YORK COUNTY NEBRASKA
OLD SETTLER'S HISTORY

     (37) The Agricultural Society of York County was organized at the office of F. M. Bidwell, in the month of June, 1872. N. W. Graves was elected President, F. W. Liedke, Secretary, and L. D. Stilson, General Superintendent. The first fair was held in October, 1873, upon the present grounds of the society. The half mile track had been surveyed and laid out during the summer of 1872. There was a fair representation of trotting stock. The exhibits of cattle, sheep and farm produce were limited, for it will be remembered the country was then enjoying the days of its tutelage. However, there was a good representation of all classes of entries, and an interest manifested by the farmers of York County that was highly encouraging to the founders of the society. The premium list of this year aggregated $500. After a series of years of successes and reverses, and owing to the fact that so many were attracted to State, National and World fairs by the larger attractions, and especially the enticing attraction to go away from home offered by the special, low rates of fare offered by the different railway companies, the county fair has been abandoned and the grounds sold.

     Old York Precinct occupied the geographical center of the county, eight miles square. On the third of August, 1869, David Baker pitched his tent on the banks of Beaver Creek, under the spreading branches of a friendly old elm, that stood on Section 10, Town 10, Range 3. Mr. Baker and his family made this their home for a period of three months, during which he erected the first frame house in the precinct, hauling the lumber from Nebraska City. His settlement is the first that it is our pleasure to record. The next settlers who arrived, are Isaac Crable, ex-Sheriff (38) J. P. Miller, Isaac Baker, Thomas Meyers and Edward Bates. Messrs. Crable, Baker and Bates took up claims on Section 8. Sheriff Miller on Section 12, Thomas Meyers on Section 2. In 1870 a large number of settlers came into the precinct, and nearly all of the valuable claims were taken up, and before the close of 1871 all the government land was exhausted. Among the first who came in 1870, Lorenzo D. Brakeman, F. M. Connelly and D. A. Ritner made settlements on Section 4, Town 10, Range 2. Charles F. Day and A. J. Day on Section 18, Nathan Johnson on Section 20, Thomas Porter, Section 24, David Graham, J. S. Shawl also en Section 24. H. M. Detrick, J. W. Andrews on Section 30, and R. C. Shipman and John Murphy on Section 10.

     The site of York was taken as a pre-emption claim. by Messrs. Ghost and Sherwood for the South Platte Land Co., in the spring of 1869. They erected a small frame building which was situated just south of the public square, near the Central Hotel stables. In October, 1869, the city of York was surveyed and platted, and when the spring of 1870 opened it was represented by one sod house and the frame building referred to above. In the fall of 1870, two brothers by the name of Elwood inaugurated the first store in York County in the old pre-emption house, which they maintained until the following spring, when they packed up their little stock and went sadly away, believing with all sincerity that the future city was only a phantom and unworthy to be courted. A few weeks after their premature departure, F. O. and J. H. Bell came out from Lincoln with a wagon load of general merchandise and opened the second store where the Elwoods had vacated.

     During the summer and fall of this year the city began to develop by the presence of a few frame buildings that were put up. In the summer of 1871, Dr. A. B. Tutton started the first drug store in York County on the northwest corner of the public square, and during the month of September J. F. Carter built a second store on the west side of the square, stocking it with general merchandise. (39) A short time after, Brahmstadt & Kleinschmidt built their store, and W. A. Reed built the first hotel. In November L. J. Gandy opened the first hardware and implement house, and in January, 1872, Charles Le Count offered his services to the citizens of York as a tinsmith. Thomas Gray pounding iron in a sod blacksmith shop in the fall of 1871, and William H. Gould opened the first wagon shop in the spring of 1872. Some of the buildings erected during this year were the millinery store of Mrs. E. Wilson, Dr. Thomas L. Meyer's' drug store, the furniture store of D. A. Stonecypher and the store of F. M. Connelly, occupied by Wyman &, Buckmaster as an implement house. In 1871 F. A. Bidwell was appointed Land Agent of the B. & M. R. R, and opened his office at York, and in 1872 the frame court house was erected. All of these improvements gave the city the appearance of active business life and a promise of becoming, in the near future, a prominent city of the state. The success of its founders led others to cast their lines in it, until it began to acquire a growing fame and demand considerable attention from the outside world. In August, 1877 when the first train of the B. &. M. R. R. made its triumphal entry into the city, it found a town of 600 inhabitants to offer it a hearty welcome.

