Published in The Journal, January 3, 1900
Our account this week begins with June 15, 1877 and ends with July 4, 1877

BIRTHS - SULLIVAN--Dave Malloy arrived in town on the afternoon of Thursday last and furnished us with the following story: The wife of John Sullivan was responsible for the birth of a baby with six well-developed teeth. Those are healthy molars for one so young.

Thomas Flynn & Son advertised brick for sale at $10 a thousand at the kiln.

Eugene Durr was put under bonds to answer the charge of shooting at John McMahon.

Mike Welch, as mail carrier, had to go seven or eight miles further than he ought because of the absence of certain bridges in Bismark precinct.

DIED - NEEDHAM--George Needham of Butler Co., died Monday morning. He had been living with Mr. Edward McDonald, and through unnecessary exposure, had caught the small-pox. His physician says that he had recovered from the disease and was convalescing very nicely. While sitting in a rocking chair he suddenly placed his hand on his heart and complained of feeling ill, and in two minutes was dead. Mrs. McDonald and a young lad in the family are now afflicted with the small-pox.

Columbus markets June 13, 1877, wheat $1.30, corn 40-60c, oats 35-45c, butter 10-11 1/2c, eggs 8-10c, potatoes $1.00-$1.25, fat hogs $3.00-$3.25, fat cattle $3.50-$4.00.

John Schram as city clerk notified property holders to build sidewalks along certain lots, "of lumber two inches in thickness, on stringers four by four, and not less than six feet in width, the grade to be established by the city engineer."

MARRIED - CHAPIN-EVERHARD--On Feb. 19th, 1879, by Elder H.J. Hudson, Willard Chapin to Jennie M. Everhard. In union there is strength but in this union, inexpressible bliss undoubtedly will be the prominent feature, at least it should be when so beautiful and loving a young lady takes her Chap-in, while his fond heart ever thrills at the thought that he has his Everhard to inspire and to encourage.

John, son of Judge Riley of Boone county, met an untimely death while attempting to cross a deep ravine on the public road near Boone post office on his way home from Columbus. The ravine at the time was a raging, angry, turbid stream, at least 15 feet deep. He was about half way across when he was thrown from his horse, and the force of the current carried him under.


Published in The Journal on January 10, 1900
Our account this week begins with July 11, 1877 and ends with August 15, 1877.

During the week ending July 7, 1877, the thermometer frequently reached 102 in the shade, and "people perspired profusely."

DIED - FOLEY--From Daniel Ryan, one of the Coroner's jury, we learn the facts concerning the death of Danl. Foley on Thursday last, the hottest day, perhaps, of this hot season. On Thursday evening Mr. Foley was found dead on the farm of C.A. Davis, which is directly north of Pat. Murray's on the bluff.
Coroner A. Heintz summoned a jury of six men, as follows, to investigate the cause of Mr. Foley's death: Pat Murphy, John Lucid, Michael Upton, Ed. Welch, David O'Brien and Daniel Ryan.
The testimony adduced showed that Mr. Foley had been at Columbus on the Fourth; that he had left here about half-past twelve o'clock in the night, seemingly all right in every way. On the morning of the fifth at about sunrise Mr. C.A. Davis found him in his wheat field, sitting on the seat in his wagon, but apparently not in his right mind. He said to Mr. Davis that he had lost his way, and when the road was shown him he told Davis that he needn't go any further with him--he was all right. Supposing that he would be all right, Mr. D. thought nothing more of him, until his attention was attracted in the evening to a wagon in a ravine on a part of his farm at a distance from where he had been seen Mr. Foley. Getting on a horse he went to see what was the matter, and found Mr. Foley lying on his back in the wagon, without any covering over his head, and dead. The horses had been unhitched, and the harness taken off and put into the wagon, as though the dying man realized that his death was immanent, and the loosened horses, reaching home, with their halters tied up (as they were found to be,) would attract attention and may be, bring some one to his aid. The horses reached Jno. Maher's at about ten o'clock Thursday morning.
Mr. Foley lived on Shell creek, near M. Maher's and leaves a wife and two young children.

Mrs. Monette and Mrs. Slattery were riding in the country; the seat of the buggy was not stationary, and upon whipping up the team they started with such a sudden jerk as to precipitate both ladies backward to the ground. Both were more or less bruised, Mrs. Monette being rendered insensible for some time.

