MEMORIES 
And Items of Interest

     (28) The fact that our sister county, Keya Paha, was a part of Brown from February 19, 1883 to November 4, 1884, gives us an active interest in her early settlement and history.

     The name "Keya Paha," meaning in the Indian language, "Turtle Hill," was given to that portion of our state north of the Niobrara river and the river which traverses it, many years ago. In a communication, dated October 29, 1858, signed C. Randall (from near Fort Randall and printed in the Missouri Republican, (29) of` St. Louis) I have found the following: "We travelled up the Turtle Hill river 101 miles having a good road, good grass and wood in large quantities. The Turtle Hill river is a great game country. We saw thousands of buffalo and almost myriads of antelope. The river can be crossed every fifty yards if necessary without bridging or digging. The quick sand is not bad, and in many places there is rock bottom."

     In the same article the Niobrara is described thus: "It is a better game country than the Turtle Hill river region. The banks are steep and high, however, making crossing difficult. It is full of petrifactions, and fossil remains. Almost every coolie or ravine where there is pine or cedar, counts its bands of elk, the ravines and plains are filled with buffalo, and the river with millions of wild geese, ducks and a specie of snipe." A country such as this writer portrays could not fail to attract adventurers. 

     Soon after the Sioux Indians were placed on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations, in 1878-'79, the white men began to establish ranches along these two rivers, using the fine upland meadows for grazing. About the year 1877, a large cattle outfit owned by Charles and Henry Tienken had taken up holdings in the western end of what is now Boyd county, a lonely outpost on the frontier at that early date. Other cattle men followed. Of this early settlement Mr. Ross Amspoker of Springview has written: "F. J. Rhodes, the postmaster at Burton, came to this county in the year 1879 with his father, Sam Rhodes, his mother and brother Fred. The family located in 14-34-17.

     "At that time the Livingston ranch was located about 1-33-18. W. N. Hudson (30) was a nephew, a part owner and manger of the ranch and Henry Brockman was the foreman. The ranch carried about 2500 cattle, but the hard winter of 1880-1881 wiped them out and the ranch was abandoned. Henry Brockman settled just east of the present town of Brocksburg. He was a German and a man of much property. W. N. Hudson lived for many years on his ranch south of Brocksburg. He was a man of much ability, was at one time deputy-county clerk, and postmaster at Springview, also interested in the bank at Burton. 

     "Other early settlers: were Henry Skinner, John Kuhns, Homer Wilson, John Beal,  ---- Means, Henry Richard son, Capt. W F. Tarbell, H. W. Palmer, Milo Goodrich, and John Beeman, all about 1878. R. S. Wooden, Ed H. Monroe, Jules Ancelot and Fred Berlet in 1879. S. and R. Long; John Sullivan, 1880 (the latter quite prominent in Brown county in later years.) In 1881 Frank Dixon, Chas. Larne, Major Hooker, P. P. Haugen. Among the early 'comers was Louis Hassed and Charles Jewett just east of Meadville (year not found.) 

     "Due north of Springview was the Hammond Brothers ranch. It is my understanding that they came in 1878. Their holdings included much of the fine hay land that is now part of the Hamilton and John A. Jackson estate lands. 

     "In 33-35-21 was the M. L. Taylor ranch; he came to this part of the state about 1878 or '79, and I believe was west of Meadville for a year or so, and then settled at the point above indicated. He was the Capt. Taylor of the Vigilanters. My people came to this country in 1884, and lived within a mile of the Taylor ranch. At that time Taylor went to neighborhood gatherings with a six-gun strapped on. He was a big man with red whiskers just beginning to show gray. Quite a character in, a way. 

     "At the present site of Carns, Capt. W. F. Tarbell operated a ferry in an early day. William Morris established a bridge over the Niobrara which was known by his name. It was in operation as a toll bridge as late as October, 1884. "There were many people moving into this part of the county in 1880 and 1881 with the big settlement in 1882 and 1883."

