Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-09

and in the methods and order in which
the whole has been fitted out. All of this
has been the gradual outcome of forty
years. And In a few years, other good
towns of the county will enjoy the same
attractive adornments. Indeed. with the
energy and ambition of the residents, the
question of trees, vines and ~shrubbery ds
only one of the time required for their
growth. All who have travelled over this
county in spring and summer know how
attractive II is. The grass-covered prairies
and flower-bedecked hills, the italian sky
and genial sun are the radiant beauties
whieh so attract eastern people to this
section of Nebraska
Frank West, who took such a prominent
part in the starting Of the town was quite
a rustler in his own way, but it is doubtful
II he could look forward to it's present
future. He was the son of a Des Moines
banker. had unlimited nerve and plenty OF
money, a large number of friends and was
an expert marksman. He was q great
Indian fighter and in the Niobrara country
south and east of here, his name was a
terror to the Pawnees and Poncas. Whether
Ponca was or was not started by
Mr.. West for speculation purposes
in the east or whether the object
was to make more than a paper
town cannot be stated. At any event, the
abundant water power and the natural re-
sources around would make certain a per-
manent town.
Ponca is a city of about 1000 population.
1t is not strictly speaking a manufacturing
point, yet 1t has one of the best FIGURING
mills in the state knows as The Farmers
Mil and Elevator company. The city also
has an extensive brick yard, employing
thirty or forty men through the season and
turning out 10000 bricks per day. The
little city seems to be largely sufficient
unto itself. 1t owns it's own water works
and gas plant. It's two banks have on de-
post about $500, 900 and It's Commercial club
is one of the most active In the state. They
a membership of about eighty, in
Guiding the very best class of citizens who
are awake to the best interests OF their
The limitations of this club reach
beyond the limits of Ponca. II not only
has an eye ON the main public highways
leading into this little town, but 1t lends
a helping hand to keep other highways in
the best possible condition. One desirable
and noticeable feature of this section of
the country is the service rendered by the
citizens which is not only given free, but
which is also reliable. These men have
land for sale or axe to grind.
Wakefield is one of the good towns OF
the county and is situated in the southern
part of Logan valley on a slight elevation
of land. It affords a good market for a
wide section of excellent farming land.
One of the first, If not the first, settler
in the vicinity was c. T. Barton, who
located there May 8, 1859. Its first school
teacher was Miss Lucy Morey. who COM
menced teaching January T. 1875. T. Mar
rift started the first store and became
postmaster October 81, 1881. Rev. f. H..
Calder, a Methodist minister, was the first
to conduct religious service in
Mr.. Marriott's store.
The village of Emerson is situated in the
extreme southeastern part of the county
the Chiago. st. Paul. Minneapolis &
Omaha railroad. and with a population Of
about LOCO. The county line between Dixon
and Dakota counties is its main street
north and south. 1t was established in
1881. In 1888 r. E. Kuhn plotted the first
site and commenced the erection of
a bank, which was completed In 1884.
Among the first settlers to locate among
the hills and prairies and found the town
Of Emerson were william Warnock. P. II.
and II. S. Boyle. The Echo was the
first newspaper venture in the town, estab-
lished in the spring Of 1888. The first lum-
Der yard was started by ]. ]. Mccarthy.
lines Of business are well represented
in Emerson, and it has all of the require
ments OF a thrifty and prosperous town.
1t is an important railroad center, which
has greatly benefited the place. The time
is not far distant when its population and
business will be double what 1t now is.
Then citizens of Newcastle had no rail-
road until the extension OF the Chicago.
st. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad
from Ponca in 1898. One Of the first set
tiers in what was known as Newcastle
was William Pfister. who located
there In 1858. Newcastle village was in
corporated May 16, 1893. and has a class OF
citizens whose energy and enterprise are
in the continued Improvement in the
town. It is one OF the hustling and pro-
towns OF the county.