigration did not come to our 
 county, after tlie war, m sufficient 
 number to deserve mention, until 18(19 
 '70. 
 
 Among the settlements located are 
 Creighton, Blyville. Kemma, Plum Val- 
 ley, Millerboro, W;vlnnt Grove, Pisch- 
 elville. Verdigris Valley, Dukeville, 
 Saunders' and Brooks' Mill, and Peids- 
 ville. 
 
 CREIGIITON ANT) THE P.HT'CE COLONY. 
 
 In the month oi' .Tamiary, 1871, J. A. 
 Bruce, a merchant of Omaha, conclu- 
 ded to mature an enterprise on which 
 he had contemplated several years, 
 namely, the organization of a colony of 
 the citizens of Omaha to push out into 
 the wilds of Western Nebraska, and 
 there build uj) a farming community of 
 ])icked men and women, and last, but 
 not least, build up a town. 
 
 Mr. Bruce being a m;ui of strong posi- 
 
 tive nature, and undaimted by difficul- 
 ties, immediately began to look about 
 him for companions in this enterprise. 
 Among the lirst to endorse his views 
 was a practicing pnysician by the name 
 of Kiiowlson, and a farmer, now a liotel 
 keeper in Green Island, by the name of 
 Cheatham. Meetings were called and 
 the long winter evenings were spent in 
 maturing plans to perfect the enter- 
 prise. On the evening of January 31, 
 1871, an organization was perfected and 
 the follo-\ving officers were elected: 
 President, Dr. Knowlson; Vice-Presi- 
 dent, J. A. Bruce ; Treasurer, C. Chea- 
 tham ; Secretary. J. H. Bruce : Directors, 
 H. Brady, Mr. Gallaher, and Mr. Gaslin, 
 now judge of the ."ith district. Meetings 
 were held during the month of Febru- 
 ary, and a committee was sent to hunt 
 up a location, and made a report in 
 favor of what is now known as Ash 
 Grove, and is on the Elkhorn l)etween 
 the French and O'Neil Settlements. 
 About the middle of March, the colo- 
 nists began to outfit for their new homes, 
 and, on March 21, 1871, a jovial party 
 of men roll(?d out from Omaha in wag- 
 ons, and, after a very pleasant trip, ar- 
 rived at the place selected, March 27th. 
 But, the land here not suiting many of 
 the colonists, a great deal of disatisfac- 
 tionwas manifested. Two committees 
 were appointed to explore for better lo- 
 cations. Messrs. ToAvle, Hubbard, 
 Cross, and Hammond being sent up the 
 I'iver, crossed over into the Running 
 Water, striking it three miles above 
 the town of Paddock, in Holt county, 
 found this country a wilderness. They 
 camped here, and tlie next day traveled 
 do.vn to the upper bottom, in Knox 
 county, where they were well cared for 
 l)y Herko Koster, a sergeant of Infantry 
 stationed at that place in charge of a 
 s(iuad of men. The next morning they 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 started for the Elkhorn, where they ar- 
 rived that evening. Tlie same night, 
 the otlier party, composed of James 
 Steele and C. Cheatham, arrived and re- 
 ported that tliey liad discovered tlie 
 
 "LAND OF PliOMISE." 
 
 April (Jtli, tlie wliole party set ont for 
 Knox county and the Bazil Creek. They 
 camped tliat night on a branch of the 
 Verdigris, On the following day our 
 colony came in sight of the frame house 
 of George Quimby, located on the so- 
 called Mansfield town-site. They here 
 had the pleasure of meeting Messrs, 
 Zepf, Meke, and (Quimby, then the only 
 residents of this part of the county. 
 On the same evening, John and Matt 
 Wagner came in by another route from 
 Omaha. Here the colony spent a few- 
 days very pleasantly selecting claims. 
 On April loth, however, they were vis- 
 ited by a terrible "blizzard" snow-storm, 
 which gave rise to many ludicrous 
 scenes. One circumstance, especially, is 
 still no doubt fresh in the minds of 
 many; that is, the dressing of the liorses 
 in men's pants and underclothing to 
 save their lives. But, as all storms have 
 an end, so did this, which came at last, 
 and was liailed by all with praises and 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 A LARGE IMMKJIIATION. 
 
