Omaha daily bee., 1890-02-23
A PAGE OF EARLY HISTORY.
j. Sterling Morton Talks of Nebras-
ka's Territorial Days.
AN EDITOR ESCAPES A MoBBlNG.
A Observation-Disclosures, Hand.to-Hand
Fi9ht-HanscOm as a Pugilist-A
Territorial SecessiOn-Polit-
ical "reminiscences.
N EDITOR ESCAPES A MoRBlNe.
Stirring Times.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb., Feb. 2L.-[Special
70 THE BEE. mo social or political history
Of Nebraska could properly be written with
out relating to MIR. j. Sterling Morton and
the important part he has performed in it,
dating from the earliest pioneer days to the
present time.
Few homes in Nebraska are better known,
and fewer still that so well represent the
growth and development Of the state as
Arbor Lodge, the home of Mr.. Morton. It's
hospitality, from the time 1t was a combina-
tion log and sod house In the rough pioneer
days to the present time, has been shared by
many who bear testimony to the high esteem
in which Its owner IS held. The foundations
Of Arbor Lodge were laid when the future
politician and statesman took up a home
stead adjoining Nebraska City. II was an
unbroken waste. u part of the cherries Ne
brarka ~prairies, but holding out to youth
and energy the great possibilities of the
future. One of Mr.. Morton's great ambitions
was to build o model American home, ana in
this he has been highly successful, due en-
tirely to a long struggle OF untiring efforts,
aided by q helpmate who was unhappily
fated not long to enjoy the home SO well
builded.
Mr.. Morton now leads o rather quiet
nOmo llI6 III tne compromising VI u SlSler
and an honored mother, and has retired from
the active duties of q busy life to enjoy the
fruits OF his labors. He has, however, still
Q number OF large business interests in this
city and which receive a great
portion OF his personal attention., and the re-
mainder OF his time Is devoted mainly TO pol
itics, and his two great hobbies-free trade
and forestry. In regard 10 the latter com.
mendable hobby MIR. Morton il too we'll
known as the originator of Arbor day to re-
nnlra aYtandPd mantian. Tho fact that hi9
idea has been adopted by nearly every state
In the union, and many foreign countries
would give him JUST cause for pride IN con-
templatlng this, his great good TO his coun-
try. After all his other acts may have been
forgotten he will be rememnered with graft
tude as the man who Originated Arbor day,
with all its practical advantages and beauti-
full associations.
AS a politician Mr.. Mortou's reputation ex.
tends over the entire country, aud Is O free
trade disciple his fame Is not confined to this
country alone. His connection with the po-
litica. history OF Nebraska dates back 70 1854,
when no was writing democratic editorials
for the Nebraska City News mt $50 a month,
aud being among the first settlers and
possessed of q good education and mental
power, naturally soon took his place as a
leader. His only misfortune then. ana since,
was his position on the wrong sido OF the po-
litical Tense.
As an editor Mr.. Morton was as outsDokeu
and obstreperous as in politics. He had a
mind of his own and was not afraid 10 ex-
press an opinion, a tact which often got him
self and his paper Unto hot waiter" IL was
during his first years connec ion with the
News that an article appeared IN that paper
which startled n young eastern attorney and
ambitious politician. who at that time wrote
his name rs Oliver Penn Mason. The latter
took exception TO the article and Is SAID 10
have spent some time looking for the author,
whom he threatened TO "send Hitting over
the battlements OF time into an endless eter-
nity.n .
II was about this time that General Lane
bad his headquarters at Nebraska City,
was accused OF fraudulently drawing aid"
from the Massachusetts Aid society" for
the alleged development OF Nebraska and