INTRODUCTION.

BY REV CAREY J. SEVELL.

     It is a distinct pleasure for me to write a foreword to the "Pioneer Stories," having regard to the fact that its author and myself are fellow-countrymen, we having both come from the little Island which has been well called the cradle of the American race. We have also been both engaged in the promulgation of that Gospel without which this old world will never be a scene of peaceful life, however much it may advance in things material.

     But it is also a pleasure because of the intrinsic merits of the book which our author has produced, and the production of which has cost him much travel and careful investigation.

     The Rev. G. R. McKeith is almost a Scotchman, he having been reared so very near the land of Walter Scott and Robert Burns.

     This, perhaps, will account for the fact that he has been so successful in obtaining the particulars from so many individuals concerning their struggles and difficulties as pioneers.

     The Scotch are very tactful in asking questions, (they call the process "spearing," which suggests the idea of salmon spearing which is a very delicate operation,) and so we have a succession of pictures of their physical and mental difficulties, and the way in which these brave men and women fighting the battles of their lives came out victors.

     The author has also "the saving grace of humor." He might have called his book, "Hard facts of hard lives" and given a series of sad sketches of the terrible hardships endured by these hardy pioneers but, true to life, with its shadows and sunshine, he has looked at both aspects of the case, and has certainly looked at the comic side. I heard Dr. Talmage say in a Thanksgiving Sermon that "He was quite sure that God approved of a hearty laugh or He would not let so many funny things happen," and so we can say of this book:

     "Behold herein what leisure hours demand,

     Amusement and instruction going hand in hand."

     The book has also an historical and topographical value. The facts herein recorded will undoubtedly give a foundation for future histories.

     It is interesting to know that these pioneers were well represented in the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic. When the Unity of these United States was threatened and in danger, these were the men who willingly gave their service in defense of the Union, suffered the hardships of battle, and risked their lives, for the purpose of gaining freedom that would be a joy and a delight to untold generations.

     It is with confidence that I recommend the reading of this book to the descendents (sic) of the Pioneers.

     It is well to remember "the rock from whence we were hewn, and the hole of the pit from whence we were digged," but in how literal a sense is Isaiah's figure of "the hole of the pit" applicable to the offspring of these grand workers of the past who lived "the simple life," with--in many cases--a "dugout" for a home!

     We are all their debtors; and of us all it may be said, "Other men labored and we are entered into their labors."

     Exeter, Nebr., Carey J. Sevell. February, 1915.

     Exeter became incorporated as a village on April 1, 1879, but, during the early part of its history improved but slowly, being situated on the di-

ii

vide between the south fork of the Blue River and the Turkey Creek, its chances of development seemed meagre and precarious.

     But those who had the welfare of the town at heart did not hesitate to make the best of its possibilities, for the old Newspapers reveal a persistent effort in boosting the town. To read some of those early statements one would almost think that Exeter was then a large place, and full of opportunities; thus, business men were induced to come because the newspaper said: "an opening presented itself."

     In that way they sang the town's praises, just as the claim holder sang his alluring song in the hope of winning someone to share his homestead-life.

     It may prove interesting to future generations to place on record with these stories a few of the early "Siren calls."

     First, we have the words inviting people to take up a homestead:--

"Come along, come along, make no delay,

Come from every nation, come from every way.

Our lands they are broad enough, have no alarm

For Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm."

and, many indeed were the responses to that call, people came from almost every land and clime.

     The lonely homesteader would often sing, "My old Sod Shanty on the Claim," which went to the tune of "He's the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star."

I'm feeling rather lonely now,

While holding down the claim,

And my victuals are not always cooked the best;

And the mice play shyly 'round me,

As I lay me down to rest

In my little old sod shanty on the claim.

--Chorus--

The hinges are of leather, the windows have no glass,

And the board roof lets the howling blizzard in,

And I hear the hungry coyote as he sneaks up thru the grass,

In my little old sod shanty on the claim.

How I wish that some kindhearted girl would pity on me take,

And relieve me from this mess that I am in,

Oh, the angel how I'd bless her,

If this her home she'd make,

In my little old sod shanty on the claim.

and no doubt many a buxom maiden was won by this angelic appeal to share in the joys of pioneer life.

     The "Exeter Enterprise" would declare, that: "Prairie schooners, with their freight of humanity, have become so numerous in this neck of woods that they fail to attract attention."

     April 3, 1879, "The demand for houses is on the increase, twenty five could find renters if they were to be had," "Build a house and be in fashion," "Fillmore county is one of the best eastern advertised counties in Nebraska. It must be so; else why would so large and steady a stream of immigration constantly pouring in?"

     And so "it came to pass," that the community became more and more populated, and Exeter in spite of apparent difficulties grew in size and importance as a business center.

