The History of Blair, Nebraska, 1869-1920

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The History of Blair, Nebraska, 1869-1920 University of Nebraska at Omaha DigitalCommons@UNO Student Work 6-1-1964 The history of Blair, Nebraska, 1869-1920 Frieda M. Wurdemen University of Nebraska at Omaha Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork Recommended Citation Wurdemen, Frieda M., "The history of Blair, Nebraska, 1869-1920" (1964). Student Work. 541. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/541 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Work by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. * m HXStORt 6V 9LAXK, pwMMmatAg IB49-198Q A Z h W t M i.m. intern m m V P w i w m if irw Hfffip 8tpurtMH»« «f jfanJI. $$}£ ?u«itr «f th* o«U«cc 'it ftn o m te stuAi#* tlsinnltf «f Qnte> In ^sStSsl fSt£Sllwmli A#w* »#*w HaawtfcMl iteaaitAfcia#«nPPWP*** mWmIf*!* 4111*wtmW **W^$mwwHfUtiP** S m«♦** »t Arts by ^IFSSSS *■# w^0|ro6^WB Jon* 1964 UMI Number: EP73179 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT Dissertation Publishing UMI EP73179 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProOuesf ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Accepted for the faculty of the College of Graduate Studies of the University of Qaahaf in partial fulfillment of the re%ulrei&®utB for tk m degree Master of Arts* SwfasdLniififrin- in ChairmanBep&rtaent ^ Graduate Committee mmfSmm p r e f a c e The aojor obstacle to wilting a ooapreboaaivo blotorjr of lobraoka io the foot that no Xittl* rooooroh boo boon done in loeol histoxy. tbo Blair area boo boon ehosea for tbio *tudy beeaats* of ito historical significance and also for tbo m m tbot it efforts o moans for study in cornualty dorclopacnt. Sincere appreciation io expressed to Dr* Preder- iok «. Adrian* for bis helpful suggestions and guidance, during tbo preparation and writing of this thoeie* Sinooro appreciation io expressed alao for tbo ooaiotoneo given by tho otaff of tbo Qono Spplcy library ot tbo Enivereity of Omahaf tbo staff of tbo Omaha Public Ubnt y , tho staff of tbo Sebrooko State Hietorioal wooioty library* Sirs* Victoria dnith* lyle Quyer, Valter ®* Ruber* Hr. S. t» Jtpp, Clara Johnson* B. F* lEeDomott* Reed 0‘Hanlon, Seyaour inith, Edith leale, and I>. V, Srsndgaard. IWM OF eOSTBSSS OBAFfKS FAOB X. XST8QIW0TXO*........ ............ 1 XX. TBS FOOSBXSO OF BXiAXB If XXX. TUB W r X W P W M ? OF BlAlt, 1 8 A 9 - 1 9 0 0 , 2 7 If. TBB 8TBAB7 OSOftK OF SXAXB. 1 9 0 0 ~ 1 $ S 0 • . • • !» V. 089KCX8S. SCBOOIS. ASS OKSASISATXOB OF B1A1E » 7X TX. IXTSBATOBB, FOIXXOBS, ASS SSYSFAFSSS . fl TXX. 00S6UISXQS8 96 AFFESS1X A . ................. 100 APFKRBXX 3 102 Atnctrsxx o ..................... 104 APFEHSIl 0 ...... ••••.....»»..*110 M31X0OMFRY . * * * * . • . ..*.112 us? or Fitsnu riOORB PASS 1* Original Territory ef Vebreska 2 2* Boundaries of Counties la territory ef Bsbraeka. 4 J. Historic Site* la Hebraaka »•••*•*#•»• 8 4* steeaboet at the Soak *#*•••»»••••• 0 9* Map ef Blair* Xebraska •»**•••»«•*•» 19 6• Bernal Annual feaperatur*' and Frealpitatien • • 28 7» Chicago and BortheeotemRailroad Bridge near Blair* Xebraska • 45 8* taahingten County Courthouse **••**«*•• 48 9* B* S* Ooeewnent foot Offloa* Blair* Xebraska * 55 10* Map ef baahington Ceanty • **»*..**•»* 57 11* Map ef Blair* Sebraaka 78 32. Blair Hi# Sohool ....... • * 78 m u m m t introduction Blair# situated on tho Missouri River at tho eastern edge of Nebraska# is in the original territory of Nebraska# opened for settlement by the Kansas* Nebraska Act of iSfJI*,.1 (Figure 1# p. 2) Frier to this Aot small settlements had been made at Fort Kearny# on the Platte River# and at Bellevue on the Missouri, 2 There were ferry landings along the Missouri River that later became the towns of Nebraska City# Plattsmouth# and Omaha* They prospered because of river transportation and trails to the interior* Blair followed a different pattern of development* Blair was unique In that# though situated on the Missouri River# it came into being as a railroad town rather than as a result of the river* Much of