Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-05
NEBRASKA PIONEERS GATHER
Meet in Annual Session 10 Discuss Remin-
iscepCss Of Early Days,
REJOICE IN PROSPERITY OF THE STATE
Relation of Early settlers 20 Advance
ment of Nebraska VIII He
Handed Down In History to
Future Generations,


Nebraskas pioneers-the men and women
who have been Identified with the promotion
OF the state from the days OF its infancy
met in the auditorium at the Greater Amer
lean exposition grounds yesterday in
their annual meeting. The crowd was not
large In numbers, for the reason that the
pioneers OF the state are rapidly passing
away, but the gathering was most en-
ioyable one. Those who participated in the
meeting we're the territorial pioneers who
became residents Of Nebraska prior to
March /, 1851 and those who have resided
In the state for fifteen years or more.
The president of the association, exGov-
ernor Robert w. Furuas called the pioneers
TO order and introduced DR.. George L. Mil
Ter, one OF the earliest settlers of the state.
DR.. Miller welcomed his auditors to the ex-
position in his official capacity as president,
and gave them cordial greeting. He char
acterized the occasion as an important one
In its relation to the history of Nebraska
and, also, a touching event in that many OF
the pioneers have within the past year been
called into the hereafter, and 1t Is alto
gether improbable that such large number
OF the early settlers of the state will ever
again have the pleasure Of meeting together.
Inc purpose OF InlS OrSanlZatlOD, Salu
DR.. Miller, SIS the perpetuation in memory
of the things accomplished by these gray
haired men and women in their youth when
they began life on the prairies OF Nebraska
TO carve out their fortunes and at the same
time the future of one of the greatest states
in the union. AS the men and women who
began their lives in the huts and novels back
in 1854 I welcome you here today. l re-
nfr fhat oil nf hoN,a to ts s.ip a
old age to enjov the fruits of your early
efforts. While all may not have been favored
with wealth and influence you have gained
the respect and admiration OF the younger
generation and occupy a prominent place in
all hearts for the achievement you have
made in the establishment of this great state
of ours"
President Furnas acknowledged himself
to be at an utter loes to express his Joy in
being able to meet once more with the
pioneers Of Nebraska who laid the founda-
tion for what we and our children are now
enjoying. He stated the desire Of the
organization to preserve complete record
of the experiences of the early settlers n
order that their deeds and achievements may
be handed down to posterity. In this way
future credit and honor will be given those
TO whom 1t is due.
North's "Reminiscences.
j. Z. North of Columbus gave a highly
interesting talk of his early experiences in
the state. He said in part: "It Is a source oi
great pleasure to me to associate with the
pioneers OF Nebraska. Whenever l meet q
man or a woman who became a resident OF
this state before the advent Of the railroads
feel relationship almost as close as that
OF brothers. We certainly have great cause
for qualification in the progress which has
been made in Nebraska, all OF which has
come in the wake Of railroad building Pro-
gress in settlement was very slow prior tc
the building of railroads west of the Mis-
souri, river. I landed in Nebraska on the
10th of May. 1856, and have been here ever
since. For two years after my arrival
lived in Florence, then a recognized rival
OF Omaha for commercial prominence. From
there / went to Columbus. Columbus was
at that time believed to be the location oi
an ancient city. and legend has 1t that the
Spaniards settled 1t many years ago while
making an exploration Of the western hemis
phere. The early settlers, however, wert
unable to find any indications of a populated
city since-well, since the time OF the flood
I do not believe that the Spaniards or any
other tribe ever lived there with the ex
ception of such temporary settlements a:
the western country. In the early days al
settlers sought locations near running wate
where plenty of timber was available. On'
seldom saw a home located on the tabl
lands Now. however, these same tabl
lands which were considered unfit for hah
tation furnish homes for large percentage
of the states population"
UnscaIl's Interesting Talk.
Isaac Hascall. one of Omaha's pioneers
was called upon for a speech and delivered
n highly entertaining, reminiscent talk o
his early experiences in the west. He re
lated the event of his leaving home back II
New York when hut a mere boy on July 4
I847. He was anxious to see the west AM
followed the Great Lakes to Chicago, whcl
then had no railroads, although city o
10000 people. He spent some time in tn
Mississippi valley and after visiting his oil
home started for Nebraska in 1854. Tn
nearest railroad point then was at Franklin
about forty miles from St. Louis Judg
Hascal got as far as Kansas, where h
spent the winter of 1854 80, and in tn
spring came up the Platte river to Nebraska
His stay in the territory was brief at tina
time and after travelling throughout tn
west for several years he came to Omaha Il
1865. Judge Hascall's address was replet
with incidents Of the early development o
the state and the city. He spoke Of the me
who had been prominently identihe
o1y Df the