     The "Exeter Enterprise" of February 16, 1889 was devoted especially to business interests, and contained short character sketches of the leading business man, and in some cases gave their photograph, these included, Dr. E. S. Higley; his house and grounds, Mr. W. H. Taylor; his house and

grounds, Dr. T. C. McCleery, Mr. A. B. Vennum, Mr. T. H. L. Lee, Mr. George C. Gillan, Mr. Wm. Dyer, Mr. F. M. Ziska, Mr. F. O. Fritz, and a picture of the Exeter National Bank, all of which cuts were lost in an unfortunate fire.

     Great have been the changes since the first homestead was taken in America by Daniel Freeman, on Cub Creek in Gage county, Nebraska, or the song of welcome was sung so lustily, for over 100,000 claims have been taken in Nebraska alone, arid it is long since the land of every kind in this neighborhood was placed under cultivation.

     Exeter, to-day, has over 1100 inhabitants, and contains some of the finest residences to be found in the county. The whole aspect of the town is very attractive, having an abundance of beautiful shade trees and well kept lawns. The abundant electric lighting arrangement is well known to the travelling public as well as the local residents.

     The churches of the town are up-to-date edifices, these are; Roman Catholic, Congregational Baptist, Methodist, Christian, and Christian Science. The different ministers are housed in commodious parsonages, the Methodists and Baptists having spent large sums in bringing their parsonages into line with modern needs, while the Catholics and Congregationalists have erected fine houses with every modern convenience.

     The C. C. Smith "Adjustable Index Factory" is a great asset to the town, in connection with which is the Electric Light and Power Plant. These give employment on an average to sixty people, and the products of the factory are sent to every part of the world.

     The Banks are three in number, The Exeter State Bank, Wallace and Company Bankers, and the Farmers and Merchants Bank.

     The places of amusement are the Auditorium and the Wonderland.

     Fraternal Societies and Clubs are:--Grand Army of the Republic, Free Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen, Woodmen of America, and the K. of P.

     There is one Newspaper printed in the town called the "Fillmore County News," and is edited and owned by Mr. F. A. Robinson, and published every Thursday, keeping the town and district well informed about the doings of the community.

     The Library of 1000 volumes is managed by the Exeter Library Association, and is a very popular institution, and the free loan of books is not confined to its subscribing members.

     The Burlington and North Western Railroads have depots in the town, which add materially to its business interests, while the travelling (sic) men find accommodation at the Commercial and Park Hotels. The small parks connected with the depots are a joy and delight to the travelling community and public at large.

     Exeter was the first promoter of the "Good Roads" movement Mr. T. C. Allen being the leading spirit in that work, and the excellent roads of this community are well known. Many other towns have followed Exeter's lead, with the prospect of good roads becoming an experienced pleasure throughout the state.

     The last, but not the least of Exeter's improvements, is the erection of a $40,000 School Building, a magnificant (sic), commodious, and well arranged property, well fitted, and equipped to meet the needs of the town and district for many years.

     Exeter was located on the east half of Section 20, Township 8, Range 1, west of the sixth principal meridian, most of the ground occupied by the village being a part of the original homestead taken up by Dr. H. G. Smith who settled thereon in the winter of 1871. His was the south-east quarter of section 20, while J. W. Dolan homesteaded the north-east quarter, William Dolan took the north-west quarter and John Dayton and William N. Babcock an eighty each on the south-west quarter and all about the same time. Of course there were no railroads, telegraphs, telephones, schools, churches, or post office here then - only a lonely trackless prairie with here and there the solitary cabin of some settler who had preceded them but a little.

     Warren W. Woodard had homesteaded the north-east quarter of 28, cornering with 20, in the fall of 1870, which was the first actual settlement in the immediate vicinity.

     But soon the iron track was laid, and the iron horse laden with the concomitants of civilization and material progress found an easy way across our prairies. The dusky denizens of the plain had to give place to the onward march of civilization, and soon, instead of the camp fire and the war-whoop, there arose the farm house and the school. The haunts of wild beasts became the dwelling place of a happy and prosperous people. Instead of the trackless ocean of wild grasses we now have a thousand fertile farms, with their prosperous farmers and their healthy families, with ten thousand acres of cultivated land within the scope of our vision.

     Since those early days Exeter has grown, having added on part of the south-west quarter of section 20, and part of section 29 so as to provide building lots and homes for a population of over 1100 people, many of whom are the pioneer farmers of this district.

     The change the years have wrought is the natural result of faithful pioneer activity, and "stick-to-itive-ness," which were destined to bear fruit in after days, and which fruitfulness we are glad to see the pioneers enjoy. The measure of this prosperity I have been well able to gauge through having had, by the kindness of Mr. W. J. Waite, a peep into the first Newspaper ever published in Exeter, from which we have culled the foregoing information.

