The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-01-21
NEHAWKA.
WILLIAM REED DUNRoY.

Nehawka is queer little town down
in Cass county. It is more like New
England town than any other one in the
state. and the fact thct its founders
came from "Old Vermont" may &C
count for its peculiarities. It is situat-
ed on the banks Of the Weeping Water,
and there are hills all around 1t, and
strange as it may seem to people in Ne.
braska. there are rocks galore around
the town and the general appearance is
that Of a bit Of down east set on the
prairies Of the west.
The town was started some ten or
twelve years ago on the spot where
many years prior, settlers from Vermont
came and made their homes. II is said
that the general superintendent Of the
Missouri Pacific road. was looking
about among the trees for town site
and he climbed up ladder, peered
about while, and at last decided upon
the present site for the station. The
farmers in the vicinity at once took a
great interest in the projected town. and
az they were thrifty and cautious. they
went at the project with extreme con-
aervatism. They searched about for
persons to come to the town and asked
one man OF each business to locate
there II more wished to come, they
were discouraged. One druggist, one
butcher and the like was deemed suffi.
cient and all others were warned to
keep away. A sort Of a discouraging
committee was formed and in that way
competition was kept down to the min.
imum. The town grew, but it never
had boom. ltsgrowth was steady and
healthful. and the result is that there
has never been business failure 10 the
place since it started.
When it came to building q school
house the people went at it in the pro.
per manner. They levied tax for the
purpose and put up fine two.story
brick schoolhouse. without a cent OF
bonded Indebtedness. The lumber mer-
chant was induced to open an account
with the school directors and wait until
the money was forthcoming for bis pay.
The brick vas burned by a local brick
burner, and he also kept an open &C.
count. The second year the bills were
all paid. and there is at the present
time. q snug sum in the bank to the
credit Of the school district. The school
house is commodious one with large
city hall on the second floor which may
be used for all school and city purposes.
The bank is another peculiar institu.
ton. When it was first started it had
capital stock OF 5000. The farmers 10
the vicinity, all wealthy. put their
money in the home institution and they
soon had 10 the neighborhood of $4,000
deposited 10 the bank. People coming
to the town and hearing OF bank with
but 5000 capital stock and deposits to
the amount Of $4,000 laughed at the
farmers and asked them If they were
not afraid OF such bank. But the an
swers were characteristic. They re-
piled Don't We know the men at the
head OF the bankY That is sufficient
for us." And they kept their money
right in the bank. At the present time
the bank has a much larger capital
stock and is one OF the thriving busl.
nesses of the little village. And by the
way, the cashier OF the bank is one Of
the men Of the town who has irons In the
fire. Besides his duties 40 cashier, he
adds that OF partner in general store.
partner in real estate Office. insurance
agent. editor OF the Newspaper, and was