|
|
245 |
|
246 |
|
A committee on marking historic sites
and routes was named by the President as follows: Robt. Harvey,
chairman; President H. T. Clarke, A. E. Sheldon, Ross Hammond, and
Ernest Pollard.
Other committees consisting of the following
members were named by the President:
On Publication. - Geisthardt, Sheldon,
Bowlby.
On Obituaries. - President Clarke, Governor
Mickey.
On Program. - Caldwell, Watkins, V.
Rosewater.
On Library. - Barrett, Howard, Mrs. A. J.
Sawyer.
On Museum and Collections. - Blackman, C. S.
Paine, L. S. Reed.
After some discussion of plans to secure an
adequate building, on motion of Governor Mickey the executive
committee adjourned.
H. W.
CALDWELL, Secretary.
In the absence of the President, Hon.
H. T. Clarke, the meeting was called to order by Robt. L. Harvey,
the first vice-president. After an announcement by Mr. Harvey of
the absence of Mr. Clarke, he made a general summary of the work
of the Society, calling especial attention to the publication of
the proceedings of the constitutional conventions, now under
way.
The President then called for the reading of Mr.
Clarke's address by the Secretary; then followed an address in
memory of the life and services of the late H. H. Shedd, of
Ashland, by his son, George E. Shedd.
The President then announced that of the
pioneers of the state who had passed away, none were more missed
than our late President, Hon. R. W. Furnas. Mr. H. H. Wilson then
presented a paper on the work of Governor Furnas for the state of
Nebraska.
|
|
247 |
Mr. Harvey next stated that the new
work of the Society, undertaken during the last year, was the
securing of Indian songs. Mr. Sheldon then gave, by means of the
phonograph, a number of records made of the songs of the Pawnee
and other Indians.
At the regular business meeting the calling of
the roll was dispensed with on the announcement that a quorum was
present. The minutes of the annual meeting of the board for the
year 1905 were read and approved. The Treasurer's report was read
and adopted.
Under the reports of special committees Mr.
Harvey, as chairman of the committee on historic sites and their
markings, reported the work of the year, which is found in full in
the stenographic minutes.
Mr. A. E. Sheldon brought up the questions of
the Society's interest in the "Historical Square," and the means
that might be taken to recover the whole or a portion of it for
the Society's use. Mr. Sheldon then moved that an effort be made
to secure the block for the Society's use. The motion was seconded
and carried.
The following names were then presented for
membership:
|
I. D. Evans, Kenesaw. |
Mrs. Minnie P. Knotts, Lin- |
|
G. E. Shedd, Ashland. |
coln. |
Mr. Sheldon gave notice of an amendment to
the constitution striking out "second Tuesday of January," and
inserting "third Tuesday" as the date of the annual meeting of the
Society.
The nomination of officers was then called for.
Mr. C. S. Paine nominated Dr. Geo. L. Miller, of Omaha. Mr. E. T.
Hartley moved the rules be suspended, and Dr. Miller be elected by
the unanimous ballot of the Society. Carried, and the Secretary
was instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the Society for Dr.
Miller, which was done. Mr. R. L. Harvey, of St. Paul, was chosen
as First Vice-President. Geo. E. Howard, of Lincoln, as Second
Vice-President
|
248 |
|
in the same manner. Mr. S. L. Geisthardt was reelected
Treasurer, and H. W. Caldwell, Secretary for the ensuing year. Mr.
Dinsmore asked if anything had been done looking to the marking of
the site of the Indian massacre, in Hitchcock county, 1878. Mr.
Blackman responded in the negative. On motion of Mr. Barrett the
matter was referred to the committee on sites.
Mr. Paine moved that the offer of the Treasurer,
that the salary for that office be donated by him to the Society,
be accepted, and that the Society extend its thanks to Mr.
Geisthardt for his generous offer.
Carried.
Society adjourned to meet at 8:00 P.m. in St.
Paul's church. January 18, 1906.
Society called to order by the acting President,
Mr. Robt. Harvey.
After a pipe-organ solo by Mr. Howard
Kirkpatrick, the program of the evening was given. Mr. Harvey
announced that the Society occasionally set aside an evening for
the discussion of topics of current interest. This evening the
program related to the taxation of railroad and other
property.
Prof. E. A. Ross then discussed "The Problem of
Railroad Taxation." Mr. Norris Brown, attorney general, spoke of
"Railroad Taxation in Nebraska." he was followed by Gov. J. H.
