The Columbus Journal, March 25, 1874
DIED
MEYERS--On Wednesday night as the 11:30 train, from the east approached Rogers side-track, about eight miles east of here, it was discovered that a woman, Mrs. Fannie Meyers, an emigrant bound for San Francisco, had fallen from the train, although no one saw the accident. The train could not stop there to investigate, so upon its arrival here a hand-car was manned and sent back. The party found the body of the unfortunate woman lying beside the track horribly mangled. It was brought to town and interred at the cemetery here next day. Mrs. Meyers was the wife of Andrew Meyers, and was 64 years old. She was somewhat deranged in mind for the past four years, and was still laboring under the malady at the time. She got up and went out at the front door of the car unnoticed by any one, and undoubtedly fell in between the cars. They hailed from near Mr. Pleasant, Iowa.--[Schuyler Register.]


The Columbus Journal, April 8, 1874
DIED
HELMOS--The body of John Helmos was exhumed on Tuesday of last week, and the skull was found to be broken into quite a number of pieces, and his neck broken. This, and many other facts were elicited by Platte county men that the Coroner of Colfax county never knew, although he says "every thing was done to ferret the murderers out and bring them to justice, by Colfax officials."
If the people didn't feel and know to the contrary, the doctor's story might seem plausible.


The Columbus Era, May 23, 1874
MARRIED
WINTERBOTHAM-HUDSON--Married, on Wednesday evening, at the residence of the bride's father, Hon. H.J. Hudson, in Columbus, Miss Lillie S. Huson, Rev. J.E. Elliott officiating; both parties of Columbus.
The Era acknowledges the reception of a plate covered with dainty offerings from the bridal feast, accompanied by a substantial currency tribute. May Heaven's choicest blessings be showered upon the happy pair, and their pathway through life be strewn with the sweetest flowers of connubial bliss is our fervent wish.


The Columbus Era, June 13, 1874
DIED
CONNELL--We regret to learn that Mr. Thomas Connell, who lives up the Loup near Mr. Grant's, was drowned last Sunday evening while attempting to wade the river, in presence of Mr. Grant's boys who were bathing in the stream. Mr. Connell had just returned with his family from church in Columbus and started from his house to go to Jackson, where he was engaged as a section hand on the U.P.R.R. He spoke to the boys about crossing and was cautioned by them, but unfortunately got beyond his depth and sunk immediately. His body was found next morning about two miles below by Mr. Murphy. His neighbors all esteemed him highly, and he leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.


The Columbus Era, July 11, 1874
DIED
STILLER--On Wednesday last, Dr. S.A. Bonesteel, of this place, found Mr. Phillip Stiller, a worthy and respected farmer living some miles north of town, lying dead and alone in his barn. Mr. Stiller had been under treatment from Dr. Stillman for some time and on Wednesday was visited professionally by Dr. Bonesteel, Dr. Stillman being unable to get out. He was a gentleman about forty-five years old, unmarried and lived all alone; he has a nice farm and was an industrious, thrifty farmer. He had been dead several hours the Doctor thought and had suffered considerably in dying. Death is always a solemn change and this one is tinged with a deeper shade of melancholy on account of Mr. Stiller's utter loneliness in the last sad hour.


The Columbus Journal, July 15, 1874
DIED
ROSETTER--We learn that Mr. Rosetter, in company with several others returning home from Columbus, last Saturday evening, in Mr. Dunneen's wagon, the horses ran off and threw Mr. Rosetter out of the wagon, and it is supposed that his body was caught between the bed and wheel, mashing his left side considerably and breaking several of his ribs loose from his spine, and otherwise injuring him. He was living on last Sunday morning, but the chances were against his recovery. This is the same team of horses that caused the death of Mr. Dunneen last winter in Columbus.
Since writing the above we learn from Dr. Bonesteel that Mr. Rosetter died Monday morning.

