History of Platte County

Special called meeting of the Board of Co. Commissioners was held on Wednesday, April 20th 1870, immediately after the adjournment of the Board of Equalization.

Road supervisor, Jacob Ernst of Columbus precinct handed his written report in regard to Loup Fork bridge as completed on contract of J. B. Beebe.

Motion made said report be accepted and the contractor released from his bond. J. B. Beebe presented his account for labor performed and services rendered as extra work on Loup Fork bridge to the amount $91.00, which on motion was allowed and an order ordered to be drawn for that amount on the General Road fund. Adopted.

The sundry petitions and arguments on different roads along Shell Creek, the locating of bridges etc. were taken up and on motion of Galley.

Com. Barnum and road supervisor Ernst be appointed as a committee to act in junction with F. G. Becher appointed to locate a road along Shell Creek and as such a Committee of three to locate the necessary roads needed and locate the points or places of bridge sites where ever practicable and in need of and report as final on such matters at the next regular meeting. Adopted.

The bridge plan of Mr. H. P. Handy was taken up and on motion of Mr. Barnum the change made on piles instead of 10 x 10 to read 12 x 12 and marked so on the specifications was adopted and so corrected.

On motion of Com. Smith, the plan and specifications of Mr. H. P. Handy as presented and corrected be accepted and ordered on file.

Mr. Smith and Galley voting with affirmative. Mr. Barnum voting in the negative. No other business, the board agreed to adjourn.

At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Co. Commissioners held in the court house on the 3rd day of May 1870.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, Guy C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson.

The commissioners having agreed to visit in person the respective points suggested for the location of the bridge across the Platte river adjourned for said purpose till 9 o'clock A.M. tomorrow.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, Guy C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

F. G. Becher, the subject of roads on the south and north sides of Shell Creek as petitioned for by the settlers was laid over till the next regular meeting.

Report of Guy C. Barnum as road commissioner in connection with supervisor Ernst to select suitable places for building 3 bridges on Shell Creek was presented as follows and accepted, one on the sixth P.M. near the house of A. Mathias; one about 4 miles west of the bridge at P. Gleasons between sections 19 and 20 in T 18, R2 west; and one on Elk Creek between section 2 and 11 T 18 R one east said bridges are about 70 feet long.

The clerk was instructed to advertise in the Omaha daily papers and in the Columbus paper till the 1st day of June 1870 for bids to build the Platte river bridge, and the 3 Shell Creek bridges as per plan and specifications submitted by H. P. Handy and accepted and adopted by the board of Commissioners and now on file in the county clerk's office. Bids to be received till 2 o'clock P. M. Wednesday the 1st day of. June.

Report of J. O. Shannon, overseer of the poor in Columbus precinct laid over at the April session of the board was taken up and adopted, and accounts therein certified to, were allowed.

Report of Jacob Ernst, road supervisor for Columbus precinct was read and accepted and orders drawn on the proper funds.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, Guy C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley, H. J. Hudson, clerk.

Motion of Guy C. Barnum, Leander Gerrard Esqr. was appointed to negotiate the Platte county bonds for the creating of a "General Bridge Fund" to the amount of $25,000.

Motion of S. C. Smith that Henry Gerrard be appointed road supervisor for Monroe precinct till the next general county election.

At an adjourned meeting of the board of commissioners held in the Court House on Wednesday, June 1st 1870. S. C. Smith in the chair.,

Roll called. Present. S. C. Smith, G. C. Barnum, G. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, Co. clerk.

Report of L. Gerrard, Esq. on the bonds of Platte County was upon motion of Geo. W. Galley, the report was accepted and placed on file.

Motion of G. C. Barnum that we proceed to open bids for the bridges as advertised for to be built in the county across Platte river and Shell Creek.

Wells French & Co.	$ 9.00 per foot
J. B. Wells	10.09 per foot
Wm. Gerhold, Shell Creek bridge	725.00 each
A. J. Arnold Shell Creek bridge	11.00 per foot
A. J. Arnold, Platte River bridge	10.19 per foot
J. P. Becker, Platte River bridge	15.00 per foot
J. P. Becker, Shell Creek bridge	12.50 per foot

Motion of G. C. Barnum that the bid of Wells French and Co., of Chicago at $9.00 per lineal foot be accepted.