     Heavy losses of cattle in the winter of 1880-81, rumors of a railroad to be built north of the Niobrara, and changing conditions throughout our nationall helped to bring a different class of settlers during the early '80's. The majority of them were genuine homeseekers. Some came from as far east as New York and Pennsylvania. Railroad companies were putting out much advertising, promising rich rewards to those who would take chances on life in the west. From Bradford, Penn., in the early spring of 1883, a colony consisting of sixty-five men, women and children settled along the south side of the Keya Paha river. They played an important role in the early history of the eastern end of the county. Their children and grandchildren are still numbered among Keya Paha county's leading citizens. Iowa, Wisconsin and eastern Nebraska also sent large numbers of settlers. Probably no other section of Nebraska has seen more crime and tragedy enacted on its soil than has that section which is now Keya Paha county. It was the battleground between the lawless and (32) the law-abiding elements of its citizens, each faction struggling for supremacy, and each upheld in the belief that their claims were paramount. The story of this struggle will probably never be recorded and Time will erase the thrilling tales of the daring deeds of the horse thief and the cattle rustlers as well as those of the early peace officer and the "Vigilante." 

     The Niobrara proved to be an almost impassable barrier, between the two portions of what was then Brown county, and there were many long weary miles to be travelled to reach the railroad or the seat of the county government. The honest people were at the mercy of the thieves and other outlaws. Poor roads, poor bridges and other drawbacks influenced public opinion to such a degree that the belief in county division soon became very strong. A large majority took the stand that the north side of the river should have its own officers and its own seat of government. There was very little opposition to the division and in a short time after the election on November 4, 1884, the new county was in operation. 

     It took some time to locate the county seat as there were many little towns contesting for the honor. It was finally established at Springview on April 28, 1885. The residence of David Heiges was made the temporary court house. As the county owned the town site the funds secured from the sale of lots were used to build a court house. Among the early postoffices were Darnall, Adrian, Lutes, Enterprise, Nesbit, Burton, Brewer, Simpson, Norden, McGuire, Carns, Stevenson, Lomo, McLean, Munt and Meadville, (though the last, named was located in Brown county (33)  for several years it served many on the north side of the river for mail facilities, and was finally moved across the river.) 

     Mrs. Sam Rhodes taught the first school in the county. Miss Thomas, now Mrs. A. H. Burr of Omaha is said to have been the teacher of the first school in Springview, and to have given the town its name. The second couple married in the county were F. M. Conn and wife, now of Chadron. married April 1, 1885.

MEMORIES OF LONG PINE

     In the fall of 1881 Long Pine was a hustling little frontier town only a few weeks old. It was headquarters for Berry Brothers stage line and all freight and supplies for Fort Niobrara and surrounding country. The Railroad eating house was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Rich. The Severns House was built shortly after this.

     There was lots of talk and excitement about the possibilities of the new country farther on when the road was built west in the spring. A number of business men who established themselves at Long Pine that year, later came to Valentine, then on to Chadron. Doctor Alfred Lewis was Long Pines' first physician; in 1883 he came to Valentine and was the first physician to locate here. Thomas Moore, now living at Riverside, California, was a pioneer businessman of Long Pine who later moved his flour and feed store to Valentine.

     F. H. Warren who was elected Judge of Cherry County in November, 1883, also came up here from Long Pine. My father, Peter Donoher, brought his family to Long Pine in the fall of 1881 and we lived that winter in the canyon near the Seven (34) Springs that we heard so much about and close by Sergeant O'Leary's attractive little house built of red cedar logs was situated. 

     Some people thought the water in the springs contained medicinal properties and should be developed and the town called, Seven Springs instead of Long Pine. Mr. O'Leary was a discharged soldier from the regular army but everyone still called him Sergeant. O'Leary. He had filed on a homestead on the canyon. A tragic death occurred on the street at Long Pine that first fall. Bartley Kane, a young homesteader from Atkinson, had been working for Berry Brothers. There was some dispute over his wages. Kane was very angry and made some disparaging remarks about Berry Bros. to which Jesse Crawford, a, stage driver for Berry Brothers:, took exception and he struck Kane with a piece of 2 x 4 and killed him.

     It was a very sad affair for Mr. Kane had a young widowed sister with two small children who had come out from some place in the east to file on, a homestead joining his at Atkinson and she was expecting him home to build her house and help her get ready for a winter on her claim.

     Spotted Tail was killed by Crow Dog that year and many rumors of an Indian outbreak grapevined through the country but we felt very safe in Long Pine canyon because we were near the railroad.
      -----Catherine M. Donoher, Valentine, Nebr. 

