YORK COUNTY NEBRASKA
OLD SETTLER'S HISTORY

     (114) William Eseridge McCloud, son of William Escridge McCloud and Ann Sears McCloud, was born Jan. 6, 1872, at Morovia, Appanoose County, Iowa. On the maternal side he is of English descent, and on the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandparents on both sides were born in Virginia. His parents were married in Iowa and lived at Moravia until the fall of 1877 when they sought a home in Nebraska, moving permanently to York County in the Spring of 1878. His fatter was a farmer and stock raiser.

C. A. McCloud

     W. E. McCloud secured his education in the schools of the county which was supplemented with a Business Course at Omaha. After returning from school he engaged in the farming and stock-raising business with his father. He was married December 24, 1896 to Miss Estella Evans of Waco, Nebraska, and took full charge of the farm of 320 acres. There was born to them one son who died in infancy.

     In January, 1899 he purchased a Meat Market at Holdrege, Nebraska, in partnership with his brother, C. A. McCloud. Phelps County not seeming as good to him as York County he sold his interests in Holdrege, and he returned to York County in July, 1900, and resided at Bradshaw, Nebraska, where he bought grain and had charge of the elevator belonging to his brother, C. A. McCloud. In October, 1905, the elevator having been sold he entered the First National Bank of Bradshaw as bookkeeper. He was promoted and in February, 1906, took charge of the Bank of (115) Lushton as Cashier. In October, 1906, he gave up this position and came to York where he entered the Farmers National Bank of York as bookkeeper. This bank had been organized in August, 1906 with C. A. McCloud as President. He was promoted and held the position of Assistant Cashier of the Bank at the time of his election to the office of County Treasurer of York County, November, 1909.

    He took hold of the work in this office with his usual energy and attention to detail and was able to make a good record. This was attested to when asking for re-election he received the flattering majority of 1285 votes.

     The contrast in the development of the County at the present time with its evidences of wealth and prosperity is great when compared to the level treeless prairies of an early day. When going visiting or to market it was possible to start out in the general direction of the place desired to reached.

     York County is a most desirable place in which to live.

     Ezekiel Evans, the son of Ezekiel and Mary Jermain Evans, was born in "Baltimore Hundred," Sussex County, Delaware, February 28, 1829. He lived in the first tier of houses near the Atlantic Ocean for a number of years. He "followed the sea" but desiring to improve conditions he left for the west at 26 years of age and settled in Illinois.

     He was married to Miss Martha Jane Williams, September 29, 1857, and lived near Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois until again the western fever took possession of him and he with his wife and family now consisting of six sons departed for the west and located in York County.

     When he came to the county to homestead he came on the train as far as Lincoln, then by stage as far as Seward, when it was necessary to come the rest of the distance on foot. He homesteaded the Northeast quarter of Section 18, Town 11, Range 1 west, in April, 1872, and brought his family in the fall of the same year coming overland in a "prairie schooner." As he was a minister of the gospel as well as a (116) farmer he preached from house to "soddy" and dugout, swam streams and slept on the broad prairies, while his colts ate the grass growing so plentifully. As the settlers at that time, seemed so poor, and he so "rich in the faith that God would care for him" could not ask for the "needful" but obeyed his God with trusting faith. With his trusty fowling piece he killed the meat for his family, increased to ten by the addition of four daughters in Nebraska. Geese, duck, quail, rabbit, and chickens were plentiful and and they who cared to hunt could leave them for the killing of them.

     He was school director in his frontier days in Illinois, and was also now school director in his new home, and built the first school house in his district, Waco township.

     With the help of his sons he farmed four hundred acres of land in addition to preaching the gospel. They said it did not rain in Nebraska but that first Lord's Day, after he preached the first gospel sermon in York, it did rain until the water was several inches deep over the ground where our court house now stands. The Lord helped him to build up six Churches of Christ in York County.

     When on his first trip to see the country, he picked up an Indian arrow head, near where the court house now stands. He thought "if the Indian can live here, the white man can." This thought has proven to be true as present prosperity shows.

