OMAHA ILLUSTRATED.

different bands came forward, throwing down their arms and raising white flags. The interpreter was directed to communicate with them, and they asked to have a council. They acknowledged that their young men had committed these depredations, and offered to give them up, and did bring forward six, who were delivered up. Two of them were shot as they were trying to escape, the next day. The guard so informed me. I did not see it done." Another Indian scare occurred in 1864, and additional ear was created by a rumor that Quantrell's band of bushwhackers from Kansas intended to make a raid on 0maha. One morning in the latter

TRINITY CATHEDRAL.

TRINITY CATHEDRAL.

part of August, settlers in the vicinity of Elkhorn became frightened at the appearance of Indians, and they flocked into Omaha. Great excitement ensued. Business was suspended, and a strong guard was at once organized to protect the city. This guard was maintained for two weeks. Owing to the depredations of Indians along the overland stage and mail route in the western part of the territory, Governor Alvin Saunders made a call for

[49]



OMAHA ILLUSTRATED.

militia. Two regiments of mounted infantry, each composed of six companies of sixty-four men, were called for - one north of the Platte and the other south of the Platte - the term of service being four months. Under this call seven companies were raised, among them being the following at Omaha: Company A -- R. T. Beall, captain; George C. Yates, first lieutenant; J. H. Barlow, second lieutenant. Company B -- John Taffe, captain; Edwin

     [Charles W. Hamilton, president of the United States National bank, was born January 1st, 1831, in Chenango county, New York. Until he was about eighteen years of age he attended the public schools during the winters, and during his vacations he was employed in various kinds of work on the farm. He arrived in Omaha in May, 1856. For two or three years he was engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Hamilton entered the service of Barrows, Millard & Co., bankers, as book-keeper,

and in 1865 he became a member of the firm, the name then being changed to Millard, Caldwell & Co. In 1868 the firm name was again changed, this time to Caldwell, Hamilton & Co. This old established private banking firm which was organized in 1856, was reorganized in 1883 as the United States National Bank with a capital of $100,000, and with Mr. Hamilton as president. The capital was increased in 1886 to $250,000. This bank under its various firm names has been located at the southwest corner of Farnam and Twelfth streets since the spring of 1858, occupying until the spring of 1887 the historic two-story old-fashioned brick structure known as the Western Exchange building. It was erected during the fall of 1855 and the spring of 1856, and was the first brick building in Omaha. It was built by three or four gentlemen connected with the Nebraska

CHARLES W. HAMILTON.

CHARLES W. HAMILTON.

and Iowa Ferry Company, and it was immediately occupied upon completion by the Western Fire and Marine Insurance Company, which did a general banking business. When this company failed in the famous panic of 1857, and vacated the building, it was succeeded in that location by Barrows, Millard & Co. This old landmark of pioneer days was torn down in the spring of 1887, and during the summer one of the handsomest bank buildings in the West was erected upon its site. The new building has a high basement, with a superstructure of five stories. It is constructed of Ohio blue stone, is fire proof, and is equipped throughout with all modern conveniences. In architectural design it presents a beautiful and imposing appearance, and is one of the most notable buildings in Omaha. It has a frontage of 66 feet on Farnam street and 132 feet on Twelfth street. This building cost

$130,000, and was erected by the heirs of the Caldwell estate as a memorial of the late Hon. S. S. Caldwell, who was for many years a member of the firm of Caldwell, Hamilton & Co. The design of the building is in accordance with the ideas of Mr. Caldwell, who before his death had determined to erect for the bank such a structure as its permanent home. Mr. Hamilton, president of the bank, is a safe, conservative business man, and has the confidence of the entire community in which he has resided during, the greater part of his life. He was married in 1858 to Miss Fannie Murphy of this city. They have six children. The oldest son, C. Will Hamilton, is assistant cashier in the United States National Bank. Frank Hamilton, is the second son, is paying teller in the Merchants National. Millard Caldwell Hamilton, the third son, is student at Cornell University and will graduate in 1888. The two daughters, Stella and May, are attending school, and Frederick, the youngest son, is at home.]


Patrick, first lieutenant; Abraham Deyo, second lieutenant. Company C -- Charles S. Goodrich, captain; Martin Dunham, first lieutenant; David T. Mount, second lieutenant. Company D -- Jesse Lowe, captain; E. Estabrook, first lieutenant; O. B. Selden, second lieutenant. A gun squad was also organized, and officered by E. P. Childs, captain, and A. J. Simpson, first lieutenant. Captain Taffe's company made quite an extended scout up the Elkhorn river, but found no hostile Indians. This result quieted the fears of the settlers who had fled into Omaha, and thereupon they all returned to their homes. The other companies performed the duties of home guard in Omaha. A company of volunteer cavalry under Captain John R. Porter made a scout as far west as Plum Creek, near which point they had a skirmish with a party of Pawnees, killing fourteen of them and taking three, prisoners. This company also

[50]



OMAHA ILLUSTRATED.

did valuable service in escorting supply trains from Julesburg to Fort Kearney. Captain E. P. Childs raised a company of artillery and went to Fort Kearney, where he did duty for some little time.
     Omaha was well represented in the Union army during the war of the rebellion. The First Nebraska regiment was officered by John M. Thayer, of Omaha, colonel; H. P. Downs, Nebraska City, lieutenant-coloneI; William McCord, Plattsmouth, major; Silas A. Strickland, Bellevue, adjutant; Enos Lowe, Omaha, surgeon; William McClelland, Omaha,

PAXTON BUILDING.
Spacer
MENDELSSOHN & LAWRIE ARCHITECTS.

PAXTON BUILDING.

assistant-surgeon; T. W. Tipton, Brownville, chaplain; George Spencer, sutler. Captains -- Company A, R. R. Livingston, Plattsmouth; Company B, William Baumer, Omaha; Company C, J. D. N. Thompson; Company D, Allen Blacker; Company E, William G. Hollins, Omaha; Company F, Thomas M. Bowen; Company G, John McConihe; Company H, George T. Kennedy; Company I, Jacob Butler; Company K, Joseph W. Paddock, Omaha.
     The first battalion of the Second regiment of Nebraska Volunteers (cavalry) was mustered in at Omaha, November 1, 1862, for nine months' service. George Armstrong, of Omaha, was commissioned as major, and directed the organization of the regiment until ten companies were mustered in. In February, 1863, the regiment was completed with the full

[51]


Previous page
TOC
Next Button

© 1999, 2000, 2001 for the NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller