Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18

ferson county. His was an eX-
- ploitation and colonization
I9RI project. Other men, hundreds
- OF them, followed In his wheel
track and the railroad crept slowly on their
trail and Jefferson county was promoted.
The winning OF the west was on its way.
There was trouble all along the line, toll
and sweating OF blood. But with all, the
gain was greater han the loss and Jeffer-
son county was developed.
Jefferson county Is passing through its
fourth distinct period. First came the
Hudson Bay Fur company, and through
the trapper and trader this was a fur age.
Then the buffalo was the central figure
for forty years. The prairie schooner and
the homesteader formed the third epoch
In Jefferson ~county's history. And now, in
this good year 1909, the dollar sign Is
stamped indelibly on every quarter section
OF Nebraska. This will be recorded in his
tory az the money age. The homesteader
who was formerly the homemaker. is now
the d~ollarmaker. There is nothing which
does not resolve itself into the test Of the
coin. There Is no risk money has not I'M
dertaken. no result 1t has not attained, no
luxury 1t has not conferred. All that is Of
vital interest today on the western prairie
Is measured by money.
Jefferson county was first set apart by
the territorial legislature January 20, 1856.
under the name Of Jones county. Thayer.
Joining the county on the west, was desig-
mated as Jefferson at the same time. In
1864 Jefferson county organized by holding
its first election at Big Sandy. February
IS, 1867, an act to enlarge jefferson county
passed the legislature, which united Jones
county TO Jefferson. In 1871 an act was
passed providing for the division OF JEFF
ferson, which was effected in the fall by
the election Of two sets Of officers. The
former, Jones county, by separation, be-
came Jefferson, and the former, Jefferson,
assumed the name Of Thayer. From 1857
to 1884 Jefferson was attached to Gage
county for judiciary purposes.
II is believed by many that Coronado,
the Spanlard, in 1541 and 1912. after leaving
the ella river and crossing the Rocky
mountains. passed down the valley Of the
Little Blue at least as far as jefferson
county. This is hardly probable, though
not impossible. One OF the routes OF the
path-finders through the Rocky mountains
passed up the valley OF the Little Blue and
was known as the st. Joe route,
In 1892 one of the most desperate battles
ever waged on the American continent
between ava tribes was fought in JEFF
ferson county. hear the junction of the
Big Sandy and the Lattle Blue rivers,
within the borders OF the contested hunt
ing ground. Sixteen thousand Indian
warriors, 1t is said. were arrayed In deadly
combat for three days fighting. as only
sayage men can fight. The Pawnees and
their allies were arrayed against their
deadly foes, the Sioux and their confeder-
ate tribes. After a desperate struggle Of
49, 49, "A. 49, --.-.Nf- a.
withdraw with a loss of 5000 braves. The
PRwnees lost 1000 warriors. This was the
Waterloo Of the great plain and gave the
mastery of the country to the Pawnee
nation. This they never rellnquished. They
became the most warlike and powerful
tribe on the plain. a terror to both feebler
tribes and early settlers.
The principal stream Of the county is the
Little Blue river. running d~iagonElly
through the county from northwest to
southeast. It lie q beautiful stream and
yet more useful than beautiful. furnish
ing abundant water power the year round.
About two miles from Fairbury is one
spring that furnishes a sufficient flow of
water for a good and continuous water
power. Big and Little Sandy creeks water
the northwest portion OF the county and
afford a coed many mill privileges. Rose
creek Is a beautiful stream with numerous
branches. The first mill in the county was
built on this stream. jefferson county has
g fair amount OF natural timber scattered
up and down it's streams.
Small fruits do well and are very
extensively cultivated. The apple industry
especially Is becoming Of considerable inn
p~ortanee. jefferson county has at present
in full bearing 10000 apple trees. $1,000
peach, 1000 plum and 1900 cherry trees.
In the Russian settlement many mulberry
trees we're planted and cultivated princi-
pally for the silk worm. In various parts
of the county are Quarries Of excellent
limestone from which a superior quality
Of lime is made. The surface Of Jefferson
county is very rolling along the streams
which become greatly undulating as It re-
cedes. The surface OF the county on the
south side OF Rose creek is quite billy
and in places broken. Good water aoounds
In all parts OF the county.
The great overland route TO the mines
from ST. Joseph passes diagonally across
Jefferson county. In 1857, soon after the
opening Of the mines in the mountains oil
Colorado. t~anchmen began to establish
themselves along the trail made By treigh1
ers and emigrants for the purpose o.
furnishing supplies 20 the trains. Every
day brought the ranehmen new customers
The first permanent settlement In TN
county was made By Daniel Patterson on