many years ago



Published in The Journal, March 8, 1905
From files of Journal March 6, 1872

Guy C. Barnum, one of the county commissioners, informed us on Wednesday last that about thirty-five boards from the railing of the Platte river bridge had been stolen. We suggest that an effort be made to find out who the thief is and punish him to the full extent of the law. Any information that may lead to conviction of the scoundrel should be addressed to either of our county commissioners, G.C. Barnum, G.W. Galley or John Early.

Guy C. Barnum left on Monday last with a drove of cattle which he tells us he will drive to the B.& M. road or to Omaha for convenience of shipping. It is a little strange to us that the Union Pacific railroad company do not get facilities here for loading and unloading stock. Every animal that goes on or off the cars here must do so at the risk of a broken limb. To put up one chute would not cost much, would be a great convenience to shippers and would amply repay the company for the outlay, and the truth is that it is a shame that our stock men should be compelled to drive elsewhere for shipping facilities.


From files of the Platte Journal, February 28, 1872

DIED ??--It is a sad paragraph we are obliged to write next. W.P. Phillips, Vice President of the First National Bank, and wife, left this city a few days ago to hasten to the father of Mrs. Phillips, who was lying dangerously ill at his home in Lewiston, Ill. A safe journey was their good fortune until in a wagon that was to carry our friend and family from the depot to the sick father's house, there happened an almost fatal accident. Frightened horses that became unmanageable, upset the wagon and threw all violently to the ground. Mr. Phillips received serious injuries, being insensible from the shock for four hours after the accident. Mrs. P., we are glad to learn, was not badly injured, and the children were even more fortunate. But saddest of all to Mrs. P. was the death of her father before she reached his bed side.--Lincoln Statesman.


Published in The Journal, March 15, 1905
From files of Journal March 13, 1872

Mark Twain's new bork--"Roughing It" is written in his best style and is having an immense sale. This is not an advertisement.

Schuyler has a bank.


Published in The Journal, March 29, 1905
From files of Journal April 5, 1872

Thursday last an accident happened to E.A. Gerrard of this place, which luckily did not prove fatal. At about two o'clock he was saddling one of his horses when a cat jumped under the animal frightening it, throwing Mr. Gerrard to the ground and kicking him in the face and hips. He expects to be about in a few days.


The Platte Journal, May 1, 1872

DIED
BROWN--We learn from Mr. Clark Cooncey that Sherman Brown, a desperado that formerly lived here, and is well known to many of our citizens, met the desperado's death in Harrison county, Iowa, near Valley Station, a few days ago. He got into a quarrel with an other man on the subject of politics, and Brown drew a knife upon his opponent, which "argument" was answered by a pistol shot, that ended the discussion, and at the same time brought Brown's turbulent life to a sudden close.

KUMMER--A son of Mr. Samuel Kummer, living about ten miles west of Columbus, was instantly killed by lightning on last Sunday afternoon. The lad was bringing in some cattle at the time--two of which were also killed. A gentleman, who witnessed the sad spectacle, says that the lightning seemed like a tremendous red-hot poker, pointing straight to the earth.


The Platte Journal, May 15, 1872

BIRTHS
COOK--Last Sunday evening, Mrs. Lizzie Cook, living in Platte county, about five miles from the Reserve, presented Samuel, her faithful husband, with a pair of little Cooks both of the masculine gender, and weighing, respectively, seven and seven and a half pounds. Sammy feels tickled at least to the amount of ten cents per pound.


The Platte Journal, August 21, 1872

DIED
LIPS--Some weeks since we gave an account of the disappearance of George Lips--the circumstances indicating that in attempting to cross the river he had been drowned. Afterwards, some one saw the body of a man floating past the bridge, but paid no further attention to the matter.
On Sunday evening of last week (and these facts we gather from the Schuyler Register) a dead body was found lying on a sand-bank near Mr. Gardner's farm. A coroner's jury was impanneled, and an inquest held; the jury "found the half decayed body of a man which to all appearances had been in the river several weeks. The body was stripped and the clothing--which consisted of a striped, light-colored calico shirt, light-colored linen pants, and a pair of gaiters, about number eights--was secured by means of a small rope and a saddle strap, about his neck. The body was much decayed, so as to be beyond recognition; the head which had fallen from the body was simply a skull without covering, already bare and bleached; the pockets contained a brier pipe, a spear-head and ferrule for same, some chewing and smoking tobacco, a satchel key, and a letter addressed to 'George Lips, Esq., Cherry Hill, Neb., and was signed by Emeline Elizabeth Cyer,' which bore date of July 13th, 1872, and was post marked ---- July 17.
The body was evidently that of Geo. Lips of Platte county. A hole in the breast looked suspicious of foul play, yet nothing definite could be made of it, as it was immediately above the breast-bone and should no further evidence of being a shot wound the jury took no official note of it, but returned a verdict that 'the deceased was supposed to be the body of George Lips, and that he came to his death by drowning.'"


Published in The Platte Journal, December 24, 1873

DIED
HELD--On Thursday, Dec. 18th, at 4 P.M., of lung fever, Mr. John Held, aged forty-eight years. Mr. Held was an old resident of Platte co., one of the first settlers, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him, for his generosity, kind heartedness and honesty.

*** FOOTNOTE: John Held was one of the original 13....***


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