The clerk was ordered to draw an order for $234.00 on the general bridge fund being one 1/2 the amount to be paid as per agreement to H. P. Handy for plans and specifications and the superintending the construction of the bridges on Shell Creek and Platte river.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smiths G. C. Barnum, G. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

Motion of G. C. Barnum that Wm. Gerhold be awarded the contract to build the Shell Creek bridges at $9.00 per lineal foot.

Motion of G. C. Barnum, the attorney and clerk were instructed to make all necessary arrangements with the First National Bank of Omaha for the bonds to be issued by Platte County for the general bridge fund.

Motion of Geo. W. Galley the Co. attorney prepare contracts and bonds for Shell Creek and Platte river bridges to be completed by Sep. 1st 1870, and that payment be based upon the superintendent's estimates to be furnished on the 1st day of each month and that 75 per cent be advanced upon the same, the final payment to be made upon acceptance of said bridges by the Co. commissioners.

A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held in the court house on Tuesday the 7th day of June 1870,

Letters and telegrams from Wells French & Co. of Chicago were read and placed on file.

Petition of A. J. Stevens, E. A. Gerrard and others for county road on 6th P.M. was read and laid over.

Petition of J. Ernst Loseke and others for road commencing at the S. E. corner of Sec. 19, T 18, R1 east was read and placed on file and ordered located, the necessary bond being given.

Petition of Stauffer and Strasser asking renewal of license to sell liquors at Jackson siding for the term one year from May 1st 1870 was read and license granted and clerk ordered to issue the same.

Report of C. W. Toncray, superintendent of court house recommending that the stairs in the court house be painted, was sustained and ordered to have the painting done.

Reports of F. G. Becher, road commissioner, appointed to locate county roads on the north and south side of Shell Creek was read and laid over till next meeting.

Report of Jacob Ernst upon the extension of Loup Fork bridge with bills of expenses were allowed except John Rickly's which was referred to the road supervisor, be allowed $5.00 per tree, ordered to be paid out of the proper funds.

Report of L. Gerrard, attorney, to whom was referred the bills of J. O. Shannon in the case State of Nebraska. Reported that the claims of J. O. Shannon for fees in justice Court be allowed and that sheriff and witness claims be Placed on file.

The report of Com. Becher was called up the suggestion of the road commissioner to remove the bridge at Gleasons was taken under advisement but final action was deferred till next regular meeting.

The following bills were audited and allowed: Joseph Strothers assessor Monroe precinct for 1870 $30.00; F. G. Becher, assessment for Columbus precinct 1870 $132.00 F. G. Becher for making abstracts for supervisors and assessors $34.00; W. C. Sutton 2 chairs $6.00 J. Rickly for used wagon $5.00; ink stands $2.00; 1 padlock $1.00; J. O. Shannon, justice fees State vs. M. Smith $14.75; VS. Fred Ludwig $8.25; vs. Margt. Brady $11.00; A. J. Arnold, sheriff fees in same suits $38.00;

Motion of Co. Smith, Isaac Shivers was appointed road supervisor for Monroe precinct.

Motion of Com. Galley; F. G. Becher was appointed to locate road commencing at S. E. corner of Sec. 19, T 18, R1 east.

Motion of Com. Galley the clerk is hereby empowered to purchase -school land for a "Poor Farm" 160 acres not in excess of $10.00 per acre or 320 acres not in excess of $7.50 per acre.

Ordered that J. O. Shannon do no more labor on the house for pauper Ann Lermett, and that he remove the lumber to some safe place.

The clerk was instructed to notify the Platte river bridge contractors to sign contract and furnish bond and in event of their failure so to do in connection with

the Co. attorney to make the best arrangements they can with J. B. Wells the next lowest bidder who proposes to enter into contract at the sum of $10.00 per foot, and inform Wells French & Co. in Chicago that they will be held in damage to Platte county all that said county may have to pay for constructing of Platte river bridge in excess of their bid of $9.00 per foot.

Motion of Com. Galley, Wm. Gerhold was ordered to repair the county pile driver for the sum of $30.00 dollars he furnishing bills of material and labor.