     At a session of the Board of County Commissioners, held September 7. 1875, York was incorporated as a town, and the following, Board of Trustees appointed: Hon. George W. Post, F. A. Bidwell, F. M. Connelly, W. A. Reed. The first meeting of the Board took place September 25. F. M. Connelly was elected Chairman, and W. T. Scott, CIerk. The first regular meeting was held December 6. S. M. Wells received the first appointment as Marshal and F. M. Connelly, as Assessor. The town attorney was instructed to draft suitable ordinances for the government of the town and the maintenance of peace and quiet to its citizens. The election of 1876 brought into office the following gentleman: Trustees -- Charles Le Count, Chairman, J. A. Eatherly, J. A. McKillip, J. F. Green and H. C. Kleinschmidt, J. A. McKillip, Treasurer; Edward S. Connelly, (40) Clerk, and M. J. Shackelford, Marshal.

     In 1877 J. P. Miller was chosen Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his colleagues were: W. T. Scott, C. LeCount and A. B. Codding. J. P. Gandy was appointed Marshal, Joseph Massison, Treasurer and Assessor, C. M. Scott, Clerk.

     On the fifth of September, 1877, York was formally organized as a city of the second class and divided into two wards. W. T. Scott was Honored with the mayoralty of the new city; Lee Love and George Butterfield as Councilman of the First Wand, and C. Le Count and A. B. Codding as Councilmen of the second Ward. The remaining offices were distributed as follows: City Clerk, C. M. Scott; City Treasurer, D. C. Sayer; City Marshal, Charles Penn; Police Judge, S. M. Wells; Engineer, D. C. Evans.

     At the election of 1878 all of the city officials were reelected except City Engineer Evans, who was succeeded by A. B. Codding. In the Council, the Messrs. George Butterfield and T. C. Evans were returned from the First Ward, and Messrs. G. B. France and R. H. Tuttle from the Second Ward. In the fall of 1878, His Honor Mayor Scott, was called to the higher position of serving the people of York County as member of the State Legislature, and resigned the mayoralty of the city. Mr. France, who had been chosen President of the Council, acted as Mayor during the balance of the term.

     The election of 1879 gave the city the following officials: Mayor, Col. B. Crabb; City Clerk, C. M. Scott; City Treasurer, W. W. Giffen; City Marshall, W. H. Gibbs; City Engineer, A. B. Codding; Police Judge, S. M. Wells. In the council Jesse Love succeeded George Butterfield in the First Ward, and T. D. Knapp came in as the successor of G. B. France in the Second Ward.

     In the spring of 1880 N. V. Harlan was elected Mayor, T. E. Sedgwick, Councilman in the First Ward; George Butterfield, Councilman in the Second Ward; C. B. Allen,

Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Colling

(41) City Clerk; W. W. Giffen, City Treasurer; A. C. Montgomery, Police Judge; A. B. Codding, City Engineer.

     The year 1881. Messrs. Harlan, Allen, Montgomery and Codding were re-elected and F. L. Hatch, City Treasurer. T. D. Knapp was re-elected in the Second Ward, and James McKillip as Councilman for the First Ward.

City of York 1874

     York is situated in the geographical center of the county and in 1910 had a population of 6,500. It has three railroads. The Burlington & Missouri River railroad, which traverses the county from east to west; The Chicago & Northwestern, passes through the county from northeast to southwest, and the Kansas City & Omaha, which bisects the county north and south. The principal streets arc substantially paved with brick, the sidewalks are wide and are entirely of cement and brick in the principal part of the city. York has a splendid supply of water from deep wells, furnished by the York Water company, an electric system that covers the entire city, a large gas plant, capable of supplying the demands of the city for many years (42) to come, and a sewerage system of both sanitary and drainage sewers.