the surrounding region was settled before the town was founded and this gave Impetus to its growth* Blair as a railroad town rapidly developed into an industrious trading community* The future site of Blair was originally included within the boundary of Burt County* When the boundary lines of Washington County were redefined# after the ^United States Statutes at Large* Vol* X# p* 279. p &James 0. Olson# History of Nebraska (Lincolns University of Nebraska Press# iv s C T # p* § 3 * 2 DOMINION of CANAOA yin;. Jii •••• ---- Riv«r R A r X |r ?, y*'S**7 , j.'i/mv V&v, -mU/A IOWA — •— . v*'' U T A H '<V /i M A P OF X \ ORIGINAL TERRITORY OF NEBRASKA ^ c a U —t • JIM_______ FIGURE I ORIGINAL TERRITORY OF NEBRASKA 1 ■> ^ — Addison Erwin Sheldon, Nebraska: The Land and tfog/ People (2 vols*; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1931J1 P • 212» 3 oonteet for tbo territorial capital, tbo area la whioh Blair was to bo looatod woo included within taahington County• Dou^lae Count? had entorod tho oontoot for tbo territorial capital with Omaha ao an entry while taahing- ton County oupported Florence. %ho South flatto oountiea favored bebreeka City or Plattaaouth* Beuglae County was viotorioua and Onaba booano tbo oapltal of Bebraaka Territory#* The olootoral diatrloto or oountleo wore eetab- llshod by Acting Governor Cutting* who euoceeded fraaoio Burt ao governor of Bebraoka Territory# Be divided tbo area along the bieeourl Biver into election diatrloto or count iee— f our north of tbo Flat to Elver* Burt* Bodge* Douglas, and Waabington* and four south of tbo flatto River, Caea* Forney, Pierce* and Rieberdeon.* (Figure 2, p. 4)* After elootion Governor Cualng wae accused of gerrymandering* The boundary llnee ef *aahington County were redefined# She eoutb boundary line wae lo­ cated two nilee north of Florence and the north boundary lino waa looatod twenty-four slice north of tbo eoutb line,* % M “#atw tim g Starto** llXum tm It karma Jfoa (2 wl#*f h tn m lM If05)t ¥oxr i t iw * „ , ^Sheldon, fetejfttlMi U & M M M A J&SL M m M » pp# 240-61* MM. Stete^ef &&&&* OMAHA INDIAN RESERVATION Boundaries 'Of Counties In T e r r i t o r y Of n e b r 'a s k a Ft Calhoun • Platte HINQTQH /0 F lo r e n c e * r O m a h a • DOUGLAS j Bellevue M a rtin s nanosha _.Weeping Wol,. Nebraska Oi FORNEY B ro w n v iU e j--------------- 11 RICHARDSON rcher • OTOE mo MUS0UK1A 5AC ahO FOX 1NO RES FIGURE 2 BOUNDARIES OF COUNTIES IN TERRITORY OF NEBRASKA the Penr,ffd?'?0n F* * 111 Sheldon, Nebraska: Km; Land and TOT 7 p-^2 ^9 . 8 ‘ '* - *CagoJ - — ® ^ ewls Fuhlishlng*xo. , 5 fort Calhoun, one m i the first town© incorporated in lebratbm territory, was established a@ the county seat of Washington County* Many towns were incorporated My tho first terri­ torial legislature* Shore, were seventeen in all* four­ teen. of which included the world “city1* in the name o f the town*6 Sites for town# were claimed by pre-emption according, to tie fowns!toe lew of 1144*^ this lew gave, to those who claimed towns!tea, rights similar to those granted by the Permanent Preemption dot of 1841* Many of the towns incorporated by the Mebraeha territorial legislature were located along the Missouri Hirer, at good steamboat and ferry landings* Steamboat navigation on the Missouri liver had been opened by the Major hong expedition* the Western Engineer of this expedition had com© up the Missouri as far as Magicser Cantonment, located on the Miesourl* on n the shores of Washington County# (figure 3, p* §) following Major hong1# expedition, the military forces ®oi*on, giaxaat; M S s k m U . as-ee, ex a lEfs&^llSSA «6Sl £8»1S& Domnin. 1776-1936 (llncolnt University of KebSekaPreee, 19627, p. 152. *Addison Erwin iS held on, MebraeXai Ola and I w . (linoolnt University ef HsUrassSrrSSfe, 1§37)» p. 11. 6 2 *»«jWtw-rv- ®«O.K5tO vtff ftCTJ v^ S&50D Aff.W ouiuniftFjc*«r ■KtamsiWrt isiuo TK»XSW iASSETl v jotis tJ-lA-M = g c-mn iWOZfUttH i 0 fWSStfSt SjkCttiM) V,;: -KiQjissisCY L_.HlU*A —nV-i<CATua - USTDRlAS water ! inEDracts 8 U.TTC bin SXs. «■» I “8 —------------CKHTiEY RCO>C?-v*.. LI CXRTiJttEMOi 1 ! v 1— ] VV BtOdH POW MKHJW ^MAiTr^,iy*-i^E HzJZ&o UillUJt HUGHS ’^> 2^ *1______ JUnMtG AU80RA; YOft* -WM msum rNr.«#iTf f»KT Cl& S>MT S*tf£S ^____ ^___ fOM ttlW* P « ‘ * * * —• f ' TKEAP.NV r . ’: !..... *.«0J .I wkvuc .=i>^ i i—1 | 1 iSEhfci*-*,. i i- , Viwrnwi \ (»««*^‘VXtntaACflY T^xH r^sr-1 i ~— i a W * ^ &KH£R I5U& WrtUHUD I • A i X • wraanKjwwics^ The University Publishing Co. HISTORIC SITES IN NEBRASKA FIGURE 3 HISTORIC SITES IN NEBRASKA Addison Erwin Sheldon, Nebraska: Old and New (New York: The University Publishing Co*, 1937)> p. II.
