Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-22
OMAHA OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.
DR., George L. Miller Lectures on Early
History Of City.
TELLS OF HARUsHIPs OF PIONEER.
Recalls Extraordinary work of
Building Union Psciac at Rate
of From Two TO Five
Miles Daily.

last evening in the CASTELAR, Presbyterian
church on the subject Of Omaha Fifty
Years Ago and Now" under the auspices OF
the Christian Citizenship committee of the
Christian Endeavor society. DR.. Miller was
introduced to the large audience In a happy
address by Corliss F. Harper, chairman Of
the committee.
DR.. Miller, who was born and educated In
New York, nrst saw the present site Of
Omaha in 1854, after q long stage ride OF
ago miles from Keokuk, Ia. The rolling
prairie made him feel lonesome in contrast
with the beautiful Adirondack forests Of
New York. This was in October, 1854. He
said that at that time there was not a
white person, except at Indian agencies, in
the vast strip Of country extending from
the Canadian line down through Nebraska
and Kansas, and from the Missouri river
to nearly the Rocky mountains. The popu-
lation Of the Omaha Of that time consisted
OF nine white people, including one little
girl Of about 6 years. There was q scatter
ing population along the eastern edge Of
Iowa, but western Iowa was a wilderness.
Weary Journey Across lows.
The average Journey across Iowa in those
days consumed Ave days and four nights.
The chief population, Of course, was made
up Of Omaha Indians, who afterwards be-
came involved in a prolonged war with the
Sioux and Pawnees.
When DR.. Miller crossed the Missouri
river the father Of the little girl mentioned
was building a house of clapboerds at what
is now Twelfth and Farnam streets. John
M. Thayer, who afterwards became gov-
ernor Of Nebraska, next built a house In
the following year. The houses previously
---n- 1,-.N -NNAn..k
floors and even what are now considered
the simplest conveniences.
DR.. Miller established himself In the
course Of time near what is now the cor
neF Of Twenty fourth and Cunning streets.
Governor Cunning, while territorial secre-
tary, appointed DR.. Miller clerk OF the ter
~ritorial council. He paid Governor Cum
ing an eloquent tribute as being a man OF
most remarkable attainments, whose pre-
dictions as to the future prosperity Of Me-
braska and the west generally have been
verified with singular exactness.
vision of Marvellous Changes.
Omaha was Fortunate" said DR.. Miller,
Gin having at the very beginning of its
existence a number of men who had a high
conception Of the true foundations Of a
prosperous and well-governed common
wealth. They seemed to have a vision Of
the marvellous changes the future would
bring about and they had the principles Of
high personal character and sound morals,
coupled with splendid energy and deter
mination, to hold them steady in the many
exciting periods attending the building up
Of Omaha from a few dugout residences to
the time when rivalries were overcome, and
Omaha began her latter-day prosperous
period. 1t was the work Of these men who
made the Omaha of today possible, and. in
deed, they had much to do with the de-
velopment Of the state at large, not only
In politics and commerce, but in the estab-
lishment of public schools and churches.
"But the men were able to take care of
themselves. The highest tribute due to
heroism must be paid to the faithful, loyal
and pious mothers Of those early days.
They were, after all, the true founders OF
the great state Of Nebraska. Most of them
are now sleeping in the cemetery, as is
also the faithful, loving partner of my am
billions and struggles"
Rivalry for Railroad.
DR.. Miller rapidly referred TO the rival
ries that sprang up in connection with the
construction Of the Union Pacific railway.
Omaha a waited fifteen years for a rail-
road and telegraph. He related how Cen
e-aI Sherman was given a n excursion on
the railroad which George Francis Train
mad called horrible and slow jogging"
The seats were empty nail kegs. DR.. Mil
Her related that General Sherman said he
did not expect to live to see the railroad
completed to the Pacific, but 1t was only
a few years afterward when General Sher-
man rode from Omaha to San Francisco In
a Pullman car. DR.. Miller recalled what
he considered the most extraordinary feat
of human energy Of modern times, the
building of the Union Pacific at the rate
Of from two to Ave miles a day.
Suggestion for the Young.
DR.. Miller was addressing himself chiefly
to the young people and all through the
lecture ran a train of suggestions to young
men and women. He deplored the too
widespread idea that the young people of
today did not have as good opportunities
for making themselves prosperous as the
pioneers OF the country. He said the con-
ditions attending business today AFFORD far
superior chances OF success, so long as the
young initiated with unyieldlng ~tenacity OF
purpose the sound moral principles tina
controlled the pioneers Of Omaha and Me-
braska generally. High character, he said
coupled with application, In any honest
employment, is the best capital to have in
the struggle for success, and with those
given, success in any line OF industry il
| ~cerfain.