THE popular highway by which a majority of the early settlers made their way into the upper North Loup Valley had its southern terminus at Grand Island on the Union Pacific railway, thence it extended northward, by devious windings, through the sand range south of the Middle Loup, crossing that river near St. Paul. From this place the trail continued its northward trend, entering the North Loup Valley almost due north of the above mentioned town, and continuing thereafter up the south bank of the river. When the tide of immigration began to turn into the upper North Loup country two important settlements were already in progress in Howard county--the settlement of the Paul Brothers and associates at "Athens," or St. Paul, and that of "The Danish Land and Homestead Colony" at Dannebrog. As the history of the upper settlements, especially during the early years, is more or less intimately linked with the colonization of Howard county it becomes necessary to pause and note the circumstances of its origin.

     A cold winter night in December, 1870, saw Nicholas Paul, one of the well known Paul Brothers--surveyors and colonizers, and a Mr. Moeller, Vice Consul from Denmark to Milwaukee, camped in the protecting underbrush on the South Loup, not far from where Dannebrog now is. Those two gentlemen, huddled under the bank of the river for protection, almost perishing with cold, represented interests which culminated in locating the first colonies in the county. Not in the least dismayed by such unpropitious a beginning, they weathered the wintery blasts and explored the South Loup as far as Sweet Creek before returning to the settlements. Acting upon N. J. Paul's favorable report a locating committee, consisting of N. J. Paul, Major Frank North, A. J. Hoge, Ira Mullen, Joseph Tiffany, Luther H. North, J. E. North, Enos Johnson, S. W. Smith, Gus Cox and Charles Morse  ascended the Loup from the Pawnee reservation in Nance County and carefully explored sections (84) of all three forks of the river. The committee eventually concluded to stake their town near the Middle Loup, just midway between the other two forks. This important event occurred about the middle of January, 1871. A couple of months later N. J. Paul arrived on the ground with thirty-one colonists and in a short time houses were springing up in and about the new town. This, by the way, was first called "Athens," later changed to St. Paul, in honor of its founders, since there was already one town of the former name in the state.

     Meanwhile vice-consul Moeller returned to Milwaukee and organized "The Danish Land and Homestead Colony." This organization also selected a locating committee to come west to further examine the land and determine upon the most practical place for settlement. The men chosen for this task were Lars Hannibal, John Seehusen, L. M. Petersen, and Paul Hansen. A search of several weeks ended in the selection of lands on picturesque Oak Creek, southwestward from St. Paul. When the colonists arrived they founded here a town and named it Dannebrog to commemorate the cross-banner of Denmark, their old homeland.

     Both of the settlements had a normal growth and time and, circumstance considered, prospered. The men who built them did not long remain strangers to the upper settlements. Our fathers found it very convenient to stop over at St. Paul or Dannebrog on their periodic trips to and from the "Island." Those were the days of open hearts and hearths. The best the household could afford was none too good for the weary wayfarers. Ties of friendship were formed then between our fathers and the Howard county colonists that neither time nor changing circumstances have been able to sunder. Our hearts go out to those sturdy old pioneers "down the river" who were ever ready to extend a helping hand to the travel-worn trailers of the Loup. Long will their memory be cherished by the sons of these fathers.

     It is a well recognized fact in American history that the Church was ever a leader in the colonization of our country in the day of its making. And when it was ripe for a westward growth the various church denominations were among the first to lead their flocks into the wilds. The consecrated man of God has been the most important factor upon the frontier. He became a pathfinder in a double sense. Not alone did he blaze a trail for the later comers, but he also fought to give the settlements the Word of God, which meant to establish law and order where chaos might otherwise have reigned. He saved the settlements from years of disregard for law and usurpation of the rights of the individual. He made it possible that right and not might ruled the wilds.

     The North Loup Valley was fortunate in this respect. The first comers were all earnest church men, seeking here an asylum, where to worship God according to their own dictates, and untrammeled by other denominations; or they were other honest folk of several nationalities, intent upon making permanent homes for themselves and their families. The very first to consider the possibility of a colony here were Seventh (85) Day Baptists in Wisconsin. A community of these people, in casting about for homes in the now west, were attracted by the general press to the great possibilities of Central Nebraska, and the Loup river country then in the course of exploitation. They lost no time in sending out a committee to investigate the practicability of settlement in those much vaunted sections. Accordingly, C. P. Rood, N. B. Prentice, Amos Travis, and C. H. Wellman arrived in the North Loup Valley in June 1871. They explored the river northward as far as the chalk hills opposite Scotia, but determined to go no farther, as the majority of the committee were not very favorably impressed with the country. Especially did it seem to them to be too far removed from the railway and ready facilities for transportation. At least one man of the four, however, was not disposed to turn back, and that

