Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, May 23, 1909, Page 13

MEMORIES OF PIONEER LIFE Historical Link in the Journalism of Omaha and Denver. NOTED BOOSTER OF TWO CITIES Newspaper Set Up in Omaha Tranw ported to Denver Fifty Years Ago ~—Business Life of Omaha d Couneil BI ‘The changes wrought In the west In a balf century are fittingly epito- mized In the Golden Jubllee number of the Rocky Mountain News of Denver, is- #ued April, 23d ult. One hundred and six pages of the paper's regular size are filled with pictorial, statistical and descriptive matter appropriate to the occasion. Por- traits of the men whose energy and ability forced reluctant Nature to open the granite doors of ith storehouse of weaith and sct | in motion the forces which transformed the imperial intermountain region from a forbldding wilderness into a group of prosperous states. What these men have wrought in the industries, commerce, agriculture, as well as in the educational, religious and soclal factors of civilised life, are told in pleture, prose and poetry, On the title page, In clouds of golden and rainbow colors, stands the figure of the founder of the News, the journalistic ploneer of Colorado, Willlam Newton Byers, looking from an eminence on the Denver of today with its background af snow-topped moun- tains. Links in Ploneer Jomrnalism The anniversary so impressively signal- ized by the Rocky Mountain News reveals the oft-forgotten link binding the ploneer journalism of Omaha and Denver, and the part Omaha pioneers played in the de- velopment of the Intermountain region. It reveals the confident hopes and fearless optimism of the empire bullders, and halts for a moment the moving picture of Time to prove that the prophectes of '@ are the realitles of today. Willlam Newton Byers was among the first comers to Omaha, reaching here late in 1884 or early in 18%. The former year is probably the correct one, for he was a member of the first territorial legislature which convened fn Omaha January 15 18%6. A native of Ohlo, born February 1831, he crossed the plains to Oregon with a United States surveying party at the age of 21, and explored the gold flelds of Cailfornia in 1853. Returning Yo the states by the Panama route, he remained in Towa for a year and drifted with the pro- cession to Omaha. Here his destiny was shaped. In Denver it wae rounded out in rich abundance, and closed In 18, Actively in Omaha Affairs. Mr. Byers took an active part in the public affairs of the territory of Nebraska and the bullding of the city of Omaha during thelr formative periods. Besides his membership in the first territorial leg- islature, in whichhe fought the first effort to move the capital from Omaha, he was one of the members of the first city council organized March 5, 187, and was chalrman of the committee which deeded “‘Washington Square” to Douglas county for the erection thereon of a court house and jall. “Washington Square” was bounded by Douglas, Farnam, Fifteenth and Sixteenth strégts. All but the two lots on which the Paxton block now stands were sold and the proeeeds used In the construction of the old county bullding which occupled that gorner until 1583, Lure of the Gold Mines. Glowing reports of the wealth of the Cherry Creek diggings and the stampede to the foothills of the Rockles drew heavily on Omaha's scant population dur- ing the winter of 1858-9. Among the hardy ploncers there was precious little fear of winter storms on the plains. The lure of business and possible fortune over- shadowed the risks of the elements or hostile redskins. Byers and his associates had the fearless spirit of the argonauts of a decade before, and did not hesitate to faco the perils of a 600 mile trip across the plains late In March, 189, Packing their tools of trade, their printshop, several “forms” of ready set type, both news and ads, and the usual necessaries of life in thelr wagons, they moved out toward the setting sun with the steady, measured pace that marked the Overland limiteds in the days of the ox-teams. The newspaper outfit reached what is now Denver about the 20th of April and three days later the Rocky Mountain News made its appear- ance, a full-fledged six-column folio, carry- ing ten ‘columns of Omaha and Council Bluffs advertising, a column bf Denver city ads, some local news and columns of ponderous miscellany. Omaha to the Fore, Excepting the title and a few local “ads” and announcements the first issue lopked like a transplanted Omaha paper of that period. O aha and C.uncil B.ufis merchants