July 5, Daniel Foley was found dead on the farm of C. A. Davis north of Pat. Murray's on the bluff. Pat. Murphy, John Lucid, Michael Upton, Ed. Welch, David O'Brien and Daniel Ryan were Coroner Heintz' jury. Mr. Foley doubtless realizing that his end was near, had in the darkness of the night, unhitched his horses from the wagon and allowed them to go loose. He had lost his way and was found in his wagon lying on his back. The wagon was off the road in a ravine. The horses reached John Maher's on the morning of July 5.

DIED - WILSEY--Mr. Miles Warren of Butler Co. informs us that the small-pox in that county is now confined to the family of the late Horace Wilsey. Three of this family, the father and the eldest and youngest child, died of the disease. The mother and two children yet remain, and the disease is thought to be certainly confined to this one family--no other cases are known. By careful inquiry we can learn of no other cases of small-pox in this region of country, notwithstanding the assertion of the last Era that there was "some small-pox" in this county. The local editor of the Era should confine himself to the truth.

BIRTHS - SWEDE--Two Swedes, husband and wife, living on the Looking Glass, were "doubly" blessed, a few days ago, by Mrs. Swede giving birth to twins. They have been married twenty or thirty years, and this is their first effort at multiplying and replenishing the earth.


Published in The Columbus Journal on Wed., November 16, 1910, pg. 1, col. 1
Files of the Journal, November 21, 1877

It is said one of the officials of the city who, at the time of the earthquake shock, was in the banking building, proposed to his companions that it was time to pray. This, however, he denies, as he has not prayed any for three years.
On Thursday last, 11:35, two distinct waves of earthquake, with numerous tremors, were felt here, lasting, according to our estimate, about 30 seconds. The "sensation" was a thorough one. Everybody was "moved," though all were not conscious of it, and some few for a while were very incredulous. The motion, some affirm, was from southeast to northwest, others who noticed the vibrations of hanging articles, say it was north and south. The two story brick houses in the city were more perceptibly affected than others. At the brick school in district number one, the walls were cracked from the foundation up in two places, and the school children so thoroughly frightened that they rushed out of the building and could not be persuaded to re-enter it. School was dismissed for the day. A. W. Crites, whose office is in the second story of the bank building, says that he doesn't wish to be invited out to another such matinee. He could hear the grinding of the mortar and Chas. Wake, who was in the same building, declares he could see the walls move. Similar sensations were experienced at the court house, and the wall was cracked in one place. Some fear is expressed that the school house will not be safe for occupancy in a storm of wind; the damage to the court house is so slight as not to create any apprehension. Two other buildings in the city were perceptibly injured, though some of the frame ones creaked and swayed considerably. There is no telling what would have been the result if the shocks had been continued another time or two. As it was, most of our people had a slight experience of an earthquake with consequences which often attend them.


MARRIED - HEMBT-AHRENS--Two loving souls mutually absorbed each other on Friday--Julius Hembt and Miss Ahrens.

DIED - KEARNS--John Kearns went down into John Shaughnessey's well on Shell Creek, Monday to repair the curbing and while down near the bottom, about 60 feet, the sand caved in upon him, burying him 20 feet beneath. This sad occurrence is one among many of the same kind which have happened in various parts of this State, this Spring. An effort was made on Tuesday by his neighbors to recover the body, but without success, three others narrowly escaping the same fate. Thursday a well digger was employed to undertake the task, but he too gave it up after making a narrow escape from the caving sand late Thursday evening, when down within a few feet of the buried man. The last escape was the last attempt, and it was agreed by all present that all further efforts to recover the body be abandoned and the well filled up.

BOWSER--Joel Bowser, of Hackberry precinct, Polk county, a lad of 15 years, was found dead hanging by a rope at his residence; the Coroner's jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by accidental hanging.


Published in The Journal on January 24, 1900
Our account this week begins with September 26, 1877 and ends with November 28, 1877.

Wednesday, September 19, 1877, the railroad was completed to David City.

Jacob Binney lost a daughter eight years old from the effects of a prairie fire.

September 25, Orlando Rose lost two good stacks of wheat, struck by lightening.