     Long Pine creek was so named because of the magnificent pine trees which grew on its banks. These trees were famed for their great height and symmetry; and have been often referred to by early explorers and travellers. So superior were they to the pines in other canyons near, that many of the best of them were chopped down and put into use soon after they were discovered. Only a few of the best ones were left when the country adjacent to the creek was settled. 

     One of these fine trees was taken to Fort Hartsuff where it was used for a flag pole on the parade ground. A detail of soldiers from the fort had been sent out to search until they found the tallest tree in this part of the state, and they returned with one from the banks of the Long Pine. 

     Mrs. Nannie Hogan in writing of the trail over which she and her mother, Mrs. Nannie Osborn, traveled coming from Fort Hartsuff to the Bone creek ranch mentions the "Lone Pine" which was very tall. It stood near the head waters of Long Pine creek and could be seen for fifteen miles. This tree served as a land mark for travel between the Calamus trail and the freighter's trail. 

     The late A. J. Leach of Oakdale, made several exploring and hunting trips to this section in the early '70's. He wrote a description of them, then added: "Later, I with two others went with teams and hauled away from Short Pine creek two loads of cedar timber for a bridge over Cedar creek in Antelope county. The piling for the first public bridge across the Elkhorn river was all hauled from Long Pine creek." This is no doubt but one of many instances of these fine trees being used for practical purposes.

     An account of the journey made by the Gordon Expedition through the county in May, 1875, written by Charles J. Kimball of Hermosa, S. D., and published in Sheridan County Star, contains this interesting item: "We crossed Long Pine near its mouth which was the steepest ravine I ever crossed with a wagon. We tied (36) logs to the hind axles of the wagons to help hold them back. West of Long Pine, we killed a cinnamon bear in the timber on the Niobrara river. The men who had ponies to ride went out and shot at him with revolvers which only made him mad and he chased them up the hill. V. P. Shoun was the scout for the party and he killed him just as he got to the top of the hill; so we had bear meat for supper."

     Long Pine, the town, was named for the beautiful stream and canyon through which it winds. The first settlers here made their homes in the canyon to be near wood and water, and to be somewhat sheltered from the elements. Several came in the late '70's: Rev. Irving H. Skinner Bassett, James Graham, Seth Bates, Mike Kernan, F. E. Stockwell and family, the Donoher family. John Coleman (who had been employed earlier on the Cook and Tower ranch on Bone creek.) 

     Other very early residents in and, near the town were Carleton Pettijohn, Isaac Mills, Theron Ford, Abe Bailey, John W. Vargison, Nels Ringsrud, Henry Tabler, Ed Ryan, Dr. Lewis, Sergeant O'Leary, W. H. Magill, Henry Danks, John and Henry Leadis, Granville Butler, John Hill, Charles and Thomas Glover, J. D. Whittemore, Z. B. Cox. 

     The first resident to occupy ground where now stands the town was "Dirty" Smith. With his family he had homesteaded the ground now occupied by the depot and yards of the Chicago & Northwestern railway company. 

 (I have seen a published statement that Kate Litz was the very earliest settler in Long Pine in 1876, but have been unable to verify this.) 

     (37) In 1881 and 1882 many Indians came from their reservation north of the Keya Paha river to Long Pine to get supplies, bringing cedar posts to exchange for goods when they had no money. The Methodist church of Long Pine was the second church in Brown county. It was organized by Rev. I. H. Skinner, Cornelius B. Morefort, Charles R. Glover, W. E. Davis, Joseph E. Dunn, and Benjamin Elliott, November 30, 1883. (contributed by Mrs. W. M. Ely). One of the earliest Methodist pastors; Rev. W. W. Thomas, often walked to Ainsworth and Johnstown and conducted services.

     The earliest school in Long Pine, was held in a building on Main street. Dr. Learn who was also one of the, first dentists in Brown county, was the teacher. In 1882 a small frame school house was built. 

     On January 9, 1884; the county commissioners granted a petition signed by Long Pine citizens, making it an incorporated village. The following Indian story is taken from a collection of early Brown county history memories made in school district N. 18, Fern Keim, teacher:

     "During these years of early settlements the Indians were frequent visitors, but seldom bothered people. Every spring they would travel from the Niobrara river to Moon Lake to fish. On one of these trips their chief, Warning Hawk, died from drinking poison whiskey. The Indian tribe started from Moon Lake with his body which was to be buried on their hunting ground along the Niobrara. During the entire trip from Moon Lake to the river; the Indians kept screaming their death cry which greatly terrified the settlers:" 

     (38) From the same collection I took this: "One crossing on Plum creek was known as Frame's Crossing." It was located on Frame's homestead northwest of Johnstown. This crossing was used by the Indians on their trips from the Niobrara to Moon Lake."