provided the patronage for that number at least, and the needful padding for many of the numbers that followed, for in the summer of 1860 an Omaha freighter counted only seven houses on the present site of Denver, But there were acres of tents on both sides of Cherry creek. Undoubtedly most of the type was set in Omahh and packed overland to Denver. The inquiry naturally suggests itself, Did the material belong to some moribund Omaha paper? Byers was not actively oconnected with Omaha nmewspaper life, but three of his assistants—Gllbert C. Monnell, Thomas Gibson and Hadley D. Johnson, were mixed up in the business. Johnson launched the Omaba' Democrat In 1865, but it died young. Monnell was identified with the Omaha Re- publican, started in the same year, but dis- fupted by factional quarrels. There was therefore & supply of newspaper junk around here, out of which it is likely the material for the first Rocky Mountain News was dug. Gibson was assoelated with Byers in the publication of the News and Tohnson emigrated about the same time, for he was manager of a ranch at “Cali- fornia Gulch” in 1880, Origin of the Westward Move, The News gives this account of the | the Pike's Peak country and had origin of the move and the difffoulties en- cbuntered on the overland telp: In 155 Byers had heard the réports from decided to set out for the new Eidorado at once, but was prevented by an accldental gun- ehot wound that almost proved fatal. In the meantime, being famillar with the Platte river route to the west and having encountered several men who had returned from Pike's Peak, in the autumn of 1858 ho prepared and published his “Plke's Peak Guide.” One day In the winter of 1888 someone who entered Byers' office in Omaha. sug- gested that it would be a good idea to take a printing press to the new country and print the news of the discoveries at the point where the discoveries ‘were made. Byers was instructed to purchase the press and the necessary material. Although he was wholly Inexperienced as a news- paper editor and publisher, Byers re- solved to join in the enterprise. He went to the town of Bellevue, nine miles south of Omaha, and at that time larger than Omaha, and there bought a printing press. Carting it to Omaha, he made a test of it and found that it worked satistactorily. Some of the type was set up and two pages were printed. Everything was in shape so that a paper could be printed without difficulty when the proprietors had selected a settlement in which to pub- lish their paper. Members of the Party. Assoclated with Byers in the enterprise was Thomas Gibson. They were accom- panied by John L. Dalley, an experienced practical printer, who afterward became one of the proprietors. Dr. George C. Monell of Omaha had an interest In the venture, but he disposed of it before the party arrived in Denver. He returned to Omaha, while all the others proceeded to- ward the goal of their ambition, Thomas Gibson, the active partner of Byers, was from Fontanelle, Neb. All of those who accompanied the outfit to Den- ver were W. N. Byers, Thomas Gibson, John L. Dailey, Robert L. Sumner, Ed- ward C. SBumner, I. Sansom, P. W. Case, L. A. Curtice, James Creighton and his brother, Harry Creighton, Harry Gibson, H. E. Turner and “Pap" Hoyt. In an address delivered at a meeting of the Colorado pioncers In 1599 Byers gave the fcllowing account of the journey: We left Omaha on March 8, about the time the frost had begun coming out of the ground. We encountered a great many difficulties, but on the last day of March we reached the banks of the Platte river, opposite Fort Kearney. “I was wagon boss and I used a little ingenuity in distributing my train along the road, apprehending that my party might object to crossing ‘the stream, which was then running high, if an opportunity to confer was given. So I got the first wagon Into the water before the drivers of the others had a chance to protest. I had learned never to camp on the near side of a stream. The others were very in- dignant, but I pushed them all in suc- cessfully without giving them a chance to compromise; whereupon each became still more opposed to the proceedings. Difficulties Encountered. “The heaviest wagon got into a sink- hole of quicksand and we did not reach the other bank until dark. There was no road on the other side, but we managed to get through the night. If we had not crossed the river that evening we would have been, as matters turned out, delayed several days, for the next morning the river was full of floating ice that