DIED - BLOCHER--On Sunday evening last Mr. E. Blocher died very suddenly at the Clother House, under the following cirumstances: For several days he had complained of a very bad "cold," but had been taking, so far as known, no medicine except Wakefield's cough syrup. On Sunday evening at a quarter to eight he retired to his room to bathe his feet in warm water, and this is the last that was known of him, alive. At about half-past eight some one who was to sleep in the same room found the door locked and no one answered to call. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to awaken the supposed sleeper, the transom was opened and Mr. Blocher was seen sitting on a chair, his feet in a pail of water, and his head thrown far back. The room was then entered and he was found to be dead, seemingly by an unusual flow of the blood to the head. Dr. A. Heintz, coroner, summoned a jury on Monday, consisting of S.L. Barrett, G.A. Schroeder, M. Weaver, N.G. Bonesteel, C. Wake and D.D. Wadsworth, who returned a verdict that the deceased died from natural causes.

Thursday, Nov. 15, 1877 at 11:35 a.m., two distinct waves of earthquake, with numerous tremors were felt here, lasting, according to our estimate, about 30 seconds. At the brick schoolhouse in district no. 1 the walls were cracked in two places, from the foundation up, and the school children so thoroughly frightened that they rushed out of the building and could not be persuaded to re-enter it. School was dismissed for the day. A Crites, whose office was in the second story of the Columbus State Bank building, said he didn't wish to be invited out to another such matinee. He could hear the grinding of the mortar, and Charles Wake, who was in the same building, declared he could see the walls move. Similar sensations were experienced at the court house, and the wall was cracked in one place.

BIRTHS - JOHNSON--Wesley Johnson and lady, of Saunders county, came to this city Monday to attend the circus, see the elephants, lions, monkeys, etc., etc.; but to his delight and satisfaction while here he had an addition to his family in the shape of something, to him, more agreeable than circuses, manageries and all that is in them.

MARRIED - TYRREL--Monday we received a card from Lorain, Ohio, containing the following: "Lon C. Tyrrel--Emma Randall, married Nov. 19, 1877," the accompanying note says, "'Old Crusty' has surrendered unconditionally. Thinest, A.C. Tyrrel."

Published in The Journal on January 31, 1900
Our account this week begins with December 5, 1877 and ends with February 13, 1878.

Wheat, 82 cents.

Plowing was done on December 21.

James Yanglin, the first convict from Butler county, was sentenced to the penitentiary four years for horse stealing.

Stock hogs were in demand, because farmers wanted to utilize their large corn crops. Corn was 20 cents a bushel, and fat hogs $3.00 to $3.25 a hundred.

Musical sounds were transmitted by the telephone from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio, a circuit of 375 miles. The sounds were audible to the audience, but the particular tune could not be recognized.

DIED- HAGEY--A.G. Hagey, living in Hamilton county, was murdered near his own door on the night of the twelfth, by a man named Case. Mr. Hagey and family had been to a dabating society and had returned home about midnight, and was a short distance from the house when a man with a white handkerchief around his head, came out of the door and shot Mr. Hagey down, killing him instantly.

BIRTHS - SANDERS--On the 15th inst., to Mrs. and Mr. T.H. Sanders, a son. Mother and child doing well. Last week we recorded a case of hard-luck for Mr. S. Some might construe the above as another affliction, but Mr. and Mrs. S. don't look at it in that light.


Published in The Journal on February 21, 1900
Our account this week begins with July 24, 1878 and ends with August 28, 1878.

Land sold in Polk and Platte county at from $3 to $10 an acre.

Henry Gass began the erection of a business building on Eleventh street, the present location.

At about 9 o'clock p.m., August 7, one of the chandaliers fell down at Schupbach & Schroeder's hardware store on Eleventh street, but in a few moments, Herman Oehlrich of Henry Bros.' Establishment came with a Babcock extinguisher on his back and the fire died gradually down under the potent influence of the medicated water. Herman deserved the heartiest thanks of the entire neighborhood for his timely appearance, the The Journal tendered him its share.


Published in The Journal on March 7, 1900
Our account this week begins with September 4, 1878 and ends with October 30, 1878.

John Routson surveyed and platted the town of Genoa, Pawnee Reservation.

Charles A. Stevenson was of the opinion, after a short canvass, that Columbus contained between two thousand and twenty-five hundred inhabitants.