     York is beautifully located in a valley, near the banks of the Beaver, while the residences lie along up the gentle slopes and away on the crests of the surrounding hills. It is a city of homes and the most beautiful and attractive residences in the state. A profusion of stately trees hide with their foliage all but the tallest buildings, and many well kept lawns add to the inviting appearance of the tasty and elegant homes. There are two parks, one of which is equipped with large natural shade trees, seats, swings, a band stand and is traversed by the winding Beaver Creek. Across the street from this park are the Chautauqua grounds, with a large pavilion and ample shade. Every year a ten days program is given at these grounds, comprising the best talent the country affords. York is a member of the state baseball league, and the grounds, convenient to the city, are provided with amphitheatre and all necessary equipment. York has a capacious opera house, two "air domes" and two moving picture slows, for amusements. A lecture course is given each winter under the auspices of York College.

     The first bank in York County, a scalping concern, was established in York in 1875 by William McWhirter. The laws governing banks were very lax in those days, and no one ever knew what the capital stock of the bank was, but it is thought by H. C. Kleinschmidt who was employed as clerk in the bank that Mr. McWhirter had about $1500 invested in the banking business. There were no bank examiners in those days, and no law against usury, and one of the rules of the bank was, not to buy any paper unless it was gilt-edged, and not to pay more than 50 cents on the dollar for good notes, and to pay 45 cents on the dollar for county warrants, and charge 3 to 5 per cent a month for the choicest loans.

     The first bank ledger in York County was opened by (43) William McWhirter January 1, 1877. The book was six by seven inches and one-fourth of an inch thick.

     The original book can now be seen at the First National Bank.

     It seems from reliable information that Mr. McWhirter had been doing a private brokerage business for some time, but in 1877 he procured a little room on the west side of the square and started York county's first bank.

     The first month's business shows the following list of depositors: L. J. Gandy Co., treasurer; F. M. Ross, L. J. Gandy, F. O. Bell, C. S. Hesser, Brahmstead & Kleinschmidt, F. J. Greer, D. T. Moore, Sayre & Thompson, Aultman & Co., John Bittinger, Halstead & Multner, M. Sovereign, E. H. Bly, Mrs. John Fero, A. C. Montgomery, F. H. Gerard, David Erb, G. W. Wirt and William F. Morrison.

     The total of the deposits at the end of the first month was $3,186.38. The first balance sheet showed up clear and plain. It never was footed up.

     It is unnecessary to say he made scads of money, and when he died a few years later he was counted a rich man. A remarkable change has taken place in the banking business in York County the capital stock and surplus of the York banks alone amount to $424,151, and the deposits in the same banks amount to $1,816,653.00, and York can boast of as fine a four story, fire-proof bank building with all modern equipments, as can be found in the state.

     Agricultural implements and farm machinery, general merchandise dry goods, hardware, wholesale grocers and drugs are among the many features of its general business character.

     It enjoys the facilities of two good hotels, several smaller ones and a number of restaurants, furnishing good and ample accommodation to the traveling public.

     A growing and important industry worthy of mention is the York Nursery, comprising several acres of choice land devoted to the propagation of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs; and doing the largest business of any nursery in then (44) west. Also a well equipped brick yard that supplies the home demand for brick, and ships many car loads away each year.

     The advent of the B. & M. R. R. and the location of their depot at York, about thirty rods north of the north end of Lincoln avenue, and consequently outside of the city limits, induced Mr. Wooley, the owner of the land adjoining, to survey and plat a town, which he named in honor of the great metropolis, New York. It was incorporated as a town in 1880, and from its favorable location has assumed a prominent place as a business town. It is now a part of the City of York.