 This advanced party of the colony 
 consisted of Miner W. Bruce. C. Light- 
 ner, Charles Osborn, Isadore Haminerly, 
 B. Behrens, J. Steele, A. I^. Towle, Mr. 
 Hubbard, Ike Hammond, C. Cheatham, 
 W. Cross, and J. I.ovell. April I8th 
 and 19th the party began to break up 
 and push for the settlement to pr-Kuire 
 seed, ])rovisions, etc., with wliicli to 
 commence in earnest. Tlie suniincr 
 was spent in breaking, planting, and 
 building. A few joined the colony dur- 
 ing this season, among whom were 
 Chas. Reid, Einmersou Bayniond, Ilai-- 
 
 rison Palmer, Rev, Charles Emmerson, 
 J. H. Bruce and family, William Steell, 
 James Steell, and Harris Hufftle. 
 Winter came at last, and with unusual 
 violence. There was almost a continu- 
 (^us snow storm from the 15th of No- 
 vember to the 25th of December. The 
 settlers were poorly provided with 
 houses and barns, and there was a great 
 deal of suffeiing. Many were obliged 
 to live on flour alohe, which was sold at 
 $5 per sack, the roads were almost im- 
 passable, and some of the settlers had 
 their. wagons and loads snowed in, and 
 were forced to leave tliem until better 
 weather eaiue. But spring dawned at 
 last, and gloomy faces disappeared. The 
 year of 1872 was made memorable by a 
 large immigration. Among others came 
 the Saundci's l>ros., and Samuel Broi.)ks, 
 they having already had claims located 
 before the advent of the Bruce colony. 
 The settlement has kept rapidly increas- 
 ing, with tlu^ exception of the draw- 
 back caused by the grasshopper ravages 
 of lST4-'75. Erame buildings have 
 si)rung up in all directions, and the 
 settlement can to-day boast of more ad- 
 vantages than many older ones. It is 
 well provided with schools, and teach- 
 ers of no mean ability. It has a hotel, 
 grist mill, two stores, blacksmith shop 
 and church; and, being possessed of as 
 line soil as can l)e found on an average 
 in any State west of the Missouri, why 
 should this settlement not be proud and 
 boast V 
 
 THOSI': (iONE TO llEST, 
 
 But, in the midst of our i)rosperity, 
 we should paus(^ to pay tribute to the 
 memory of those i)ioneers Avho were 
 the lii-st to ad\'ocate this enterprise, and 
 llic lirst to pass away to seek lirighter 
 homes, where sorrow and sufferings 
 never enter, J. A. Bruce and H. B. 
 llradv, men of true worth and unusual 
 
HISTORY OF KNOZ COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 13 
 
 enterprise, are to-day sadly missed by 
 their many fiiends and old associates. 
 
 CREIGHTON IS THEIR HOME. 
 
 This settlement has had its local 
 feuds, as does every enterprising com- 
 munity. A si)iiit of rivalry will al- 
 ways exist in a go-ahead business place 
 like this settlement. But to-day the 
 people of Creigliton can look back with 
 honest pride and say that, in spite of 
 their local troubles, tliey. never liave 
 forgotten tliat Creighton is their home. 
 
 THE BLYVILLE SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Bly ville is to day a prosperous farm- 
 ing community, and, with a few excep- 
 tions, has been settled and built up in 
 the last six years. Excepting the early 
 settlers mentioned in ctmnection with 
 Frankfort, alwut all of our eastern pre- 
 cinct has been settled up within this 
 .period of time. G. W. Bly, Es(i., of this 
 community, has the best dwelling liouse 
 and one of tlie finest farms in our 
 county. .Some of the most prosper- 
 ous farmers in our county and reli- 
 able business men, are to ))e found 
 in this precinct. Almost all of the 
 two eastern ranges of the county is 
 entered land, Init only the northern por- 
 tion of them liave actual settlers, the 
 soutliern portion being lield by non-resi- 
 dent speculators. 
 
 THE KEMMA SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Kemina was first settled by Charles 
 Wittenaben, in 1870. Numerous set- 
 tlers have since joined him, making 
 quite an enterprising and prosperous 
 community. Indeed, so numerous have 
 settlers become in tliis vicinity that the 
 county ct)mmissioners have organized 
 a new precinct for their benefit. Wliile 
 this settlement is yet in its infancy, it 
 is composed of industrious, tlioiough- 
 going farmers, and will no doubt be 
 one of our most wealthy districts. 
 
 THE SETTLEMENT OF PLUM VALLEY. 
 