     Mrs. Wm. P. S. Thompson, formerly Mrs. Charles Allen came to Brown county in 1881. She has many interesting memories of her life on the frontier. In a collection made by Mrs. Audrey Burge, for use in her school, I have taken these:

     "There were hundreds of deer and antelope, and some elk were to be seen, but infrequently. Eb. Osborn, an old Indian scout, killed an elk whose antlers measured seven feet from tip to tip. These were sent to England. Some of the pioneers made their living by killing, dressing and shipping dressed prairie chickens and quail to the eastern people.

     In 1887, John Anderson, a Danish farmer while repairing a curbing on a well was entombed for a period of nine days by the sliding sand over his head. He was rescued alive by his neighbors, Henry Archer and George Campbell. The story of this dramatic episode was often retold by the pioneers. It is given in detail in Mrs. Burge's collection. 

     Rev. Elias Frame, who filed on a homestead near Johnstown on April 7,1880, some times held religious services after there were a few settlers in that locality. A Methodist church was built in 1884. The United Brethern church was organized December 12, 1885, Rev. Campbell, minister. Among the very earliest ministers was John Calvert. Rev. Elias Frame and Jeremiah Frame filed on claims near Johnstown on April 7, 1880, the first filings (39) made in what is now Brown county at the Valentine land office. 

     The first store in Johnstown was opened in the railroad depot by W. H. Marriner in 1882. Later it was moved to a building north of the railroad under the firm name of Scattergood and Marriner. The next year George Weber of Lincoln put in a general store and in 1884 established a bank. Farleigh and Diamond put in a stock of drugs in 1884. Dr. Farleigh was the first physician. 

      After the establishment of Johnstown station on the newly built railroad the postoffice was moved from "Evergreen" to the section house and Mrs. Parsons was the post mistress, wife of the section foreman. Dan Hart was the first depot agent. 

     The earliest school in that locality was conducted by W. G. Townsend in the Harrison Johnson home. The late A. W. Scattergood taught a spring term in 1883 in a little log house about one mile north of the townsite. Miss Lou Richmond taught there in 1884 and had an attendance of twenty-one pupils, and W. G. Townsend taught in Johnstown that year. 

     The A. Scattergood family came into Johnstown in 1883 on the first "Passenger Coach" brought to the station, attached to a construction train. The homestead adjoining the town on the northwest is still the home of two daughters, Mrs. Doyle and Miss Mabel Scattergood. 

     Other early settlers in the west part of the county were Frederick Schulz, Gottleib Schulz, Ed Fancher, John Brill, Charles Cowley, W. G. Townsend, B. M. Chase, George Carpender, D. D. Carpender, Casper Lochmiller and sons William, Casper, Fred, Phillip and Henry, (40) H. C. Stone, J. W. Terry, Max Rauscher and Jackson Billeter.

     Johnstown became an incorporated village on January 9, 1913. The first trustees were Peter Wantz, A. Holt, Mark Williams, Frank Miller, Stanton Rose. A fine brick school building was erected the same year.

     To pioneers the early mills are of great value. The fine running streams on the south side of the Niobrara offered ample water power which was early utilized for grinding grain and sawing lumber. On Pine creek were the Ritterbush mills for both flour and lumber, Richard Upstill, sawmill; Steve Kyner, flour mill. On Bone Creek was Sisson's mill and people came from great distances to have their wheat ground or to buy flour. It was owned by A. L. ("Gus") Sisson. Otto Hoefs built a sawmill at the mouth of the Fairfield in 1892 and sold to Wm. Kuhre the next year. Mr. Kuhre still owns it.

     An earlier mill was built on the Fairfield in 1883 by Cornell and King. Chas. Cornell took the first homestead in Fairfield precinct. Logs were cut along the creek by the government for use in building; Fort Niobrara and later lumber from this mill was bought for use in the construction of the buildings there. The Bruce mill on the Niobrara in the western edge of the county about six miles above the Norden bridge, was useful to early settlers in that section.