The clerk was ordered to procure a good and substantial water closet for the use of the court house occupants.

Bond of Wm. Gerhold was accepted and approved in the amount of $3,600.00 for the faithful performance of contract to build the Shell Creek bridges as per award, June 2nd 1870.

At a called meeting of the Board of Commissioners held in the court house on the 22nd day of June A. D. 1870 for the purpose of taking final action upon letting contract for building the Platte river bridge also to receive the court house from the contractor.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, Guy C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

Wells French and Co. bridge builders to whom was awarded contract to build Platte river bridge at $9.00 per lineal foot at the opening of bids for that purpose on June 1st was reconsidered, it appearing their bid did not include piers but was intended to construct superstructure only, and that they were willing to close contract for the entire bridge piers and superstructure at $10.40 per lineal foot:.

Motion of Guy C. Barnum that in consequence of the misunderstanding as to what was required in the bid of Wells French & Co., they be allowed to change their bid to $10.40 per foot and that the contract be closed with them to build the entire bridge at $10.40 per lineal foot.

Motion of Com. Barnum, Wm. Gerhold the contractor to build the bridges on Shell Creek was allowed to change his bid and that he be allowed $10.40 per lineal foot. Carried.

Motion of Com. Galley the resolution passed at the last meeting of the board granting Wm. Gerhold the free use of the county pile driver be rescinded. Carried.

The report of the Superintendent of construction of the court house was read and on motion, the Board adjourned till 9 o'clock in the morning.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, G. C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

The commissioners proceeded to examine and inspect the court house and on motion of Guy C. Barnum, the court house was received of the contractor, he having complied with the plan and specifications and was carried unanimously.

Motion of Guy C, Barnum, J. P. Becker's bid of $225.00 for extra labor on court house building staircase to get onto roof. Balustrade and flag stall was allowed and ordered paid out of court house fund.

Motion of Guy C. Barnum that J. P. Becker be allowed 100 dollars money paid to obtain legal opinion as to the legality of court house bonds; lost, Com. Smith and Galley voting in the negative.

The clerk was ordered to issue an order on the county building fund for the sum of $1,600.00 being balance due J. P. Becker on contract for court house. (Later cancelled on August 1, 1871.

At a regular meeting of the Commissioners held in the Court House July 4th 1870, for the purpose of levying the taxes for 1870, but there being no quorum, the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow. at 2 o'clock P.M.

Tuesday, July 5th 1870, pursuant to adjournment the Board met. S. C. Smith in the chair.

Roll called. Present, S. C. Smith, G. C. Barnum, G. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

The contract between Wells French & Co., of Chicago, Illinois, and S. C. Smith, chairman of the Board of Co. Com. was duly signed. Contract price for construction of Platte river bridge $10.40 per lineal foot. Time of completion of said bridge Oct. 15th 1870. Bond given by contractors for the amount of $32,000.00 was approved and accepted.

Motion of Com. Barnum that J. B. Beebe complete the Loup Fork bridge as per his contract, and that supervisor Ernst put the same in good repair by filling up the ends of the bridge.

The commissioners proceeded to make the following levies for the taxes for 1870.

State Tax
General Fund	2 1/2 mills on the dollar
Sinking Fund	1/2 mill on the dollar
School Fund	2 mills on the dollar
University Fund	1 mill on the dollar
County Tax
General Fund	4'/2 mills on the dollar
Poor Fund	1 1/2 mills on the dollar
Sinking Fund	1/2 mill on the dollar
Court House Fund	3 mills on the dollar
Bridge Fund	3 mills on the dollar
Poll tax per head	$2.00
Dog tax per head	$1.00
Sluts tax per head	$2.00
Per 1/4 Sec. of land	$4.00

Motion of Com. Smith that the clerk assess a tax sufficient upon the taxable property of School District No. 1 to meet the apportionment due School District No 9 amounting $269.71 in accordance with the report of County School Superintendent.

Wednesday, 9 o'clock A.M. Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present, full board.

Shell Creek county roads on the north and south side of the creek were laid over till next meeting with instructions to F. G. Becher, road commissioner to obtain the right of way from the respective parties.

Petition of A. J. Stevens, C. A. Gerrard and others for county road on the 6th P. M. was laid over for consideration.