did not disappear for nearly a week. ““We located a camp at St. Vrain so as to glve some of the men a chance to pros- peot. I then went on in advance and reached here April 17, finding the people were a good deal more anxious about the arrival of the newspaper thn had been reported. “At the beginning of the ucond day I sent a messenger on horseback to hurry up the train, and two days later it arrived. One of the wagons stuck in Cherry creek at Blake street, so we did not get across until after nightfall. I immedlately drove over to the little office I had secured. Old Uncle Dick Wooton had built a log cabin which contained a little attic, and this he had offered to me. There we set up our press and began setting type. “We improvised a shelter under the roof to protect the press. This was a sort of tent. The clapboard roof of the bullding was covered with snow, which, as 1t melted, ran through upon us. Before the first 1ssue of the paper was made a little dodger was struck off for a man wno had lost & horse and a dos. “This was the first printing done in this territery.” Features of the First Number. The customary salutatory, without which no editor can be regarded a first degree member, heads the editorial page and breathes the spirlt of the times. The words reach into the depths of memory sounding a note familiar to the bald-heads of the profession, which deserve a later- day encore: “With our hat in our hand and our best bow we this week make our first appear- ance on the stage in the capacity of edi- tor. “We make our debut in the far west, where the smowy mountains look down upon us in the hottest summer day as well as in the winter's cold, here where & few months ago the wild beasts and the wilder Indians held undisputed pos- sesslon—where now sufges the advancing wave of Anglo-Saxon enterprise and civil- ization, where soon we fondly hope will be erected a great and powerful state, another empire in the sisterhood of em- plres. “Our course 18 marked out, we will ad- here to it with steadfast and fixed deter- mination, to speak, to write and publish truth and nothing but the truth, let it work us weal or woe." It is worthy of passing notice that the Omaha of fifty years ago sat enthroned as lord high executioner of exaggerated news of the west, winnowing the wheat from the chaff and passed kernels with a pure truth label to the shifting procession of empire builders, Editor Byers evidently did some execution in that line with his blue pencil, for he adheres to the judicial tone and the judicial caution in the declar- ation: “The proprietor of this paper has, until within a month past, lived In Omaha, within 500 miles of the gold regions, and has had abundant opportunity of judging the truth or falsity of the testimony daily presented In regard to the gold mines. We think there is more evidence of a reliable character of the richness and extent of these, mincs, and obtalned under far more favorable circumstances than was offered trom, California. The geological structure is the same as the gold reglons of Call- fornia and men who are famillar with mining in California have examined these mines west of. Kanses and Nebraska, as far as the season would admit, and pro- nounce these of greater promise than ahy heretofore known.' Business history and blography of Omaha and Council Bluffs fill considerable space in the first number. Names familiar now and announcements of business houses that have survived the ups and downs of half & century tell in large and small type the story of the ploneer years. Milton Rog- ers was located in the Ploneer block, pre- pared to outfit 10,000 emigrants for Cherry Creek and the gold regions.” Bnos Lowe announced that the Steam Ferry Boat No. 1, plying between Councll Blufts and Omaha, “has the capacity to carry twelve wagons and teams at each trip, and can make from thirty to forty crossings in a day.” J. B Boyd, Omaha's distinguished citizen and governor of Nebraska, was then located at Kearney, doing a wholesale and | retail business in groceries, provisions, et J. W. Paddock made a speclalty of “‘miners boots,” at the old stand ‘“on Farnham street, opposite the Western Bxchange bank, Omaha, N. T.” while J. J. and R. A. Brown handled dry goods, notions, hats, caps, boots and shoes, grocerles and pro- visions, and a complete assortment of out- fitting goods—being one it not the first Megeath, Richards & Co.,” and Dewitt C. Sutphen clalmed to have the only candy factory west of the Missouri river, besides carrying a ‘‘celebrated line of fine out chewinz