was C. P. Rood. As he stood on the lofty bluffs looking north up the valley, this must have appeared to him a veritable promised land, if we are to judge of the enthusiastic minority report he made after the committee returned to Wisconsin. The majority report was adopted and for a time the matter was held in abeyance. Fortunately, this was not to be the end of it. For shortly we hear that young men in the Waushara county community had decided to seek homes in the Loup Valley. And for this decision no one (86) is to receive more credit than C. P. Rood. When the boys had finally determined to look up cheap lands in the west, his earnest pleadings and offers of financial assistance had the desired effect. What was more, Mr. Rood in person for a second time that year made the trip from Wisconsin to Nebraska. And be it remembered, such a trip was no laughing matter in those days. It meant weeks of weary journeying overland by team, over roads often times almost impassable or through wilds where the only paths were Indian trails. This second "voluntary committee" kept a diary of their journey from the hour of leaving till the hour of return and from it are drawn the following data, which will not alone illustrate the difficulties to be surmounted in reaching the Loup, but will also tell the story of the first men to actually select claims in the Valley. The writer is W. H. Rood, who still resides at North Loup. He says:

     
     "September 28, 1871, in company with My father C. P. Rood, my brother-in-law Mansell Davis and John Sheldon, a neighbor of my boyhood days, I left Dakota, Wisconsin, to view the Loup Valley country in Nebraska. My father who had been one of a committee of four sent out by a colony with headquarters at Dakota, Wis., had in the latter part of June and early July visited the North Loup Valley. When a majority report of the committee was against the advisability of settling in that part of the country, my father in a minority report strongly favored the Loup, declaring it extremely well adapted for just such a colony.

     Mansell Davis, John Sheldon and myself, having decided to go somewhere to look for a home, received the proposition from my father, that if we would go to the Loup country in Nebraska he was willing to furnish the outfit for travelling (horses and wagons) and would stand an equal share of the expenses. It was to make this journey that we left Dakota on Sept. 28th 1871. Our first day's journey was naturally a heavy-hearted one knowing as we did, that it was to be a long one and likely to keep us from home for some time, since our intention was to remain in Nebraska through the winter. We found some very sandy roads today. We passed through Monticco and camped for the night at Port Hope on the Fox River. "

     With this introduction let us leave our trailers to find their own way across the states of Illinois and Iowa, as nothing of an unusual nature occurred during twenty-four days required for that part of the trip.

     As they are about to enter upon Nebraska soil Mr. Davis writes further: "Sunday, October 22. Was on the road by four o'clock this (87) morning. Reached a point opposite Nebraska City by sunrise. Crossed the Missouri River on a steam ferry, and soon were on a rough and hilly road in Nebraska . . . . . . Thursday, Oct. 26. Were later than usual getting started this morning. Faced a hard cold wind, with lots of dust from burned-off prairie. Our road took us up Lincoln Creek to Hamilton Center where we camped for the night. The town consisted of one stone building and a dwelling house. The inhabitants were excited over the prospect of a rumored railroad. Friday, Oct. 27. was cold this morning and rather tough getting breakfast. Were on the road again at sunrise. Left the creek soon after leaving Hamilton and took across the prairie to Grand Island. The prairie had recently been burned off, so it was very nasty travelling in such a high wind. John and I chased some antelope but failed to bag any. Crossed the Platte river ford but found little running water. Arrived at Grand Island at about noon. Letters from home. Saturday Oct. 28. As this was Saturday we remained in camp all day. Saw our first Indians. The "Island" is a lively little place. Provisions are getting high. We begin to realize that we are getting a long way from home.

     "Sunday, Oct. 29. A terrible wind came up in the night. As we were in an exposed place we thought best to hitch up and get on the road again. So between two and three o'clock in the morning we were on our way across the sand hills to the Loup River. We reached the river at an early hour and camped on an island, where we cooked breakfast. In crossing over the bluffs between the South Loup and the North Loup we rested for a little while at the home of a Mr. Ward (A. Ward of Mira Creek) and camped for the night at a sod house where dwelt Andrew J. Gillespie (near where Cotesfield now is.) This has been our hardest day's travel yet. Monday, Oct. 30th. After getting a good breakfast we set our faces toward the bluffs (chalk hills below Scotia Junction). Camped for dinner before crossing the bluffs. We boys followed the river while father crossed the hills with the team to the valley above. Went into camp all tired out at some willows on the river near where Mansell Davis's farm now is. Are now near our journey's end; indeed, we feel as though this is "out West" for all settlers are now below us. The day has been fine. Antelope are plentiful but there is no time to hunt them.

