This is a scanned copy on CD of the original Book published in 1894.

History

of the

City of Omaha,

Nebraska

By

James W. Savage and John T. Bell

And

South Omaha

By

Consul W. Butterfield

New York and Chicago

Munsell & Company

1894

700 pages on 1 CD

An essential resource for Genealogists

Actual images of every page, in Adobe Acrobat Reader .PDF format. Works with any computer, and is easy to use and read. Some scans are imperfect.

This book on CD is SEARCHABLE * 

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I.

Early Explorations West of the Missouri River — Expeditions of Spanish Adventurers — The Search for Mythical Stores of Wealth — Supposed Location of the City of Quivira

CHAPTER II.

Father Marquette's Maps — The Rivalry of France and Spain — Exploration in 1739 by the Mallet Brothers — Naming of the Platte — The French Purchase

CHAPTER III.

The Title to the Province of Louisiana Acquired by the United States —Governor Claiborne's Proclamation — A Real Estate Deal Satisfactory to Both Grantor

and Grantee

CHAPTER IV.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean—Personnel of the Expedition —Council with the Indians near Omaha— Death of Sergeant Floyd—Floyd's River Named in his Honor —Journal of Patrick Gass—The Missouri and American Fur Companies —Trading Expedition of Manual Lisa in 1811 —Brackenridge's Account of it — Hunt's Expedition up the Missouri — Bradbury's Visit to the

Mouth of the Elkhorn

CHAPTER V.

Journey from the Columbia to the Mouth of the Platte in 1812 — Major Long's Expedition — The Western Engineer, the First Steamboat that Ascended the Missoui-i Above the Site of Omaha— First White Family Locating at Bellevue — Establishment of a Baptist Mission in 1833, and a Presbyterian Mission in 1834— General Fremont at Bellevue — The Oldest Settlement of White Civilians in Nebraska, 1805 —Peter A. Sarpy, Post Trader—J. B. Royce's Stockade and Trading Post on the Site of Omaha in 1825

CHAPTER VI.

Our Indian Predecessors — Catlin's Visit to the Missouri Valley — The Famous Omaha Chief. Blackbird — An Indian Tragedy—Burial of Blackbird on the Hill Named after Him—His Skull taken to Washington by Catlin — Om-pah-tou-ga. or Big Elk, Succeeds to the Chieftaincy—Big Elk's Address

CHAPTER VII.

Francis Burt Appointed Governor of Nebraska Territory — His Death at Bellevue— Thomas B. Cuming Becomes Acting Governor of the Territory— Location of the Capitol at Omaha —Assembling of the First Legislature—Names of Members of the Legislature —Acting Governor, Cuming's Message— The Platte Valley and Pacific Railroad —Capitol Removal Schemes—Civil and Criminal Codes Enacted—Mark W.

Izard Appointed Governor of Nebraska —His Arrival in the Territory, February 20, 1855—Capitol Removal Agitation in the Session of 1857 — Passage of a Bill by the Legislature to Locate the Capitol at the Town of Douglas—Governor Izard Vetoes the Bill — Governor Izard's Departure—The City of Omaha Incorporated

CHAPTER VIII.

Secretary Cuming Again Acting Governor—The Fourth Session of the Legislature —The Territorial Capitol Building About Completed—Legislators Adjourn to Florence— How the Difficulty Occurred — Arrival of Governor Richardson —He Repudiates the Florence Legislature— That Body Issues a Manifesto — Headline from the Omaha Nebraskian— An Article from the Nebraska Pioneer— A List of Nebraska's Governors

CHAPTER IX.

Douglas County — Mormon Settlers at "Winter Quarters," now Florence,-in 1845 — The First County Officials —

CHAPTER X.

The Municipal Government of Omaha — First Officers Elected — Early Doings of the City Council — The Old Capitol Building—Omaha's Early Financial Straits—Committees Sent to Washington to Urge Certain Legislation—Failure of all Attempts to Recover Money Spent on the Territorial Capitol Building by the City of Omaha— A Resolution Regarding Small Pox—A Resolution Against the Opening of a Saloon in the Territorial Capitol Building—Other Scraps of Local Legislation — List of City Officers

CHAPTER XI.

The Claim Club— The Purpose of its Organization — Its Membership—John I. Redick's Experience with the Club — Some Facts Regarding Early Land Titles —George Francis Train's Omaha Real Estate

CHAPTER XII.

The Pioneers—Laying Out the Townsite — Tracts of Land Included in the Same — Names of the Early Settlers — Biographical Sketches of Pioneers

CHAPTER XIII.

Indian Graves at Bellevue—Logan Fontenelle—His Death and Burial at Bellevue—Departure of the Omaha from Bellevue — Biographical Sketch of Peter Sarpy—An Account of Stephen Decatur

CHAPTER XIV.

Vigilance Committees— Pioneer Bands of Horse Thieves — Two Horse Thieves Publicly Whipped in Omaha—Mrs. Taylor Robbed by Bouve and Iler in 1861—Lynching of Bouve—Execution of Talor for the Murder of Neff in 1863— Execution of Baker for the Murder of Higgins in 1868—Execution of Neal for the Murder of Allen Jones and Wife, 1891 — Lynching of George Smith, 1891

CHAPTER XV.