and smoking tobacco and clgars.” John A. Horbach & Co. and Pdrter & Bremen were steamboat agents, and Miller & Richardson, later publishers of the Omféha Herald, conducted the Herndon House, now the Union Pacific headquarters bullding. One of the unique professional cards is that of “A. F. Peck, M. D., phy- siclan and surgeon, Cache-a-La-Poudre, Nebraska, where he may at all times be found when not professionally engaged in digging gold.” Among the Council Bluffs announcements of fifty years ago are these familiar names: Officer & Pusey, bankers and dealers in gold dust, a line of business also conducted by Baldwin & Dodge. Casady & Test, Frank Street and A. Cochran combined the law and land office business, giving ‘“par- ticular attention to the location of land warrants in Towa, Kansas and Nebraska.' Two raflroads, the Hannibal & St. Joe and the Rock Island, had the straightest and quickest, as well as the only routes to the gold regions of the west. Both were many miles from the Missouri river, but thelr intentions were good and they got there ten years later. HOTEL MAIL BIG PROBLEM. Chief Clerk Anderson of Rome Tells Steps Necessary to Prevent Wrong Persons Getting Letters. “Handling the mall is pne of the most difficult problems the hotel man has to contend with,” sald Chiet Clerk Anderson of the Rome hotel Saturday morning, “‘and the recent action of the postmaster general in providing rules for safeguarding hotel mails, based upon the bill prepared by President Miller of the Cincinnati Hotel Clerk's assoclation is & step in the right dlrection. “The Omaha hotel men have already adopted the plan of requiring 'a reasonable identification of the party calling for his mail, and the Cincinnati bill corresponds with our idea. The rule provides that the mail shall not ba( handled by the guests or transients npr the address exposed to view. The receipt of mall under fictitious names 1s discouraged, and all such mail is returned to the postoffice. This neces- sarily Involves us In controversies occa- slonally with guests, but It is the only method of absclute protection. “The hotels are not to be used for the receipt of malls by persons who are not guests. In some of the larger hotels we have a regular mail clerk who is recog- nized as an pfficlal of the postotfico de- partment, and where the business of the hotel will not warrant ‘lho employment of a speclal mail clerk, the hotel clerks are constantly cautioned to exercise the ut- most care In the dellvery of mail. It is now impossible for a party to get any information of mall addressed to others than himself in any pf the Omaha hotels, connected with the local association,” NEWS OF THE ARMY POSTS Improvements Are Still Going On at the Omaha Quartermaster’s Depot. Improvements are still going on at the quartermaster's depot in Omaha, as is shown by recent authority recelved by Cap- tain John L. Hines for the quartermaster directing the building of a new brick stable, also inaugurating an extenslve system of paving there. Captaln Hines has procured many improvements since being detailed to the depot and these new additions are the result of the earnest endeavors ever since his arrival here two years ago. In addition to his other duties Captain Hines is now acting as chief quartermaster of the Department of the Missourl during the temporary @bsence of Major D. E. Me- Carthy. Mr. W. W. Dungan of Hastings is visit- ing his som, Lieutenant Commander P. B. Dungan of the United States navy, in charge of the Omaha naval recruiting depot. Brigadier General Charles L. Hodges, re- cently In command of the Department of the Viscayas, Philippine Islands, accom- panied by First Lieutenant W. 8. Grant, alde-de-camp, was a visitor at army head- quarters Saturday. General Hodges has but recently returned from the Philippines and is en route to St. Paul, Minn., where he will assume command of the Department of the Dakotas. Brigadier General Willlam M. Wherry, U. 8. A, retired, and father of Mrs. John L. Hines, wife of Captain Hines, acting chief quartermaster of the Department of the Missourl, is an Omaha visitor. His home is in Washington, D. C. General Wherry ‘was a member of the staff of Gen- eral John M. Schofield during ufe civi] war. NEW FUND _ HEADQUARTERS Place for Paying Child Saving 1 tute Mouey is Changed for Con- venlence of Donors. Headquarters of the Child Saving Insti- tute have been changed from the Rome hotel to the Nebraska Savings and Loan association, room 106 Board of Trade bufid- ng. The change was made for the con- venience of subscribers to the building fund and it is now hoped that subscriptions will come In more rapidly. The condition of the fund is as follow 2 Prevlo\wl) acknowledged . Watson s-m A. Adler. A friend Total... Balance to rais: BTI! 4. Time llml.