An unfinished saga of pioneer life on Nebraska's prairies was found in the hitherto unpublished memoirs of James E. North, the original manuscript of which is a prized family heirloom in the possession of his grandson, Doctor James North Evans.

Chronicling the experience of its author for a period of only a few years following his arrival in Nebraska Territory in 1856, written in long-hand in a simple style without embellishment but containing all the elements of adventure, struggle against adversity, stark tragedy, a measure of success, and a great love-it is an unfinished saga because the death of his beloved wife, occurring shortly after he had begun his writing, left him without incentive to continue.

Of the three illustrious North brothers, whose lives and work figured so prominently in the early history of Columbus, the name of James North is perhaps not so well known to many of the younger generation, probably because he did not emblazon it on the field of battle as did his celebrated brothers, Major Frank J. North and Captain Luther H. North, but chose, instead the less glamorous career of a farmer and land dealer.

Born September 11, 1838, in Richland County, Ohio, to which some of the North family had come from their ancestral home in Tompkins County, New York, James was the eldest son of Thomas J. and Jane Townley North. Knowledge gained from the experience of the father who served as surveyor of Richland County for several years, was destined to play an important part in the future life of the son.

After a scattered schooling in Ohio and New York, followed by labor as a farm hand and experiences in driving horses and sheep throughout the East, James North, a young man of seventeen, came West from his boyhood home. The story in his own words, as quoted from his Memoirs, written prior to 1895:

***********
NOTE OF INTEREST: The couple appearing in the top graphic are of Lorena North Evans; (daughter of James & Nellie), and her husband Dr. Carroll Evans. Lorena & Dr. Evans are the original owners of the Evans house.