Mickey, who spoke on the "New Revenue Law and Its Workings."
The following additional names were then
proposed for membership and all elected:
|
T. L. Norval, Seward. |
Mr. C. H. Challis, Ulysses. |
|
Mr. J. J. Thomas, Seward. |
The meeting then adjourned.
H. W. CALDWELL, Secretary.|
|
249 |
To the Officers and Members of the Nebraska State Historical
Society:
I hereby respectfully submit my report as
Treasurer for the year ending January 17, 1906.
On January 27, 1905, 1 received the books of the
late Treasurer, Hon. C. H. Gere, from the hands of his widow, and
received the moneys, to the credit of the Society in the First
National Bank of Lincoln. During my office as Treasurer the
following have been the receipts and disbursements:
|
1905. |
|
|
January 27, received from First National Bank, de- |
|
|
posit |
$2017 92 |
|
January 27, G. L. Loomis, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
January 27, T. J. Majors, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
January 27, Charles L. Saunders, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
February 23, Herman Kountze, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
March 20, H. T. Clarke, Jr., membership fee |
2 00 |
|
March 20, N. P. Dodge, Jr., membership fee |
2 00 |
|
March 20, Michael Lee, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
March 20, Charles H. Epperson, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
March 20, Melvin R. Gilmore, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
April 10, W. H. Harrison, membership fee |
2 00 |
|
Total receipts |
$247 92 |
DISBURSEMENTS.
|
1905. |
|
|
January 28, Jacob North & Co |
$27 25 |
|
February 28, Jacob North & Co |
10 00 |
|
July 11, Farmers & Merchants Bank for L. D. Wood- |
|
|
ruff |
7 50 |
|
Total |
$44 75 |
|
Balance on hand in National Bank of Commerce |
$203 17 |
|
250 |
|
Since practically all the funds of the
Society are now received and disbursed by the state treasurer, I
see no good reason why the Society should pay a treasurer for
collecting and disbursing a few dollars' membership fees. I would
recommend that all membership fees be collected by the Secretary,
and by him paid to the Treasurer, and that the Treasurer's salary
from this time forward be discontiued (sic). The past year's
salary I will donate to the Association.
I submit herewith bank book duly balanced and
vouchers for disbursements. Dated this 17th day of January, 1906.
S. L. GEISTIIARDT,
Treasurer.
SUBMITTED BY MR. SHELDON, ADOPTED BY HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
JANUARY 17, 1906.
To the Hon. Mayor Brown and City Council, Lincoln,
Nebraska:
The Nebraska State Historical Society, through
its executive board, submits the following proposition to the city
of Lincoln:
1. That the city of Lincoln quit-claim to the
Nebraska State Historical Society its interest in and use of block
29 in said city, known as "Historical Block," and also as
"Haymarket Square," except that portion at the southeast corner of
said block now occupied by the city's buildings.
2. In consideration of said cession the State
Historical Society agrees to immediately clear said square, the
ceded part thereof, of all unsightly rubbish and to park the same
and to plant it to trees and shrubs, properly protected, during
the next two years.
3. It also agrees to erect thereon a wing of a
suitable fireproof building of the best modern architecture, said
wing to cost not less than $100,000 and to be erected at the
earliest
|
|
251 |
possible moment that appropriation for the same can be
obtained from the Nebraska state legislature and in any event
within ten years from the date of the city's cession.
4. Said Historical Society building to be
maintained as a free public library, museum, art gallery, and
historical study for the people of the state of Nebraska and the
part of said block not occupied by said building and its
subsequent extension to be maintained as a public park with
suitable walks, seats, trees, shrubs, and flowers at the expense
of said Nebraska State Historical Society.
Accompanying this proposition is a brief
statement of the history of said block 29, together with the
statement of the moral and legal considerations which prompt this
proposition.
The meeting was called to order by the
President, Hon. Geo. L. Miller, of Omaha. The following members
were present: Chancellor E. B. Andrews, Geo. E. Howard, Robt.
Harvey, and H. W. Caldwell, in addition to the President. The
Secretary read the minutes of the meeting of June 24, 1905, which
after some discussion were approved as read. The annual reports of
the office staff were then presented. Mr. Barrett outlined the
work done in his department. The report was received and placed on
file. The reports of Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Blackman were read,
discussed, received, and ordered placed on file. The board then,
on suggestion of the Secretary, went into executive session.