Recommended publications
  • Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Great Plains Quarterly Great Plains Studies, Center for 1992 Frontier Solons: Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867 James B. Potts University of Wisconsin-La Cross Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsquarterly Part of the Other International and Area Studies Commons Potts, James B., "Frontier Solons: Nebraska's Territorial Lawmaker, 1854-1867" (1992). Great Plains Quarterly. 648. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsquarterly/648 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Studies, Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Plains Quarterly by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. FRONTIER SOLONS NEBRASKA'S TERRITORIAL LAWMAKERS, 1854,1867 JAMES B. POTTS In the thirty-seven years since Earl Pomeroy Nevertheless, certain facets of western po­ maintained that the political history of the mid­ litical development, including the role of ter­ nineteenth century American West needed ritorial assemblies, still require "study and "further study and clarification," Howard R. clarification." With few exceptions, territorial Lamar, Lewis Gould, Clark Spence, and other histories have focused upon the activities of fed­ specialists have produced detailed studies of po­ erally appointed territorial officials--governors, liticallife in the western territories. Their works secretaries, and, occasionally, judges---and upon have shed light on the everyday workings and the territorial delegates. 2 Considerably less study failures of the American territorial system and has been made of the territorial legislatures, have elucidated the distinctive political and locally elected lawmaking bodies that provide economic conditions that shaped local insti­ useful perspectives from which to examine fron­ tutions in Dakota, Wyoming, and other western tier political behavior and attitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences Great Plains Studies, Center for Spring 2001 Latinos Along the Platte: The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska Roger Davis University of Nebraska at Kearney Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch Part of the Other International and Area Studies Commons Davis, Roger, "Latinos Along the Platte: The Hispanic Experience in Central Nebraska" (2001). Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences. 601. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/601 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Great Plains Studies, Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Great Plains Research 12 (Spring 2001): 27-50 © Copyright by the Center for Great Plains Studies LATINOS ALONG THE PLATTE: THE HISPANIC EXPERIENCE IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA Roger P. Davis Department of History University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska 68849 [email protected] ABSTRACT -This essay examines the arrival and growth of Latino population, principally Mexican American, into the Platte River valley region of Nebraska from 1890 to 1996. It outlines the history of the push and pull factors of immigration from Mexico and the various phases and characteristics of Latino settlement in the Midwest generally and in Nebraska specifically. It reviews demographic patterns over the 20th century and concludes with observations based upon census projections that indicate that the Nebraska Latino community will become the state's primary minority community by 2025.
