Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-02
On the Way to Omaha

VI the way TO Oma0a
After a year there, that strange destiny which seems to draw
men on through life caused him to leave a prospecting business and
push westward. California ana the gold fields were his intended
destination, when in May, 1866, accom- panied by Peter Gopferd, a
boy he knew in Wisconsin, he took the train for Council Bluffs
then the western railway terminus. In that day when m took
train in the west the chances were about even a s to arriving or not
arriving at ones destination. Heavy rains had soaked the newly
made roadbed and the train on which were the two young men
Jumped from the rails into the ditch near Marshalltown, la. They
walked into the town and, seeing a freight train headed west, stowej
themselves snugly in a car Of bridge tmbers. While they slept some
one closed and locked the door. They became hungry and finally
used a heavy timber As a batterng ram on one of the end doors.
After several other adventures they arrived in Council Bluffs. There
the two younS men parted. Gopferd became wealthy in the SAN.
water mines and Mr.. STUNT attained pocuniary success no less great
in Omaha.
After weathering a severe siege of fever. Mr. STUNT secured work
a s a carpenter at the government corral. One day II became neces-
say to mend a pair of shafts An unsknled workman had made a
bad Job Of it when STUNT was rtven n trvout He ala The worl aIth
"neatness and dispatch" and his instant reward was a promotion to
the position of head wheelwright, a place which he continued to hold
for eighteen years.
Capitol building. There he met a pretty girl who had recently come
from Denmark, bringing with her the many good qualities of the
sturdy God-fearing people of the northern isle. She was Miss Maria
Matson' and became Mrs Ernest STUNT February 10, 1869. They
have four children, as follows: Mrs. Edith Kneale, Pocatello, Ida;
DR.. Albert E. STUNT, colfax, Wash; Clinton STUNT, private secretary
TO } :. Brown leading banker and finander of Spokane, Wash, and
Miss Mabel Stunt of Omaha.
Active Quarter of Century
MI. STUNT left the government employ in 1883 to devote all his
time to his private interests. The following year he formed a part.
nership with Gus Hummel under the firm name of STUNT 6 HummeI
to engage in the grading business. They graded parts of West
Bancroft. Fourteenth street from Mason to Castelar,, and Twentieth
street from Mason to CASTELAR,. During seven months in 1887 the
-- PN SI 40 q *IOc,VOO. hT. Lun ereCt6d he UniOD
hotel, Eleventh and Mason streets, in 1890, and conducted It until
lSOl' when he sold out the business and leased the building. He
has been active in public work for the upbuilding of Omaha. In
the legislative sessions of 1882 and 1884 he collaborated with Judge
Clinton Briggs in securing the passage of the bills which enabled the
city to construct vladucts over the railroad tracks. He was a leader
In the fight to enjoin the state auditor from delivering the $50. 900
bonds voted by the city for constructing a union station. The bonds
mad been voted on the understanding that the building erected
would be 230x447 feet in size, and the Injunction was applied for
and secured when the railroad company reduced the size u the mr.
posed building to 140x16O feet Mr.. STUNT was elected in 1896 IN
n city council, where he was active and made a good record. He
~ nled fer the a. for state representative this fall.
Industry, frugality and an abiding faith in omahas future ara
qualities which have worked for Mr.. Stunts success In Omaha Az
arr a. 1873 ne had acquired property which in later years proved
n xcehenc u ais Judgment. Recently he moved to q handsoms
nome at 1926 South Thirteenth avenue, where he lives in that eom.
ot winch invariably comes to those who live wisely.
i Always knew that Omaha was going to be a large CITY," says
MI. STUNT, In looking back upon the quick DEVELOPMENT Of a CITY o.
o a desert. I invested my money and allowed time to take its
course when depression came I did not lose my faith, but held on
through IT, and the present development Of Omaha has Justified mo
must confess that the city is exceeding my expectations even. 7 dd
not expect 70 live to see 1t Sc large as it is today. But now, tu.~ipe
Hs utur by its past, / feel assured that in twenty-five eay ,ron,
new Omaha will have 500, 900 people,"