Petition of James Scully on the subject of a road on the north side of Shell Creek ordered filed.

Report of J. O. Shannon, overseer of the poor, for the quarter ending June 30th 1870 was read and the following bills were audited and allowed out of the Poor Fund.

J. O. Shannon for services as Overseer $24.06; Davis & Brewer $6.60; J. B. Wells Lumber $95.61; Wilson Cook, services as nurse $15.00; Wm. Thompson team hire $2.50; A. Schrott, board $6.00; C. P. Henderson work on Pest House $3.00; Frank Foster work on Pest House $2.50; O. P. Reed, labor and hauling lumber to pest house $7.50; C. Whaley, board for Jeremiah Anderson, pauper $1.00; C. Whaley's bill for boarding case of smallpox referred back for more full items; V. Kummer cash for pauper $5.00.

Coroner's report in the case of Michael Dooley was laid over; the Clerk instructed to request the Coroner to prepare a full report of the inquest and obtain the necessary evidence to identify the body of Michael Dooley.

Report of L. Gerrard and V. Kummer on settlement with Colfax County and Com, continued with instructions to effect a just and equitable settlement of the financial interests of the County.

Motion of Com. Barnum the clerk's salary was increased to 400 dollars per annum.

L. Gerrard, 6 mo. ser. as Co. Att. $50.00; S. C. Smith. ser. as Co. Com. to June 30th 1870, $110.00; G. C. Barnum $62.70; G. W. Galley $78.00; Wm. Gerhold, material for repairing pile driver $45.00; Henderson & Smith fitting blinds, Treas. Off. $12.00; J. McGinnis, fitting blinds Clerk's office $10.00; H. J. Hudson 6 mos. salary as clerk to June 30th $200.00; Anderson ser. as Dep. Sheriff $10.55; I. N. Taylor service in Probate Court fees in state suits $29.15; E. W. Toncray, sal. due for services as Supert. of Court House $125.00; A. J. Arnold, Sheriff's fee in School Court $23.80; J Shannon serv. as County Supt. to June 30th '70, $121.00; Fees in Justice Court State vs. J. C. Baldwin $8.75; State vs. George Lawson $4.75; State vs. Peter Klentschie $7.10; A. J. Arnold, ser. in Jus. Court Sheriff's fees in same suits $26.10; fees for arresting Geo. Lawson charged with murder of M. Dooley $6.50; H. J. Hudson, postage for cash paid $17.00; desk $48.75.

Motion of Com. Barnum, the Clerk was ordered to draw warrants for all bills that have been audited and allowed since Jany. 1st 1870 up to date.

Resignation of S. Cook, constable for Monroe Precinct, was presented and accepted and the office of said constable declared vacant.

Motion of Com. Galley that the Clerk procure a pump and sink in the jail hall for the use of the Court House, also a grating over the door of the entrance to the jail, and have a draft drawn for fitting up the interior of the Court Room for Court purposes.

Motion of Com. Smith, the Clerk was ordered to get some rope matting and rods for the hall stairs leading into the Court Room.

The Clerk reported having purchased the east 1/2 of Sec. 36, T 18, R1 W for a poor farm at the sale of school lands on the 28th day of June 1870 at $7.00 per acre. As per order of the Co. Com. at their regular meeting held June 7th 1870. 21 wolf scalps ordered destroyed.

At a regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held August the 2nd 1870 in the Court House.

Meeting called to order and roll called. Present, S. C. Smith; Guy C. Barnum, Geo. W. Galley and H. J. Hudson, clerk.

Motion of Com. Smith the rules of regular business be suspended and that we take up petitions of roads as there are a number of parties from a distance that desire to return. Carried.

Petition of E. Ahrens and others asking for a road from the Ahrens and Lusche bridge to the north line of the county was placed on file together with bond for the same.

Petition of R. Kummer and others asking for a road from the Loup Fork bridge along the west bank of the river to the west line of the county was placed on file and clerk instructed to approve the bond.

Petition of S. L. Holman and others asking for a road from the S. E. corner of Sec. 19, T 18, R 1 east on a due line north to erect a road from Stanton county intersecting the north boundary of the county of Platte placed on file and bond for the same.

