Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-08
BROWNV.ILLE

luliuSoiate ISSo6ultlOu IN the sister,
hood Of states. Stephen F. Nuckolls
Of Nebraska City presided At the
convention which sent 4 memorial
to the president and congress. \
"Concededly indescribable," was
a comment uttered by IN attendant
at 4 joint discussion between
George Francis Train and Oliver P.
Mason In Brownville during the
state democratic campaign of 1866.
J. Sterling Morton and David But
Ter were the democratic and repub-
lican gubernatorial nominees, re-
spectively. Citizen" Train was 4
picturesque figure Of that memoir
able campaign. Train became 20
enthusiastic that he announced his
candidacy A. an independent As
pirant to congress as delegate from
Nebraska territory, but later with
drew from the race.
Founder of Brownville.
Richard Brown, born In Nash
vile, Tenn, was the founder Of
Brownville. He arrived in Nebraska
on August %, 1854, and was the
first settler in that division of Ne
braska now known as Nemaha
county. His cabin was located on
the site of the town which adopted
his name. He established the first
sawmill and the first ferry in his
adopted town and served as Its first
postmaster. The first bank was
owned by him. He was sent to con-
gress as a delegate to use his in
fuence in behalf of bill for the ex-
tension of time in which settlers
might enter land claims. The bill
receiving favorable consideration,
Brown was given the title of col
onel" when he returned home. His
sympathies with the southern cause
led him away from the town he es-
tablished. His last important effort
was in religious work in California,
where he died 10 years ago from
the effects of kick by a horse.
Among the social events of 1858
was the organization of THE Ne
maha County Association for the
Protection of Property Against
Horse Thieves" Richard J. Whit
ney was honored with the presi-
dency Of this important afiliation
of pioneers. Indians, jayhawkers
and horse thieves were disturbing
elements of the times. The annals
of the town show that during the
civil war q party Of l6 undesirable
citizens" was captured by Lieuten-
ant Murphy in a singing school.
James Wilson Coleman, sheriff, was
one Of the leaders against the ma
raudeH.
Slavery Question.
Brownville experienced trying
times in common with other COM
munities over the slavery question.
The "Miamis" and HISTORIANS"
were the opposing factions, the for
mer from Miami county, Ohio, BE-
ing anti-slavery in sympathies,
while those from Missouri were in
clined toward pro-slavery. Many
had emigrated from Holt county,
Mo-, to Nebraska. The famous John
Brown encamped during one Of his
trips at South Brownville with so
of his men. Squire" Kennedy, re-
| membered by some of Brownville's
residents of today, fed John Brown
and II fugitive slaves on one occa-
sion. ..-.e #-s.r
Holiday First Mayor.
The townsite of Brownvilte was
entered at the Omaha land office
during February, 1857, the name of
O. S. Holiday being mentioned as
tn, first mayor. Twenty years later
the town had q population of 1900,
but today 500 would more than es-
innate the residents. The FIRST birth
in Nemaha county occurred in
Brownville, October 20, 1854, when
a daughter was bern to Thomas and
Mary Fitzgerald. Nemaha county's
first school was opened in this
town. The first legislature named
Brownville as the county seat in
1855, but Auburn eventually landed
the plum by holding the balance OF
voting strength. Daniel G. McGary
of Brownville was the first lawyer
to practice in the county. He was
the first United States district at
torney appointed to serve in this
state. After he left Brownville, he
was associated with J. Sterling
Morton on 1.-THE Nebraska City
News"
Some Of the pioneers of Nemaha
county recall the first official July
4th celebration of their county, held
in Brownville in 1856. Captain Ben
Whyte prepared barbecue of beef
buffalo, elk, deer, turkey and pig, eli
roasted in the most approved man.
ner over a ditch. There was enough
and to spare of everything that
tempted the gustatory incliuations
| Jack Chastian fddled all day until
it was time to 60 home and do the
chores. R. w. Furnas delivered an
address.
| Among those who were promi.