STELLER--Died, Phillip Steller, of Shell creek, on Wednesday, July 8th, 1874, at 11 o'clock A.M. His funeral took place Thursday at 2 P.M.
Mr. Steller had been ailing for the past year afflicted with disease of the liver. He lived alone, with no one to care for him, and probably had been lying where he was found (in his barn,) for several days, without attendance, without water to drink, and unable to move out of his place. When found he was unconscious, and had evidently suffered intensely, as must necessarily have been the case without water to drink, or any one to wait upon him. There are many sad things occurring every day, our imagination can scarcely form a more sorrowful picture than that of the suffering, dying Steller, tortured with thirst, worn by disease, and perishing alone and uncared for, yet surrounded with plenty.


The Columbus Era, July 18, 1874
DIED
ROSITER--On last Saturday evening, Mr. Frank Rositer, a farmer living about eight miles northwest of town, was in Columbus in company with John Deneen and John Fitzpatrick and his little daughter, all in a two horse wagon belonging to Mr. Deneen. In the evening, between seven and eight o'clock on their return home and near Mrs. Bready's, the horses became frightened and suddenly jumped off the road, throwing Rositer and Deneen violently on the ground, bruising Mr. Deneen slightly and injuring Mr. Rositer so severely as to cause his death the following Monday morning at ten o'clock. Three of his ribs were broken loose from the back bone and other severe internal injuries sustained.
Mr. Deneen still held the lines and was dragged along some sixty rods when the horses were checked.
Mr. Rositer was a gentleman near sixty-five years of age and leaves a wife and several children.
The same horses ran away last fall and caused the death of Mr. Deneen's father, who was at the time delivering grain at E.J. Baker's in Columbus, and were driven on this occasion by his son.


The Columbus Journal, July 22, 1874
DIED
HIGGINS--On Tuesday, July 21st, 1874, at 11:45 A.M., of inflammatory dysentery, John Marcellus Higgins, eldest child and only son of John G. and Annie Higgins, aged three years, six months and twenty-seven days.
The circumstances of little Johnnie's departure from this scene of life to that beyond the veil are truly affecting. He was a child of seemingly extraordinary vigor, but was taken sick on Thursday last, and endured, the first night of his illness, extreme pain and torture from his disease. During a few moments of consciousness he called his mother to him, asked her if she liked him, and kissed her for the last time in life. His farewell to his father was the same.
A child of bright intellect, whose sense of truth and right were remarkable for one of his years, he was the adoration of his parents, whose loss is beyond the power of language to tell. The heart-stricken parents have the sympathy of their numerous friends in this sore, sore affliction, and the Father, who notes even the sparrow's fall, will be invoked to minister consolation in this dark hour of overwhelming grief.


The Columbus Journal, July 29, 1874
DIED
WHITLINGTON--Georgiana Whitlington of Sarpy County, living in Platte Precinct murdered her illegitimate child the other day, and threw its body into a thirty foot well.


Columbus Era, September 5, 1874
MARRIED
WILLMAN-LANGHOFF--In Columbus, Aug. 27th, by Rev. A.S. Foster, Mr. Charles Willman to Miss Pauline Langhoff. Both of Columbus. Charlie is a young man of unexceptionable traits of character and possesses those gentlemanly qualities that render conjugal relations congenial. We congratulate our young friend on the wise choice he has made and hope their hearts may beat in union with each others interests happiness and prosperity.


The Columbus Journal, September 16, 1874
DIED
PETEAHLESHARO--From Mr. L.W. Platt, who called yesterday, we learn that Peteahlesharo, (man and chief.) head chief of the Pawnees, died on Saturday last, and was buried on Sunday. He was about forty-five years of age, having been known by Mr. Platt when he was in his teens. He was much respected by his tribe, and was a judicious chief; never exercising his authority, except when he knew it would be respected, he was a power among the Indians. Peteahlesharo's last words were that he was a friend to the white man, and he wished his son to be.

Columbus Era, February 27, 1875
MARRIED
TIPTON-LANGHOFF--In Columbus, Thursday, February 25, 1875, at the residence of Mr. C.B. Willman, Mr. H.H. Tipton to Miss Louisia Langhoff; Judge J.G. Higgins officiating. A respectable number of friends and relatives were present to witness the ceremony and enjoy the many good things prepared for the occasion. The happy couple left the following day on a trip to Glenwood, Iowa. Thus two more souls have passed from single wretchedness into ethereal realms, where the voracious grasshopper never flaps its hateful wings in the genial sunshine of connubial bliss.