     Tuesday, Oct. 31. Father and I went down the river and looked at some heavy timber before breakfast. On the way back we went up stream some distance, and then took across the prairie to reach the wagon, but encountered instead a beautiful little creek which I followed for some distance. Here I shot a coon. After breakfast I followed a large herd of antelope but again failed to bag any. About noon I saw some elk and wolves. After some further exploring we returned to the Gillespie home for the night. Wednesday, Nov, 11. This morning we started early to see what the country was like away from the river. Followed a canyon for some distance, and about noon reached a fair sized creek (Davis Creek) on what is now the Scott place south of North Loup. After dinner we followed the (88) creek for some distance. Father now doubled on the trail with the team. We missed one another that night, and we boys got neither supper nor bed that night. . . Friday, Nov. 8. Wanted to go hunting today but were obliged to give it up as we had some surveying to do to find the lines of the boys' (Mansell and John's) claims. Went up Mira Creek this afternoon with Will West, a young man who had been with us for a few days. Again we saw game in plenty but failed to kill any. The boys have settled upon what claims to take at last, so we are now ready to return to Grand Island . . . . .This is as far as we need pursue the reading of Mr. Rood's diary. It should be added that the committee retraced their long journey to Wisconsin that same fall. Here they spent a busy winter talking up the new enterprise and making actual preparations to settle the Loup Valley the succeeding Spring.

     From the foregoing narrative it appears that the Wisconsin colony were the first to look over lands of the upper Valley and the first to select claims in what had just been organized under the name of Greeley county; but when it comes to first actual settlement, then the palm must be given to a handful of men coming out of old Denmark.* ( Footnote: *Our attention has just been called to the fact that A. M. Stewart, now residing across the line in Greeley county actually settled on a claim in Valley county five months before the Danish colony entered the county. He picked his quarter in September, 1871, and filed on it January 1, 1872. Likewise, A. P. Fish was the very first to move onto a farm in Greeley county. This he did in September 1872. He therefore appears to be the very first actual settler in the entire valley above, Howard county.) 

     And the facts in the case are as here set forth: Between 1869 and '71 five enterprising young Danes had arrived in the United States, hoping here to win the way for themselves which economic circumstances in the old homeland forbade. In the the spring of 1872 we find them all in Missouri where George Moller (George Miller) was engaged in the Iron Works of Crawford county, while Niels Andersen (Nels Andersen) toiled in the Warrensburg coal mines. Peter Mortensen, Christian Frey and Jeppe Smith, the other members of the little band, took any work which promised to turn an honest penny. It early dawned upon the friends that Missouri was not the place for them; indeed they longed for a chance to become their own masters, a chance to show their abilities in the line of "nation-building." Thus it came about that they formed a "partnership for weal and woe" and cast their lot with (89) the North Loup Valley. This was no sooner said than done. All but Christian Frey immediately took ticket for Grand Island and arrived there April 10, 1872. The former was obliged to await the arrival of a sum of money from Denmark. He is nevertheless to be considered as one of the original five, and as one of them he owned his share in the partnership outfit.

     At Grand Island all preparations were made for the proposed settlement. Then, was the outfit to be procured and the
 

thousand and one things so essential in a new country, miles from nearest trading depot. Peter Mortensen says that "jointly we purchased two ox teams for which we paid nearly $400.00, one wagon which cost us an even $100.00, two breaking plows and some few other farm and household utensils, for which we paid proportionately high prices." When all was ready for the start the cattle were "inspanned" and our four adventurers faced north for the conquest of the Loup. George Miller, by right of seniority and because of much experience gained in Australian wilds and mining camps, was recognized as "lead trecker" and headed the train.

     Behold them then good reader, honest men as you know them today Hon. Peter Mortensen, State Treasurer of our great Commonwealth, (90) Nebraska, and the others, thrifty men all, gee-ing and haw-ing, perspiring and "cussing," as they endeavored to keep the stubborn oxen in the trail of those tiresome sandhills south of the Middle Loup! Little did they then realize what the future had in store for them, either of hardship and tribulation or of wealth and honor! The Middle Loup was forded between Dannebrog and St. Paul. The latter town was then just one year old and boasted four houses all told. On up the valley the journey continued. At Cotesfield our travellers found a handful of settlers and a company of soldiers on scouting duty. ''Happy Jack's" quarters were next reached and passed. They were now on the frontier--the very outpost of civilization. The many hues of early springtime were beginning to tint hill and vale as the two creaking ox-carts crossed the southern line to the confines of Valley county. And there was springtime in the pioneers' hearts too; for here at last was their land of promise; of these beautiful river bottoms, of these gently rolling hills--the very pick was theirs. The first camp was pitched on Raccoon Creek, now known as Myra or Mira Creek, near the site of the present day North Loup. Claims were located and all preparations made for permanent settlement. It soon became apparent, however, that the quarters chosen would logically belong to the Seventh-Day Baptist Colony already projected. Accordingly stakes were again pulled and 