‘ department store in Omaha. Tootle & | Jackson, and Megeath, Richards & Co., | were conspicuous dry goods merchants, and Pundt & Koenig invited those In need | of groceries to “look for the sign of the O. K. store’” The noted drug house of Jas. K. Ish & Co., was located next to SAYS MAN_OF EXPERIENCE | WE ARE AGENTS FOR THE FOLDING "ART. | Lot No. 1—20 styles of | Lace Curtains, worth up to $4.25; sale price, Lot No. 2—35 styles of Lace Curtains, worth up to $8.00; sale price, each . $3.90 Lot No. 3—15 styles of Lace Curtains, worth to $13.00; sale price, each ........ $7.00 [ Lot No. 4—14 styles of Lace Curtains, worth to $12.00; sale price, each ........ $6.50 Lot No. 5—25 styles of Lace Curtains, worth up to $7.00; sale price, Lot No. 6—25 styles of Lace Curtains, worth to $10.00; sale price, - each . $5.50 WE ARE EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR THE VULCAN GAS STOVE— THE KIND THAT SAVES GAS AND I8 ODORLESS. Balloon Built After the Model of a Sunfish Newest English Military Dirigible Causes Surprise on Account of Its Design, LONDON, May 6.—"Army dirigible No. 2" as the new airship bullt in the war balloon factory at Aldershot is at present named, received its first trial the other day. It astonished all who saw it by the novel destgn of the gas envelope. Although but a model, the trials of which are Intended to serve the purpose of de- ciding the lines upon which the British dirigibles are to be bullt, the balloon is almost as large as the Nulll Secundus, the government airship which came to disaster at the Crystal palace. The gas envelope, made ot goldbeater's skin, 1s constructed in the shape of a sunfish, a sharp pointed nose swelling out into an enormous head fully ninety feet around, and then tapering away to a tail which has three flukes, one on elther side and the third on top. Instead of hanging from the familiar net- work of cords, the car is suspended from fine steel cables attached to a rib running all around the under part of the balloon. The car, with a pair of sledlike runners, mounted on strong springs underneath, is of very light construction, being a simple framework carrying the engines and seats for two men, the whole covered in canvas. It 1s cannon shaped, tapering away be- hind to a point, beyond which is fixed the cunvas rudder, with a pair of small de- flecting planes on either side to assist in bringing the aerostat down with a gentle glide. The balloon appeared to be about 100 feet long, and the car less than half that length. Kills Self at the AgeofNinety-Nine “Uncle Billy” Gray, Nearing Century Mark, Tires of Life and Drinks Poison. DEARBORN, Mich., May 2 nele | Billy" Gray, 9 years old and the patriarch of this section, decided yesterday that there was nothing left to live for, drank a quan- tity of parls green, from the effects of : which he died late last night. i After mixing the poison in a tin dlpparr‘ at his well and drinking it the aged man calmly lald down to die. His 80-year-old wife discovered him, however, and called a ysiclan, who vainly endeavored to save ‘nele Billy's” life. “Uncle Billy’s” widow, past 80 years of age and with not a lving relative, says she does not know what will become of her now, aithough she is left In comfortable financlal circumstance: June L NO-TREAT SALOON A FAKE Much Heralded Reform Liguor House &t Des Molnes Advertising Scheme. DES MOINES, May R—The much her- alded anti-treating saloon of Des Moines, which was to open today, is nothing more nor less than an advertising scheme based upon a well known saloon keeper's attempt at publicity and a number of willing news- paper men. The saloon in question opens tonight and the anti-treating feature will not be strictly observed by the proprietor or the barkeepers. Good Blood leans good health, and Hood's Sarsapariila has an unapproached record as a blood-purifi It effects ite wonderful cures, not nmply because it contains sarsaparilla it combines the utmost nmadhl values of more than 20 different ingredients. is no real substitute lor it.‘ It nr;ed to buy any preparation just as good’” you may be nn ll m}-flor costs to make, and aldn the dealer a larger profit, today. I oo o (A Miller, Stewart & Beaton 413-15-17 South 16th Street, merchandise. many others. We have divided the stock into eleven different lots, con- taining more than 250 different patterns, all will be marked at nearly one-half regular price. There are many pairs of POR- TIERES, also CUT DRAPERIES, included in this sale. desire is to reduce the stock to normal. 