Columbus Era, April 3, 1875
BIRTHS
RYAN--Thursday April 1st, to the wife of D. Ryan, a son. Weight, 14 pounds. Dan Ryan thinks anybody should feel proud who can boast of a fourteen pound Democrat.


Columbus Era April 10, 1875
DIED
HAYES--From Mr. C.A. Hill of this place, who returned from Boone county the first of last week we ascertain the following facts in regard to Mr. Hayes, who is supposed to have perished in the last storm:
Wm. Dobson, Mr. Hayes and Mr. Maxwell started from the Cedar Tuesday morning, March 2d, for Calamus creek, six miles distant, for a load of wood. They reached the Calamus, loaded their wood, and were ready to start home by noon. Maxwell took the team and returned home, the other two saying that they would hunt awhile, and return by a shorter route. They hunted awhile and starting for home, lost their way. They faced the storm as long as they could bear it, and then turned and went with it. They traveled in this way all of Tuesday and Tuesday night. Wednesday morning Hayes gave out and couldn't go any further. Dobson dragged him awhile, but finding that this was of no use, he left Hayes for dead, burying him in the snow and marking the spot by erecting a gun over his snowy grave. Dobson traveled on all the time, and Thursday evening struck a house on the Loup about twenty-five miles further from home than he was when the wagon left him.
Mr. Dobson had strength enough to tell the story of his trials, and for several days thereafter was unconscious. He had his face badly frozen, but is now, as we learn, in good condition.
A party went in search of poor Hayes, but up to Monday of last week, there was no information concerning his whereabouts.

MARRIED
BUCHER-BAUMGARDNER--In this place at the residence of Geo. W. Hulst Thursday, April 8th, 1875, Mr. Joseph Bucher to Miss Mary Baumgardner. The tender lamb has been led at last to the hymenial block by the inexorable Bucher.


Columbus Era, May 29, 1875
DIED
RICE; KNOEBEL--Late in the afternoon of Tuesday evening last, our town was much excited when a report was quickly circulated that two of our citizens had drowned in the Loup just south of town. The clothes of two men were found on the bank of the river by Mr. Joe Baker and George Clother, and on investigation they proved to be the clothes of Cornelius Rice and Abraham Knoebel. The circumstances are about these: They had gone about two o'clock to get a spile which was lodged in the sand some distance out in the river. The spile had been sawed into four pieces and towed to this bank. A rope, shovel, and axe having been found on the bank where the clothes were lying, the supposition is that Rice, after bringing the four pieces over, recrossed to assist over Mr. Knoebel, who could not swim, and while returning to this shore they got into deep water, Knoebel becoming excited, clinched Rice and held on until both were drowned. Search was commenced and continued during Wednesday morning, when about 10 o'clock the bodies of the two men were found on a sand bar a mile below where they were drowned. They were conveyed to the court house and placed in suitable cases, and from thence the remains of Mr. Knoebel were conveyed to his residence on North street, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon the corpse, under the auspices of the fire department, in a solemnly, imposing manner, was taken to the German Reform Church where the funeral took place in the presence of the family and relatives of the deceased together with a large number of sympathizing friends. At the conclusion of the funeral exercises the remains were deposited in the burial grounds east of town. The deceased leaves a wife and one child, who in their sudden and great affliction, share the sympathies of our entire community.
Mr. Rice's relatives, who live in Iowa were immediately telegraphed to, and the answer was received that they would come on at once and take charge of the remains.
[...and...]
Mr. Ammon Rice of Osage, Iowa, arrived here last evening to take charge of the remains of his brother who was drowned last Tuesday. He returns home on this morning's express with the body to be buried in the family burying grounds. The deceased was an industrious, quiet man, who had made many friends during his short residence in this community.