our little band continued up the valley and for a second time camp was pitched, but now immediately above Dane Creek and not far from its confluence with the river. The farm lands in the river valley at this point are not excelled for beauty of location or fertility of soil by any in our section of the state. Here, then, in the very heart of the valley, our pioneers selected for permanent settlement, section eight of the present Ord Township. The very first thing done was to plow a furrow around the entire section--this, by the way, was done by Nels Andersen, who on this account, and justly, claims to have been the first to turn the virgin glebe in the Valley--and then to cast lots for choice of quarters. These fell out as follows: Jeppe Smith, N. W. ¼ ; Peter Mortensen, N. E. ¼; George Miller, S. E. ¼ and Nels Andersen, S. W. ¼. When Christian Frey, the fifth member, arrived a few weeks later, he selected the S. E. ¼ of Section six, cornering with the other section on the northwest.

     For economy's sake the newcomers deemed it advisable to spend the first year in a "joint habitation," as Mr. Mortensen puts it. This was a part dugout and part log-house, set in the sunny bank of a low sink in the (91) latter's claim. Not alone did this humble abode answer as a home for the owners, but it became also a sort of hostelry--no pay being taken, let it be known-from later comers. Its hospitable roof sheltered many a weary wayfarer in the early days. Furthermore, in these unpretentious quarters was tried the first criminal suit in the annals of the new county; here was held the first school for the upper half of the county; and here for several years, was the county treasurer's office located. We cannot but regret that this modest, though historic landmark should have been demolished, not even a photograph remaining. The cut here inserted is drawn as faithfully as possible from memory and is, at least, in main features, true to the original.

     The first summer was a busy one for the newcomers. Prairie had to he broken for a first crop of sod corn; trees must be felled on the river islands and logs hauled out for buildings to be erected. Then there was the all important culinary department. This was George Miller's forte. He had, as remarked above, spent some years in the gold fields of Australia, and there proved himself much more successful

as a plain cook than as a prospector after the delusive gold. Such early experiences stood him well in stead now. His "boarders" never grew weary boasting of "Uncle" George's culinary skill and of his warm-hearted hospitality to the hungry wayfarer. Mr. Mortensen avers that "Uncle George" in addition to being a good cook, had considerable luck with his hooks and lines, and often surprised his boarders with a fine mess of well baked catfish--a rare change from the usual meal of fat bacon." As a single instance of the open-handed hospitality common to all settlers of the early years, let us relate the first experiences of Melville Goodenow in the county. "Mell" Goodenow, as will be shown elsewhere in these pages, first beheld the valley from the hilltops east of the river. In scanning the beautiful, peaceful landscape lying immediately below him, where he had scarcely expected to find trace of white men, he was, to again quote Mr. Mortensen, (92) "happily surprised in finding evidence of civilization, and was not slow in wading the river. In a weak and nearly starved condition he arrived at our dugout. Mr. Miller received him in true Danish hospitality, and while he was sipping a cup of George's extra strong coffee, the latter soon had a catfish and a pan of hot biscuit ready, and soon our friend sat down to his first--and probably the best relished meal eaten in the Loup Valley." But let us leave the dugout hostelry and trace out the fortunes of Christian Frey.

     When the long awaited money from Denmark finally made its appearance, Mr. Frey lost no time in shaking the dust of old Missouri from his feet and setting out for Grand Island. This thriving little burg he reached without any adventures, and was there lucky enough to make the acquaintance of a Paul Andersen from Dannebrog, who gave him a lift as far as that place. From Dannebrog the journey was more difficult. It meant a fifty mile tramp across the hills, with knapsack on back.

     "Happy Jack's" cabin was the only oasis on this part of the trip, and there Mr. Frey rested for the night. Bright and early the next morning, he was again upon the road, ever northward along the river. By noon he climbed the hills south of where Ord now stands and had little difficulty to locate the white tent of his comrades, some two or three miles up the valley. Footsore and hungry he reached the camp, which to his disgust he found deserted and the tent closed. However, feeling morally sure that he was in the right camp and his companions not far away, he made the most of a bad case by forcing his way into the tent, where after some foraging he succeeded in finding cold victuals enough to satisfy a voracious appetite. Then with a sigh of the well filled he threw himself upon a handy bunk, and was all but drifting into dreamland when, hark! muffled hoof beats in the distance! With a leap he is on his feet and outside the tent, where a hasty survey of the field lends a vision of several Indian warriors on horseback, dashing furiously toward the tent, arms waving and well burnished rifle-barrels brandished on high. This was a moment to try men at home on the plains, to say nothing of a weary stranger in a strange land, suddenly roused from sweet dreams of home across the sea! But if these were savage red skins on murder intent, our camp defender certainly made ready to sell his life as dearly as possible. His old navy pistol, of 50 bore, could surely be relied on to dispatch at least one of the foe and then the Lord would preserve the just! A handy wagon box made an (93) excellent barricade. Back of this protection, then, Mr. Frey crouched, frantically signalling to the oncoming horsemen to halt. Then as bad luck would have it, his ancient weapon exploded, all unpremeditated on his part, and sent its missile whistling dangerously close to the foe.

