THOSE N0BLE WOMEN WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THE FLOOD OF NEW CONDITIONS AND FOREIGN INFLUENCES WHICH ARE POURING INTO OUR LAND, TO PRESERVE ANCIENT LANDMARKS, PERPETUATE THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE AND COUNTRY, EDUCATE THE YOUNG TO BECOME USEFUL AMERICAN CITIZENS AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF THOSE NOBLE MEN AND WOMEN CALLED PIONEERS.

     Nebraska, while yet young, has reached that age and state of development when we can look back upon its remarkable growth with wonder that in so short a time so much has been accomplished. It is the object of this book to bring before the people of this commonwealth a concise and complete history of its growth. It is the aim of the Colonial Dames to present this history in an attractive form and by thus reviewing the work of the builders of this great state inspire in the hearts of those now entering upon active life a desire to continue the work already begun.
     This historical work has been a labor of love to the author who has lived in Nebraska since its early beginning and who has seen it grow from a barren wind-swept prairie country, over which the blizzards raged in winter and the prairie fires swept in autumn, through grasshopper raids, scorching winds, tornadoes, floods and drouths until the efforts of its noble men and women have placed it in the first rank among the wealthy, beautiful and prosperous commonwealths of the Union.
     It is her earnest wish that the coming generations may fully appreciate and emulate the work of those who toiled that others might reap so rich an harvest.

ELSIE DECOU TROUP,
Historian.

"To the Glory of God;
     And in grateful remembrance of those, our ancestors, who through evil report and loss of fortune, through suffering and death, maintained stout hearts and laid the foundations of our country, we, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, pledge our loyal and affectionate allegiance to these our flags."

     "Whereas, History shows that the remembrance of a nation's glory in the past stimulates to national greatness in the future, and that successive generations are awakened to truer patriotism and aroused to noble endeavor by the contemplation of the heroic deeds of their forefathers; therefore, the Society of Colonial Dames of America has been formed, that the descendants of those men who in the Colonial period by their rectitude, courage, and self-denial prepared the way for success in that struggle which gained for the country its liberty and constitution, may associate themselves together to do honor to the virtues of their forefathers, and to encourage in all who come under their influence, true patriotism, built on a knowledge of the self-sacrifice and heroism of those men of the colonies who laid the foundation of this great nation."