Incidents and Experiences — Early Newspaper Items—Fee Paid Indians for Relinquishment of Claims to Lands— First Election in Nebraska— Facts and Figures as to Omaha, from the Times of June 7, 1857 —First Things—First Grist Mill—First Saw Mill—First Child Born in Omaha—A.T. Hanscom's First Location —The City Marshal's Duty to Drive Indians Away from the Town—Major Armstrong Exposes the Character of Supplies Furnished the Indians—Dr. Vincent Insulted and Shot at— Slavery Prohibited —Location of Nave, McCord & Co. in Omaha—Why John R. Meredith

was not Appointed Chief Justice of Nebraska—Why St. Mary's Avenue Runs at an Angle—E. L. Emery as a Stock Breeder—Pattee's Lottery—Many Suspicious Characters Arrested— The Great Flood of 1881 — Old Time Buildings— Boring for Coal-First Asphalt Pavement

CHAPTER XVI.

Military History— "The Catfish War"—The Mormon Scare — The Pawnee War—Verses by General Estabrook—Military Movements in 1861 — Governor Saunders' Order— List of Commissioned Officers of the First Nebraska Regiment—Second Nebraska Cavalry—Curtis Horse—First Battalion Nebraska Veteran Volunteers —Milita Organizations — Fort Omaha—Names of Commandants — The Manderson Bill —

Location of Fort Crook— Department Headquarters — Commandant and Staff Officers.

CHAPTER XVII.

Notable Persons Visiting Omaha—Grand Duke Alexis — King Kalakaua's First Visit — President Grant's First Visit—Dom Pedro—President Grant's Second Visit—President Hayes — King Kalakaua's Second Visit—Marquis of Lome—President Cleveland —Henry M. Stanley — President Harrison

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Press of Omaha— Newspapers Now Published — A List of the Dead and Buried

CHAPTER XIX.

The Liquor Traffic — Prohibitory Act Passed by the First Territorial Legislature— The Act of 1881 —The Act of 1889—The Contest of 1890—Prohibitionists Organize — A Circular—Joint Debates—Anti-Amendment Organizations — Miss Willard's s— The Election — The Contest Following—Good Templars—W. C. T. Union

CHAPTER XX.

Governor Boyd's Election—The Contest Before the Legislature—Governor Thayer's Claim—The Case in the Courts—Governor Boyd Declared a Citizen by the United States Supreme Court —Takes his Seat

CHAPTER XXI.

Navigation— The First Steamer on the Missouri — Celebration of the Event at Franklin, Mo.— The First Steamer Above Franklin— A Story of Indian Warfare- Indians Tell of their Prowess—Sufferings of the Omahas—Boats on the  Missouri River— A Steamer's Flag

CHAPTER XXII.

Benevolent and Charitable Institutions — Nebraska State Institute for the Deaf and Dumb—The Woman's Christian Association—St. Joseph's Hospital—Immanuel Hospital and Deaconess' Institute—The Creche—The Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital—The Open Door—The County Poor Farm—Contest for Title thereto —A Great Sale of Lots —The Douglas County Hospital—Defective Construction- Fall of the North Wing —Legal Complications — Convent of Mercy Orphanage — Methodist Episcopal Hospital — Presbyterian Hospital — City Mission

CHAPTER XXIII.

Financial Facts — Public and Private Improvements — Grading Down Hills and Filling Depressions—The City Hall — Laying the Corner Stone — Cost of Same Omaha Business Houses—Loan Associations

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Bench and Bar—Personal Mention of a Member of a Distinguished Profession— Organization of Territorial and State Courts

CHAPTER XXV.

Hotels of Early and Modern Days — The Herndon House — Changes of Management— A Pleasant Occasion — How the Grand Central was Named — Destruction by Fire — Hotels of the Present Time

CHAPTER XXVI.

Libraries—Early Efforts in this Direction— The Great Public Library of Today—Byron Reed's Bequest — Law Library in the New York Life Insurance Building-Omaha Law Library Association— Creighton College Libraries—Other Collections of Books

CHAPTER XXVII.

Omaha's System of Waterworks—Early SafegTiards against Fire—The Contest in the City Council — The City Waterworks Company's Works — Sale to the American Waterworks Company—Removal of the Pumping Station to Florence — The New Works —Description of the Method Now in Use

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Indians as Litigants — Arrest of a Band of Ponca Indians — Their Previous Sufferings—Omaha Citizens Become interested in their Case — Petition for their Release — Indians Released —John Elk's Case —Heirs of Sophia Felix Claim Land in Omaha—An Unsuccessful Suit

CHAPTER XXIX.

County Fairs — Driving Park Association — Board of Trade — Real Estate Exchange—Manufacturers' and Consumers' Association—Real Estate Owners' Association

CHAPTER XXX.

Bridges and Viaducts — The Union Pacific Bridge — Bridge of the Omaha & Council Bluffs Railway Bridge Company— Viaducts — Litigation Resulting from the Construction of the

CHAPTER XXXI.