     Here was indeed a predicament! The only weapon of defense suddenly made useless, for we can scarcely count the folding knife which never had seen more serious service than to carve tobacco! And right here the Indians make a diversion. They dash apart to take him on the flanks. They are almost upon him now. The horses' labored breath is audible above the din. The empty pistol may yet make an excellent weapon in a hand-to-hand struggle; so, calmly bracing himself for the final, inevitable crash, when-what means this? Panting horses suddenly reined to their haunches, two astonished pale faces. two pairs of staring, blue eyes. such as are found only close up under the Aurora Borealis of old Scandinavia, and--"Det var da som Pokker!" from the one, and "Nu bar jeg aldrig seet Magen!" from the other. Was he dreaming, or was that the tongue he had learned to lisp across the sea! There could be no doubt about it. Here was a case of mistaken identity--a case of Dane meet Dane! Mutual handshakings and explanations revealed the fact that the horsemen were Danish trappers, Dahl and Andersen, who had for some, time made their camp with the colonists. They knew that their hosts were away from camp, not to return till night. It was therefore very natural that they should mistake the lone defender of the barricade as an invader and enemy, especially as he fired the first shot. Some of our early fathers have claimed that Frey got rattled and lost his nerve. But, tell me, what tenderfoot in a like predicament could have improved upon our little melodrama? But, as the author is no Irving and this is no Knickerbocker History, we must be done. Only, in passing, let it be said that never for one moment should Christian Frey's courage be questioned. A man who is willing and eager to hunt Indians on no better steed than a mule, and who slept week after week all alone in his little ten by twelve log house when many of his neighbors had retired to Cotesfield for fear of Indians is no craven!

     The small Danish colony had hardly more than broken ground on their claims before the advance guard of the above-mentioned Seventh Day Baptists reached the deserted first camp on Raccoon Creek. The story of their advent is well told by Walter Rood in the North Loup Loyalist which runs as follows:

     "Inspired by the glowing accounts of Nebraska as given by the second party that had gone to spy out the land, a number decided to emigrate in the spring to this land--the west. On April 1, 1872, the first party consisting of John Sheldon and wife, Mrs. S. M. Janes and family, Mansell Davis and wife, and Mrs. Bartow, started on their long overland journey. Mrs. Bartow did not reach the place for which she started as she met and loved a man in Iowa; they were married and went to Kansas. On April 3 of the same year Charlie Wellman and wife, George Rood and wife and Charlie Rood took their departure. It was expected that the latter party (94) would overtake the former but for some reason failed to do so, tho' Mansell was overtaken before the end of the journey was reached. The journey at that season of the year was not an easy one to make and was full of incidents and mishaps which are laughable now, but which at that time were rather serious. At a place where a stop was made one night in the Platte Valley they first met and became acquainted with a family that soon followed them up into the Loup country--the family was that of Alonzo Shepard. When Grand Island was reached George and Charlie Rood waited a day or two for Elder Oscar Babcock who was coming by rail and who was to join them there and to go up with them. Thus they did not reach their journey's end till the 13th of May.

     "Thru letters written to the Sabbath Recorder, the denominational organ of the Seventh Day Baptists, others of like faith in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and at Humbolt, Nebraska, had learned of the new country and many had decided to cast their lot in the new land, so the parties from Dakota found others had preceded them. There had come from Humbolt, L. S. Davis, A. H. Terry, John Furrow, A. H. Davis and others; from other places H. A. Babcock, George Larkin, G. H. Johnson, N. W. Babcock and others whose names are familiar. Those coming first had camped near the river on Will Negley's place opposite "Shepard's Grove;" the other party camped near the river and across the creek opposite where N. W. Babcock now lives. The days of the first week were spent in getting acquainted and in looking over the country; and when the Sabbath came, May 18, all gathered at the upper camp where religious services, the first ever held in all this Loup Country, were conducted by Elder Babcock, who had been ordained to the ministry but a few years before this time. The services were conducted in the open air, not even a tent being available for shelter. In lieu of a better thing for a pulpit, or something behind which he might stand, the Elder used an old rocking chair. The singing was led by Charley Rood who was at that time a beardless boy. Thus the beginning of their life here, and the foundation upon which they hoped to build their homes, was a recognition of God's power and an acknowledgment of their faith and trust in Him.

