CONTENTS:

TABLE OF CONTENTS ... 2

PREFACE ... 3


TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. THE BOTTOM FACTS ... 9
LEWIS AND CLARK'S EXPEDITION--THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE FUTURE SITE OF OMAHA--
THEIR COUNCIL WITH THE INDIANS AT THE COUNCIL BLUFF, NOW CALLED FORT
CALHOUN--OLD INDIAN FORTIFICATIONS AND MOUNDS AT OMAHA--SOME HISTORICAL
INQUIRIES ANSWERED.

II. THE MORMONS ... 15
A FEW LINES OF MORMON HISTORY--WINTER QUARTERS--MILLER'S HILL, AFTERWARDS
KANESVILLE, AND FINALLY COUNCIL BLUFFS--HOW COUNCIL BLUFFS STOLE HER NAME.

III. THE PIONEERS ... 18
WM. D. BROWN'S "LONE TREE FERRY"--MR. BROWN IN 1853 TAKES UP A CLAIM
COVERING THE FUTURE SITE OF OMAHA--ORGANIZATION OF THE STEAM FERRY
COMPANY--OTHER CLAIMS MADE DURING THIS YEAR--A. D. JONES' CLAIM--MR. JONES
APPLIES FOR A POSTMASTERSHIP AND RECEIVES HIS APPOINTMENT IN THE SPRING OF
1854.

IV. THE INDIANS ... 24
EXTINGUISHMENT OF THE INDIAN TITLE TO THE LAND--THE FONTENELLE FAMILY--
LOGAN FONTENELLE, CHIEF OF THE OMAHAS--HIS DEATH AND BURIAL--A MAN SKINNED
ALIVE BY THE INDIANS.

V. OMAHA's BIRTH ... 31
PASSAGE OF THE TERRITORIAL ORGANIC ACT--THE SURVEY OF OMAHA--FOURTH OF
JULY PICNIC, 1854, ON CAPITOL HILL--THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE NAMES OF
OMAHA AND NEBRASKA.

VI. FIRST INCIDENTS ... 34
THE FIRST BRICK-YARD--COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATE HOUSE--FIRST ACTUAL
SETTLERS--FIRST BUILDING, THE "CLAIM HOUSE"--FIRST PREACHER AND FIRST
RELIGIOUS SERVICES--FIRST SAWMILL--FIRST HALF-DOZEN HOUSES--FIRST DANCE--
FIRST WHITE CHILD--FIRST MARRIAGE--FIRST GRAVE--FIRST WHITE BURIAL--FIRST
CASE OF DELIRIUM TREMENS--FIRST PHYSICIAN--FIRST LAWYERS--FIRST STEAM
FERRY BOAT--FIRST DRY GOODS STORE.

VII. THE ARROW ... 42
THE FIRST OMAHA NEWSPAPER--THE PROCESS OF MAKING A WESTERN TOWN--THE FIRST
EDITOR--HIS ROMANTIC MARRIAGE--HIS SANCTUM--ILLUSTRATION--HIS DREAMY
PREDICTION: "A NIGHT IN OUR SANCTUM." &c., &c.

VIII. OMAHA'S PROGRESS--ITEMS FROM THE ARROW ... 49
THE NEWSPAPER AS A HISTORIAN--DEMANDS OF THE INDIANS--SULPHUR SPRINGS--THE
"BIG 6"--COUNCIL BLUFFS AND OMAHA STAGE--POSTMASTER JONES AND HIS HAT--
ILLUSTRATION--DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS, GOV. BURT AND SECRETARY CUMING--
DEATH OF THE FORMER--ARRIVAL OF BIRD B. CHAPMAN AND DR. MILLER.

IX. OMAHA WINS THE CAPITAL PRIZE ... 58
FIRST TERRITORIAL OFFICERS--ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR BURT AND SECRETARY CUMING--
DEATH OF GOVERNOR BURT--CUMING BECOMES ACTING GOVERNOR--HE CALLS AN
ELECTION AND DESIGNATES OMAHA AS THE PLACE FOR HOLDING THE FIRST
LEGISLATURE--THE CAPITAL FIGHT--OMAHA VICTORIOUS--SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF
THE SESSION--THE MEN WHO COMPOSED THE LEGISLATURE--TOUGH STORIES--"SCRIP -
TOWN"--A JOKE ON A "SHARP"--JAMES C. MITCHELL LOCATES THE CAPITOL
BUILDING--AN INDIGNATION MEETING AT GLENWOOD, IOWA--OMAHA'S CHAMPIONS--
WILD-CAT BANKS--A JOKE ON JONES--IZARD BECOMES GOVERNOR--ARRIVAL OF U. S.
ATTORNEY ESTABROOK.