     When he looks back to the Anderson-Ford wedding he thinks the roast turkey tasted as good in that nice dugout as now in the most modern dwelling. At that time, when hungry it was easy to get together a few dry sticks, toast a quail, some corn or some rye bread. Then after he had a nap the black horse Jim would neigh and be ready to take his master on to the next appointment.

     He later moved to Waco, then in 1901, went back to his childhood home with his wife, leaving the children scattered over the west. After six years Nebraska appealed to him as of old and at the earnest wish of his friends and loved ones, he returned to York in 1907 and there is settled in his own home. He has found that York County is the garden spot (117) of God's creation, and that deep and abundant faith in his Heavenly Father has increased till it is his greatest comfort in his later days and he hopes to meet his friends where partings are no more.

     The people who came to Nebraska in the years of '65 and '66 and later, can look back and see that since that time the hand of evolution has been busy changing the vast prairies that were at one time considered part of the Great American desert to a fertile farming country and homes for thousands. The prairies in those days had a different appearance and one looking over them could see as far as the vision of the eye could reach. The monotony was only broken sometimes by a herd of deer or antelope or elk and sometimes buffalo. The grass on the prairie at that time was short and in bunches and where now plenty of hay can be made, then it took a hundred acres to make a ton. The streams were visited by friendly bands of Indians trapping the beaver and other game which was to be found in abundance. The first Indians the writer ever saw were camped in a grove where now the K. P. park is located and there were about one hundred in the band. An Indian squaw came to our home; she could talk English very plainly and told us where they camped farther up the river. The band had lost a child which was never found. They thought it had fallen in the river and gotten under the ice.

     The Ponies and Omaha Indians always had their annual buffalo hunt in the latter part of the summer. They formed an alliance and hunted together so they would be strong enough to fix the Sioux. Their custom was to go west and get around the buffalo and draw them east from the Sioux. This would cause trouble and sometimes there would be fighting. Sometimes the buffalo would be driven as far east as York county and that is the reason some of the first settlers here saw the Indians hunting buffalo on these prairies.

     The first buffalo I ever saw was in 1868 when I was but a boy, I got on my pony to visit friends near where the (118) Filmore mill now stands; and when I had gone as far west as the present location of the town of McCool, I saw on the opposite side of the river what I thought to be black cattle, but later learned were buffalo. There were thousands of them and as they ran the vibrations of their hoofs sounded like distant thunder.

     There is one other thing that the early settler can never forget and that is the sod house. It was a strong factor in helping to settle this country and if it had not been for the sod house it would have been almost impossible for some of the homesteaders to have lived on their land. The settlers along the streams were anxious to see the prairies settled and when they saw a new black spot on the prairie, they knew there was another homesteader. Yes the sod house was the dwelling, the barn, the church, the school house and dance hall. I have often thought Nebraska should build a monument in honor of the sod house.

     Interesting Reminiscences of Time When Redskins 
Were Many and White Men Few

Elias Gilmore

     In 1865 Elias Gilmore, in company with his eldest son, Jacob Rush Gilmore and Wm. Taylor, left Livingston county, Illinois, for Nebraska, traveling overland with team and wagon. They were delayed at Sidney, Iowa, for some weeks while waiting for the ice on the Missouri river to become sufficiently strong to drive over, consequently did not arrive in York county until the latter part of December. Leaving the old freight road at the Fouse ranch they followed a dim wagon tract; westward along the Blue, finding John Anderson with his family already located near the eastern line of the country. Coming west they ate Christmas dinner in Camp on section 6. range 1, just north of the river from where the K.P. camp is now located. After locating their land they returned to Nebraska City, homesteading the same January 1st, 1866, then once again driving across the country to the new homes, began the work of improving them. The nearest postoffice was Camden, twenty-five miles away. (119) They spent the winter in a small dugout near the river, surrounded by Indians; Mrs. Taylor remaining there alone at one time while J. R. Gilmore made the trip to Nebraska City from which place Elias Gilmore returned to Illinois. The winter proved to be very fine until about the fourteenth of February, when they were visited by a regular blizzard, the snow completely covering both house and barn. In April, J. R. Gilmore, wife and little daughter, Ella, now Mrs. S. J. Dutton, of Davis Creek, Cal., arrived and to them was born June 3, 1866, their second eldest daughter, Lily M., now Mrs. J. E. Hunt, of Bayard, Nebraska. Elias Gilmore had shipped to Nebraska City, meat, flour and such farming implements as were needed in the new country. During the summer of 1866 David Bussard, A. J. Gilmore, Cris Hollock, A. Deams, Fernando McFadden and Jerry Stanton came from Illinois and located along the river, Jerry Stanton having homesteaded the land upon which McCool is now located.