    [Show full text]
  • The First Hundred Years of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory: a Major Role Played in the Development of Public Health
    University of Nebraska Medical Center DigitalCommons@UNMC History of the College of Public Health: Papers and Posters History of the College of Public Health 2013 The First Hundred Years of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory: A Major Role Played in the Development of Public Health Kristin A. Watkins University of Nebraska Medical Center, [email protected] Peter C. Iwen University of Nebraska Medical Center, [email protected] Anthony R. Sambol University of Nebraska Medical Center, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_history_papers Part of the Public Health Commons Recommended Citation Watkins, Kristin A.; Iwen, Peter C.; and Sambol, Anthony R., "The First Hundred Years of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory: A Major Role Played in the Development of Public Health" (2013). History of the College of Public Health: Papers and Posters. 1. https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_history_papers/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the History of the College of Public Health at DigitalCommons@UNMC. It has been accepted for inclusion in History of the College of Public Health: Papers and Posters by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UNMC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The First Hundred Years of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory: A Major Role Played in the Development of Public Health By Kristin Watkins, MBA, Peter Iwen, PhD, Tony Sambol, MS Introduction/Background Public health laboratories are the invisible key to public health. These laboratories have played a significant role in the health of the community since their inception in the late 1800s.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sandhills of South Dakota : a Regional Study
    South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1985 The Sandhills of South Dakota : A Regional Study Robert E. Weimer Follow this and additional works at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd Recommended Citation Weimer, Robert E., "The Sandhills of South Dakota : A Regional Study" (1985). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4318. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/4318 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE SANDHILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA: A REGIONAL STUDY BY ROBERT E. WEIMER A·thesis submit ted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Ma ster of Science, Major in Geography, South Dakota State University 1985 CniiTU 1'"\AV-TA � ..... __ ••••·· ·------ - _ THE SANDHILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA: A REGIONAL STUDY This thesis is approved as a creditable and independent investigation by a candidate for the degree, Master of Science, and is acceptable for meeting the thesis requirements for tbis degree. Acceptance of this thesis does not imply that the conclusions reached by the candidate are necessarily the conclusions of the major department. EdwardThesis AdvisPatricker Hogan, Ph.D. Date Edward Patrick Hog , Ph.D. Date Head, Geography Departmentdh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to express his appreciation and thanks to Dr. Edward P.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Cherry County, Nebraskaâ•Žs Cattle
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research, History, Department of Department of History 11-1998 Cattle, Environment, and Economic Change: A History of Cherry County, Nebraska’s Cattle Industry, from Earliest Times to 1940 Gail Lorna DiDonato University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/historydiss Part of the American Material Culture Commons, Meat Science Commons, and the United States History Commons DiDonato, Gail Lorna, "Cattle, Environment, and Economic Change: A History of Cherry County, Nebraska’s Cattle ndusI try, from Earliest Times to 1940" (1998). Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research, Department of History. 78. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/historydiss/78 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the History, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research, Department of History by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. CATTLE, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMIC CHANGE: A HISTORY OF CHERRY COUNTY, NEBRASKA’S CATTLE INDUSTRY, FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1940 by Gail Loma DiDonato A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Major: History Under the Supervision of Professor John Wunder and Professor Benjamin Rader Lincoln, Nebraska November, 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DM! Number: 9917827 Copyright 1999 by DiDonato, Gail Loraa All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9917827 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Article Title: Nebraska History on Nebraska Territory: a Reader's Guide