     In the spring of 1876 an application was filed with the city board for a license to open a saloon in the city of York to sell malt, spirituous and vinous liquors. At that time the city board consisted of five members, H. C. Kleinschmidt, J. A. McKillip, J. A. Eatherly, F. J. Greer and C. LeCount, who was chairman; three of the board, Kleinschmidt, Le Count and Greer, were temperance, and two, McKillip and Eatherly, were for saloons; the board were to meet in the evening of the day the petition was filed, and that day a son of Mr. Greers who was attending school taught by Miss Etta Beecher (afterwards Mrs. Dr. Wm. Knapp) committed a misdemeanor that anyone thought he ought to be nearly killed for, and his teacher gave him a severe whipping, his father like fool parents sometimes do, took the boy's part and wanted Mr. Kleinschmidt, who was also a member of the school board, to use his influence to prevent Miss Beecher getting the school for another term. Mr. Kleinschmidt said she was an excellent teacher and had already promised her his support for another term. Mr. Greer flew mad and said he would vote to grant saloon license, the temperance folks hardly knew what to do, the time was too short to get up a remonstrance, but they thought about Mr. Geer, practicing medicine, who a (45) short time before had been in the country to visit a sick woman whose husband they saw in town, and they made arrangements with him to give Mr. Greer an urgent call to come and see his wife who lived a good way out and paid him the usual fee the doctor would charge. The party who got Dr. Greer to go and see his wife at once, went on ahead and had his wife get in bed and she was apparently very sick when the doctor got there, the council adjourned their meeting till the next night and then the temperance folks were on hand with their remonstrance with George B. France as their attorney, Edward Bates was attorney for the whiskey element. Charles LeCount was chairman and Mr. Greer promptly made a motion that the license be granted to the applicant and the motion was seconded. Council for the remonstrators objected to the motion and called attention of chairman Le Count that the motion was out of order, and requested that the motion be not put, or acted on, and the chairman sustained the objection and refused to put the motion; the meeting continued in session with more or less wrangling till seven o'clock the next morning when the ladies brought in an excellent breakfast. Mr. Kleinschmidt and Mr. McKillip agreed to pair off and go home to breakfast neither to return without the other, but Mr. Kleinschmidt was a little suspicious and had his little boy watch and tell him if he saw Mr. McKillip going to the court house; he had no more than got down to the table when the little boy hollered, "There goes McKillip, father, on the run to the court house," and up jumped Kleinschmidt and raced to the court house just in time to head him off, so they all ate the nice breakfast furnished by the temperance ladies.

     George B. France and Jorn A. Eatherly, a member of the city board, were well acquainted, having resided in the village of Milford, Seward county, Nebr., together for five or six years: while there they spent much time and money attending the singing schools of the early days held during the lonely hours of the winter. When the term closed the teacher always gave a concert, and it was understood that the teacher could call on any two to sing any one of the pieces which were learned and sung during the winter. (46) Eatherly and France at one of these concerts were called on to sing and they immediately arose and endeavored to sing the music arranged by the teacher, but made a complete failure.

     Mr. Eatherly, during this night session of the city board, commenced saying rather abusive things of and to the attorney for the remonstrators, George B. France, and he was headed off in his effort to create a disturbance by Mr. France saying, "John, let us sing." This remark caused good feeling again, and Eatherly proceeded to tell of the incident of the singing school, ending with the remark, "George, what do you want"' France replied, "Adjourn the meeting for two weeks and set the application and remonstrance down for trial as provided by law." This was finally done. The following day Mr. France and F. A. Bidwell drove to Central City and obtained from George W. Post, then Judge of the District Court, an injunction restraining the city board from granting a license to the applicant, when the board next met the injunction was served.

     The member of the board who changed his views was a druggist and six violations of the liquor law were obtained against him wherein he had illegally sold intoxicating liquors, and he was informed that if he ever voted to grant a license to the applicant he would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. One of those in favor of a saloon met the Rev. C. S. Harrison who was fighting strong for temperance, and told him that unless a saloon was forthcoming in York they intended burning the houses of the temperance people one by one, until such a license was granted, he was informed at once by Mr. Harrison that for every building or a temperance advocate destroyed there would be a building of a saloon advocate destroyed. The man then threatened to flog Mr. Harrison and immediately the coat of the Reverend was off, and the gentleman cuffed till he was entirely satisfied.

     The good people of York were not molested again by the whisky element till after the B. & M. R. R. was built to the city and the depot located north of the city limits. (47) A Mr. Wooley who, owned the land north of town, conceived the idea of laying out a town just north of York, leaving a strip of land between the two towns which was afterwards called "The Dead Line". This was done, and the new town called New York, the village board was organized and saloon licenses were granted; the temperance people of York organized, raised a fund of $1500.00 to aid in fighting the saloons of the new village, employed detectives and had the saloon keepers up before the Justice of the Peace and District Court till life with them was a burden, and their business very unprofitable. While these conditions were going on the saloon men had it in especially for a Mr. Creelman, a, leader in the anti-saloon fight, this Mr. Creelman worked together with Mr. Henry Seymour in Mr. Chessman's elevator on the R. R. in New York; Mr. Creelman was sent to Eatherly's store in the old town for some repairs for the elevator, two saloon men learned of his trip and decided to follow him and lay him out, they were talking their plans as they passed the elevator and Henry Seymour overheard them and as soon as he could leave the elevator followed them hastily, saw them go in the Eatherly store where Creelman was and rushed in after them; they had knocked Creelman down and were on top mauling him, Seymour grabbed a hickory pick-handle and began beating the saloon men, the hickory club came out first best, the saloon men were glad to get away, and left town for fear of arrest. The saloons soon quit the unprofitable fight and there has never been a saloon near York. Since New York had do other excuse for being a separate town and soon united with and became a part of the city of York, the dead line was surveyed and platted and the fight ended.