The President explained that he was loath to
enter upon the duties of the office, as he felt little acquainted
with his duties and the needs of the Society. He expressed his
belief that a younger and more active man might have been
selected, but now that he was chosen in spite of his protest, he
would enter on the work, relying on the members of the board
|
252 |
|
to aid him in making a success of the interests of the
Society. The President also suggested that greater interest in the
Society needed to be aroused, and he felt that perhaps the
bringing to our annual meeting of some distinguished scholar might
have the desired effect. A motion was made and carried authorizing
the President to secure some speaker of note to present a paper on
one evening, and the program committee to arrange the exercises
for the other evening, securing the strongest men of the state as
far as possible to present papers. The report of the financial
expenditures or the year ending April 1, 1906, showed that the
amount used for various funds was in excess of the appropriation
for the purpose made by the Board at the June meeting of 1905.
After considerable discussion and criticism of such overdrafts,
Chancellor Andrews moved that hereafter "no indebtedness to exceed
ten dollars be incurred on account of the Society without the
Secretary's previous authorization." The resolution was
adopted.
A communication from Mr. A. E. Sheldon in regard
to the establishment of a new department to be known as the
"legislative research and reference bureau" was read. Professor
Howard spoke in favor of the plan, and discussed at some length
the work of Dr. McCarthy of Wisconsin, showing the advantages to
arise in having directly available the material for the use of
members of the legislature. President Miller, Chancellor Andrews,
and Mr. Harvey also expressed their decided approval of the
movement. Chancellor Andrews then moved that "the Secretary is
instructed to prepare and submit to the executive board at its
next meeting, in July, a draft of an enactment establishing a new
bureau of legislative publicity in general accordance with the
minutes read by him this day." Carried unanimously. The whole
question of the organization of the Society was discussed at some
length. The fact that nearly $8,000 out of the total $10,000 went
to the payment of salaries was noted. The Secretary stated during
this discussion that he doubled whether there was profitable work
for three men under the existing circum-
|
|
253 |
stances. The funds remaining after salaries are taken out
are not sufficient to pay necessary expenses to develop field work
in any line of investigation to any considerable extent. The
inside work call be directed by one salaried official, with the
assistance of the help of a man or woman part of the time at day
wages. The outcome of this discussion was the appointment of a
committee of three to take into consideration the whole subject of
organization, salaries, personnel, and duties and report at a
subsequent meeting of the board for its action. The chair
appointed Prof. G. E. Howard, Chancellor E. B. Andrews, and S. L.
Geisthardt.
A motion was made that A. E. Sheldon's salary
for the year 1906-7, April 1 to April 1, be fixed at $1,300. The
motion was carried after explanation by the Secretary that Mr.
Sheldon had received $100 from the university during the year
1905-6, which would not be available for the coming year. A motion
was made and carried that the payment of Miss Palin's salary
during her illness be approved, on the ground that her work had
been done by other members of the office force, thus setting no
precedent for future cases. The matter of the final payment to Mr.
Gardiner of $50, the balance due him for his work and collections,
was presented, but it was held that the action of the board in
June, 1905, stand. This action deferred further payment till after
the next biennial appropriation. The communication in regard to
Prof. M. R. Gilmore's request that the board pay his railroad fare
on a trip with Mr. Sheldon was received and laid on the table.
The board made the following apportionment of
the funds for the year 1906-7, to be followed as nearly as
possible, and to be varied from only on account of some unexpected
emergency arising.
Total available funds was reported by Mr.
Barrett, May 1, 1906, with about $52 of orders outstanding.
|
254 |
|
|
Blackman, field work - maximum |
$100 00 |
|
Sheldon, photographic work |
25 00 |
|
Sheldon, phonographic work |
25 00 |
H. W. CALDWELL, Secretary.
BY A. E. SHELDON, APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE BOARD,
MAY 10, 1906.
To the Executive Board of the Nebraska State Historical
Society:
This is to request you to create a new
department - the research and reference department-of this Society
upon the following plan:
1. The new department to be independent of any
other department in its organization, but to cooperate with the
others toward common ends.
2. A secretary of research and reference
department to be at its head. He to have direction and control of
the department, the selection of assistants, the making and
carrying out of plans, subject to the executive board, to whom he
shall report.
3. The present director of field work to be
secretary of the new department and to carry with him his present
lines of work except so far as may be arranged hereafter.