X. THE FIRST EXECUTIVE BALL ... 72
A GRAND AFFAIR IN HONOR OF GOV. IZARD--CUMING SUGGESTS IT--THE GENTLEMEN
AND LADIES WHO WERE THERE--HAPS AND MISHAPS.

XI. THE FIRST MURDER TRIAL ... 76
DR. C. A. HENRY SHOOTS HOLLISTER AT BELLEVUE--HIS TRIAL AT OMAHA BEFORE
JUSTICE FERGUSON--O. P. MASON PITCHES INTO JUDGE FERGUSION FOR HIS
HARSHNESS TO THE PRISONER--AN ACCOMODATING SHERIFF--HENRY IS FINALLY
DISCHARGED.

XII. FIRST ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE CAPITAL ... 79
BELLEVUE WANTS THE CAPITAL-SARPY, MORTON, CUMING, AND OTHERS AT THE HEAD
OF THE FIRST CAPITAL REMOVAL SCHEME -A PLOT TO SEND GOV. IZARD TO
WASHINGTON, SO THAT HE WOULD NOT INTERFERE--A SUCCESSFUL COUNTERPLOT--
DEATH OF DOYLE--RANKIN SUCCEEDS HIM.

XIII. THE SECOND CAPITAL REMOVAL SCHEME ... 82
A BAD OUTLOOK FOR OMAHA-TWO-THIRDS OF THE LEGISLATURE PLEDGED AGAINST HER--
M'COMAS COMMANDS THE CAPITAL REMOVAL BRIGADE--THE MYTHICAL DOUGLAS CITY--
THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE BOUGHT UP WITH ITS STOCK--AN EXPOSEOMAHA'S
TACTICS TO GAIN TIMF--HANSCOM AND SEELEY TALK THE LEGISLATURE NEARLY TO
DEATH--THE ATTEMPTED ARREST OF HANSCOM--" GRANNY" IZARD GIVES THE
LEGISLATURE SOME ADVICE--A VERY SCARED MAN-THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL
PREVENTED.

XIV. THE LAST ROUND IN THE CAPITAL REMOVAL FIGHT ... 86
THE SCHEMERS COME UP SMILING AGAIN--HANSCOM APPEALED TO, TO CHAMPION
OMAHA'S CAUSE--HANSCOM THROWS THE SPEAKER UNDER THE TABLE--AN EXCITING
SCENE--BLACK EYES AND BLOODY NOSES--HOW STRICKLAND WAS SILENCED--THE
LEGISLATURE BREAKS UP IN A ROW, AND ADJOURNS TO FLORENCE--ARRIVAL OF GOV.
RICHARDSON, THE SUCCESSOR OF IZARD--THE CAPITOL BUILDING--THE CAPITAL
FINALLY REMOVED TO LINCOLN IN 1867, WHEN NEBRASKA WAS ADMITTED AS A STATE.

XV. OMAHA FROM 1856 TO 1860 ... 93
THE GOOD TIMES OF 1856--INFLATION OF THE CURRENCY--OMAHA LOOMS UP--A
SEVERE WINTER--OMAHA GETS A CITY CHARTER IN FEBRUARY, 1857, AND PUTS ON
METROPOLITAN AIRS--REAL ESTATE BEGINS TO WEAKEN--THE GREAT FINANCIAL
BREAKDOWN--WILD-CAT BANKS--GENERAL DEPRESSION--CITY SCRIP--THE PIKE'S PEAK
EXCITEMENT HELPS THE CITY--LIVELY TIMES, AGAIN.

XVI. THE DOINGS OF THE CLAIM CLUB ... 98
SQUATTER TITLES--THE FIRST NEBRASKA CLAIM MEETING--PASSAGE OF LAWS--OMAHA
CLAIM CLUB--ARBITRARY AND OPRESSIVE PROCEEDINGS--THE CASE OF DOC. SMITH--
GRAND MASS MEETING OF THE CLUB--RESOLUTIONS--JACOB SHULL DRIVEN OFF HIS
CLAIM AND HIS BUILDINGS BURNED--AN OBSTINATE IRISHMAN DUCKED IN THE RIVER
THROUGH THE ICE--ILLUSTRATION-SENTENCE OF DEATH PASSED UPON ZIEGLER, WHO
SAVES HIS LIFE BY YIELDING TO THE DEMANDS OF THE CLUB--MURPHY'S STORY--A
MAN STRUNG UP TO A TREE, AND AFTERWARDS STARVED INTO SUBMISSION--
DISSOLUTION OF THE CLAIM CLUBS--FIRST ENTRY AND FIRST PUBLIC SALE OF LAND,
ETC.

