Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-15

taken up. In this rush OF migration the
first attorney to make location was c. II
Bane near the center of the county. The
first physician TO locate in the county was
G.. r. Hart, The first minister OF re
gospel to take up residence here was
Elder z. r.. Spear. a Baptist minister,
then about 20 years Of age. The first
store was opened February 10. 1871 by j..
+, Porter at Fillmore City. The first post
office was established March 10. 1871. e. l..
Martin was appointed postmaster. The
first school of the county was taught on
Walnut creek in the extreme southeast
part Of the county in the fall Of 1871. In
the fail OF 1871 the Burlington road was
completed through Fillmore county and
the towns OF Exeter and Fairmont were
surveyed and plated and at once began
to built UP rapidly. In the history Of Fill
more county the year 1879 is noted for the
rapid settlement over it's entire aera, nearly
every acre Of government land had been
entered. a large amount Of railroad land
sold and a very large area brought under
cultivation.
Early in July, 1874, came a protracted
dry season, which was followed by the
grasshopper raid over nearly the entire
state. The suynmer Of 1876 was a dull one,
and many saw hard times owing to the
grasshopper raid the year before. 1t was
difficult for the farmers to obtain seed.
Their teams were in a half starved condi-
ton.
Early in the year 1871 steps were taken
to secure a county organization. At this
time the county existed only in name, and
was attached 20 Saline county for judicial
purposes. The first meeting of the county
commissioner was held at the residence
Of N. McCalla on Turkey creek on the 9th
day of May, 1871. The temporary county
seal was designed at McCalla's residence.
The county seat of Fillmore county was
formerly named Henry, but was changed
July 2, 1872, to Geneva. On the 10th day Of
October, 1871, the first regular election was
held.
Fillmore county has 1886, 900 acres in farms
and 2s7, 900 acres under cultivation. This
is q highly prosperous agricultural county.
when land values range from $50 to 500
per acre. Everything common to the lati-
tude is raised here and the farmers are
universally prosperous. Considerable fruit
Is grown through the county for home
consumption such as apples, peaches, plums
and cherries. There are 50. 900 apples, 63,-
900 peach, 5000 plum and 10000 cherry
trees in full bearing in the county. Last
season the farmers produced 1l2 1000 acres
of corn, 40, 900 acres of wheat and $1,000
acres of oats. The farmers OF limo
county sold and shipped out 100000
bushels Of corn, 1850, 900 bushels Of wheat
and 22s, 900 bushels of oats. Much of the
grain marketed in the form Of beef and
pork. The feeding industry is one of much
Importance in this county. Last season the
farmers sold and shipped out 6,430 head
OF beef cattle, $500 head of hogs, 900 head
OF horses and $500 sheep. The county in
the past few years is aking more or less
interest In the dairy industry. Last sea-
son they nave used SS hand separators
and have kept on the farms 1900 head OF
cows. The farmers of the county are fast
working into the tame grasses. In 1905
they had $500 acres of alfalfa and 1850
acres Of timothy, yet these farmers still
out over 5000 acres Of wild hay. The
county also shipped out $4,000 pounds of
flour and 275,oOo pounds of mill feed. AS
an example OF the dairy and poultry bust
ness let us remember these farmers sold