     David Bussard was one of the first County Commissioners and A. J. Gilmore was for some years blacksmith for the entire county. November 3, 1866, Elias Gilmore with family arrived, having, brought fourteen head of cattle and six head of horses. Afterwards he bought two small hogs from a ranchman on Salt Creek southeast of the present city of Lincoln. This was the beginning of a stock industry that has yielded an abundant harvest. The winter of '66-7 was a very severe one with an immense fall of snow. Food had to be hauled from Nebraska City. Prairie fires had destroyed the already limited supply of hay. Those who remained on their farms during the winter had a hard time but crops were exceedingly good the following year, thus giving encouragement to the somewhat discouraged ones.

     A description of the dugout in which the Gilmore family lived a few years will not be amiss, as it is only from the gages of history that this kind of a house will be known to this and coming generations. Dug into a sidehill near the river with a front built of logs, the bank growing deeper towards the back until it was about seven feet. Upon this a few more logs were placed. The floor was made of hewn (120) slabs somewhat smoothed, known as puncheons. The roof was covered with the same over which a few inches of dirt was thrown. A huge fire-place in the end had a chimney built of sod plastered with mud. Rough boards overhead made a low sleeping room for the men. This house was 24 by 10 feet in size and was indeed a home for many land seekers at that time. Sixty-nine found many settling along the river and the prairie lands were also being taken. The timber was used for fuel and sometimes corn stalks were utilized for the same purpose. This was a very wet summer and as the dirt roof failed to keep out the rain a new house became necessary. Mr. Gilmore had raised an abundant crop of both barley and buckwheat. The latter was first taken to the Camden mills, converted into flour, then hauled to Nebraska City and sold for eleven dollars per hundred. The barley also taken to Nebraska City brought one dollar and seventy-five cents per bushel. The wagons were then loaded with lumber for the new house, this being, we think, the first frame house in the county. Native trees taken to Milford and sawed into rough lumber were used for the framework. The price lumber brought in Nebraska City cost there $90 per thousand feet. The building consisted of an upright part 24 by 14 with a 16 foot ell and is yet in fair condition on the farm now owned by Boss Gilmore.

     Shingles for the school house in district No. 1, were brought from Nebraska City and the first school opened in April, 1870 with Lizzie Lowery as teacher. This district was in later years annexed to district No. 7 and thus lost its identity to some extent. During the summer of 1868 a postoffice was located at McFadden and a year later the Old Blue Valley postoffice opened with J. R. Gilmore as postmaster. Mr. Gilmore also ran a general store until 1873, when he sold out to the firm of Creech & Armstrong, who built the old storehouse yet standing, in 1874, having then to haul lumber from Lincoln only.

     Social and religious life was not neglected in those days. The young people from the Fouse ranch to Mr. Waddel's ranch in Hamilton county were well known to each other send frequently met to enjoy a country dance with a zeal (121) unknown today. Perry Caldwell, a United Brethren preacher, living on a homestead in Saline county rode horseback to his appointments and in 1868 organized a class in the home of David Bussard. This class has had an uninterrupted history and yet meets in Bethel church which was built in 1870. R. S. Manney, Ezekiel Evans and Elder Kilroe organized the Christian church in a school house until 1883 when the present church house was built.

