Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-30
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Twenty-Second Birthday of the City
Appropriately Observed.
SHELDON TALKS TO swIFT's MEN
Democrats Now Counting the Greek
Voters and OHer Money to Some
of Leaders IL They VIII
Deliver Votes.

Nearly $50 guests met at the Woodmen
hall last night to listen to the interesting
program Of the Pioneer Historical society
in celebration of the founding of the city
OF South Omaha. The first date OF impor-
lance was October 16, 1886. This meeting
is, therefore, in ommemoraation of the
twenty-second birthday of the city. The
presentation Of the program occupied the
entire evening. After opening the meeting
with America ]. j. Breen gave a history
of the city in a concise and exceedingly
interesting paUer. After he had finished
the production was ordered filed in the
archives of the society and the author ten
dered a vote of thanks. A quintet consist
ing of Messrs. ~Br0adhurst, Rozzelle, Carley,
Smith and Switzerland rendered several
selections.
One of the most interesting things was
the presence of Jerry Dee, who had been
a resident of Nebraska fifty-four years and
who member Colonel Sarpy, after whom
Sarpy county took it's name. lie told of
the Logan Fontanelle massacre. Logan
Fontanelle was a chief of the Omahas. He
was killed by the Sioux of the western
tribes on the bluffs near where South
Omaha now stands. Jerry Dee saw them
buried as they were strapped to a pole with
a water bottle buried at the other end to
keep the chief from getting thirsty on his
journey to the happy hunting grounds, His
place in the tribe was taken by his brother.
Henry Fontanelle. He was a French.
Canadian half-breed.
He told of Colonel Sarpy's free ferry al
Plattsmouth; how he hauled everyone west
for nothing. but charged them 10 cents going
east. He gave each man bound for Pixies
peak a bottle of whisky as he left for the
west, with the Instructions to tell all east.
bound people that they met about Sarpy's
ferry. He made big money until his enemies
bored holes in the bottom OF his ferryboa'
and sunk it in the river.
Jerry Dee brought up the trunk of the
first Methodist minister in Omaha, also
piloted up from the Missouri town the first
Catholic priest. He was partly selfish IN
the latter case. for after the priest hac
been in Council Bluffs about a week Jerry
took his sweetheart, crossed over to the
Bluffs and was married.
The old man attended the meeting OF
crutches, as he is rather feeble and rheu'
matte, but he had a mind as youthful anC
full of humor as the youngest arrival from
the Emerald isle in the city.
w J. Slate gave a lengthy reminiscent
of early days, touching largely on tn,
schools and their development. He cam'
from New England and mentioned many o.
tis first impressions. Following this Mis-
KatheryD Rowley gave a reading, 9Th,
Soul of the Violin" that was well received
Miss Grace Thielke offered a selection from
Mendelssohn earlier in the evening. which
was perfectly rendered and appropriate
Both the young women were born in Soutl
Omaha and il lies between them and on
other girl which was the first born in tn.
city.
Alfred Kennedy and all the eX-mayor
who could be procured made short ad
dresses. T.. d. Wiess also gave a shor
address.
Refreshments were served TO the guest