    Nebraska History posts materials online for your personal use. Please remember that the contents of Nebraska History are copyrighted by the Nebraska State Historical Society (except for materials credited to other institutions). The NSHS retains its copyrights even to materials it posts on the web. For permission to re-use materials or for photo ordering information, please see: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/magazine/permission.htm Nebraska State Historical Society members receive four issues of Nebraska History and four issues of Nebraska History News annually. For membership information, see: http://nebraskahistory.org/admin/members/index.htm Article Title: Nebraska History on Nebraska Territory: A Reader’s Guide Full Citation: James E Potter, “Nebraska History on Nebraska Territory: A Reader’s Guide,” Nebraska History 84 (2003): 162-175 URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH2003NeTerritoryGuide.pdf Date: 9/07/2012 Article Summary: The author describes twenty-nine Nebraska History articles concerning the Nebraska Territory. Topics discussed include the Territorial System and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Government and Politics, Economic and Social Development, Land Acquisition and Agriculture, Indians and Indian Affairs, Military Affairs, and Prelude to Statehood. Cataloging Information: Names: Stephen A Douglas, Joseph E Johnson, George L Miller, Robert W Furnas, William S Harney Nebraska Place Names: Omaha, Nebraska City, Brownville, Columbus, Florence, Elkhorn Valley (Cuming County) Keywords:
    [Show full text]
  • The Biggest Partner, the Federal Government and Sioux County, Nebraska
    Nebraska History posts materials online for your personal use. Please remember that the contents of Nebraska History are copyrighted by the Nebraska State Historical Society (except for materials credited to other institutions). The NSHS retains its copyrights even to materials it posts on the web. For permission to re-use materials or for photo ordering information, please see: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/magazine/permission.htm Nebraska State Historical Society members receive four issues of Nebraska History and four issues of Nebraska History News annually. For membership information, see: http://nebraskahistory.org/admin/members/index.htm Article Title: The Biggest Partner, The Federal Government and Sioux County, Nebraska Full Citation: Francis Moul, “The Biggest Partner: The Federal Government and Sioux County, Nebraska,” Nebraska History 80 (1999): 150-165. URL of Article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/1999-Fed_Gov_Sioux.pdf Date: 1/20/2010 Article Summary: The federal government has invested significant resources in Sioux County since the treaties with the Lakota Sioux freed the land for Euro-American settlement. It has been the major partner in providing infrastructure funding for projects: large irrigation systems, small pipeline systems, relief aid, and restoration of the land. The Homestead Act and other land laws provided nearly free land to Sioux County settlers, and the 1902 National Reclamation Act began the important work of irrigating farmable acres. Federal farm commodity support
    [Show full text]
  • The Geological History of Nebraska
    The Geological History of Nebraska. Has Nebraska always looked this way? What did Nebraska look like 10,000 years ago? What did Nebraska look like 1,000,000 years ago? Nebraska has gone through many changes over time, in this lesson we'll learn about some of those changes and what factors that caused those changes. Basic Plate Tectonics Throughout Earth's history the surface features have been slowly changing. Vulcanism, earthquakes and weather have been three of the driving forces. But, the biggest driving force, and a cause of some of the other three, has been Plate Tectonics. In 1915, Alfred Wegener, a German geologist, published his theory of plate tectonics. Basic Plate Tectonics (cont.) Wegener proposed that the shapes of the continents was due to them being at one time joined. The crust of the Earth is segmented into several large plates, and that these plates move around on the earths surface. Modern science has continuously proven this theory to be true. The theory proposes that the continents have been moving around for all of earths history. Basic Plate Tectonics (cont.) The movement of the plates, along with the orbital parameters of the earth around the sun, cause gradual changes on, beneath AND above the earth's surface. Movement of a plate toward the equator would make it more tropical in today's world. Closer to the poles would make it cooler. Separation of plates along fault lines might cause a new ocean or sea to form, causing changes in the local weather. Basic Plate Tectonics (cont.) What would happen to the plants and animals of Nebraska if it became more tropical? What would happen if Nebraska become colder, almost arctic? What would happen if Nebraska were to become covered with an ocean of water? What would happen if large scale vulcanism were to occur? All these things HAVE happened in the past, and Nebraska WAS effected by them! Basic Plate Tectonics (cont.) Geologist have tracked the movement of the continents over time by examining physical evidence contained in the rocks.