     J. W. Rush, whom we think is now the oldest homesteader living in York county, drove through from Illinois in 1872, locating on section 12, range 1. Mr. Rush is a veteran of the civil war and has lately celebrated his ninetieth birthday.

     Hospitality was everywhere in evidence in the days of  which we write. Doors were never locked; white men and Indians could alike walk in unannounced, the latter often frightening women and children very much. In the early seventies a man riding a beautiful thoroughbred horse stopped at Elias Gilmore's and asked for entertainment over night, which was, of course, granted. He was a well dressed man, keen and alert, differing in many ways from the travelers of that time. It was noticed that his right hand was usually held under the left side of his coat and though he was a good talker and well informed on current events he was reticent regarding himself.

    The sleeping apartment in the house consisted of one large room for the men, containing several beds. The late S. N. Creech and other boarders occupied beds in this room. and were startled when the stranger upon retiring unbuckled a belt containing several revolvers, one of which he calmly placed under his pillow and laid the belt on the table near his bed. The unarmed men in the room made no remarks, but passed a sleepless night. The stranger was up early and after paying liberally for his entertainment, rode swiftly away. Mr. Gilmore remarked, "Boys, there's something wrong with that man," a fact which became evident when they learned later that they had entertained the noted Jesse James.

     (122) Fish and game were abundant in the early days, many deer being killed during the winter of '66-7 and also during '68 . After that they became scarcer and only a glimpse of antelope could be seen. Elias Gilmore brought to Nebraska what was perhaps one of the largest breaking plows in the state, being a 26-inch lay. To this plow he drove from four to six yoke of oxen with one or more drivers. Mr. Gilmore broke prairie from near Camden, Neb., west for many miles for which he got from three to five dollars per acre. The first threshing outfit that came into York county was owned by M. Brown of Middle Creek, Neb. he bought the machine in Nebraska City and threshed along the westward road as far as Hamilton county.

     In the Spring of 1866, A. J. Gilmore, David Bussard, Wm. Whitaker and Wm. O. Bussard, came to Nebraska in search of land; they came in covered wagons. After hunting and finding land that suited them they had to return to Nebraska City to homestead said land; then the fall following Wm. O. Bussard, and Wm. Whitaker returned east for their families traveling in the same covered wagons. David Bussard remaining on his homestead but in the meantime he had purchased a very good chance of one Mr. Hall, which consisted of a very good two-room log house, a lot of potatoes and a large sorghum patch, which sorghum was later made into molasses furnishing sweetening for all purposes. With buffalo, elk, venison, antelope and prairie chickens, without number, sorghum cake made a very good dessert.

     David Bussard and A. J. Gilmore located along the Blue river in York County, Whitaker and William O. Bussard going to Fillmore. For a short time after settling. A. J. Gilmore had his blacksmith shop on the old freight road near Fouse's ranch and the next spring took his wife and little daughter, now Mrs. W. T. Decious of York, and lived in a covered wagon on his claim until he broke prairie and planted sod corn, after which he built his house, which was a story and half high, dug in the bank on three sides, built up in front of nicely hewed logs 16x18 with dirt floor and roof, but later on there came a portable sawmill near and (123) he had native lumber sawed for upper and lower floors after which the house was known as the "Astor" house on account of its palatial appearance; it also being the stopping place of land seekers and people coming from a great distance to get their smith-work done.

     Indians were very plentiful, I remember on one occasion, Mr. Gilmore having gone to mill at Milford, which trip required three days, his wife and baby being alone there during his absence there came to the house an uncommonly large and ugly Indian, demanding something to eat, saying; "You no give me eat, me shoot," taking his gun in his hands and looking very savage. Trembling in every limb, I quickly filled a plate with eatables handing it to him, after eating he left saying, "you heap good squaw, good-bye."

