[Illustration: MRS. LAURA B. POUND Second and Sixth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. 1896-1897, 1901-1902] COLLECTION OF NEBRASKA PIONEER REMINISCENCES ISSUED BY THE NEBRASKA SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION [Illustration] NINETEEN SIXTEEN THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA FORETHOUGHT This Book of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences is issued by the Daughters of the American Revolution of Nebraska, and dedicated to the daring, courageous, and intrepid men and women--the advance guard of our progress--who, carrying the torch of civilization, had a vision of the possibilities which now have become realities. To those who answered the call of the unknown we owe the duty of preserving the record of their adventures upon the vast prairies of "Nebraska the Mother of States." "In her horizons, limitless and vast Her plains that storm the senses like the sea." Reminiscence, recollection, personal experience--simple, true stories--this is the foundation of History. Rapidly the pioneer story-tellers are passing beyond recall, and the real story of the beginning of our great commonwealth must be told now. The memories of those pioneers, of their deeds of self-sacrifice and devotion, of their ideals which are our inheritance, will inculcate patriotism in the children of the future; for they should realize the courage that subdued the wilderness. And "lest we forget," the heritage of this past is a sacred trust to the Daughters of the American Revolution of Nebraska. The invaluable assistance of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the members of this Book Committee, Mrs. C. S. Paine and Mrs. D. S. Dalby, is most gratefully acknowledged. LULA CORRELL PERRY (Mrs. Warren Perry) CONTENTS SOME FIRST THINGS IN THE HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY 11 BY GEORGE F. WORK EARLY EXPERIENCES IN ADAMS COUNTY 18 BY GENERAL ALBERT V. COLE FRONTIER TOWNS 22 BY FRANCIS M. BROOME HISTORICAL SKETCH OF BOX BUTTE COUNTY 25 BY IRA E. TASH A BROKEN AXLE 27 BY SAMUEL C. BASSETT A PIONEER NEBRASKA TEACHER 30 BY MRS. ISABEL ROSCOE EXPERIENCES OF A PIONEER WOMAN 32 BY MRS. ELISE G. EVERETT RECOLLECTIONS OF WEEPING WATER 36 BY I. N. HUNTER INCIDENTS AT PLATTSMOUTH 41 BY ELLA POLLOCK MINOR FIRST THINGS IN CLAY COUNTY 43 BY MRS. CHARLES M. BROWN REMINISCENCES OF CUSTER COUNTY 46 BY MRS. J. J. DOUGLAS AN EXPERIENCE 50 BY MRS. HARMON BROSS