     York School District was organized June 14, 1871. It included a territory five miles square in which the city occupied about the central position. Notice of the formation this district was served upon the entire voting population, residing in its limits. In the school records the names the male residents of the district are entered, which will (48) give the reader an idea of how sparsely the county was settled at this period, and also the names of the early settlers of the now prosperous city. The total number claiming a residence in the above territory which included the city of York is only twenty-two and were the following persons: H. M. Detrick, G. W. Dixon, W. L. Draper, Thomas Myers, Gottleib Hofer, J. H. Bell, F. O. Bell, A. B. Tutton, J. S. Tutton, A. E. Hendricks, J. P. Miller, James J. Holley, Ichabod Cook, M. B. Noel, A. J. Day, Isaac Crable, C. F. Day, Edward Bates, L. D. Brakeman, D. A. Ritner, R. Charlton, August Bonge.

     A. B. Tutton was elected director, A. C. Montgomery, moderator, and Thomas Myers, treasurer. No further steps were made towards perfecting the organization until January 15, 1872. At a meeting held at this date, the district voted to issue bonds to the amount of $2,000 for the purpose of purchasing a building site and erecting a school house. This building was completed in season for a summer school. which was taught by Miss M. A. Hill. During the winter session of this year J. Cochran was employed as teacher. The first school established in York was taught by A. C. Montgomery in the winter of 1870-71. The old pre-emption house served as a school house, and twenty-two pupils were in attendance, some coming a distance of eight miles. It was maintained by subscription and was of two months' duration. Mr. Montgomery received his wages in wood, grain, cash, or whatever the settlers could best give from an individual standpoint.

     At the annual meeting of the board in 1879, it was decided to call a special election, and submit a proposition to the citizens of York, for issuing the bonds of the district to the amount of $58,000, for the purpose of erecting a new school building, the old house having become too small to accommodate the fast growing school population. This election took place May 16, and was universally favored. A building was commenced immediately and it was completed in 1881.

     Prominent among the names of the officers of the district during the past are those of H. M. Detrick, (49) W. A. Reed, F. A. Bidwell, T. D. Knapp, H. C. Kleinschmidt, Judge D. T. Moore, C. Le Count, J. A. Eatherly, and among the names of teachers who carried away with them the benedictions of their pupils and patrons may be mentioned: J. E. Cochran , E. J. Wiswell, Mrs. Coiner, Miss Beecher, Mrs. C. B. Allen, nee Miss Effie Cutter, T. A. Parkinson, ex-Mayor N. V. Harlan, Mrs. Pound, Miss Hart, Miss Gunnel, Miss Hayes, Miss Kate Keekley.

     York has attained a reputation as a literary and educational center and affords the best possible opportunities for educating the young in all branches, in music and art as well as in the business, literary and classical courses. And now has three public school buildings, the Central, or High School building valued at $50,000.00, with a corps of 39 teachers, and an enrollment of 1,500 scholars, the school s fully equipped with all modern appliances and is doing splendid work. York College is a religious, non-sectarian institution, offering the advantage or several courses of study, from a business or normal education to a finished classical or scientific course. It is now in a prosperous condition and is completing a new gymnasium at a cost of about $15,000.

     York Business College and Normal School is known and patronized throughout the entire west. Its rapid growth and large student body are the best evidence of its efficiency.