Columbus Republican, June 10, 1875
MARRIED
NICKLES-HAYDEN--At Newton, Kansas, on the 6th inst., at the residence of _____, by the Rev. Mr. Garrison, Wm. V. Nickles, of Columbus, Neb., to Miss Janie Hayden, of Madison, Wis. Mr. Nickles is the accommodating clerk at the Clother Hotel. The brotherhood of bachelors can again go into mourning over another departure into the uncertain realm of matrimony. Only a few _re-worn and haggard faces are now left in Columbus. Bright little homes are continually springing up around us, and almost we are persuaded that it is best to "depart." Notwithstanding the fact that we shall miss Will from the club-room, at least a few months, we cannot refrain from wishing the happy couple good luck and a joyous life.


Columbus Era, September 25, 1875
DIED
BREMER--Charles Bremer, an old settler and one of the original founders of Columbus, died at his home in this place, Sunday Sept. 19th, at the age of 45 years. The following tribute of respect, by the Columbus Journal, does justice to the memory of our departed friend and fellow citizen, whom to know was to regard as a man of noble impulses and a generous nature:
The deceased was born in Westphalia, Prussia, July 28th, 1828, and emigrated to America in 1849, living at Philadelphia, Penn., until the Spring of 1856, when he came to Nebraska, settling at Columbus in the fall of the same year, and here he has lived ever since. He leaves a wife and children and a host of warm personal friends to mourn his death.
He was one of the oldest members of Capitol Lodge No. 3 of Omaha, and was buried yesterday morning with the impressive funeral service of the Masonic order,--the Columbus Coronet band, the members of the Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges, and a large concourse of relatives, friends and acquaintances following his remains to their final resting place.
The deceased was a man of ardent affections, who attached himself strongly to his friend, and will long be remembered by them as an affectionate and indulgent father, and a generous, warmhearted citizen.
It is sad to look upon death in any form; to see a weeping wife and children, and hear the cry of the broken-hearted who mourn for friends departed, but then, though we cannot follow them except in thought, we have the assurance that the same Almighty Power and Infinite Mercy that protected and cherished the spirit while encased in mortal clay, will not cease to care for it, after He has called it home. Let us believe that the Infinite Father is ever more kind, tender and loving than any earthly friend, and that the soul of our departed brother is safe, safe with Him.

Columbus Republican, October 7, 1875
MARRIED
NANCE-WHITE--At Farragut, Iowa, at the residence of the bride's parents, Thursday, September 30, 1875, Hon. Albinus Nance of Osceola, Polk Co., Neb., to Miss Sarah White, Dr. Brooks of Tabor College, officiating clergyman. Our prophecy, last week, proves true. Mr. Nance did return with a life partner. Although we did not receive an invitation to the wedding, or any cake, yet we heartily wish the happy couple a long life and a happy one.

KESSLER-BRISTOL--At the residence of the bride's parents, at Waterville, Boone Co., on Monday, Oct. 5th, by Rev. A.J. Wright, Mr. Henry B. Kessler, to Miss Melva M. Bristol, all of Boone county. Our chance is cut down one less. We believe we shall get some cake, this time sure. Millie is a good girl, and deserves to have a husband, and a good one, too. Much happiness attend this couple in their journey through life.


Columbus Republican, October 21, 1875
MARRIED
EASTON-MAGOON--On the 18th inst., at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. Chas. E. Starbuck, Mr. J.P. Easton, to Miss Anna M. Magoon. No wedding cake sent. After a long and tedious courtship, these parties have united their fortunes, and it is believed they are happy. A long life and a merry one.