     Now I will tell you about religious matters: We were without religious meetings until two horsemen rode up to David Bussard's door, which proved to be two preachers, W. T. Caldwell and E. J. Lamb of the United Brethren church. That evening Lamb preached in Bussard's house and the next night Caldwell preached in A. J. Gilmore's house, after which we had preaching every four weeks. The first class was organized in David Bussard's house by Caldwell. To show you how the people enjoyed meeting I will relate a little incident which is as follows: Caldwell had left an appointment for preaching at Elias Gilmore's, when the Sunday came, the Blue river was overflowing its banks but A. J. Gilmore and family wanted to go to church so he tied the wagon bed on, put the spring seat on helped his wife up gave the little girl to her mother and hitched the oxen to the wagon drove to the river and plunged in, the oxen swimming up stream. The entire congregation coming to the river to see them come over and did the same when they returned home.

     Was born in the State of New York, Nov. 24, 1832. In '44 he moved with his parents to Illinois. His father was sick when they landed in Chicago, and he had to hunt the dirty village of Chicago over for a peck of potatoes. In 1857 he commenced preaching on the frontiers of  (124) Minnesota. 

Rev. C. S. Harrison

     For four years he had to endure the privations of a new country. Sometimes he was nearly frozen. He often was obliged to ford swollen streams, and once his horse sank with him three times in a swollen river. Having had some success in church work he was called by Land Commissioner Geo. S. Harris to take a colony into York in 1871. It was called the May Flower Colony. He induced several hundred people to come to York County. He preached the first sermon in York in an unfinished store building. There was an audience of 14. The country was new and the people very poor -- most of them living in sod houses. In the spring of '72 the Congregational church was organized through his persistent efforts. York grew rapidly though off the line of the R. R. For seven years the people had to haul lumber and goods from Fairmont. But handicapped as they were, and without a R. R. they outgrew every town on the B. & M. all the way from Crete to Hastings. The class of people who came to York shaped its future. They made and kept a clean town. A good academy building was put up, it arose as a strong hope out of the despair of the grasshopper days. Then came the great liquor war, when they threatened to kill Mr. Harrison who was the chairman of the executive committee which was very much alive. His life was often threatened and one day two men loaded up with liquor started out to kill him. But they were knocked lengthwise by Henry Seymore, one escaped and the other on complaint of Mr. Harrison lay three months in jail and found it did not pay to be a saloon hench man. The war was fought to a finish, and the people found that decency paid. As soon as it was known that saloons were to be kept out of York, traveling men and others moved in where their boys could be safe. There are but few manufacturers in York, people seemed to live on the reputation of the town and how the city grows -- beating other towns which had a better start and a better location two to one. Mr. Harrison started a nursery in 1871 and '81 he went to Pueblo, and left it with his sons. And here let me say that these sons bearing and honoring his name have done more to help the city than any two men who have ever lived here. They keep an army of workmen and of agents. They spend most of their money where they make it and last summer put up a fine $10,000 building.

     (125) When about 67 years old Mr. Harrison's health failed. His church nerves were worn out. He had been nearly 42 years in active work in the ministry -- had built 16 churches and received many hundreds on confession of faith -- had helped found two academies and raised about $100,000 for church and educational work. He had a right to be tired, but he had been too busy to make money. When he might have been worth $100,000; he had saved in these long busy years not enough to build a comfortable Home. So he started an ornamental nursery on two of the weediest lots in the city. This grew to cover 28 lots. When after ten years he sold a half interest to H. S. King. Since 70 years of age he has published five works on Horticulture, and has another now nearly ready for the press. He has at great pains gathered the best things from Europe and America and now the C. S. Harrison Select Nursery has a reputation reaching from ocean to ocean, and Manitoba to the Gulf. He is still in active work and enjoys his glorious flowers which keep up a procession of beauty from Spring to the hard frosts of Autumn.

     At a ripe old age he is now waiting on the hither shore for the coming of the boatman to bring him to the other side. Most of the co-laborers of former days have already gone over, and at times he is lonely. But he lives among pleasant memories and in glad anticipations of reunions beyond.