Report of F. G. Becher on the roads laid out by him on the north and south side of Shell Creek terminating

at Gleason bridge was called up and after much discussion, motion of S. C. Smith that the roads on the north and south side of Shell Creek as shown on diagram accompanying report of commissioner be adopted. Smith and Barnum voting aye, and G. W. Galley, no.

Motion of G. C. Barnum the new bridge west of Gleasons contracted for between the Commissioners and Wm. Gerhold was ordered to be built as near as practicable on the line between sections s and 14, T 18, R 2 west.

F. G. Becher refused to accept the appointment as Road Com. to locate the road commencing at the S. E. corner of 19, T ,8, R 1 east as petitioned for by Jacob Ernst and others.

Motion of Com. Barnum, I. N. Taylor was appointed Road Com. to locate the road as petitioned for by S. L. Holman and others com. at the S. E. corner of Sec. 19, T 18, R 1 east and that he also locate so much of the road as petitioned for by Jacob Ernst, as was embraced in the petition of Holman etc. and that so much of the Ernst petition as contemplated a road running to the Meridian line be abandoned and stricken off said petition. Carried.

Motion of Com. Galley, I. N. Taylor was appointed to view and locate the road petitioned for by H. Loseke, Ahrens and others crossing Loseke Creek, also the road on the west side of Loup Fork as petitioned for by R. Kummer and others. Carried.

Communication of J. B. Beebe requesting the use of pile driver and hammer, horse power and guy ropes was granted.

Com. from Wm. Gerhold relative to bridges on Shell Creek was placed on file and the clerk ordered to notify the Superintendent to stake out the locality for the respective bridges also to notify Wm. Gerhold not to drive piles until the same shall have been inspected.

Report of Committee appointed to make arrangements for a settlement with Colfax County was read, accepted and Corn. discharged.

The agreement as prepared by the committees of the counties of Colfax and Platte making a full and final settlement as between the counties was accepted and signed by the commissioners and attested by the County Clerk.

Motion of Com. Smith; Com. Barnum; The treasurer and county clerk go to Schuyler and meet the Commissioners of Colfax Co., and accept the signatures of said Com. thereby fully ratifying the said agreement as signed by the Commisisoners (sic) of Platte County as a final adjustment of all claims against the County of Colfax as provided for by the Act of the Legislative supplemental to an Act creating and deferring the boundaries of Colfax Co.

Motion of Com. Galley, it was agreed to charge Wm. Gerhold 50 dollars for the use of the County Pile Driver and J. B. Beebe 25 dollars for the use of the hammer, horse power and guy lines.

The clerk was ordered to procure a plan for furnishing the Court Room and advertise proposals to fit up and finish said room.

A Special Meeting called by the county clerk was held in the Court House on Wednesday the 17th day of August 1870.

The object of the meeting being to receive bids and proposals to fit up and furnish the court room and to take such action as may be necessary to accept the estimates of the superintendent of construction of Platte river and Shell Creek bridges. The minutes of last meeting were deferred reading till the regular meeting.

Motion of Com. Smith, the estimates were accepted and the clerk ordered to draw warrants on the General Bridge Fund for the respective amounts.

Motion of Com. Galley, H. P. Handy permitted to appoint any person he may think proper to superintend the pile driving during his absence.

Bill of L. Gerrard was allowed $25.00; out of the Bridge Fund for services in securing loan and sale of bridge bonds.

Motion of Com. Galley that the contract be awarded to Davis & Brewer and that the attorney prepare contract for the work to be completed by Oct. 1st next.

The clerk was ordered to notify J. B. Beebe to put the Loup Fork bridge in good condition as per this contract to take up and replace said bridge.

Motion of S. C. Smith, the Clerk was instructed to approve and draw warrants upon the certified estimates of the bridge superintendent during vacation of the Board.

Jacob Ernst reported the bridges contracted to be built by Geo. E. Barnum as finished and recommended that the Commissioners receive the same.

Motion of Com. Smith said work was so accepted and the Clerk ordered to draw an order for the amount of $125.00 out of the Columbus Road Fund.


150	The History of Platte County Nebraska


Annals of County Organization	151


152	The History of Platte County Nebraska


Annals of County Organization	153