XVII. PIONEER JUSTICE ... 114
THE WAY THEY TREATED HORSE THIEVES IN THE EARLY DAYS AT OMAHA--TWO HORSE
THIEVES HAVE THEIR HEADS SHAVED AND ARE PUBLICLY WHIPPED AT A LIBERTY
POLE--ILLUSTRATION--OTHERS ARE TAKEN BY A MOB FROM THE JAIL AND HUNG TO A
TREE NEAR FLORENCE--ILLUSTRATION--THE HANGING OF BOUVE IN THE JAIL BY THE
VIGILANTES FOR THE ROBBERY OF MRS. TAYLOR--THE DOINGS OF THE VIGILANTES.

XVIII. THE FIRST LEGAL EXECUTION ... 128
THE MURDER OF NEFF BY TATOR--ARREST, TRIAL, CONVICTION AND EXECUTION OF
THE MURDERER--ILLUSTRATION--THE MURDER OF WOOLSEY D. HIGGINS BY OTTWAY G.
BAKER--ARREST, TRIAL, CONVICTION AND EXECUTION OF BAKER.

XIX. FLORENCE ... 139
THE MORMONS--ORGANIZATION OF THE FLORENCE TOWN COMPANY--THE FINANCIAL
CRASH--CLAIM CLUBS--A LIVELY ELECTION AND CELEBRATION--THE ADJOURNED
SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE AT FLORENCE, AND OTHER INCIDENTS.

XX. THE PAWNEE WAR ... 142
AN INDIAN SCARE--THE MILITIA CALLED OUT--A BRIEF BUT GLORIOUS CAMPAIGN--
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

XXI. THE BIG INDIAN SCARE OF 1864 ... 161
A SERIOUS DISASTER THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO OMAHA--THE SETTLERS ON THE
ELKHORN BECOMING FRIGHTENED FLOCK INTO OMAHA--BUSINESS ENTIRELY SUSPENDED--
THE CITY UNDER GUARD--ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA--THE SCOUT OF CAPT.
TAFFE'S COMPANY--THE CAMPAIGN OF CAPT. JOHN R. PORTER'S COMPANY--THEY HAVE
A FIGHT OR TWO ON THE FRONTIER AND DO GOOD SERVICE--CAPT. CHILD'S
ARTILLERY COMPANY.

XXII. OMAHA AND NEBRASKA IN THE WAR ... 169
THE FIRST NEBRASKA VOLUNTEERS--THE FIRST NEBRASKA VETERAN CAVALRY--THE
CURTIS HORSE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE FIFTH IOWA CALVARY--THE MILITIA-THE
OMAHA BARRACKS--MILITARY HEADQUARTERS.

XXIII. FIRST CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES ... 172
THE FIRST MINISTERS--SOME INTERESTING REMINISCENCES BY REV.
REUBEN GAYLORD, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL PASTOR--FIRST CHURCH EDIFICES--
OTHER CHURCHES--THE OLDEST OF THE SECRET SOCIETIES--ILLUSTRATIONS.

XXIV. HISTORY OF THE PRESS ... 180
THE FIRST NEBRASKA NEWSPAPERS--THE ARROW AND THE NEBRASKIAN--THE WEEKLY
TIMES--THE OMAHA REPUBLICAN--THE TRIBUNE--THE FIRST DAILY: THE TELEGRAPH--
THE HERALD--THE DAILY TIMES--THE DAILY BEE--DAILY DISPATCH--DAILY UNION--
OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

XXV. THE TELEGRAPH ... 184
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF EDWARD CREIGHTON, WHO BUILT THE FIRST LINE TO OMAHA,
AND WHO ERECTED THE PACIFIC LINE ACROSS THE PLAINS--HIS NUMEROUS
TELEGRAPHIC UNDERTAKINGS AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES--HOW HE BECAME A
MILLIONAIRE--THE PRESENT IMPORTANCE OF OMAHA AS A TELEGRAPHIC POINT.

XXVI. THE DAYS OF STEAMBOATING AND STAGING ... 192
A PROFITABLE BUSINESS WHILE IT LASTED--HOW A COUPLE OF PILOTS MADE A BIG
STAKE ON ONE TRIP--PORTER AND DEUEL, STEAMBOAT AGENTS--"THERE'S MANY A
HOLE IN A SKIMMER."