Prairie fires, -- Franz Henggler, John Haney, James Compton and Pat. Griffin lost by a fire which started from the railroad track near Martin Reagan's Oct. 19 in the evening, and reached Shell creek about midnight. R. W. Young on Stearns prairie lost all his hay and grain, three horses and all his buildings. T.J. Ellis all his grain, hay and stable, and Mr. Hellbush twelve stacks of grain and his grove of timber. From the Looking Glass, losses were suffered by Messrs. Peterson, Cedar, Larson, Nelson, Irwin, Valine, Dickinson, Burlin, Jacobs, Ennis, Peterson, Mitchener. Mr. Middleton, who went to help Mitchener, lost his life, managing to get home, but with nothing on him except his shoes, the skin falling off him, and he dying in a few hours. On Shell creek those who lost were Williams, Holleran, Oleson, James and Pat Ducey.






Published in The Journal on March 14, 1900
Our account this week begins with October 30, 1878 and ends with March 12, 1879.

George Berney sold 69 head of fat cattle for $3700, to be shipped direct to Liverpool, England.

BIRTHS - SULLIVAN--Dave Malloy arrived in town on the afternoon of Thursday last and furnished us with the following story: The wife of John Sullivan was responsible for the birth of a baby with six well-developed teeth. Those are healthy molars for one so young.

The Presbyterian church was opened, for public worship Sabbath morning Dec. 15, Rev. R. Christison preaching.

BIRTHS - THAYER--Miss Eva M. Thayer, the young lady who has been "foolin" around her uncle S. Young, gave birth to a son, Wednesday night. Young was bound over, by Judge McAllister, a week ago, to appear before the district court at its next term, to answer to the charge of adultery with the said Eva M. Thayer.

Twelve horses were stolen from the ranch of the North Brothers on the Loup, supposed to have been the work of a band of Sioux Indians.


Published in The Journal on March 28, 1900
Our account this week begins with March 12, 1879 and ends with July 30, 1879.

Timothy Treacy attempted to kill his wife and then committed suicide.

The Independent, a 5 column paper, made its first appearance July 8, 1879, the fourth newspaper venture in Columbus.

MARRIED - ALEXANDER-STEINBAUGH--Married by the Rev. Cook, at the residence of the bride, on the 11th inst. Mr. Saml. Alexander to Mrs. Steinbaugh. Much excitement and amusement has been occasioned by this marriage. The young couple were so sly in their way, being married unknown to their families. The son of the widow sharing his bed with dear old Sammy, they retired as usual, after the wedding when poor Samuel feeling confident that Will was safe and sound in sleep, crept out to his newly made wife, but alas, he was missed and the truth had to be told. May they be happy, and their latter days brightened by love's increasing flame.

BIRTHS - WELCH--A nine pound boy stopped at Mike Welch's, Thursday morning. Mike has adopted him.

DIED - TREACY--At the residence of ____ Clerie, on Stearns Prairie, this county, fifteen miles north of Columbus, was enacted one of the most shocking tragedies ever known in this section of the country. About 10 o'clock Wednesday forenoon, Timothy Treacy attempted murder of his wife by knocking her down upon the floor placing his foot across her neck and shooting at her several times with two pistols, three of the shots taking effect, one in the lower part of the arm one in the shoulder and one in the breast. Leaving his wife dead, as he supposed, he then went to Nicholas Gentleman's, a short distance away, told what he had done, then went into the stable and shot himself through the heart dying instantly. The cause which led to this attempted murder of his wife and the killing of himself had its origin in domestic trouble between himself and wife, dating several years back. They had been married some thirty odd years and had raised a family of children, respected and admired by a large circle of acquaintances for their intelligence and true merit. Mrs. Treacy's condition is pronounced critical, but she may recover.