     "The week following this service was spent by the men in locating claims and by the women in discussing those questions which are dear to every woman's heart--babies, dress, cooking and their neighbors. The first one to take out homestead papers was Garrett Maxson who filed on the farm now owned and occupied by A. S. Cleary. The original dugout built by Mr. Maxson is still in existence, and is used by Mr. Cleary as a summer kitchen. It, with the house on what is known as the Billins farm, built by John Sheldon, is the only original house that is in use at this time. It is part dug-out and part cottonwood logs cut from what used to be an island in the river south of the R. R. bridge at Scotia.

     "Among those who filed on land at this time we mention Elder Babcock who homesteaded a part of what is now the townsite of North Loup; Amos Burdick, the farm just west of the "42" schoolhouse; Col. Davis, the farm (95) occupied by Charley Rich; H. A. Babcock, the farm where Claud Hill lives; Bert Davis, Burgess' place; Charley Wellman, the place the family still owns; A. H. Terry, O. S. Potter's farm where Ed. Brace lives; Dr. Badger, McClellan's farm. Nearly all the land taken was in the valley and near to North Loup. But few of these who homesteaded first now own the land then taken, and Mansell Davis is the only one who still owns his farm intact and who has resided continuously upon his land.

     "By the time the second sabbath had come several of the new settlers were on their farms, living yet in their wagons, so it was decided to meet at the home--wagon--of Charley Wellman for worship on the second sabbath, and again Elder Babcock preached for the little band who gathered at the appointed place. During the week following this second sabbath service the Elder departed for his home in Wisconsin, thus no preaching services were held, yet the colonists continued to meet for worship during the summer though somewhat irregularly.

     By the 28th all had broken camp and were located on their claims, and had begun in real earnest the work of developing the country. The summer was spent in breaking prairie, putting up hay, trying to raise a little sod corn, building some sort of shelter for the winter and by some of the men in working in the Platte Valley to earn a little money with which to purchase their few necessities. As nearly all who came here were poor and not at all provided with ready cash, not very many luxuries were indulged during this period. And the sod house and dug-out made were not the finest in the world, nor were they as well furnished as one might wish them to be, yet all were happy and contented with their lot.* (Footnote: *Elder Oscar Babcock in speaking of the dugout says: "It required but little money to build one of these houses and to finish it in all its parts. I herewith produce a duplicate of an itemized account of money actually expended in building one of the structures 14x 14 feet on the ground and one story high: 1 window, 8xl0 glass $1.25: 18 feet lumber for front door .54; 1 latch and hinge, no lock, .50; 1 joint pipe to go through roof .30; 3 lbs. nails to make door, etc., .19. Total $2.78.") 

     Did a plow need sharpening, or were some groceries needed a trip to Grand Island was necessary. In order that letters from home might be received or letters sent to friends, a trip of from thirty to fifty miles must be made. However, as these were to be a part of their daily life the hardy settlers made the best of them and they but little realized the hardships they were passing (96) through. During the summer other settlers continued to arrive from various parts of the country and by fall quite a respectable settlement was formed."

     While the Seventh-Day Baptist colony was thus rapidly getting on its feet, the upper colony was by no means lagging. In June a second contingent arrived. These were Fred Dowhower with family, and a brother, John Dowhower, who filed respectively on the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of section six, Ord township, and Falle Moller with family, who homesteaded the northeast quarter of the same section. In this way it came that by the middle of July the settlement comprised eight farmsteads contiguous to one another. Fred Dowhower was from the first an eccentric and excitable character, but withal a good neighbor, and honest and upright in all his dealings. It is with many regrets that his that his many friends, yet living, contemplate his sad end in an asylum for the insane after having weathered all the storms incident to the early seventies and laid the foundations to the substantial prosperity which his family now enjoys. The old homestead settled in '72 has never been allowed to pass out of the family being at the present farmed by a son, Fred Dowhower, Jr. The brother John early tired

of the strenuous frontier life and abandoned his claim, soon after filed on by "Harve" C. Potter. Falle Moller arrived with his family direct from Hadersley, Denmark. He reached Grand Island on the 14th of September and there left the family in comfortable quarters, while he, with true Danish grit, tramped the entire distance from the "Island" to the Dane Creek settlement, a distance of between 60 and 70 miles, "without feeling," as he puts it, "one bit the worse for the trip." After selecting his claim Mr. Moller retraced the journey to Grand Island, and purchased there a team of horses, wagon, two cows and all necessary household utensils.