XXVII. THE RAILROADS ... 196
THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN THE FIRST TO REACH OMAHA--THE KANSAS CITY,
ST. JOE AND C. B. CAME SECOND--THE CHICAGO AND ROCK ISLAND THIRD--THE
CHICAGO, BURLINGTON AND QUINCY FOURTH--THE OMAHA AND NORTHWESTERN--THE B.
AND M. IN NEBRASKA--THE BUILDING OF THE UNION PACIFIC AND SOME INCIDENTS
CONNECTED THEREWITH--GRAND CELEBRATION AT OMAHA UPON ITS COMPLETION--THE
BRIDGE--ILLUSTRATION--THE INITIAL POINT FIGHT--THE OMAHA AND REPUBLICAN
VALLEY RAILROAD--A PLEASANT REMINISCENCE OF GEN. SHERMAN.

XXVIII. OLD LANDMARKS AND INCIDENTS CONNECTED THEREWITH ... 207
THE OLD STATE HOUSE AND TERRITORIAL CAPITOL NUMBERED AMONG THE THINGS OF
THE PAST--THE OLDEST BUILDING IN OMAHA--PIONEER BLOCK--SOME OLD
RESIDENCES--THE OLD DOUGLAS HOUSE--THE OLD CITY HOTEL--THE FIRST POST
OFFICE BUILDING AND THE POSTAL SUCCESSION--THE COURT HOUSE--THE HERNDON
HOUSE: ITS UPS AND DOWNS AND THE WAR BETWEEN J. T. ALLAN AND MRS. BRONSON--
HOW GEORGE FRANCIS TRAIN CAME TO BUILD THE COZZENS HOUSE.

XXIX. OLD SETTLERS ... 214
THE OLD SETTLER'S ASSOCIATION--ITS OBJECT--A NOTABLE REUNION--OLD
SETTLERS' BALL AT THE HERNDON--A PARTIAL LIST OF OLD SETTLERS--DEATH OF
WILLIAM D. BROWN, THE PIONEER OF OMAHA AND ORIGINAL CLAIMANT OF THE TOWN
SITE.

XXX. CONCLUSION-THE OMAHA OF TODAY ... 221
THE OMAHA OF TO-DAY--HER WHOLESALE TRADE, BANKS, MANUFACTURERS AND
RAILROADS--HER SCHOOLS--ILLUSTRATIONS: HIGH SCHOOL, GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL,
AND POST-OFFICE--HER FUTURE PROSPECTS.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO FIRST CLASS BUSINESS HOUSES ... 224
[WebRoots: Omitted a few pages of graphic images]



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PREFACE

   In this centennial year, now drawing to a close, during which nearly
everybody seemed to be hunting up the records of the past, so full of
interest to us of the present and to those of the hereafter, it appeared
eminently proper to me that an early history of Omaha should and ought to
be written, and early in the year I concluded to undertake the task. The
idea, however, was not fully conceived until after Gen. Estabrook had
prepared and read his Centennial Historical Address on the Fourth of July.
That address was brief and general, but good as far as it went. But it did
not go very far, with all due respect to Gen. Estabrook. Knowing that
Omaha had an early history full of exciting and interesting incidents-a
history that perhaps is unequalled in many respects by that of any other
western city I determined then and there to at once carry out my idea of a
history of this city, which the reader will find embodied in this little
volume.

   I immediately commenced the work in a systematic manner, beginning with
hunting-up the bottom facts, and building up on this foundation. During a
five years' connection with the daily press of this city I have had
numerous opportunities to make and cultivate the acquaintance of the "old
settlers." I have improved those opportunities, and have never neglected
to make a memorandum on the tablets of my memory of whatever of interest
concerning the early history of Omaha, that I may have heard during my
talks and walks with the "old settlers."

   Those "old settlers," by the way, are a very entertaining set of
persons, possessed with a charming vein of humor which runs through all
their recitals of early times, and I have passed many a pleasant hour in
their society, on, different occasions, while in search

Page 4

of material with which to construct a readable history of Omaha. They can
spin a yarn to their own satisfaction as well as to that of their
audience. All that is needed to set most of them going is to draw them
out, in a reportorial way. Some of them, indeed, may be said to have a
little egotism mixed with a good deal of pride--characteristics that have
been developed by the rapid and substantial growth of the beautiful city
which they assisted to found and build up. Their pride is justly excusable
on this account. They have seen and watched with a tender care the infant
grow from childhood to a healthy and vigorous manhood, as it were.