     C. J. Carlson was born in Sweden, November 19, 1841. In the year 1871 he came to America, reaching Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on August 7 of that year. Here he remained until February, 1872 when he started to Nebraska, traveling by wagon. He took a homestead on section 34, township 11, range 3, where he lived for nearly thirty-five years. He was married to Miss Carrie Kaliff on March 19, 1877, who died in March, 1904. On May 14, 1905, he was married to Mrs. Lottie Burke. In September 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Carlson moved to York where they now live at 803 Academy avenue.

     Mr. Carlson passed through the usual pioneer experiences and endured the same hardships as all early settlers, (126) but he has never regretted coming to the United States for he found much better opportunity for advancement in all ways than in the old country.

     Foster J. Parris was born a Vermont soldier. He enlisted at the age of 17, in Co. N, 14th Vermont Vol. In 1872 he came to Nebraska, and homesteaded on section 6, township 12, range 2, west, and afterwards bought a quarter on Sec. 7 from the U. P. railroad Co. He stood at his post faithfully, through all the hardships of those early days, contending with blizzards, grasshoppers, drought and hail, and succeeded in improving his farm and making a comfortable home for his family. In 1875 he was elected Justice of the Peace and was instrumental in helping to distribute the aid that was sent to the needy at that time. In the spring of '75 Mrs. Parris taught in a room of her sod house, the first school that was held in Dist. No 59, and in the spring of '76 the first school that was held in the new school house in that District. In the spring of 1897 Mr. Parris sold his homestead and moved to York where he remained until his death May 30, 1901.

     One afternoon during the harvest season of 1874, our family consisting of four members and two visitors, making six altogether, went from our home, in the valley of Lincoln Creek, to the home of Mr. Charles Keckley on the hill, where we were invited to partake of the hospitality of Mr. Keckley and his sister, the late Mrs. Bonar. We were feeling just the right spirit for a good social time and a rest as our  harvest was over and we were ready to help our neighbors even to the extent of taking supper with them. While still lingering at the table, we noticed that it was growing darker in the west than the time of day would warrant. Fearful of a sudden storm which often took us unawares, the men went to investigate, nothing indicated a storm, except the (127) darkening of the western sky and an ominous roaring which was alarming. The men climbed to the roof of the house -- did I say it was a sod house? -- to farther investigate. And there there they came, by the millions, the undesirable newcomers! We learned a day later that devastation lay behind them. The harvest was especially good that year but harvesters were few in number and even through a few had utilized Sunday to save their crops, many fields were still uncut -- these the grasshoppers laid waste, then ate the growing corn and the garden leaving nothing but tomatoes and tobacco behind them. But here they came, and as we saw them settle upon our neighbor's cornfields and gardens, our heart sank within us, for we knew our fate was the same. As we proceeded on our way home, much sadder than when left a few hours before we saw every stem of grass, every garden plant -- our splendid garden which had been our pride and source of supply all summer -- and the cornfields and trees all covered black with the army of grasshoppers -- where they had settled for the night and for so long as there was anything for them to eat. It was little use to try to save anything but a few trees in the front yard to which much care had been given and which if saved would be permanent, were chosen for the experiment, and no sooner were they well settled than a bucketful of cold well water, from the hands of the man of the house would disturb the repose of that particular bunch, and by persistent effort a few of our little shade trees were saved to grow another year. It, was almost more than we could believe possible, where everything had been growing and green was the prevailing hue, in a few hours to see here black stems and corn stalks, and those who lost their ripened grain were worse off.

     We do not like to dwell upon the hardships but the grasshopper year was one of those which tried men's souls end and the courage of many deserted them, and nether than see those dependent upon them suffer they gave up and went back to their old homes. Those who remained and "Stayed by the stuff'" were well rewarded. The following winter was a hard one for man and stock, no vegetables of any kind were saved and for a farmer's wife to cook a meal without potatoes was almost impossible, but we did it the (128) grasshopper year. One substitute was whole wheat much fried brown and eaten with milk. The wheat was taken to the mill and ground coarsely as feed for the stock, horses, cows and hogs, all seemed to thrive upon it, and I know we never tasted more tender or sweeter meat than our hogs produced the "Grasshopper Year." But to go back to our own rations, from this coarsely ground wheat we sifted the finer portions and used it as a variation from the white flour. We did not even have corn meal as I remember, there were "Yankee" or "Navy" beans as plentiful then as they are now. But the potatoes were the most missed vegetable. I remember when we went to take a Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Read and I saw the dish of mashed potatoes placed upon the table I could scarcely wait, and I have no recollection of the other dishes which were accompaniments to and no doubt all as good in their way as were the potatoes. I do not know where they got their potatoes either.