The Initial Point— The Legal Contest — Bridging the Missouri

CHAPTER XXXII.

The Union Depot— Legal Complications —Eastern Railroad Connections and Terminal Facilities

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Theatres and Opera-Houses—The Academy of Music— Redick's Opera-House— A Project that Failed—Boyd's Opera-House—Opening and Congratulatory Resolutions — The Exposition Building — Formal Opening— Notable  Entertainments There — The Eden Musee — Boyd's New Theatre —The Opening— The Coliseum

CHAPTER- XXXIV.

Educational — The First School in Omaha— Simpson University—Another Institution of Learning — Valuable Lots Offered the Catholic Church—The Offer Declined —Inauguration of the Public School System of Omaha—Howard Kennedy in Charge Professor Beal's School—Names of Pupils — Transfer of the Capitol Grounds—The High School Building Erected — The First Graduating Class—The Metropolitan School District—Statistics—Propositions to Enlarge the High School Building Defeated — A Mandamuj Case— Normal Department — Brownell Hull — First

Graduates — Other Schools—Commerical Colleges — Presbyterian Theological Seminary — Dr. Miller's Offer- Professor Kellom

CHAPTER XXXV.

Church Organizations — Young Men's Christian Association — Personal Sketches of Bishops and Pioneer Clergymen

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Catholicism in Omaha — First Church Services in Nebraska -St. Mary's Church— St. Philomena Cathedral —Other Churches—Creighton College

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Cemeteries —Prospect Hill Cemetery—Burial Ground in Shulls Addition— Holy Sephulchre, St. Mary's and Cassidy's Cemeteries — Forest Lawn Cemetery—Mount Hope — Other Places of Pinal Repose

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

The Medical Profession— Early Practitioners in Omaha— The Nebraska Medical Society— The Omaha Medical Society—Action Regarding Baker's Body — Douglas County Medical Society—Omaha Medical Club— Omaha Academy of Medicine—Members of the Omaha Medical Society—Omaha Medical College of 1869—Nebraska School of Medicine, Preparatory — The Present Omaha Medical College—John A. Creighton Medical College —The Omaha Clinic — Omaha Microscopic Society —Douglas County Medico-Legal Association—Homeopathy—Its First Representative here —Other Early Homeopathic Physicians—Their Successors—State Medical Society—Officers

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Dentistry in Omaha — The Pioneers in that Line —Improvements of Later Years

CHAPTER XL.

Police and Fire Departments —Organization of the Police Force—Its Growth—Conflict between the Commissioners and City Council—Statistics —Early Efforts for Protection Against Fire—Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company No. 1—The

First Fire Bell— The Fire King Engine— An Engine House Erected—Purchase of a Rotary Steam Engine — Electric Alarm System —Present Status of the Department—Names of Officers— The Durant Fire Company— Prominent Firemen—Lots for New Engine Houses Purchased — Omaha Veteran Fireman's Association

CHAPTER XLI.

Labor Disturbances— The Smelting Works Strike —Militia Called Out —Peace Restored— Labor Strike of 1882 —Public Meetings—Laborers from Plattsmouth Take the Strikers' Places— Driven from the Works — Militia and Regulars Called Out —Killing of  Armstrong—Telegraphers' Strike—The Missouri Pacific Strike in Omaha—Difficulties Over the Eight Hour Law of 1891

CHAPTER XLII.

Grand Army Posts— A Private who Became Grand Commander—Woman's Relief Corps—Sons of Veterans— Nebraska Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

CHAPTER XLIII.

Masonic History — First Lodge of Freemasons in Nebraska — The Second and Third Lodges — Early Members—Other Facts —Odd Fellows —Omaha Lodge No. 2 Organized — A  Remarkable Announcement—The First New Member—More Accessions—Present Membership—Grand Officers Furnished by this Lodge—Where the Lodge has Met — Knights of Pythias— First Lodge in Omaha—Early Members—History of Succeeding Lodges — Prominent Members

CHAPTER XLIV.

Transportation Lines— Early History of the Union Pacific — First Surveys — The Hoxie Contract — Durant’s Probable Motive — Resignation of Chief Engineer Dey — The City Council Grants the Union Pacific Railroad Company Certain Rights and Privileges on the Levee—Breaking Ground for the Railroad— Resolutions of the Council—The Railroad Asks for Valuable Real Estate—Right of Way on Fourteenth Street Given—Right of Way over Other Streets Given— Locating the Bridge—Bonds Voted— More Real Estate Conveyed to the Railroad Company—Proposed Returns Therefor—Resolutions Regarding Transfers —Time for Building General Offices Extended—Purchase of the Herndon House— Executive Officers of the Company—The Omaha & Southwestern and the Omaha & Northwestern—The Burlington Route —The Kansas City Line—The Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railway — The Sioux City & Pacific Railroad — The Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad —The Missouri Pacific Railway —The Belt Line —The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway— Other Railroad Schemes

CHAPTER XLV.

Street Railways — Early Legislation—The Omaha Horse Railway Company—The Cable Tramway Company —The Omaha Street Railway Company — The Omaha Motor Railway Company—The Benson Motor Company—The