     Ursuline Convent school has handsome and pleasantly shaded grounds and commodious buildings. It is conducted by the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Catholic church, and has students from a number of states and of denominations. Many who desire to place their children under the parental care and restraint of the sisters patronize this school, regardless of religious creed. The school has an average attendance of 200 scholars, the larger part of them board, and have their homes in the building connected with the school; the course of studies embrace all grades from Nos. 1 to 12 inclusive, and includes music, painting and needle work. There are 10 teachers employed in the school work, and a good work is being done.

     The Public Schools in York County have grown from the small beginnings of the early settlement when schools were taught in private dwellings and claim shacks, and from when School district No. 1 was organized in 1869 in West Blue Township till now -- (1912 there are one hundred and three school districts.)

     Each school has its own library of reference books, maps, globes, charts etc and throughout the country there is uniformity of text books prepared especially for the York County Schools by County Superintendent Alice Florer, practically the same work is being done in every school.

     Many of the schools are doing excellent work in manual training and domestic science in spite of the fact that they are not yet fully equipped for these subjects. A great deal of this work has been done through the Corn Contests held for three successive years.

     York County has an efficient body of teachers all holding first or second grade or life certificates. The Reading Circle for all teachers meets one Saturday in each month. Educational problems are discussed beside the work in the regular text books.

     Reading contests between pupils of the various districts have been most successful. This plan for the improvement of reading originated in York County but has now found a place in many other counties in Nebraska.

     Patron's day observed in many schools has been the means of bringing the home and school in closer touch.

     In York County there are 5658 children of school age, and there was paid to male Teachers $12,865.00; Female Teachers $61,722.40 for the year closing 1912. School receipts for year ending July 1911, $115,982.76.

     The first term of the District Court in York County was held at York, in the spring of 1872. His Honor, Chief 

Mrs. Nellie H. Young

(51) Justice G. P. Lake, presided. and Hon. G. W. Post served as District Attorney. Court sat one-half day in the fall of 1872, and transacted the entire business that the docket called for. The only case of any importance called was the injunction suit, to restrain the county from issuing bonds in the sum of $150.000 to the Midland Pacific Railroad Company. After hearing the case, His Honors decided in favor of the plaintiffs and made the injunction perpetual.

     There were two divorce cases, the first cases on the docket to disfigure the pure white records and can be seen by examining trial docket No. 1 at page No. 1 and appearance docket No. 1 at page No. 1. The divorces were granted May 29. 1872. But the first Court trial in York County was not a white man's trial, nor a trial for divorce but a trial among the original occupants of the country, the Pawnee Indians; they were not educated in modern civilization and knew nothing of the divorce business, but understood that, when a man and a woman were legally contracted to marry, they should be man and wife. The trial is related by N. A. Dean in his own words, as follows:

     "It was the winter of 1870 the Pawnees' Chief camped on the west side of the Blue River, Section 9, Township 9, Range 1, West. In that tribe there was a young man who wanted to get him a wife. Their custom was that if a young man wanted a wife he must pay the price. This young man fell in love with a young girl that was also camped with these people. The contract for their marriage was to be made with the girl's father. The contract was made and the price paid, which was in ponies and furs. The marriage ceremony consisted of the contract with the father of the girl and a whip made of three strands of raw-hide fastened to a horn handle of elk prongs presented to the young man by the Chief of he tribe.

     After all the arrangements were completed with the (52) girl's father and the young man, and the time set for the ceremony everybody in the case was happy except the girl. Here is where the trouble began with these parties. The girl objected; she thought that she was the one who should be consulted, and refused to carry out her father's contract with the young man, and her father could not persuade her. The matter was reported to the Chief; the Chief with his select warriors were called together as a council of war. After they had heard the evidence of the father and the young man and the girl; the girl's objections were that there was another young man she preferred; still the verdict of the Chief and his counselors of war was that the girl should carry out the contract and accept the young man as her bridegroom, The girl still refused and was forced to be married to the former young man.

     The young man, father and mother could not persuade her to accept, and the next morning the matter was referred back to the Chief. Their mode of punishment for what they considered a crime was to be whipped; so the Chief ordered the young girl whipped. She was taken by two young men of her own tribe, a rope was put around her neck, her back was bared, she was then bound to a tree; the Chief had ordered one of the young men to give her ten lashes with the whip that had been presented to her husband at their marriage ceremony.