[addition information]

TREACY--Last Wednesday morning the city was startled by a report from Stearns prairie that Timothy Treacy, a well-known citizen of Platte, Co., had attempted to kill his wife and then committed suicide. The facts, as since ascertained, are these: About nine months ago, Mr. Treacy had some disagreement with his wife and, we believe, his children also, since which time he has not lived with them.
His chief place of sojourn, as we are told, was Mr. Nick Gentleman's, where he was stopping on the night of the 13th. Gentleman's is about 1/4 mile from Mr. McCleary's place, which latter is about 300 yds. from the home of Mrs. Treacy. Mrs. T. had lately purchasec chickens from McClear's, who are now at Omaha, and, there being some setting hens among the number, she let them remain, but was to and fro every day to tend them. On the morning of the 14th she made her usual visit to the McCleary homestead, and was surprised there by Treacy's coming suddenly upon her. Having, since the separation, always had angry words with him when they happened to meet, she was frightened, and endeavored to escape. He had a Colt's navy revolver and fired all the six shots at her. He then took a small revolver, threw Mrs. Treacy down, put his foot upon her neck, fired a shot at her when the approach of a buggy along the road frightened him and he ran to Gentleman's, telling him that he had shot his wife and he guessed he had killed her. Gentleman told him he would be hung for it; with that, Treacy went to the stable, and in a very short time the crack of a pistol was heard, the Mr. Treacy was found with a bullet through his heart--dead. Three of the shots fired struck Mrs. T., two of them producing slight wounds, the third a serious one which Dr. Bonesteel regards as critical.
Treacy was about fifty-five years old, and a resident of Platte county eight years.

DIED - HOLDEN--Since our last communication, Mr. Robt. Holden has lost a daughter, about nine years old. Mrs. Wm. Meniece has just recovered from a dangerous illness. There is a disagreement among the medical faculty as to the disease which has been so serious hereabouts. All agree that it was all substantially the same, but the disagreement as to what it is. Some call it Cerebro Spinal Menengetis, another Malignant fever, and others say, Scarlatina Maligna, with Typhoid Pneumonia. Would some of the faculty of Columbus favor the readers of the Journal with an explanation? Are they the same and only different names used to confuse the uninitiated, or are they all different diseases?

BIRTHS - ??--James Knox and wife, who reside in the eastern part of this county, about nine miles from Seward, found a baby boy on their doorstep on the 4th of June, about eleven o'clock at night. They heard the little stranger cyring on their doorstep after they had retired and took him in. Nobody has come since and claimed him

Published in The Journal on April 4, 1900
Our account this week begins with July 30, 1879 and ends with October 8, 1879.

The Columbus Volksblatt made its appearance August 30, R.C. Lange editor.

"Doc" Middleton was sentenced to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary for horse stealing.

DIED - JONES--I.P. Jones, an insane man from the asylum at Lincoln, threw himself before the train at the depot, and was runover by twenty-one cars before he was noticed. He was the same man who jumped into a deep well near the asylum some time ago, but failed to take his life.

Engelbert Gear fell from a ladder at St. Mary's church, and suffered the fracture of both arms, near the wrists.


Published in The Journal on April 11, 1900
Our account this week begins with October 8, 1979 and ends with December 31, 1879.

Creston precinct was overrun by coyotes.

DIED - KAVANAUGH--The people of Columbus were greatly startled on Wednesday morning by the news of the death of E.C. Kavanaugh of typhoid fever. Few persons outside of his immediate circle of relatives even knew that he was suffering from any indisposition. His illness was not much more than a week in duration, and many had not missed him from the streets, or supposed him to be engaged in some of his many business projects. He was a man of immense energy and activity in whatever sphere he happened to be placed, doing everything he set out to do, thoroughly and well. A man of powerful impulses, when he was one's friend no length was too great for him to go upon the service of his friend. This trait, together with his dominating power of will, caused him to be the possessor of a personal influence in Platte county equaled by few and excelled by none. An inveterate politician, he rarely suffered a political campaign to go by without taking a hand in, to the confusion of his political opponents. Enemies he had, it is true, what man of force and character is without them? but the bitterest of them conceded his personal honesty and sincerity of purpose.
He had filled the office of Councilman for his ward in this city for two consecutive terms, and was the incumbent of the office at the time of his death. His official career was distinguished by a love for public improvements of one sort and another, and in selecting and making the same, his course was singularly well chosen; and when carried out under his personal supervision, they were invariably fully up to the mark. His only relative in Columbus, was a son, Mr. D.C. Kavanaugh, who has the sympathy of the entire community.
His remains were interred on yesterday afternoon in the Catholic Cemetery, whither they were followed by a very large concourse of friends and neighbors.

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