     We lived through the winter and when spring came were ready to begin over. Only there was no seed of any kind at hand, and this was the time and place to ask and take assistance from any who were able and willing to give it; and there those who, no doubt, could tell the story better than I.

     We were in fear of a return of the grasshoppers as of the horde of young ones which might hatch out, but every precaution was taken and crops were raised again, and we were glad we were citizens of Nebraska.

     James D. Houston was born at Tullbardine, Scotland, in 1847, and enjoys the unique distinction of being able to trace Ihis ancestry, by printed records back to the Romans and Britons of the Eleventh century. His ancestry were owners of large estates in Scotland, the estates descended for for many generations of the same family, and many were Barons and Knights, in Knighthoods golden days, and the tombs of his ancestors with their letters in marble furnish much interesting history of the family, and with all these helps Mr. Peter Houston, who spent a season in Scotland (129) had very little trouble in getting a complete history of the family back to the origin of surnames; some of the names of inheritance he found were so long it would be hard to get an American, in these swift days, to take the time to say, let alone, to learn; for instance we find one that seems to be "Reginaldo filio Hugonis de Padvinan Terarum de Kilpeter cum terra ilia quam Bodricus & Arkenbaldus, fratres ejus tenure. His Testibus; Allano Dapifero Regis Scotiae Waltero Filiosuo, Roberto Croc Reginaldo de Catheart & multisaliis." Which being interpreted, reads:

     "To Reginald son of Hugh of Padvinia, of the lands of Kilpeter with that land which Podrick and Arkenbald, his brothers, held. Witnesses to these things Allan Dapifer, king of Scotland, Walter his son, Robert Croc, Reginald of Catheart and many others."

     The Houston Coat of Arms was a Chevron Checquie, Azure and Argent; betwix three Martlets Sable; supported by hinds, and for Crest, a Sand-glass, with this motto, "In time." Mr. Houston is proud of his Scotch ancestry, and has a Highland suit he brought with him from his native home, with sword and dagger; he uses a carving knife on state occasions made from a sword taken by a Banner man in a battle with Oliver Cromwell in the 16th century, the sword was made into carving knives about a hundred years ago and the one used by Mr. Houston was given to his grandfather and came into his possession, the blade can be sprung double without harm.

     Mr. Houston married Mary Lidington, an English lady, in England, February 21, 1867, they came to this country in 1870, first settled in Wisconsin, and in 1871 moved to York County, Nebraska, took up land in New York township, and now own a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved, and the value of his farm and his present surroundings prove the wisdom of his choice. They are the parents of six children, five boys and one daughter, now living.

     During the early days in this county they had some interesting experiences. Built a frame house where their son W. B. is now living on Sec. 8 in New York township, hauling the lumber from Lincoln. One day while Mrs. Houston was home alone, and up stairs, she heard some noise down stairs, (130) and on going down to see what it was, first saw two big Indians peeking in a window, she looked in the other direction for a place to escape and there were three big Indians peeking in the other window. O MY! But just then a neighbor came in and Mrs. Houston would not let him go till he pursuaded the Indians to go with him. Mr. Houston says that during the great Easter storm several cattle drifted over the banks of Coon Branch and perished in the snow, and a band of Pawnee Indians discovered them and immediately went into camp and feasted as long as the cattle lasted.

