Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-26
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Something About Nebraska S
Pioneer StenOgrapber and
Court Reporter.

4 tOttCcf OC0ItOyI Wk0It0I NIVW
Court Reporter.
The name Of John T. Bell has been familiar
to Bee readers from appearing in it signed to
communications from time to time ever since
its first appearance. Mr.. Bell, who died the
other day out on the Pacific coast, was the
pioneer stenographer and court reporter OF
Omaha, an adept in the use of pot-hooks, but
also because of his we'll trained memory and
close observation, remarkable recorder of our
early history.
"Nebraskans," that compendium of veracious
information about the more prominent men of
the early days, including much that has been
by most Of us forgotten and some things later
suppressed, gives this concise biography, prob
ably all that was to be told of him then in his
thrtieth year: a..
John T. Bell was born in February, 1872
in the town of Columbus and state of Illinois.
In 1854 his father came to Nebraska and in
1856 removed to. Fontenelle, Washington
county In the fall of 1861 John enlisted in
the Second Iowa infantry and served until
July 20, 1865, holding lieutenants commits
sion and having command of his company at
the time of his discharge. He was engaged
in the battles of Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Columbia and
Bentonvil1e. While in garrison at Corinth.
Miss, during the winter of 1923 he took up
the study Of photography and mastered the
art, and in the fall of 1864 he was detailed as
reporter of military court, with which he
remained until the court was broken up and
the officers composing it ordered to their reg
iments. During the Atlanta campaign in the
summer of 1864 he wrote war letters for a
st. Louis paper and since that time he has
been more or less connected with the press
as correspondent or reporter. He was EN-
ployed as one of the official reporters OF the
impeachment trial of Governor Butler and of
our state constitutional convention"
3 lust think of IL learning and Derfectinp him
self in shorthand while in the field with the
army. Bell was afterwards court reporter,
dabbed in real estate, gave instruction in
stenography and established THE Mercury" a
weekly legal publication with political and So
cal gossip departments, that succeeded a SINH
lar periodical called THE Waterman" of which
an eccentric character known as Little Mac"
was the editor. California and Oregon claimed
the closing years of John T. Bell. though he
came back to visit Omaha several times keep
ing in touch by writing occasional letters to
The Bee and preparing a little volume of per
so1al "reminiscences, which was issued from
the press perhaps year or so. ago, telling Of
the people he was associated with in the early
days, with observations and comment.
Another we'll known parsonage of the same
name, who passed away about the same time,
was Gen. T. Franklin Bell who used to look in
on our military posts and who is specially re-
membered by the men who served in the
Philippines. He was in the Pine Ridge Indian
fighting and knew this western country thor
,oughly, saw him last spring Gn New York,
where he was in command at Governors Is
lend and he expressed his disappointment at
having been barred on account of his age from
going across for overseas duty. He showed his
continued interest in the west by asking about
mutual friends and conditions out here.
Col. Tom Swobe was always what would be
called "a good old scout" He had his ups and
downs, but he was ready to front for his home
town at all times to the extent of his ability.
1t was largely through his enterprise, associated
with Samuel Shears and Jacob Market. that
Omaha was able to boast its second big first
class hotel, hotel that did much TO put us on
the map with the travelling public and served
Tor many years as the center of social activities.
'But.times change, and so did the fashions in
hotels
"De mortuous nil nisi bonum." | haven't
anything to say about Daye Mercer except that
It was pity man with his attractive person
atty and once promising political prospects
should in so short a time almost vanish from
the public view, AS a reminiscent document.
however. have taken this famous campaign
catechism from the archives-it was composed
by Charlie Potter and perpetrated in 1898 when
The Bee and its editor were vigorously sponsor
ing Mercer for reelection:
NINTH WARD CATECH1SM IN THE
BEE KIND ERGARTEN e.
ROSEWATER, TEACHER.
Teacher-Who discovered America?
Billy Kierstead-Dave Mercer.
Ieacher-Who was the first president of
the United States? IA
Tommy Blackburn-Dave Mercer
Teacher-Who wrote the Declaration of
independence
Andy Wiggins-Dave Mercer.
Ieacher-Who wrote the emancipation
proclamation
Tommy Swobe-Dave Mercer.
Ieacher-Whoi is the greatest man in the
Ralph Breckenridge-Dave Mercer
Teacher-Who has always stood for the
Improvement of Omahal
Charley Brown--Dave Mercer -
Teacher-Who originated and passed
the exposition bill?
Seth Cole-Billy Bryan tried to steal
the credit for its origin but there was only
one man IN congress, and that was Dave
Mercer.
Teacher-Who is the only man that can
represent Nebraska in, Washington
Judge Doane-Dave Mercer. tried
once to go to the lower house, but found
was lacking in ability and am now quite
content to join the throng and shout for
Dave Mercer, who is the only man.
1eacher-Now, my dear children you
have all answered wisely. Dave will be here
this afternoon, and ! shall take great
pleasure in exhibiting such an intelligent
class OF little politicians I'd him. and
think he will appreciate and give great
credit to the intelligence Of The Bee in
selecting such wise and efficient teacher.
You can now go ont to play, but remember.
in all your sports to constantly keep the
name of Dave before the people as their
guiding star 10 prosperity and power, and
you shall have all of the patronage Of the
exposition and ANYTHING else in sight