4 A glance at the prices we herewith quote should convince anyone that we are sacrificing the profits to accomplish our aim. Portieres TAPESTRY PORTIERES, MERCERIZED, some with oriental fancy bands, others plain with brush edge, all staple colors, such as red, green, brown, rose and mixed colorings: $3.75 value, sale price. $1.26 value, sale price $2.75 value, sale pric $6.00 value, sale price . $5.00 value, sale price..,... $4.75 value, sale price. . $8.00 value, sale price $11.60 value, sale price.... different size windows or doors: $16.00 value, sale price.... $9.50 value, sale price.... $10.50 value, sale price $15.00 value, sale price. $15.75 value, sale price Cut Drapery Suitable for door or window, made in all colors | Drapery and Lace Curtain Sale Tomorrow Extensive buying has the advantage of securing many favorable price concessions. but it often compels a merchant to resort to drastic selling methods to dispose of well bought The old saying, ‘‘Goods well bought are half sold,”’ does not always prove true. We made large purchases of lace curtains and drapery goods, anticipating a greater demand this spring than usual. The backward season has greatly interfered with this spring’s sales, therefore, we find ourselves greatly over-stocked. To reduce our stock to normal we have decided to offer for Mon- day, May 24th, special price inducements in this department. You will find on sale all the latest styles of lace curtains, the best of both foreign and domestic manufacturers—BRUS- SELS, TAMBOUR, BATTENBERG in white and Arab, REAL SAXONY BRUSSELS, REAL CLUNY in white and Arab, POINT DELUX, DUCHESS, MARIE ANTONETTE, IRISH POINT, POINT LUCERNE, NOVELTY LACE ivory, Arab and white, CABLE NET, SCOTCH NET, and WE ARE AGENTS FOR THE BIS- SELL'S ROLLER BEARING CARPET SWEEPER. | | Lot No. 7—28 styles of Lace Curtains, worth to $17.00; sale price, each ........ $9.95 ALOt No. 8—15 styles of Lace Curtains, worth to $28.00; sale price, each .. . $16.95 4 Lot No. 9—28 styles of Lace (‘urtuins, worth to $22.50; sale price, each ....... $12.95 STOUT .women more than any other type of a figure require specially designed corsets if they would attain the figure of prevailing fash- j e ion. The ADJUSTO will prove a revelation. b o Just a single sliding buckle:and band on ' H each side instantly tightened or released by x ;\-?: L in the wearer without removing the corset. AN _ . to You CanNot Do THis WiTH ANY !: OTHER CORSET te Side View Showing ¢ Position of Abdomen Before . n Adjusting Bands are Tigmmd d . - n s e Position of Abdomen : " NADA o Showing Reduction Accomplished \ & After Bands are Tightened. | ; AND BANDS ARE ABSOLUTELY ROYAL WORCESTER ADJUSTO &= ORSETS srout Women v SMOOTH AND FLAT There is an exact ADJUSTO model for every type of stout figure—short, average or tall ROYAL WORCESTER CORSET CO. 186 MARKET ST.. CHICAGO MAKERS ALSO OF BON TON CoRrseTs 33 10 %12 RovaL WorcesTer CorseTs 1 SEND FOR THE 1909 ROYAL BLUE BOOK Lot No. 10—35 styles of vers \, f ’ 1cifiol Our Lace Curtains, worth el up to $5.00; sale price, ™ each .. $2.75 reet ouse age, e s srm. Lot No. 11—30 styles of hew Lace Curtains, worth has up to $9.00; sale price, n-r~l nge each ........ $4.75 ol tion La- ) | ihas Two and three pair lots "l’;'; T i of Lace Curtains, per ik pair, 39¢, 47¢, 76¢, bity $1.05 and $1.03 » of 1m- WE ARE EXCLUSIVE AGENTS pas FOR THE BOEN-SYPHON PORCE- Fil- LAIN-LINED . REFRIGERATOR — 'm}l BEST REFRIGERATOR MADE. 10's un- am., aha P de- but us- ais, ot ree ev- Im- Ive ca- an- ew ho ‘ed in ‘ag er 1 ) FOR AVERAGE STOUT FIGURES STYLES 611 AND 621 FOR TALL STQUT FIGURES STYLES 615 AND 625 1 %763 PRICE %3 { $ T0 13 SOLD BY DEALERS Transit and Levels Repaired The Wurn Optical Co. have added to their lens grinding shop the services of & man who is an expert on repairing and adjusting all kinds of surveyors, engl nd fleld instruments. We would trial at your repair work. | Right on the 8. W. Corner 16th and Farnam Sts. Tel. Doug. 3663. Bar e .."x,':.. Lokt g kA ane Jowmfle Le l‘evre. loll bl Myers-Dillon Drug Co., Beatom Dl"lmc:; The Bell Drug Co.. Haines Drug Co., Omaba; Drug Co., Council Blufts. TWENTIETH CENTURY FARMER Reaches the Live Stock Men. Our product and reputation are the best advertisement we can offer o Have \ 200T) \ wint. / \_print. A L Root, Inc., 12101212 Howard St., Omabe