4. A special new field of work to be opened -
the scientific collection, arrangement and indexing of data for
the use of the Nebraska legislature and public officials, pursuing
the general plan of the Wisconsin legislative reference
department.
5. For the support of the new department. there
shall be set apart a sum ($-----) from the present biennial
appropriation; also the receipts from membership fees directly
|
|
255 |
traceable to circular letters to be sent out explaining
the new constitutional archives volumes now in press and
soliciting members on the strength of them. Separate estimates
shall be made in the future for support of this department and
submitted to the auditor and legislature.
6. Rooms. A room in the university library
building next to the present Historical Society rooms shall be
asked of the proper authorities, also one at the capitol during
the legislative session.
7. Work to begin at once in this department. The
secretary to be authorized to visit Wisconsin and study
organization and methods there.
Called to order by President Miller. Present,
Miller, Howard, Geisthardt, and Caldwell.
Report of Secretary of May 10, 1906, was read
and approved as read. Report of office staff called for. Mr.
Barrett had no report except written communication. Mr. Blackman
reported on the collections, especially the Bristol collection,
which has been secured as a loan collection. In explorations not
much had been gained in new information, stone markings not
determined. Request of Mr. Blackman to have some part of our
collection stored in the city library. Permission was granted.
Mr. Sheldon reported on the work of the library
reference bureau. President Miller then called for remarks and
expressed himself as favorable to the matter. Professor Howard
explained the reason for his support. Mr. Miller opened up the
question of the program, various questions whether his plan of
having some distinguished man to give an address one evening, as
Mr. Estabrook, Mr. Cleveland, Governor Cummins, Woodrow Wilson, or
J. J. Hill was wise.
|
256 |
|
Mr. Barrett's resignation was
presented. Professor Howard moved that it be accepted and that a
resolution be authorized to be drafted expressive of appreciation
of his work. Seconded by Mr. Geisthardt. Professor Howard
discussed the work Mr. Barrett had done. Mr. Howard and Mr.
Geisthardt were appointed as such committee.
Financing legislative bureau was taken up,
discussed and approved. On account of Miss D. Palin's sickness,
Miss Pearl Palin was permitted to continue her work. The personnel
of legislative bureau was left to the Secretary and Mr. Sheldon.
H. W. CALDWELL,
Secretary.
To the Executive Board of the Nebraska State Historical
Society:
GENTLEMEN - I desire to
be released from official connection with the Historical Society
at the end of this biennium, April 1, and will ask you to act
favorably upon the request at this time. Except detail work, there
remains but one thing that I yet wish to do for the Society, and
that I shall be able to do after my official connection with the
Society has ceased.
It is probable that I shall not require all of
the time between now and the first of April. to complete what
remains for me to do, and I shall therefore ask you to empower the
Secretary of the Society to agree with me upon an earlier date
than April 1st, in accordance with the completion of the work.
|
|
257 |
Meeting of the State Historical Society called to order by President Geo. L. Miller. Moved and seconded that the Society adjourn to meet at 8:00 P.m. January 16, 1907. Carried.
H. W. CALDWELL, Secretary.GEO. L. MILLER, President.
The meeting of the Society was called to
order at 8:15 P.M. by the First Vice-President, R. L. Harvey, who
introduced Dr. Geo. L. Miller, of Omaha, the newly elected
President of the Society. Dr. Miller gave a few words of thanks
for the honor conferred by his election as President of the
Society. He then spoke in feeling terms of his predecessors, Hon.
R. W. Furnas and Hon. J. Sterling Morton, whose deaths had left a
great void in the ranks of the Society. Dr. Miller then stated
that he had aimed to have some distinguished man to address the
Society, but all efforts to do so had failed. He still hoped to
have such an address at some future date. The educational spirit
of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska impressed Dr. Miller
favorably, and he rejoiced that he had lived to see such a spirit,
and added that taxes might well be doubled for the cause of
education.
The President then called the speakers who were
on the program for the evening. Col. H. E. Palmer, of Omaha,
presented a paper of very great interest on "Across the Plains,
1861-65." Col. T. J. Majors gave a talk on the 1st Nebraska
Cavalry and an outline of some phases of its history during and at
the close of the Civil War. On account of the lateness of the
hour, Mr. C. S. Paine declined to present his paper, which was
read by title and handed to the Society for its use.
The Society then adjourned to 8:00 P.m., January
17, 1907.
GEO. L. MILLER, President.