DIED
COMPTON--On Friday, October 15th, 1875, at half-past three o'clock, P.M., of pneumonia, Mr. Hugh Compton. The deceased was born in Livingston county, New York, Nov. 25, 1832. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Compton. He started out in life for himself at the age of nineteen, and has been in the western country ever since, and in Nebraska sixteen years. He was married to Miss Ella Morgan, at Vermillion, Dakota Ter'y, Sept. 22, 1861. For the past nine years he resided in Columbus, doing business here as a grocer, and serving the government as postmaster for a good part of the time. During the last four years he has had an annual attack of typhoid fever, prostrating him for weeks together. In his recent illness of eleven weeks duration he had recovered somewhat from his periodical fever and was able to be about the house, but was prostrated by pneumonia, from which he died. His sufferings were intense and of long duration, but there was something in his constitution or character, whether his tenacity of life, or his indomitable will that sustained him to the last moment, enabling him to see clearly into his affairs, all the details of them, as they would be after his death, and to speak of them as purely matters of business. He looked upon death as an inevitable journey to be taken by all at some time, and the sooner, the less trouble. Like all fond husbands, he would fain have tarried with his wife and children, but seeing that he must go, he went as a conqueror. He was bured on Sunday morning, honored in death by a very large concourse of friends in attendance at the funeral, which was conducted after the impressive ceremony of the I.O.O.F., of which order he was a member. His character was peculiar and marked. His faults leaned to virtue's side. He was upright, straightforward and plain-spoken. He feared no man, he cowered to no man. He feared nothing. He was strong in his likes and his dislikes. You knew just where to find him, if you had any right to know for he attended strictly to his own business and expected others to do the same. Gentle as any lady to his friends yet to deceive or be deceived was no part of his composition, and nothing so roused the divine indignation which the Almighty placed within him, as hypocrisy and dishonesty, which were to him to sum total of villainies. For these qualities he was honored and respected by his fellow-citizens. His family ties and his kindred he held dear to him, and the feeling was reciprocal. He was true as gold tried in the fire in all his relations as a man and a citizen, and has given the world many an illustration of the poet's line that an honest man is the noblest work of God,--Journal.


Columbus Republican, November 11, 1875
MARRIED
BURGESS-BAKER--On the evening of Nov. 3d, 1875, by Friends Ceremony, Mr. Frank P. Burgess, editor of this paper, to Miss Caroline E. Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. A. Baker, of this city. Keep away from us old batchelors. Brother editors touch the subject as lightly as possible. Our other girls, if they loved us, have notice to cease their corresondence, and save us much hair-pulling.


Columbus Republican, December 2, 1875
MARRIED
DELSMAN-HEITKEMPER--At the Catholic church, in Omaha, Nov. 24th, by Father Greenbaum, Mr. Barney Delsman, of this city, to Miss Clara Heitkemper, of Festina, Iowa. This was a great undertaking for Barney, yet the example of brave men before him no doubt acted as a stimulous. Pinbacks, stripped [sic] stockings, back combs, stand up collars and kindling wood will now haunt you like a grinning ghost. You have our sympahty, Barney, and best wishes for a long and happy life, "if it is in the books."

Columbus Era, January 1, 1876
BIRTHS
HAGEL--In this place, Sunday, December 26th, the wife of Paul Hagel, a son. Weight 12 1/2 pounds. Paul thinks Santa Clause rather partial in bringing him this choice Christmas present.


Columbus Era, February 12, 1876
MARRIED
BENNICK-TAYLOR--At the Court House, Thursday evening, Mr. Theodore Bennick, of Omaha, and Miss Matilda Taylor, of Colfax, mutually, solemnly and silently entered into the closest relations of conjugal felicity. There was no emphatic, or even audible, "no" or "yes" from either of the parties during the solemnization. They simply done it with their fingers.
Judge Higgings, who performed the sacred duty of welding two souls into one, impersonated the mute with marked dignity and much grace, but he like the main participes criminis also done it with his fingers. After the ceremony the bride and groom, with a few invited guests, were escorted into the court room where a most sumptuous and elegant supper had been spread by Mrs. Ben. Speilman. It was here that we began to act the part of a mute and carried it on something near an hour, when the fast gathering forces of inward distress forced us to whisper "enough."
The bride received some very substantial presents from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, with whom she has been living for three or four years past.


Columbus Republican, February 17, 1876
BIRTHS
??--An eleven-year-old girl gave birth to an illegitimate child in Polk county last week. The child's father is supposed to be its grandfather, or its mother's brother.

MARRIED
BENNICK-TAYLOR--The marriage ceremony of the two mutes, T. Bennick and Matilda Taylor, at the Court House last week, was a very novel affair. The Judge proved himself an expert in the mute language.