     Exeter's first newspaper the "Exeter Enterprise" came into this world for the advancement of this community on September 29, 1877, bearing the caption:--"With charity for all," and was edited by William A. Connell; who in his "Salutatory" said: "Newspaper salutatories are usually tame, unattractive and odious. The budding editor wants to say something, but doesn't know what to say or how to say it. Poor fellow; we've been there - are there now, and therefore feel qualified to remark that we don't know whether it is best to commiserate ourselves and congratulate the public, or congratulate the public and commiserate ourselves.

     "The editor of the Enterprise is noted not so much for his wealth and talents, as for his modesty and beauty; these qualities are sure to find due appreciation among the people of the thriving young city of Exeter. (he evidently forgot to leave his picture, but we take the beauty for granted.) We have chosen the name Enterprise for our little paper, first, because it is an enterprise on our own part; second, because it is the exponent of an enterprising people, and third, because Nebraska contains enterprising people, and we, therefore admire enterprise.

     "Politically the Enterprise will stand in the Republican ranks.

     "In social and religious matters the Enterprise will labor in accord with it, motto:--'With charity for all.'"

     Such was evidensly the heartfelt asperations (sic) of Exeter's first newspaper, which, however, was destined to the short life of only ten issues; and it may be difficult to say in the final summing up, whether commiseration or congratulation were the most in evidence, and where located.

 

     In looking over these few issues, we discern earnest efforts toward a successful paper, and noticed regret is sometimes expressed as to its size with the added hope for enlargement at some future date. Let me place it on record that Numbers 9 and 10 were enlarged from a four page six column issue, to an eight page five column issue.

     For some reason or other the editor and paper soon make a speedy exit, but it is interesting to note that before doing so, No. 9 declared:--'We hope to make the Enterprise a 'fixed fact' and trust all persons interested in its welfare will step boldly to the front and aid us in our work." No. 10 announced the name of John T. Fleming as local editor, and in introducing that gentleman said: "We shall endeavor to make the paper as interesting as possible without giving offense to any. It will for the future be printed in Exeter," then, with an appeal for news; especially from farmers, and amongst its other matter a Poem entitled, "The Survival of the Fittest" it breathes its last. That issue is dated December 1, 1877. The foregoing reads almost like a new chapter to "The vanity or human wishes" and reminds us of that old saw, "Blessed are they that expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed." John T. Flemming never landed in Exeter, a Frank Shickley came and worked on the later staff.

     On January 12, 1878 the "Exeter Enterprise" was resurrected, and sent forth as a continuation of its predecessor, being numbered eleven, but this time carried the caption "Devoted to local interests." The new editor was Wm. J. Waite, who in his 'salutatory' said; "Of all mean and detestable things to write, a salutatory is just a little the meanest and most detestable. One has to lay down a plan of action, as it were in the dark, and follow it without regard to unforseen circumstances, or indulge in glittering generalties (sic) meaning nothing. We shall attempt neither and only promise to work at all times, in and out of season, for the best interests of the town, whose generous patronage sustains our 'Enterprise' firmly believing the true mission of the country press to be the advancement of local interests and the dissemination of local news."

     "Politically, the position of the Enterprise will be one of 'armed neutrality' there being no doubt of the ability of any of the political parties to save the country without help from us."

     "That our future relations may be at once pleasant and profitable is ever our wish."

     The second Enterprise or resurrected Enterprise was destined to a longer life under the able management of Mr. Waite who carried it on for a period of nearly thirty one years.

     The following is the list of Exeter business men who advertised in the first number of the Exeter Enterprise.

H. G. Smith - Clothing Boots and Shoes, Groceries, B & M. R. R. Lands.

J. W. Dolan - Lumber, and Building Material.

J. A. Edney - Hardware.

T. B. Farmer - Contractor.

Elias Peterman - Harness Shop.

S. E. Root - Boot & Shoe Maker.

Chas. Hole - Plasterer & Chimney Builder.

J. P. Kettlewell - Meat Artist.

M. Wiseman - Blacksmith.

W. Woodard - Centennial Hotel.

Geo. W. Whipple, M. D. - Surgeon.

John Barsby - Collector.

W. Haines & Co. - Groceries, Hardware, Grain.

Dayton Bros. - Furniture.

Failing Bros. - Groceries & Dry Goods.

T. W. Lowrey & Co. - Grain, Flour, Coal & Implements.

The following stories were gathered together for the purpose of recognizing Pioneers' Memorial Day, June 14, 1914, in honor of the Pioneers whether living or dead.

     The changes on these western prairies have been so rapid, since the coming of the pioneers, the whole history covering less than fifty years, that it was thought fitting and proper to recognize the spirit and achievement of the men and women who settled these plains and pairies (sic), and established the institutions which we now enjoy.