 Plum Valley, situated on the Bazil 
 Creek, has been settled only four years, 
 but it is gradually increasing in num- 
 bers, and is already (piite a prosperous 
 little comnuinity. This settlement is 
 included Avith Kemma in the new pre- 
 cinct, the whole having been a part of 
 the Creighton precinct heretofore, 
 
 MILLERBORO' SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Millerboro' w^as first settled in the 
 spring of 1S73, by Capt. .7. M. Miller, his 
 sons John fS. and J. B., and daughters 
 Celestia and ArninataE., .Tohii A. Davis, 
 James Ilindman, William Crum, 
 George Edgerton, and joined in the fol- 
 lowing fall by Archibald McGill, and 
 others. However, the ravages of the 
 grasshoppers in l874-'7.5 caused many of 
 these settlers to leave, and, at i)resent, 
 liut few persons are living at this place. 
 
 W^\LNrT OROVE. 
 
 Walnut Grove was first settled in 1873 
 by the Chicken Bros., Henry Grim and 
 sons, Herman Groling, Messrs. Clyde, 
 Bennet, and others. Others have been 
 settling here since. A new precinct has 
 also lately been organized here. Al- 
 though still new, this settlement bids 
 fair to soon become flourishing and 
 valuable to the county. 
 
 SAUNDERS' AND BROOKS' MILL 
 
 derives it name on account of the loca- 
 tion of the mill here. This settlement 
 was first commenced in 1870, and, al- 
 though in the Creigliton precinct, has 
 an individuality of its own. Messrs. 
 Saunders & Brooks are among the most 
 reliable and go-aliead men in our county, 
 and their mill building is by far the 
 largest and most costly structure yet 
 erected within our boundaries. 
 
 REIDSVILLE SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Reidsville was first settled in 1871 by 
 by Charles J. Reid and others. Numer- 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF KNOX (BOUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 ous other settlers have since located 
 lieie, and, with their fine soil and 
 beautiful level farms, tlie i^eople living 
 liere have every prospect of soon be- 
 '•oniing a wealthy and inlluential power 
 hi our county. 
 
 OTl lER SETTLKMENTS. 
 
 Verdigris Valley, Dukeville, Pischel- 
 ville, and Steel Creek, (above the latter), 
 have all been settled within the last six 
 years, and almost entirely by Bohe- 
 mians, Also a number of the late set- 
 tlers in and about Niobrara belong to 
 this nationality. Among the first of the 
 l>ohemians to come here was Mr. Frank 
 .lanausck, who arrived in Niobrara in 
 August, 18(39, and with him Carl Schind- 
 ler and a few others. In the following 
 December, Joseph Sedivy, Joseph 
 Krupicka, and John Ilolesk arrived. 
 In the following spring our late county 
 clerk. Vac. lianda, first came to Nio- 
 brara, and since, the Bohemian immi- 
 gration has been coming slowly but 
 surely. Tliere are now more than 
 seventy-five families of this class of set- 
 lers in our county. A few of these had 
 some little property when tliey came, 
 but the majority of tliem had l»arely 
 enough to bring them here, and luul to 
 buy their first sack of fiour and other 
 provisions on credit. Of all who liave 
 settled here only two liave left, and 
 these sohl their places to others. All 
 are accumulating i)roperty very rapidly 
 for a new country, and with so sninll a, 
 beginning. They have suffered by the 
 ravages of the grasshoppers, and some 
 seriously by depredations by tlie In- 
 dians, but still tliey remain, and are 
 growing ricli. 
 
 STATIONI>,<i S()I.T)Ii:i;s ON Till': xio- 
 r.KARA. 
 
 In 1S70-'T1 Indian depredations be- 
 came so agravating that it was neces- 
 sary to ]»rotect tliese settlers on tlie 
 
 Running Water. January 11, 1S71, 
 Ilerko Koster was sent from Fort Ran- 
 dall to escort two of these settlers to 
 the fort that the danger from the In- 
 dians might be inquired into. He 
 found that a number of the settlers had 
 packed their effects to leave, but a de- 
 tachment of soldiers, being sent to pro- 
 tect them, a few days after, arrived xui- 
 der Sergeant Herko Koster, and thus, 
 this valuable settlement was saved to 
 the county. 
 
 THE INCKKASE OFtPOl'TLATIOX. 
 
 It will thus be seen tliat the real set- 
 tling up of our county lias, to a very 
 great extent, taken place within the 
 last six years. E ven Niobrara has al- 
 most doubled its population wathin the 
 last fifteen months. In 1870 the entire 
 county cast only about forty votes. The 
 late railroad election shows that we 
 now have a few over three hundred 
 votes. 
 
 Our population during this time has 
 increased from about two liundred to 
 about one tliousand eight hundred, 
 while our taxable property has in- 
 creased from ten thousand to over a 
 half million of dollars. 
 