   Omaha's history is well worth handing down to posterity, and I believe
it will prove of deep interest to the many thousands of people now living
here and in the immediate vicinity; to those who shall come after us; and
also to those who have removed hence to distant points, but whose memories
still cling round the spot with a tender fondness.

   Believing that there was a demand for such a history as this, and
knowing that such a work, carefully compiled and carefully written, would
meet with the hearty approval and substantial support of the citizens of
Omaha, I did not hesitate in the enterprise. I have endeavored to present
the facts--and facts only--in a readable shape, and I know that the style
in which they are clothed, is an improvement, in some measure at least, on
the necessarily hurried, rough, and perhaps reckless writing of the daily
newspaper reporter. I will say this much for myself; as to farther
criticism, be it favorable or unfavorable, I leave the reader to make it.

   Each chapter will be found complete in itself--a sort of sketch. Yet
the chapters or sketches are so arranged that they form what may be
properly termed a connected narrative of the early events and incidents in
Omaha's history. I have found the writing of this history an entertaining
employment of leisure hours, and have hardly missed the time so spent.
Little by little it grew to a volume of respectable dimensions. So it was
with the city of Omaha, and so will she continue to increase in size,
importance, wealth, culture and general loveliness, and never shall any
envious rival snatch from her brow the laurel wreath and the title
entwined therein, which she has so justly won - "The Queen City of the
Missouri Valley."

Page 5

   The early history of Omaha is to some extent the early history of
Nebraska, and this is true to some degree even in the history of later
years. Hence we often hear even now our city referred to, by jealous
rivals in our State, as the "State of Omaha," and the State as, its
suburbs.

   The greater portion of this volume has never before appeared in print.
Some of it, however, has been published before, but in different shape. My
information has been obtained from the very best and most reliable
sources--from the, "old settlers" themselves, from the early legislative
journals, and from the early newspapers. For valuable assistance and
information I am indebted to Hon. A. J. Hanscom, Hon. A. J. Poppleton,
Gen. Estabrook, A. D. Jones, Esq., Byron Reed, Esq., Dr. Miller, John A.
Creighton, John T. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Snowden, Mrs. W. D. Brown,
Judge Porter, Martin Dunham, Thomas Riley, Maj. Armstrong and many other
prominent "old settlers."

   I have drawn rather liberally on Dr. Miller, whose pen has at different
times been employed in recording interesting reminiscences, which, by the
way, have been about the only early history of Omaha that has been given
to the public.

   But to Byron Reed, Esq., more than to any other one person, am I
indebted for the accuracy and completeness of this history. He has a
wonderfully retentive memory, and can give names, dates, locations, and
descriptions of persons, lands, events and incidents for the last twenty
years without reference to a paper, document, or book. He is a walking
encyclopedia of general information from A to Z. He has in his possession
more valuable historical books, papers and documents about Omaha and
Nebraska than any other man in the State. He has taken a deep interest in
this work and has imparted to me a vast amount of local information and
has allowed me free access to his newspaper files, legislative journals,
books and records. He has also read the proofs from beginning to end, so
it will be seen that his assistance has enabled me to present a reliable
history, which without his aid would necessarily have been incomplete.

   No expense has been spared to make this volume attractive. Its
typography will compare with that of any establishment in the East,

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and speaks volumes of praise for the job office of the Omaha Daily BEE.
Its illustrations, engraved by the Chicago Engraving Company, especially
for this book, cost over $250, and are as fine as will be found in any
ordinary work. The original sketches were drawn by Charles S. Huntington,
of this city, according to the ideas given him by myself. The binding--
which is an elegant dress in the latest style--was done by the Omaha Book
Company. The entire cost of the edition was $1,275. The expense, however,
was entirely covered by subscriptions before a single type was set, a
canvass having been made by myself and I cheerfully acknowledge the fact
that sufficient names were secured not only to guarantee the above amount
but something besides. I have endeavored to give the public their "money's
worth," and I think no one can or will say that I have not done so.

   One thing that has presented itself to my mind, in the course of my
researches, is the need of an historical society, embracing not only Omaha
but the whole State, and I here make the suggestion that such a society be
at once formed. There is plenty of material, and there are enough persons
who would take part in it to make it a success. I believe that attempts
have been made in this direction at different times. The defunct "Old
Settlers' Association" was such an organization and it is to be regretted
that it was allowed to die. Should an historical society be organized it
would be a wise plan not to make it in any way exclusive. The membership
should embrace everybody who can or will contribute in any way to its
usefulness, to its records, and to its support.

OMAHA, November, 1876
ALF. S.