     It is, with a view also, of impressing upon the minds and hearts of the present inhabitants of the neighborhood, and the rising generation the improtance (sic) of their work that, the writer asked the remaining pioneers to tell their reminiscences of those early days; which at once gives the history of Exeter and neighborhood in an interesting way, and places on record facts regarding the early settlers and their life which we believe will prove valuable to the future generations.

     Our minds are carried back to the days of Ox-teams, Wagons without springs, and a limitless Prairie, without Tree or Bush, and when as the Pioneers say, it looked like one vast open sea.

     We are back to the days of Indians, Dug-outs, Sod houses, and lonely trails, and back to the days of prairie fires, which were the terror of those times. We are told that the fires were often the work of the "home seekers" who on lighting a fire for needful purposes would find it soon beyond their control, and others would suffer as a result, or "again" it was the work of Indians who desiring the burnt patch for the purpose of the better locating of game, would find the fire beyond their control, and instead of remaing (sic) local, it would cover miles and miles of territory; going on its way with maddening rush, licking up everything in its track, until man and beast alike within its radius were often consumed. It was no uncommon thing in those days for a man with team and wagon when crossing the prairie and camping out for the night, the horses securely tethered, the man satisfied that all were safe, to find himself within a few hours ingulfed (sic) with devouring flames. Such was the experience of two men who came looking for land and encamped south of town, the horses were tethered and they went to rest in one wagon, thinking everything was well, but the fire came, the horses, and the other wagon containing hay were burned and the men just escaping with their lives. Then, instead of continuing their search for land they returned home, no longer having a desire to settle in such a country.

     The story is told of the "Bothwells", who lived south of Turkey Creek, The fire came upon them in the daytime and destroyed their property and stock, the woman having to battle with the flames for hours, giving an experience of heart and mind and loss that was not overcome for many months. On another occasion, Mr. Lowbecker's house, located north of Turkey Creek, was destroyed along with the horses and other stock.

     The change is so great and the conditions are so different that the days are fast approaching when, these Pioneer Stories will read more like fairy tales than actual truth, and even be discredited by succeeding gererations (sic), but here they are! the ungarnished facts of their lives, and yet, but a few of the many experiences passed through by those who are still with us; those who helped to make our modern conditions what they are, from what they were, which very conditions are already so self satisfying, especially to those without the pioneer experiences as to help us forget rather than remember the early days, and even to forget the God in whom they trusted when they made the bold venture in entering an unknown and unsettled land to build up our community and our homes.

     

     DR. AND MRS. H. G. SMITH HOMESTEADED IN 1870.

     Dr. ad Mrs. H. G. Smith homesteaded in 1870. When Dr. Smith first visited this district, he walked from Lincoln to Milford and then on to where Exeter now stands. When looking for a place to locate, he noticed a line of survey stakes along where the B. & M. Railroad was afterwards laid, and another line of stakes about one and a half or two miles south. Being desirous to be near the railroad, he selected a homestead close to each line of survey and left it with God for final decision, he having asked for divine guidance in this as in other matters. He knew either homestead might be taken before he reached Lincoln, and, that the railroad would not be laid in both places. On his return to Lincoln, he found the south location had already been filed upon by another, so he accepted and filed on the North location, securing a 160 acre homestead.

     For some reason the north location was chosen by the railroad company. Thus Dr. Smith's claim was near the railroad as desired. In the fall of 71, the "Townsite Co." wanted a town site, and though the location here was considered a little flat for a town, the correspondence between Dr. Smith and the company was such as to lead them to accept his homestead for the townsite.

     The Smiths came from Allegan, Mich., coming by rail to Lincoln, then in a lumber wagon from there to their homestead. After coming part way from Lincoln, it was found the load was too heavy, so the lumber for the stable was unloaded and left at a farm house to be secured later. Young Charles was taken sick on the way and the mother had to make him comfortable on the spring seat, and manage for herself as best she could on the lumber. Night overtaking them before reaching their destination, they had to seek shelter. Seeing a small house with a light in the window they drew up and sought hospitality for the night. The house was composed of one room, in which lived the man and his wife and two hired men. There were only two beds, but in spite of the meagre conditions, and in harmony with the hospitality of the times, shelter was secured; the Smiths using a bed in the one corner, the host and hostess had the bed in the other corner, and the men were comfortably tucked away somewhere on the floor. The journey was resumed and completed the following day. A house of boards and battens was built in such a way as to be ideal for a dry climate which at that time suggested this form of construction. But it rains sometimes in Exeter, and it began to rain about three weeks after the house was built. Mrs. Smith found an umbrella too small to cover a bed and had to resort to carpets with