 The first school in the county was 
 taught at Fi-ankfort in is7i by Mrs. 
 Clark, There are now seventeen school 
 districts in the county, all of which have 
 schools taught some portion of the year, 
 and some, teiins of nine months in each 
 Near. There aie somegood frame school 
 houses with seats, maps and other mod- 
 ern appurtenances. The house here in 
 Creighton is a uiagniflcent frame build- 
 ing twenty-six feet l)y forty feet, and 
 especially deserves mention. 
 
 MAILS AND MAIL ItOUTES, 
 
 Our mail lacilities are especially am- 
 l»le. There are thirteen post offices in 
 the county, ol' which three have daily 
 mails, three tri-weeklv mails and the 
 
HmTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 
 
 15 
 
 others weekly mails. Niobrara has a 
 money order oftice. 
 
 NKWSPAI'ICKS. 
 
 September 8, 1ST4, Mr. Edwin A. Fry 
 publislied the Niobrara Pioneer, the 
 first newspaper ever issued in the 
 coimty. He first commenced witli an 
 eleven by fourteen sheet four page pa- 
 per, and five weeks thereafter enlarged 
 it to double its first size. The paper is 
 still ■ ourishing and its proprietor ho])es 
 to inake it one of the permanent insti- 
 tutions of the county. 
 
 UNITED STATKS DlSTKfCT LAND OKFICK. 
 
 Octol)er 1, hS75, the land office for this 
 district was opened in Niobrara, hav- 
 ing been changed to this place from 
 Dakota City. The location of this office 
 to our county seat has proved to be one 
 of the greatest benefits and accommo- 
 dations yet secured by the citizens of 
 our county. 
 
 KIR.ST NATURAL DEATHS. 
 
 The first natural death among the 
 whites in the county was that of a. Mrs. 
 Smith in 185!). The next was a Mr. 
 Young, in 18(;J. 
 
 DEATHS BY ACCIDENT. 
 
 In 1860 one Dutch Fred was killed by 
 lightning near the Bazil Mill. It was 
 supposed that lie was chopping and had 
 his ax raised in the air to make a l)low 
 as the lightning struck him. The posi- 
 tion of his body and the shattered ax 
 handle indicated this. In 1867 an In- 
 dian tepee on the Bazil was struck Ijy 
 lightning, in which there were seven In- 
 dians, and all were killed with the 
 single exception of a babe which re- 
 mained uninjured in the arms of its 
 dead mother. In August, 1873, the 
 house of T. G . Hullihen Avas struck by 
 lightning and set on fire. His wife was 
 very seriously injured by the same 
 stroke, and was for some time thought 
 to be killed, she still suffers from the 
 effects. 
 
 In 1805 T. N. Paxton had a son 
 drowned in the Missouri. 
 
 .MUKDEllS. 
 
 Charles Rohe was shot through the 
 heart, at Frankfort, in the winter of 
 1857, by Eudolph (irasso. Tlie shooting 
 was the result of a quarrel. No arrest 
 was ever made. 
 
 In 18.50 one Frank West while drunk 
 in Niobrara deliberately shot and killed 
 a Ponca Indian. No arrest. 
 
 In 1851), one Mary-Wiseman and child 
 were supposed to have been poisoned 
 l)y George Star, the rei)uted father of 
 the child, Avho thus destroyed the child 
 of his lust and his victim. 
 
 Ill 186!) James T. Small was shot and 
 killed in his own door, while alone on 
 his claim nine miles above Niobrara. 
 The perpetrators of this murder were 
 never discovered. 
 
 In 1870 Alexander Cook was killed, 
 it was supposed by Indians, while build- 
 ing the Bazil Mill. The Indians were 
 arrested, but as nothing could be proved, 
 were dischar ged. Thiswas the only ar- 
 rest ever made in the county for mur- 
 der. In 1870, two children of Thomas 
 Brobbanec, one a girl of thirteen, and 
 the other a boy about eight years of age, 
 were killed by Indians, supposed to be 
 either Pawnees or tSioux. His wife was 
 shot at the same time, but feigned death 
 and thus escaped with her life. 
 
 Thus have I sketched the origin and 
 past history of our county so far as I 
 have been able to ascertain them. 
 
 I desire to tender my acknowledgments 
 for assistance in this work, to G. W. 
 Bly, Justus Loeber, Frank Weigand, 
 Miner W. Bruce, T. G. Hullihen, H. 
 AVestermann, T. N. Paxton, Frank 
 Janausck, Herko Koster, B. Y. Shelley 
 and especially to A. L. Towle who pre- 
 pared the account of the Bruce Colony 
 and the settlement of CreiShton. 
 
V 
 


 
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