     Thus equipped he set out for the Loup Valley, reaching the Mortensen dugout late in the day of July 28. While buildings were being erected on their homestead the Mollers found shelter under the hospitable roof of our bachelors. Quite an addition indeed was this to the dugout family of five--parents, the son Jorgen, and three daughters, Marie, Elizabeth and Laura. But those were the days when to incommode oneself was a duty and to suffer inconvenience a rule. The Mollers, too, have religiously guarded the old homestead and never allowed it to pass out of the family. It now belongs to the son, Jorgen, who through industry and (97) exceptional ability has not alone become one of the largest land owners and stock raisers in the Valley, having at the present under cultivation fully 2000 acres, but he is also prominent in public life, having filled several places of trust in his county, such as chairman of the Board of Supervisors for fourteen years.

     Shortly after the arrival of the Dowhowers and the Mollers, a second large contingent arrived in search of new homes. They were A. G. Post, and his son, Frank; William E. Post and his four sons. David, Charles, Calvin and Louis; John Case, a brother-in-law of the Posts; Doctor E. D., McKenney, and Frank E. Curtis, William E. Post, or "Uncle Billy" as he was familiarly called, made the original entry on the farm now owned by J. W. Gregory; A. G. Post on the Dick Rea farm now owned by the Garrisons; David Post on the Tully farm; Charles on the Elyria townsite; Calvin on the farm just west of the Gregory place; "Uncle" John on a tract across the river and in the same section with the Gregory place, Frank E. Curtis on the Ervin Dodge farm; Doctor McKenney on part of section 22, just above Elyria. "The Post clan," says Mr. Mortensen, "were regular frontiersmen, having been in the advance guard of civilization in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota. They came to Valley County, I believe, from near Logan, Harrison County, Iowa, brought and with them a large number of horses, mules, oxen, cattle, utensils and machinery, and very soon had a considerable portion of their claim broken, and substantial cedar log-houses and stables erected.

     "A. G. Post constructed buildings of his own, and with his young wife and son Frank, lived at some distance from the others, on the Garrison farm: but Uncle Billy with his wife and sons, who were all single men, Doctor McKenney and wife, and Uncle John Case, all lived with Mr. Curtis on the Dodge farm, where they occupied a large two room combination log house and dug-out, with large corrals, sheds and stables for their horses and cattle. From these quarters the men would scatter in the morning for their several occupations, improving, their homesteads or jointly getting out the heavy cedar logs from the cedar canyons near by, while Mrs. Post and Mrs. McKenney remained at home to prepare the roast venison and cornbread, which comprised the bill of fare for our table at that time. After their day's work the whole company would gather around a common table and enjoy the frugal meal prepared by these good ladies; and later the men would circle around the fire place with its blazing cedar log fire, on their three-legged stools, to talk over their past experiences of frontier life and to lay plans for the development and upbuilding of the new country and to consider plans of defense in case of sudden attack by the Indians who at that time were roaming over the entire state. They were a brave and light-hearted set, these men, generous and accommodating and would divide their last morsel with anyone in need."

     Here let us leave them, pathfinders that they were, to further trace, out the fortunes of Melville Goodenow, whom we left, some pages above in the hospitable care of George Miller, at the. dug-out hostelry, "Mell" (98) had left his family and most of his worldly goods near Sioux City, Iowa, and in his covered wagon, with an extra saddle-horse, "Billy," tied behind, struck out westward to find a home for his family. Failing to find what he was seeking in the Elkhorn Valley he left his heavily loaded wagon there, saddled "Billy" and boldly struck out westward. In this way it came about that he came to Valley county and found the Danish colony in possession. After but little delay he selected a claim some miles beyond the first colony, near what was later called "Happy Jack's Gulch" and now in his turn became the extreme outpost to the north. Mr. Goodenow's privations and hardships, endured this summer, picture in a graphic way what so many of the first settlers had to go through. He broke his first twenty acres of prairie, carrying an old army musket; for Indians were getting troublesome, and the only safety lay in eternal vigilance.

     During this period of preparatory toil his chief diet was mush and milk, the latter coming from a cow borrowed from Nels Anderson. But be was in a worse plight when we come to consider wearing apparel. He tells us that in the course of some months his clothes became entirely worn out, and in lieu of anything better he braided a hat out of grass, and fashioned pads of the same material, which he lined with soft buffalo grass and tied with buckskin thongs to the swollen and festering feet. Grain sacks patterned into trousers then completed this grotesque toilet. He must have presented a

startling appearance indeed when, in the early fall, he appeared, at the Mortensen dug-out, on his way home to Iowa after his family. Before being allowed to continue on his way Mr. Mortensen thrust upon this Nebraska Robinson Crusoe a ten dollar bill from his own scant store, with which to procure civilized garb before leaving Grand Island.

     It is interesting to remember that this kindly act was never lost upon the receiver. When in the spring of '73 he returned from the East with his entire household, including family, cattle, horses and smaller stock, he proceeded straightway to even up scores. Mr. Mortensen tells us that among Mr. Goodenow's provisions was a large barrel of pork, which Mrs. Goodenow divided evenly among all present.

