Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-10
u~>,RA,a~~
ord 9~tuns>a4.s
BY Victor Rosewater

| IHROOGH my old lriend, Jonathan towards
| have come into temporary possession OF
two most interesting specimens of early Omaha
| Journalism: One is a 60-year-old copy of the
Nebraska Democrat and the other is 58-year-old
copy Of the Nebraska Republican. These papers
belong to Rufus P. Smith, whose father, one of
Omaha's earliest pioneers, preserved them. The
Nebraska Democrat is imprinted Volume I, No.
Il" and dated November E. 1856 and the Nebraska
Republican bears the first serial number of the
first volume and is dated May S, 1853. Both of
the papers are weekly issues and presumably with
strong party bent. There may be other copies
of these newspapers extant but, if so | have
never had my attention called to them.
According to the histories, Omaha boasted
two or three newspapers usually printed in
debut which, however, is evidently real Ne
braska product for it, ITSELF tells us that it is
published every Thursday morning at Omaha
City, Nebraska Territory, by Hadley D. Johnson,
Territorial Printer, Office corner Harney and
Twelfth SITS. Entrance on Twelfth ST. The
Democrat also proclams as slogan, Devoted
to the principles of the democratic party and the
diffusion of useful knowledge" just as if these
antagonistic functions could be joined together
and be performed simultaneously. AS might be
naturally inferred, world news, out in prairie
border town back in 1856, seems to be mighty
scarce article and the most informing features
are to be found in the advertising columns, whose
patrons are divided about half and half as be-
tween Omaha and Council Bluffs. One advertis-
ing card" pictures the attractions of the "City
Hotel, corner llth & Harney Sts., E. " Smith
proprietor" as follows:
THE proprietor Of the we'll known Tavern
stand respectfully announces to the public that
he is still on hand at the above house pre-
pared to accommodate all who may favor him
with their patronage in such manner as he
hopes will give entire satisfaction. His table
is supplied with the best edbles to be obtained
on this market. His stable is well supplied
with hay, corn and oats and is attended by
careful and attentive ostlers. Please call and
try for yourself
Still another proclamation is made on behalf
Of the Deer" livery stable in this language:
Richard Kimbal, proprietor, would say to
all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:
That he still continues to keep horses and car
riages to let on reasonable terms Although
he is not prepared to say that in speed, his
horses will outstrip the native deer yet be in
tends at all times to keep such teams as will
put his customers over the road in the short
est possible space Of time consistent with their
safety and that too, without the necessity of
working their passage Call at his stable in
Omaha City opposite the postofhce'
The most pretentious announcement in the
paper of an Omaha firm is that of "Tootle and
Jackson telling Of full stock of fall and winter
goods. which run the gamut of dry goods grocer
les, boots and shoes, Boston clothing, furniture
lthe only one in Omaha), carpeting, drugs, pine
doors, window sash, carpenters tools, black
smiths tools. paints, oils, nails and glass, and
concludes, therefore give US a call and while
here don't forget Ladies, to call for those fancy
late, style silk bonnets right from New York"
Another enterprising merchant shows how he
keeps up with the times by reflex of the recent
Election Returns! Both sides ahead! The Union
safe! 10000 boots and shoes at the boot and
shoe store Of W. H. Stark & Co., on Farnam St,
opposite the Western Exchange Bank building"
From the editorial pen welded, even in those
early days, BY the gifted Mr.. Johnson, we can
learn OF some things still of advantage to Omaha
His principal article gives notice that we have
right here on the bank of the Missouri river one
OF the largest and most desirable mineral springs
to be found anywhere desirable on account of the
medicinal qualities OF the water rising up in SO
great abundance from its fountain. We hope the
enterprising propretors of Saratoga will lose no
time in submitting a sample Of the water to
some scientist in order to be able to publish to
the world the true quality of this invaluable
water as we are satisfied all that is wanted to
make this city and vicinity the greatest western
resort for invalids and others seeking healing
balsam, is a knowledge of its properties"
Expatiating again on the health of Nebraska
he conhdes: we are glad to be able to state
tor the information OF all co9cerned, that the gen
erai health OF this territory has been for this
year as good and usual and that is very good. We
have never been in country where so little sick
ness prevails"
The value of the Missouri river as an asset
to the city is not overlooked, for comparison is
made with the Ohio and the Mississippi, with this
Inclusion; although the Missouri has hereto
fore been looked upon as hard one to navigate
we are led to believe it will in time prove to be
the equal of either of the former and all we need
is development of the resources OF the Missouri
valley to demonstrate that fact. The Missouri
valley is the best on the continent and the Mis-
souri, river great and lasting thoroughfarc.
The other paper, the Republican, although the
very first issue and bigger sheet presented less
varied contents being devoted largely to fiction
and miscel elaneous reprint, with few local illusions
and scarcely anything in the way of news reports
ot more than passing moment Both these early
newspaper however, reopened subject which |
discussed in this column not long ago, namely.
the correct spelling of "Farnam street" for the
name is spelled with an "h' where it appears in
advertisements in each of them am still asking
myself why. if Farnam street was named after q
then living fnancier of note as it doubtless was
the msspelling of the name, which continued for
SO many years, should not have been caught at
the start and corrected at once