Historic and Descriptive Review of Nebraska

     Blair the county seat of Washington County, is perhaps without exception the prettiest little city in Nebraska. It is situated twenty-five miles north of Omaha, one mile from the Missouri River and about eighty feet above its highest waters, on a broad table land or plateau that extends nearly across the county along the river front. Founded in the spring of 1869 by the railroad magnate, John I. Blair, and named in his honor, it sprang into existence as if by magic and at once became, as it is yet, the principal town of the county. No boom has ever been indlulged (sic) in, however; its growth has been steady and permanent. With its 3,000 inhabitants of to-day, Blair is justly proud of its attractive environments. With its smooth. level streets, broad and airy, laid out at right angles and heavily shaded with lines of well developed forest trees on every side, it resembles from a distance, rather a dense grove of timber than a city, with only here and there a church spire or an unusually high projection exposed to view. As a residence city it has no superior, and in business lines it is unexcelled by any city of its age in the State.
     The usual lines of business are not only well represented but it has the plant of the Blair Separable Horse Collar & Manufacturing Company, working the year around from 150 to 180 hands; a canning factory that employs 200 hands in its season; two flouring mills; bottling works; a broom factory; two elevators; and is headquarters for the Crowell Lumber & Grain Company with twelve branch houses; has the justly famous Keeley Institute for treating inebriates, with nearly 100 patients in attendance; also the Bedal Gold Cure Institute, newer in practice but equally as successful in treating inebriates; a home electric light and power company with $30000 of home paid up capital supplying excellent lights for the streets, business houses and many residences, and adjacent to it numerous fruit farms that in their season ship thousands of bushels of small fruit all over the northwest.
      Railway facilities are excellent, this being the crossing for the western main line of the great northwestern system, known as the F. E. & M. V. and the C. St. P. M. & O. Roads, the former of which crosses the Missouri River at this point on a steel bridge that connects its eastern main line with its western trunk branch, thus affording several passenger trains daily towards any of the four points of the compass. Three newspapers give the current news and each represents a political party distinctively. The Pilot is Republican in politics the Republican is independent, and the Courier, Democratic, while a Danish Lutheran monthly publication represents exclusively religious interests. Two banks, with paid up capital respectively of $100,000 and $75,000, do a flourishing business.
     The city is at once protected and accommodated with a waterworks system, owned by the city, equal to the very best anywhere and supplying pure water. The reservoirs are 250 feet above the city level, have a capacity of $600 000 gallons, and the direct pressure is 125 pounds to the square inch. These works, having stood the test of six years' service, with several emergency tests, are the pride of the town.
     The schools areas good as the best. There are five graded schools and a high school department, employing sixteen instructors and sustained at an annual cost of $16,000, besides a Danish Lutheran seminary well patronized. The civic societies are all strong and flourishing, while ten church denominations have comfortable, and some of them costly, buildings for worship, and all have strong church societies.
     A new court house was erected in 1890, at a cost of nearly $50,000. The medical dispensary of the Halles Proprietary Company is one manufacturing interest of special merit, also, the trade of which reaches over the entire western country. It employs about a dozen hands permanently, and is growing. These are but a few of Blair's strong points. Its cosy (sic), elegant homes, with its shaded walks and lawns, are attractions that must be seen to be appreciated. As a residence location it is simply unexceptionable. For business it has no superiors of its size.

BLAIR STATE BANK.--A true exponent of the thrift of any community is the success, and degree of prosperity of its banking institutions. A conspicuous example in this instance is the Blair State Bank, organized in 1887. The capital paid in is $75,000. F. W. Kenny, Sr., president, was horn in Ohio, and is also president of the Keeley Institute here. He is a K. T. Mason, and belongs to the G. A. R. A. P. Howes. vice president, was born in Massachusetts. T. E. Stevens, born in Vermont, has been cashier in the bank since it was started.

J. H. STEWART & CO., Hardware, Iron and Tinware.--Conspicuous among the influential mercantile enterprises of Blair is that of J. H. Stewart & Co, whose house dates back to the year 1876, when it was started by Kenny & Stewart. The commodious premises are two stories, brick, 24x100 feet in extent, well suited for the advantageous conduct of a first-class business. The stock is well selected and complete. embracing hardware, iron and tinware, barb-wire, seeds and gasoline: heating, cooking, vapor stoves; wire, steel cut, wrought nails. They carry the most complete line in northern Nebraska. Your trade solicited. All kinds of

tin and iron work are executed in the best manner, and an extensive and lucrative trade is enjoyed. Four experienced assistants are employed. A $12,000 stock is carried. The proprietors. J. H. and E. A. Stewart, are natives of Washington County, Neb. (the latter well-known in groceries here). They are both K. T. Masons. They are gentlemen who make popular managers of their important enterprises and have reared a trade which places them among the leading merchants of the West.

