Early Beadle County - by Mildred McEwen Jones, 1961

I feel that a lengthy booklet in my possession merits mentioning. It is titled, "Early Beadle County, 1879 to 1900 and was written by Mildred McEwen Jones. The dedication includes these words, "...and to all Pioneers that their sons and daughters may know the nobility which they inherit."

My ancestors are mentioned but in passing, but the booklet does give a good view of the lifes, and histories of the pioneers of this era.

"It is no wonder our ancestors were attracted by the newness of the country. By 1880 much of the land in eastern US had been taken. People were out of work and restless. Transcontinental railroads were being built and everyone was talking about Dakota." The author's father was "impelled by the consuming ambition to try the unknown."

"To prove up his claim, one paid $14 when filing then had to live on the claim for five years and pay $4 more for final proof. One could prove up in six months by paying $1.25 an ancre. The government required five acres of breaking the first year. Improvements such as a house and well were to be made in six months, but that time was extended in 1881 because of the hard winter.

Then acres of trees were to be put on tree claims with at least 2700 trees to the acre. These trees were to be cultivated for eight years. At the end of that time, 675 living trees to the acre were required to prove up. The first year settlers were to break five acres; the second year, five acres more and cultivate the first five acres. The fourth year they were to plant the second five acres to trees and cultivate the first. Thereafter, all were to be kept clean and cultivated. Not many tree claims have the original trees. One in Nance Township - that of William Henry Daugherty- still have trees started in 1892."

Descriptions of the hard winters and blizzards, Indian situations, the importance of good water, prairie fires, floods and cyclones were interestling detailed.

The following sentence has an interest to me, concerning blizzards. "We've never found the graves of my aunt and two uncles," said Earl French whose father's two brothers and sister were frozen to death while returning from school in Pleasant View Township. My two aunts firmly believed that my gggrandfather, Peter DeLong, froze in Bonilla in a blizzard.

The section on Schools has the mention of Hattie Daugherty Place, which I shared a few days ago. Then later, "Since many objected to using the schoolhouses for dancing, literary societies were started. Mrs. Hattie (Daugherty) Place (mother's great aunt)wrote of starting one in 1884. These societies gave an opportunity for expression in debates, oratory, and entertainment. Note: A "Mrs. Ed Wilson" is mentioned periodically. William Wilson's son was named William Edgar Wilson. Perhaps worth thinking about.

In the supplement at the end of the book,are these words, "Nance Township, organized 1884 was named for J.D. Nance, one of the directors. Before being organized it was eight miles square, including two miles in Bonilla and two in Whitside. Settlers were the families of Ambrose Barnes, Charles Brady, George Brown, David Brown, Joe Croes, Sr., E.D. Curtis, W.H. Daugherty, Herman Fritzche, Martin Keller, Fenton McNeill, Walter Parkeson, Carl Tipton, and W.W. Wilson." The Brady, Wilson, and Daugherty family are ancestors.

A fascinating history. I'm not sure if it can be purchased anywhere. Really glad I have it.