17
|
258 |
|
The Society was called to order at 8:00 P.M.
by its President, Hon. Geo. L. Miller. Mr. Miller introduced Mr.
Robert F. Gilder, the first speaker on the evenings program, in a
few very felicitous words, as a journalist and artist, and one
deeply interested in early Indian life in Nebraska. Mr. Gilder's
paper discussed the "Indian Mounds near Omaha," and the finding
therein of the remains of prehistoric man. The same subject was
continued by Professor Erwin H. Barbour in an illustrated lecture
on "Evidence of Nebraska Loess Man." Mr. Blackman, the Curator of
the Society, then discussed the Indian costumes and customs as
illustrated in the D. Charles Bristol Collection.
The Society, after listening to the foregoing
excellent and interesting program, resolved itself into its annual
business session for the election of officers and the transaction
of such other business matters as might come before it. The
calling of the roll of members was dispensed with on motion of the
Secretary, after he had counted more than a quorum present. The
minutes of the last annual meeting were then read and approved.
The Secretary next read the report of the Treasurer, which was
received and referred to the executive committee for auditing. The
list of names of those applying for membership was then read, and
on vote of the Society were all declared duly elected, and on
payment of the customary fee of $2 entitled to active membership
in the Society. The names were as follows:
|
I. D. Evans, Kenesaw. |
J. A. C. Kennedy, Omaha. |
|
Lafayette E. Gruver, Univer- |
Albert W. Crites, Chadron. |
|
sity Place. |
Lysle I. Abbott, Omaha. |
|
Charles P. Anderbery, Min- |
James R. Hanna, Greeley. |
|
den. |
William I. Allen, Schuyler. |
|
|
259 |
|
Robert E. Evans, Dakota |
Edmund G. McGilton, |
|
City. |
Omaha. |
|
John N. Dryden, Kearney. |
C. M. Miller, Alma. |
|
Perley W. Scott, Imperial. |
Arthur F. Mullen, O'Neill. |
|
Cary S. Polk, Plattsmouth. |
E. S. Ricker, Chadron. |
|
Ignatius J. Dunn, Omaha. |
Vincent L. Hawthorne, Wa- |
|
Milo D. King, Minden. |
hoo. |
|
Samuel Rinaker, Beatrice. |
Patrick E. McKillip, Hum- |
|
Howard Kennedy, Jr., |
phrey. |
|
Omaha. |
Charles L. Richards, Hebron. |
|
Benjamin E. B. Kennedy, |
Frank M. Hall, Lincoln. |
|
Omaha. |
Lewis L. Raymond, Scotts |
|
Thomas W. Blackburn, |
Bluff. |
|
Omaha. |
J. L. Sundean, Wahoo. |
|
Carroll S. Montgomery, |
Webster S. Morlan, McCook. |
|
Omaha. |
John H. Barry, Wahoo. |
|
J. P. A. Black, Hastings. |
James G. Reeder, Columbus. |
|
Jas. W. Hamilton, Omaha. |
William W. Wood, Rushville. |
|
M. Dayton Tyler, Norfolk. |
Albert A. Kearney, Stanton. |
|
Carl E. Herring, Omaha. |
R. M. Proudfit, Friend. |
|
Chas. H. Sloan, Geneva. |
Edwin Falloon, Falls City. |
|
Henry E. Maxwell, Omaha. |
Harlow W. Keyes, Indianola. |
|
Jno. S. Stull, Auburn. |
Frank R. Waters, Lincoln. |
|
Wm. A. Redick, Omaha. |
Jas. E. Philpott, Lincoln. |
|
A. M. Morrissey, Valentine. |
William C. Frampton, Lin- |
|
Charles H. Denney, Fairbury. |
coln. |
|
Herbert S. Daniel, Omaha. |
McConnell S. Gray, Daven- |
|
John B. Barnes, Norfolk. |
port. |
|
William D. McHugh, Omaha. |
Joseph A. Wild, Wilber. |
|
Titus J. Howard, Greeley. |
Halleck F. Rose, Lincoln. |
|
James H. Kemp, Fullerton, |
Robert J. Greene, Lincoln. |
|
John L. McPheeley, Minden. |
Claude C. Flansburg, Lin- |
|
Benjamin T. White, Omaha. |
coln. |
|
John C. Cowin, Omaha. |
Beman C. Fox, Lincoln. |
© 2000, 2001 Pam Rietsch, T&C Miller