Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-12

Governor McKelyie sent WORD
that he regretted his inability to at.
tend. Rev. Michael ]. Shine oi
Plattsmouth was present as an of.
ficer OF the State Historical society
Among the special street decora.
tons for the occasion was heroic
figure at Fourteenth and Monroe
streets OF an Indian on horseback
the redman scanning the horizon
with hand over his eyes. Flags
were hung profusely along the main
streets.
During the formal program in the
park Colonel Atkinson delivered an
interesting sketch of his illustrious
forebear, General Atkinson, who
was born in North Carolina, and was
appointed captain in the Third in
fantry July !, 1903. He assumed
command of the Sixth infantry at
Fort Lewis. N. Y, August u, 1915.
Relating the circumstances Of the
memorable journey of the Sixth
from Plattsburg. N. Y, to Nebraska,
the co,one said:
Praise for Country.
The regiment moved from Platts-
burg, N. Y, to St. Louis March,
1919, and in an order preparatory to
the movement of the regiment up
the river to Council Bluffs General
Atkinson says: Council Bluffs are
situate q in the finest climate and dis
trict nf country in America, and
may be justly assumed the most de-
sirablc post on the continent
The command left St. Louis July
4, 1879. on the transports Jefferson,
Expedition and Johnson. Maj. Cad
Humphreys was in command Of the
regiment and General Atkinson. who
at that time was the commander of
the Ninth military district, accom-
panied the expedition in command.
Trouble With Boats.
"In personal letter General At
kinson states: We were greatly re-
tarded by the steamboats,, which
formed part of our transportation,
not being able to navigate in the
Missouri with any facility. There
were three, neither of which
reached any given point. One as
cended only $50 miles. another $50
miles, and the third $50 miles, the
cargoes of all having afterwards to
be carried in keel boats. The difficult
ties, of course, kept back the prog
gress of the troops. Notwithstand-
ing all of the difficulties. we reached
Council Bluffs, a point 700 miles
above the mouth of the river. on the
first of October. Here. from the
vicinity of several owerful tribes of
Indians, it became necessary to erect
a post. The troops were landed and
put to work to cover themselves for
winter, and erect the necessary de-
fenses. The rifle regiment which
was stationed $50 miles up the Mis-
souri, was joined to my command"
Soldiers Raise Stock.
Another extract from personal let
ters of General Atkinson, as read by
his grandson, reads:
"As the troops were halted at the
Bluffs, our military duties consisted
IN looking after the conduct and
of the Indians and to
maintain proper discipline. Much
idle time, of course, might have been
expected, but instead of indulging in
it we turned our attention to farm
ing ard raising stock.
In December, 1922. he wrote: "The
first season we made 1900 bushels
of corn; the second, $4,000. and the
third, 10000. We have sawmill
and a grist mill, 800 head of cattle
and the troops have milk of 100
cows"
Start First Post.
Thus was started" continued
Col. Atkinson in his address, the
first post west Of the Missouri and
the first settlement in Nebraska. The
general devised and used form of
stern wheel paddle boat, the wheel
of which was workd by the troops
aboard. This method of propulsion
proved such a success that he used
it in propelling a number of keel
boats up the river to Council Bluffs"
The colonel stated that he has be-
come so interested in Nebraska his
tory through yesterdays celebra-
ton, that he has applied for mem
bership in the Nebraska State His
to-Ial society.
He also referred to an article he
sent to The Bee years ago, relating
to the command of General Atkin-
son at Fort Calhoun. He later
learned that his letter settled con-
troversy as to the location of the
old fort. The location was on
tract which is east of the present
railroad station at Calhoun.
Pioneers Hold Meeting.
The Douglas and Washington
county pioneers held joint meet
ing during which they held an old
time dancing contest. There has
been considerable rivalry for long
time between the pioneers Of these
counties and it is believed that one
side will have to recognize the dane
ing superiority of the other before
this day has closed.
A. E. Sheldon, secretary of the
Nebraska State Historical society,
was one of the prominent attendants.
He was one of the promoters of the
event, and served as chairman of
the program committee. Rev. John
Kelley of Fort Calhoun was chair
man of the finance committee. E.
Buckingham was chairman Of the
parade committee and Arthur
Thomas of the Omaha Chamber of
Commerce attended to the publicity.
Entertain Celebrities.
Fred Brodegait, Axel Anderson
and D. Lyngby served as hosts to
!" ~