     MATTHIESEN BROS., General Merchandise.--Prominent among the old-established business houses of Blair should be mentioned Matthiesen Bros., founded in 1873. They are popularly known here, and for miles around, as the leading general merchandise men, the store carrying strictly first-class goods and the proprietors are known for their jovial and kindly natures and hospitality. They employ five assistants. The handsome and well-arranged store is brick, two stories, 50x80 feet, equipped with electric light and all the modern appliances. Messrs. Matthiesen were born in Germany, are popular in mercantile and social circles, and justly stand high in the estimation of the community.

     WULFF BROS., Agricultural Implements.--In listing the representative mercantile enterprises of this prosperous trade centre, a position of merited prominence should be accorded Wulff Bros., who were established in March, 1888. Their spacious warehouse is 24x 100 feet in dimensions, and is stocked throughout the year with a large and varied assortment of the most approved makes of agricultural implements, buggies. wagons, etc. Their fine stock of goods is not to be surpassed by any contemporary house in the State. Mr. William Wulff was born in Illinois. He is a Mason, M. W. A. and K. L. Mr. Henry Wulff was born in Nebraska, and is a M. W. A. They are thoroughly skilled in their trade, and during their establishment in the city have won a position in the front rank.

     E. C. JACKSON, Treasurer Washington County.--Among the names which have acquired prominence on the wings of Blair's prosperity. none command more respect than this one. Mr. Jackson was born in Georgia and by prudence finds himself as young to-day as he was twenty years ago. He is a lawyer by profession and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He is serving his second term as treasurer, which office he has filled with the profoundest of satisfaction to the people. He is a prominent Mason and belongs to the G. A. R. and the Loyal Legion, having served in the 125th New York Volunteers. Mr. Jackson was formerly in business in Omaha, Neb.

     J. W. HENDERSON, County Superintendent.--In compiling an industrial review of this progressive city, a position of well earned prominence should he accorded the above gentleman. Mr. Henderson is a native of New York State, and is serving his third term as county superintendent. He has been well-known for the last twenty years in this county, where he formerly taught school. He served meritoriously during the war in Company E, 47th Wisconsin Infantry, He is identified with the I. O. O. F.'s, and is justly esteemed in social and mercantile circles as a capable, reliable man of honor and integrity.

     PETER HAMMANG, County Judge--In reviewing this State we must not omit to notice the names of such gentlemen as the above, who area direct benefit to the general welfare. Judge Peter Hammang is serving his second term as county judge; is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has been favorably known in these parts for many years, having lived in the county since 1866 (having formerly farmed), engaged in stock raising, brick making, mercantile business, etc. Judge Hammang affiliates with the Masons, and is considered one of the best judges Washington County has ever seen, and is, withal, a bulwark of our city's prosperity and happiness.

     CHRIS. RATHMANN, County Clerk.--A name identified with the welfare and happiness of Washington County is that of Chris. Rathmann, the county clerk. He is a native of Germany, where he was raised, and imbibed those solid principles of love of work and integrity which have through life distinguished him. He has lived in this county since the year 1857, and was formerly connected for five years with Castetter's bank. He is serving his third term as county clerk, and is assisted by a smart deputy. Mr. Rathmann runs his office in a manner satisfactory to the bench, bar and people.

     LAURITZ NIELSEN'S PHOTOGRAPH STUDIO.--One of the thriving establishments in Blair, well-known to all, is L. Nielsen's, the leading photograph studio of this section. The premises consist of four well lighted rooms, large printing and dressing rooms, etc. The reception parlors, studio and operating rooms are handsomely fitted up. Four assistants are required. Mr. Nielsen copies and enlarges old pictures with great truth. He was born in Denmark and has been eight years in America. He is an artist of recognized ability, and has won an excellent reputation for the superior merit of work executed by him, enjoying the patronage of the best known residents of city and country.

     CROWELL LUMBER & GRAIN COMPANY.--This business whose capital is $200,000, has been organized five years and has always enjoyed a reputation as the representative concern of its kind in northeast Nebraska. They also deal in hard and soft coal, lime, hair, doors, windows, cement, mouldings, etc. They have elevators and yards on the F.. E. & M. V. R. R. at Crowell, Snyder, Scribner, Dodge, Howell, Newman's Grove, and on the C., St. P., M. & O. R. R. at Blair, Bancroft, Hiland, Bender, Herman, Craig. Officers: C. C. Crowell, president: Z. K. Deane, vice president and secretary; J. B. Adams, treasurer; N. Fester, assistant secretary and assistant treasurer. All of the above (with the exception of Mr.

Adams, from Connecticut) are from Massachusetts, Messrs. Doane and Adams being respectively managers of the grain and lumber and coal departments.