     "But, better still, he brought me," continues Mr. Mortensen, "a young Chester White pig which was intended as a starter, or a foundation . . . . for building a fortune. Having no pen, I lariated the animal close to my dug-out, but fate was against me. Either the grass was too (99) rich a diet for the animal or the sun too hot on the open prairie. In a few weeks the pig died and it took years before I was able to get another start in the industry which has done so much to develop our country and state."

     In order to complete our list of settlers of '72 we must not forget to count the families who during the summer and fall took possession of land east of the river, immediately across from and below the Danish settlement. At Springdale "Doc" Elias S. Harter opened a small general store which sold among many other commodities medicines, tinctures and liquors. The grand old man, D. C. Bailey, came across Greeley County, having driven all the way from Waupaca, Wisconsin, and with his three sons, George, Harry and Frank, filed on land still held by him. W. D. Long, for years a leader in politics and now a highly respected land owner and farmer, took land close to the Baileys. About the same time too, O. S. Haskell and his cultured wife who had the honor of being the first to teach school in the upper half of the county, arrived from Illinois and settled in the same neighborhood. That same fall and early next spring other families came, among them Frank M. Cushing, Frank Chubbuck, Johnson Gerry and Van Gorden, while Leslie Scott homesteaded a claim further down the river.

     On the north Melville Goodenow was not long to remain the outpost; for in November of '72 the beginnings were already laid to Garfield county. The first settler was Charles H. Jones who came from Allegan, Michigan. He left his native state in 1870 and after two years of  "roughing it" became the pioneer of the above mentioned county. As Mr. Jones became the founder of the important Willow Springs settlement, and was for many years the center of Garfield county civil and political life, we will let him tell his own story:

     "On the 22nd of Feb. 1870, with $50 in my pocket I started west. With no definite idea of destination I entered a ticket office in Chicago and called for $30 worth of transportation in the direction of Colorado, and got a ticket to Kearney, Nebraska.

      "Learning from passengers that the country about Kearney was quite sandy, I got off the train at Columbus (Feb. 24, 1870) and went to work choring around a hotel at $10 a month and board. My possessions when I landed at Columbus were $5.20, the ticket to Kearny and a big revolver. In the spring of 1870 I squatted on a claim and made some improvements thereon and in the spring of 1871 sold the right for $150. I then sent for my wife and boy and in February of that year in company with thirteen others in wagons made a trip up the Loup to look at the country, going up to where Elba now is, then turning back. On this trip I captured a pony from the Sioux Indians. The party returned to Columbus on the 8th of March. The surveyors went out the first of April to run the township and section lines in Nance, Greeley, Howard and Sherman counties. Mrs. Jones and son (Will) having arrived in June, I hired "Jim" North to take us up the Loup to Howard county where I located a claim nearly opposite the present townsite of Elba. At that time there were few settlers in Howard county--the first of them being four months in advance of us. (100) The life of our family at this time was quite strenuous--for six weeks after settlement we lived on potatoes and salt alone.

     "I was a member of a party that made a trip to the cedar canyons in what is now Garfield county in the spring of 1872, after piling for a bridge at St. Paul. At that time the surveyors were at work in Valley, Wheeler, Loup and Custer counties. The nearest settler to the cedar canyons was Mr. Scott, who resided just above the present townsite of Scotia. In the fall of 1872 I sold my claim, hired a couple of teams and six men and pulled out for the canyons. After a strenuous trip during which it was demonstrated that barefooted horses could cross ice by using woolen blankets for foot gear, the party arrived (Nov. 10, 1872) at what was afterwards known as "Jones' Canyon." The men helped erect a log house, cut wood and haul water and then left for their homes, leaving the Jones family established twenty-two miles beyond the nearest settler. During the winter Messrs. Messenger, McClimans, T. Freeland and others arrived, and in the spring of 1873 several others located here. Deer and elk were numerous and the settlers had plenty of meat."

     The above data was taken from Mr. Jones' "Early Events" as set forth in the "Burwell Tribune" of Dec. 81, 1903. The writer, who is now an old man, is evidently mistaken about some of the details mentioned. For the sake of accuracy it is but just to state that the second settler was Trueman Freeland who arrived very soon after Jones had squatted at the mouth of the cedar canyons. With him came Thomas McClimans. The latter therefore may be considered the third settler. William Pierson and A. R. Harper arrived in February of 1873. and may claim rank as fourth and fifth settlers. Richard McClimans came in the early part of 1873, and about the same time came the Messengers, William Draver, William Smith, Mrs. Bumpus, George Leffingwell, Captain Alger, Frank Webster, I. W. White, George McAnulty, Ike Bartholomew, George Horton, Stephen Chase, William Wertz, A. A. Alderman, and Ross and William Woods.

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