     There were many wild animals; Antelope, Elk, Buffalo and Wolves roaming the country when they first settled on their farm, but the most interesting experience Mr. Houston had with the wild animals, was one night he heard his chickens making a fuss, and going out in his night clothes discovered a skunk having a feast on chickens. He picked up a sythe snath and hit the animal in such a way that it landed right on him, he finally killed the animal, but had to go off and bury himself a while before Mrs. Houston would let him in the house again.

     Mr. Houston says the homesteaders were always willing to help each other, tells of claim-jumper jumping Mr. John H. Parker's claim, and Mr. Parker coming to his father to get money to prove up to hold his land. News of the claim jumping soon spread along the creek, and the settlers gathered at the homestead and moved the jumper out, goods and all, and he was glad to skip with his life from so determined a looking crowd.

     J. B. Meehan came to West Blue during the summer of 1871, and was the first squire in the precinct. W. H. Taylor being elected at the same time as constable. The first case in Squire Meehan's court was in the summer of '71. At this time large herds of cattle were driven each summer from Texas north to various points, sometimes to Yankton, S. D., and again to points along the U. P. railroad where they were shipped east. (131) The drivers were of the usual Texas "cowboy" variety, wild and reckless, and always an expert in the use of his revolver, an accomplishment he was always willing to demonstrate upon the least provocation. They drove their large herds fearlessly over prairie lands and the homesteaders farms, paying but little attention to the growing crops. A large herd being thus driven over Peter Hellers's field of sod corn, he brought suit against the foreman of the drivers and Mr. Taylor was ordered to arrest him. The herd d had passed north and being uncertain as to the man's willingness to return peacefully, Mr. Taylor took with him several men of the neighborhood. They overtook the herd men near Beaver Creek, setting his men to keep from sight in a ravine, Mr. Taylor rode on alone, making his errand known to the man who, of course, swore and said he saw no corn and at first firmly refused to go back, but after talking the matter over with Mr. Taylor he ordered the men to camp and they started on the return trip. Presently, he stooped and drawing a revolver from his bootleg proceeded to show his skill in the use of the same, finding Mr. Taylor not easily frightened he began to look for other game. Presently they came to A. J. Corey chopping wood alone on his homestead. "Watch me scare that man," he said and riding furiously up to Mr. Corey he pointed the revolver in his face and prefacing his remarks with a volley of oaths, cried, "what do you want?" Mr. Corey looked at the man for a moment and coolly told him he wanted nothing. Returning to Mr. Taylor the man was then requested to turn over his weapon, which he did willingly, then stooping once more, drew another weapon from his bootleg, remarking "now we're both armed." Fearing danger if the man should have the weapon when they came to the other party, Mr. Taylor proceeded to argue the case with the man who finally said, "we will ride up to where my wagons are; you throw your gun into the wagon first and I will do likewise. This Mr. Taylor did and the man was true to his promise.

     Coming on, they rode through the ravine where Mr. Taylor's men were hidden, who remained quiet until Mr. Taylor and his roan had passed, then rode up behind them. This incensed the man from Texas who seemed to think he had been tricked. He stopped for a few moments, then (132) remarked with the usual oath, "If I'd known this you never would have arrested me." But being unarmed and one against several he evidently thought it best to show no fighting disposition at that time. Coming to Squire Meehan's a crowd of interested farmers had gathered. This was to them an important case. All had suffered from the depredations of the herds and now it would be decided how their fields should be protected in the future. The man gave testimony that he was only an employee of the cattle company and the case was dismissed, but it served the purpose for coming herdsmen were more careful to avoid cultivated fields, and this ended what was, perhaps, the first litigation in West Blue Precinct. Another one occurred in a few months wherein a man living near the southeast line of the county was arrested for taking a saddle from Mr. Brower, who lived in Fillmore County. More than ordinary interest was taken in this case from the fact, that Geo. Post, a young attorney, lately located at York, had been employed to defend the accused. Although the day was bleak and cold many had assembled to hear the trial, and were surprised as well as disappointed when the lawyer informed the squire that the case was not in his jurisdiction, the property having been taken from Fillmore County. The man was set free and whether or no he took the saddle has never been determined.

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