    [Show full text]
  • Equality Before the Law”: Thoughts on the Origin of Nebraska’S State Motto
    “Equality Before the Law”: Thoughts on the Origin of Nebraska’s State Motto (Article begins on second page below.) This article is copyrighted by History Nebraska (formerly the Nebraska State Historical Society). You may download it for your personal use. For permission to re-use materials, or for photo ordering information, see: https://history.nebraska.gov/publications/re-use-nshs-materials Learn more about Nebraska History (and search articles) here: https://history.nebraska.gov/publications/nebraska-history-magazine History Nebraska members receive four issues of Nebraska History annually: https://history.nebraska.gov/get-involved/membership Full Citation: James E. Potter, “‘Equality Before the Law’: Thoughts on the Origin of Nebraska’s State Motto,” Nebraska History 91 (2010): 116-121. URL: https://history.nebraska.gov/sites/history.nebraska.gov/files/doc/publications/NH2010Motto.pdf Article Summary: Nebraska gained statehood in 1867 only after agreeing to accept Congress’s demand that it remove a “whites only” voting restriction from its state constitution. The state motto “Equality Before the Law” reflected Nebraska’s willingness to extend suffrage to black Americans. Cataloging Information: Names: David Butler, Isaac Wiles, Andrew Jackson Place Names: Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Nebraska City, Nebraska Keywords: Nebraska state motto, Nebraska state seal, “Equality Before the Law,” statehood, Nebraska HR 41, Fourteenth Amendment, Fifteenth Amendment, African Americans, suffrage Photographs / Images: Nebraska state seal; state motto inscribed near the north entrance to the State Capitol; sidebar: quotes from Omaha Weekly Herald reporting on the passage of Nebraska’s statehood bill (February 15, 1867) Date: 1/24/2019 The Nebraska State Seal, featuring the state motto, “Equality Before the Law.” “EQUALITY BEFORE THE Law”: Thoughts on the Origin of Nebraska’s State Motto B Y J A M E S E.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Nebraska Forest Service.Indb
    TONY FOREMAN The Unique History of the Nebraska Forest Forest ServiceThe Unique HistoryNebraska of the UNDERTAKING THE GREATEST erhaps forests and trees are not the first images one conjures when thinking about Nebraska.P Indeed, an old joke claims the Nebraska State Tree is a wooden football goal- post. Yet Nebraska has a unique forestry history. Pioneers of the mid-nineteenth century moved into what was popularly known as the Great American Desert, and they rolled the dice that this semi-arid land, seemingly incapable of sustaining trees, could somehow grow crops. After winning that gamble, the settlers yearned for the trees they had grown accustomed to in the Eastern United States. They missed the beauty of the wooded areas and the respite of a shade tree. Moreover, they needed windbreaks to slow soil erosion and THE GREATEST crop damage. Homesteaders would take advantage of timber claim opportunities and plant trees 40 acres at a time. Nebraska would become the “Tree Planter’s State”. J. Sterling Morton would found Arbor Day. And Nebraskans would toil in their own blood and sweat UNDERTAKING to create the nation’s largest hand-planted forest reserve. The most unheralded part of this unique history is the organization of dedicated, THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE hardworking individuals who have directed these and other efforts. Nebraska foresters have distributed trees, built windbreaks, protected forest reserves, conducted original research, contained diseases, fought forest and wildfires, and assisted the forest products industries. Through obstacles both natural and man-made, forestry activities have continued for over 100 years in one form or another.
    [Show full text]
  • Wetland Program Plan for Nebraska
    1 Wetland Program Plan for Nebraska By: Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission P.O. Box 30370 Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 471-5436 [email protected] October 14, 2010 This Plan was approved by EPA in December 2010 OUTLINE Table of Contents OVERALL GOAL AND TIME FRAME ............................................................................. 2 ACTION ITEM SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 3 Partnership Action Items .............................................................................................. 3 Monitoring and Assessment Action Items .................................................................... 3 Regulation Action Items ............................................................................................... 3 Voluntary Protection and Restoration Action Items...................................................... 4 Wetland Management Action Items ............................................................................. 6 Water Quality Standards Action Items ......................................................................... 6 Outreach and Education Action Items ......................................................................... 6 Information Needs Action Items ................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 7 Wetland Definition
    [Show full text]
  • The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida) of Nebraska
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies Nebraska Academy of Sciences 11-2011 The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida) of Nebraska Ellet Hoke Midwest Malacology, Inc., [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas Part of the Life Sciences Commons Hoke, Ellet, "The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida) of Nebraska" (2011). Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies. 2. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societiesy b an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida) Of Nebraska Ellet Hoke Midwest Malacology, Inc. Correspondence: Ellet Hoke, 1878 Ridgeview Circle Drive, Manchester, MO 63021 [email protected] 636-391-9459 This paper reports the results of the first statewide survey of the freshwater mussels of Nebraska. Survey goals were: (1) to document current distributions through collection of recent shells; (2) to document former distributions through collection of relict shells and examination of museum collections; (3) to identify changes in distribution; (4) to identify the primary natural and anthropomorphic factors impacting unionids; and (5) to develop a model to explain the documented distributions. The survey confirmed 30 unionid species and the exotic Corbicula fluminea for the state, and museum vouchers documented one additional unionid species. Analysis of museum records and an extensive literature search coupled with research in adjacent states identified 13 additional unionid species with known distributions near the Nebraska border.
    [Show full text]