The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-04-04
OMAHA FIRST SETTLER.


 more causes for distinction, yet is not distinguished beyond the limits of his own city, than William P. Snowden- Uncle Bill" as he is called by every individual who has been resident Of Omaha long enough to know it's unique characters.
 Uncle Bill' is the constable attached to the Douglas County Court, and all though not far from eighty years of age, is as "spry" in the service of legal writs as is any of the younger exc cutors of the courts orders.
 Uncle Bill" counts as his principal honor and claim to distinction the fact that he was the first white man to set foot upon the west bank of the Missouri River where the great city of Omaha now stands, for the purpose of per manent location. One other resident of Omaha until his death a few months ago. A. D. Jones, was the first to land on his side of the river, his purpose be- ing to law out a town site, but Uncle Bill" Snowden erected the first building log house, and was the first white resident of the future city.
 In the early days, for his arrival at Omahas site was in 1856, it was question whether white man would remain above or under ground, who should attemt to stay over night on the west bank of the Missouri. The Indi- ans were opposing the process of civ ilization, and for years after Uncle Bill' put up his log house, hair-raising yells frequently aroused him to grasp ing his long rifle and standing at ready" to prevent the destruction of his home.
 But opposing himself to the hatred | of the Indians is not Uncle Bilfs' | only claim as to the use Of arms. He served all though the Mexican war and was engaged In a number of the | fiercest battles. Not even then having 1 enough warfare to cool his ardor, he entered the service as a Union soldier during the civil war, endured hardships ! and participated in battles so many | times that it is marvellous that he es- capped death. During the Mexican war | he did receive what he calls pet" a l Greaser bullet, but he has suffered but | slight inconvenience from it's posses | sion.
 l having been born at Nicholasville April 19, 1925. For many years beyond 1 the memory of most of the residents of Omaha, Uncle Bill has been connect ed with the courts, first as constable for justices of the peace, then as justice of the peace himself, and for several years past as constable oe the county court. Several years ago, when he an- l nounced that he wanted to be elected a justice of the peace, the three contend ing parties, without dissenting voice in the conventions, named him as q candidate, and Uncle Bill'' bears the l further distinction of being probably the only man ever unanimously elect ed to office when his five confreres who were simultaneously elected, were compelled to battle for their positions.
 But Uncle Bill'' has not yet had suf- ficient os distinction, so he has fornu- lated a scheme. He has looked over the list of legal holidays, and, probably ow- ing to the fact that a majority of the lawyers and county officials he meets claim nativity or decent from ''the deal old Emerald Isle" he found that St. Patrick's day Is not among the list. Sc
 he has begun a movement. into whicf
 he is putting all his ardor. to have March r, of each year set aside as at least Nebraska holiday. He argues
 that good St. Patrick is entitled to {
 place with George Washington ant
 that "the tender sapling is no nor,
 worthy of veneration than the hardened
 shillelah." He also says that as tht sons of Erin are more in evidence thal
 the Sons of the Revolution in loca
 court practice. and since justice propos
 es equal consideration for all, the leas
 that can he done for the former is t. | recognize their patron saints day"
 Uncle BilI' is now laid up from
 bad fall, but it is believed that he vii
 soon recover and resume his constabu 1 lary duties-Omaha (Neb) Correspon dence Philadelphia Record.