     HON. L. W. OSBORN--Is a native of New York, where he received his literary and legal education. He is a member of the 142nd New York Infantry Volunteers, and became of age and cast his first vote in front of Richmond in 1864. After the close of the war, when he was commissioned for gallant and meritorious services, he studied law with Hon. George B. Bradley, now of the New York Court of Appeals. In 1869 he located at Blair, in this State, where he has ever since been extensively engaged in the practice of his profession and is regarded as an able and painstaking lawyer. Though attentive to business he has taken a deep interest in public affairs. In every campaign since 1869 he has done stalwart work for the republican party in this State. and has a reputation second to but few in the State as an orator. Referring to his oration on the Fourth of July, 1892, the Blair Pilot says: "Colonel Osborn did the oratorical honors at Kennard on the Fourth. The colonel is a born orator and on this occasion was at his best. His speech was heard and appreciated by at least 3 000 people. Few men are better qualified to make a practical entertaining Fourth of July address than Colonel Osborn, and that he always has several calls to orate is evidence that his talent is appreciated both at home and abroad." In 1873 Mr. Osborn represented Washington and Burt Counties in the State senate, and was chairman of the committees on judiciary, military affairs and expenditures. In 1876 he was one of the delegates to the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati, and was the Nebraska member of the national Republican committee from that time until 1880. Mr. Osborn has also been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been senior vice-department commander. He has also been county attorney of his own county for three years. In the fall of 1891 he was unanimously nominated by both the Republican and Independent parties for one of the judges of the fourth district, and received the largest vote ever cast for a candidate in Washington and Burt counties, but in the upheaval of that year in Omaha shared the fate of the eight candidates not on the A. P. A ticket.

     T. N. NAUDAIN, Banker and Broker.--A most gratifying fact in the developments attending the turn of our financial affairs towards general prosperity is the increased activity among the bankers and stock brokers. Mr. Naudain, established here four years. is one of the go-ahead men of the State, and is well-known in financial circles being the possessor of a large capital. He gives personal attention to all transactions. Money on hand for loans and discounts, negotiable paper bought, and farm loans made. Mr. Naudain was born in Ohio and is a prominent Mason. He was formerly, for eleven years, in the mercantile business in Washington D. C., after which, in 188,. he moved west, to Burlington Iowa. whence in 1887 he came here.

     FABER BROS., People's Meat Market.--A review of Blair would he incomplete without due mention of Faber Bros'. People's Meat Market, which was founded in July, 1891. They constantly have on hand choice steaks, roasts, hams. poultry, fish, vegetables fresh sausage, etc. All goods coming from this market have gained a wide name for purity, freshness and moderate prices. The store is 24x40 feet. Faber Bros. are natives of New Orleans. La., and by able management have reared a large and fast increasing business and won the esteem of their numerous patrons.

     C. McMENEMY, Real Estate and Loan Broker--Has from the start developed a widely extended trade in this section and conducts a large enterprise in the purchase and sale of property managing estates and in negotiating loans. He is a recognized authority as to values of residential sections in this part of the State. He has resided in Washington County since 1868, and numbers among his customers many of our prominent investors and property owners.

     THE PILOT STEAM JOB AND NEWS PRINTING HOUSE Selden & Allbery Proprietors.-- This enterprising and ably conducted journal has been known to the people of Washington County over twenty years as the month piece of the Republican party. It has a comfortable circulation of 1500 per week and employs from seven to ten hands the machinery in the job department being modern and complete. Perry Selden is from Michigan and has been in the business ten years: He is an I. O. O. F., and K. of P. Denna Allbery was

reared in this county, and in this line of business. They are progressive and correct men of business, and well deserve the solid position their paper holds in the good will of the public.

J. W. BOGGS, Postmaster--Is a native of Pennsylvania, and is one of Blair's oldest citizens, having grown up with the city. He has been postmaster here two years. He is a Mason. He was formerly sheriff of this county. Mr. Bogge is decidedly the right man in the right place, genial and affable, regular in hi! attendance at the office.

     THE BEDAL GOLD CURE CO.--One of the most gratifying examples of ably conducted concerns in the West is the institute at Blair Nebraska. of the celebrated Bedal Gold Cure Co. (capital stock $50 000), which has lately become so well-known on account of its many radical cures of all humanity afflicted with the disease of the cup.
     If you have a friend who is addicted to the liquor habit, and who has not the will power to quit it of his own accord, inform him that at the Bedal Institute at Blair, Nebraska, he can be cured within a period of three weeks. The Bedal Gold Cure Treatment is the safest and most thorough known. Drinking men from nearly every walk of life are being cured. It matters not whether you are a beer, wine or whisky drinker, steady or periodical, we can cure you. The usual period for treatment is three weeks. The cost is $50. For full particulars address The Bedal Gold Cure Co., Blair, Nebraska.
     All who have friends or acquaintances, slaves to the liquor habit, should not fail to write for an interesting pamphlet giving all information of the institute to Dr. M. D. Bedal, the president.
     In this pamphlet will be found all points concerning this grand and sure treatment for the awful curse of drink, also as regards taking the "shot;" also for the numerous testimonials from all parts of the States from grateful patients.


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