     Her cries and screams, so severe was her punishment; that they were heard a half a mile away. They were then camped on the south side of the Blue and Heller's folks were on the north side. Heller's folks hearing the cries and screams supposed that one of their neighbors was sick and had started across the river to the neighbor's house to find out the cause. After they had crossed the river they saw this young girl coming crying and hallooing. Not understanding their language, they could not make out what it was only they saw the welts that were upon the girl's body and motioned her to go to the house on the other side of the river.

     The girl went to the house, ran through the house into the bedroom and jumped on the bed, still crying and (53) hallooing. Heller's women folks not knowing what it meant ran out of the house and waited until the men came home. Not understanding what the case was, we went to the Chief's wig-wam and there through the interpreter found out what is stated above. In talking to the interpreter and he talking to the Chief we were given to understand that that was their law and their custom of punishment for all crimes. Through us and the interpreter the Chief sent the father to the house and brought the young girl back to camp. Father, mother and her intended persuaded the young girl to carry out her father's contract. We watched the couple through the winter and they seemed, after knowing one another, to enjoy one another's company and left in the spring their camping ground for Omaha, their old home."

     Edward Bates opened the first law office in York and a short time after he was joined by Hon. G. W. Post. During the first year of his professional life at York, while sitting one morning in the door of his office anxiously waiting for a client, Judge Post saw a herd of antelope cross the town site, passing over the ground now occupied by the high school building.

     York College was founded on August 26, 1890, and is now in the twenty-third year of educational work. The following persons constituted the first Board of Trustees -- Judge. D. T. Moore, Rev. E. A. Leeper, D. D.; Lee Love, N. A. Dean, C. J. Nobes, D. E. Sedgwick, M. D., Judge A. C. Montgomery, Rev. J. C. Countermine, D. D., F. O. Bell, Judge G. W. Post, Rev. G. F. Deal and Rev. F. W. Jones.

     It was the noble purpose of its founders to establish under United Brethern auspices an institution of higher learning, where the young people of Nebraska and the West could secure a thorough education at the minimum expense of time and money and under the most pleasant and healthful surroundings and the best moral and religious influences.

     The freedom of York from the licensed liquor saloon was the one predominant force which led to its location. (54) This fact has also contributed much to the rapid growth which has characterized its work with the on-go of the years. Character is the great need of every age Safe environments will always be of first consideration in choosing a College. In this particular, York College has no equal in the West.

     It must not be accounted a sectarian institution. It does not stand for any special creed. Several different denominations are always represented on the Faculty and Board of Trustees. But the institution is earnestly Christian. It stands for the Bible and employs all diligence to upbuild good character, and no less than one thousand students have within its halls been led to enter the Christian life.

     Rev. J. George, D. D., served as president the first four years; Rev. W. S. Reese, D. D., for the next three years; and Rev. Wm. E. Schell, A. M. D. D., has since been its official head, being now in his sixteenth year of service.

     The College has a beautiful campus of eleven acres and three fine buildings: Collegiates, academy, normal, business music, oratory and art departments are maintained. The equipments are first-class in every respect. The institution holds official recognization from the state department of public instruction on the basis of the State University and of the State Normal Schools, and issues all grades of State certificates. The endowment is $50,000 and the total assets aggregate the sum of $160,000.

     The suroundings are ideal, the advantages are second to none, and the rates of expense are moderate. The enrollment of adult students for the twenty-second year was 468. Hundreds of graduate have gone forth from its halls and are now doing a good and honorable part in the business and professional work of the great world; and a far larger number, though not completing courses, have been benefited by terms of years of study and by reason of the help secured at York College are now wielding a better influence and filling a larger sphere of service to their fellow men. Ten are missionaries in the foreign field, one hundred and fifty have entered the ministry of the Gospel, more than one thousand have become teachers in the public schools, (55) and thousands of others in shop and mill and store, on the farm and in the learned professions, are bestowing the benefactions of broad culture and high character for the uplift of society in the state and nation.

     If York College has accomplished so much in the few short years of its beginning history, who can measure the vast, far-reaching influence of its greater work in the golden years to come?

     The members of the Executive Board at the present time are: Wm. E. Schell, Chairman; N. A. Dean, Treasurer; J. W. Purinton, Secretary; W. B. Johns, J. M. Bell, and E. A. Gilbert. Vernie R. Porter is the president of the Board of Trustees.

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