Columbus Era, May 20, 1876
DIED
ANDERSON--David Anderson, an early settler of Colfax county, was shot near his house, on Friday morning, by Johnny McPherson, a boy of 16, his next neighbor. The circumstances of the shooting, as we learned them from Anderson himself, are these: Mr. Anderson was driving McPherson's cattle off his (Anderson's) land, when Mrs. McPherson saw him and started to a field where her son was planting corn, and when she got there, the boy started to the house, jumped on his poney and went to where Anderson was, and told him that he had come to give him a whipping. They both dismounted; whereupon McPherson said that he had come to kill him, at the same time drawing his revolver. Anderson replied that he was not armed, McPherson then fired, the ball striking Anderson's pony, Anderson keeping on the opposite side of his horse and begging McPherson not to kill him. McPherson fired three times more, one of the shots taking effect in the left side, about two inches above the point of the hip bone. McPherson then approached Anderson with a club and struck him three times, when some one got there and stopped him.
This is Mr. Anderson's version of this sad affair.
Mr. Anderson was then brought to Columbus where Drs. Bonesteel, Stillman and Hohen were called. The wound was probed, but the exact location of the ball couldn't be ascertained, but they thought it was imbedded in bowe's near the right ileum.
The other side of the story as told by McPherson makes it appear that Anderson commenced the attack, using a black snake whip and he (McPherson) shot him in self defence. Anderson and McPherson, the boy's father, have been on unfriendly terms for a year or two and this probably led to the trouble Friday morning.


Columbus Republican, June 22, 1876
MARRIED
LEACH-WOODARD--On the 17th inst., by Judge J.G. Higgins, Mr. W.M. Leach, of the Columbus Era, and Miss Laura P. Woodard. Another printer made happy. Persuade the editor of the Era to follow your noble example, Bro. Leach, and make a whole man of him, too.

CRITES-HAYT--On the 15th inst., at Collinsville, Illinois, by Rev. H.E. Hoyt, Mr. A.W. Crites and Miss Minnie C. Hayt. We have every reason to know that this is a loving match--he likes her and she likes him.


Columbus Republican, July 27, 1876
DIED
SMITH--Charles H. Smith, express agent at the U.P. Depot in Omaha, committed suicide at his home last Tuesday, by shooting himself through the heart. He has been married only one year. He leaves a wife and one child two months old. Family trouble caused the rash act. He left a letter for his wife, who was just about departing with her mother for the East, explaining the cause of the act.


Columbus Era, August 26, 1876
MARRIED
HERR-??--We have been told by several parties that Louis Herr, of the firm of Herr & Goetz, butchers, on 11th street, has recently been married. There must be some truth in this report, for we have seen him smile several times within the last two weeks, and the smiles were of that peculiar sort that indicate a measure of inward bliss that can only be felt when the mind reverts back to the ecstatic moment when two souls rush together and blend as one.


Columbus Republican, October 12, 1876
MARRIED
BURGESS-SHEETS--At the house of B.F. Sheets, Palestine, Ohio, _____, Oct. 5th, 1876, 2 o'clock P.M., by ____ Dowe, Mr. Wm. Watson Burgess, to Miss Almira E. Sheets, all of Columbus Nebraska. We are glad to learn that our brother is so well provided with sheets. In sheets with Sheets he may lie under sheets and when he returns to Columbus may get any number of "sheets under the wind" celebrating this important sheet of his history. We hope them both may live long, and finally be laid away in peace in their "winding sheets."


Columbus Republican, November 2, 1876
DIED
??--We are informed by Henry Lusche that on last Saturday evening a man was seen at work in the Bismarck precinct grave-yard, evidently digging a grave. A large party of the citizens gathered at the grave-yard on Sunday afternoon and found the new grave and proceeded to take up the body. It was found to be a young child, entirely naked, and perfect in form. The body was buried only about one foot under the ground.
This circumstance has raised considerable excitement in the neighborhood. The man seen digging the grave in the evening was believed to be a Polander from the manner of his dress. We will admit the circumstances are rather suspicious, and need a thorough investigation.


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