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pal citizens. During the summer of this year Mr. Gaylord went East to solicit funds for the college, and, notwithstanding the stringency in money matters, secured, principally from friends, sufficient to relieve the building from pressure, and meet some other expenses. The Indian scare spoken of is known as the "Pawnee war." It was begun in consequence of the whole tribe of Pawnees leaving their villages and camping on the Elkhorn river near Fontenelle, where they soon committed depredations which were very inconvenient for the settlers. Many families left their homes and fled to Fontenelle for safety. Companies were formed and the Indians pursued for some distance beyond West Point, and finally to Genoa and Columbus. Gov. Black accompanied the expedition, which was under the direct command of Col. Thayer, now our honored governor. Some Indians were captured and a very few killed. But these hindrances were a heavy blow to both seminary and people, and as a result the college building, the pride of the town, which had been occupied both as church and school stood unused except as a place of worship. In these dark days the trustees and friends of the institution could do little else than pray for the time to come when prosperity should again dawn upon the enterprise. But there were men who, during these three or four years, stood firm in the midst of the darkness, and without complaining bore the heavy burdens, never looking for or expecting any personal reward. There were the long journeys to attend trustee meetings, often and at all seasons—the snows and cold of winter or the heat of summer did not hinder-and sometimes the giving of a little money from private purses which were never heavy. But perhaps these were strengthened by being able to say: "Surely my work is with the Lord and my judgment with my God." Among these names is that of Deacon Corliss, of Fontenelle, who is still living.

When there was no minister he conducted services on the Sabbath, took charge of the Sabbath school and prayer meeting, kept the keys of the building, and sometimes acted as janitor. These dark days were darkest in 1861-62 and '63. In 1864 Miss A. B. Savage, a lady who came highly recommended, was secured to take charge of the preparatory and ladies' department. Circulars were issued and Mr. Gaylord authorized to collect funds while on his trip East. In 1865 a building which had been used as a hotel was purchased for a board

ing house. This and another block (block 52) were secured to the institution through the liberality and efforts of the citizens of Fontenelle. The trustees also instructed the executive committee to secure a male teacher and provide means for his support. As a result of correspondence between Rev. L. H. Jones and Prof. Fairchild, of Oberlin, Mr. H. E. Brown accepted the position of principal of the preparatory department, and was on the ground in the fall of '65, just about the time the college building was destroyed by fire a heavy loss to both church and college. Prof. Brown was fertile in expedients and full of enthusiasm. He temporarily fitted up a part of the boarding house for a school-room for the winter, and the following spring the executive committee were authorized to build an addition to the boarding house for school purposes. Prof. Brown went East as financial agent, but was not successful in collecting funds. He returned early in the autumn with his family and superintended the building of the school room.

But his ardor led him to undertake too much. His efforts for the spiritual welfare of the students were very successful and several were hopefully converted.

Becoming discouraged he tendered his resignation, which was accepted after expressions of undiminished confidence on the part of each member of the board of trustees. About this time a donation of five hundred dollars was received from a gentleman in Brooklyn, and a part of it used to put the boarding house and school-room in good repair. In September, 1867, Rev. C. G. Bisbee was appointed principal, with Miss Sarah Jennie, assistant. Rev. Mr. Kuhlman was secured

to teach the German class. During the winter term there were as many students as could be accommodated, and all were greatly encouraged. At the meeting of trustees in July the school was reported in a prosperous condition. But at the same meeting Rev. Mr. Alley, one of the trustees, presented a proposition from the people of Weeping Water (where he was preaching) to secure a property basis of nine thousand dollars, provided the university be removed to that place. The question of re-location was referred to the executive committee. Rev. Mr. Bisbee was continued as principal. He was to furnish the instruction, provide for incidental expenses, and have the tuition and rent of the college property as compensation.

During the year Weeping Water was visited and inducements for removal considered. In June the committee reported that Fontenelle was the better location. In July, 1869, Rev. Roswell Foster, then preaching in Fremont, proposed that the trustees invite bids. from all parts of the state for the purpose of securing the most eligible and permanent location for the institution. This proposition was lost. But the association at their next meeting declined to elect trustees, and finally, through a committee appointed for that purpose, did relinquish the name and prestige of the association to the management and direction of the college, leaving the board of trustees at full liberty to conduct the affairs as circumstances might require, and to seek from the legislature such amendments to the charter as they might think proper.

The trustees now resolved that the time had come to erect a new building in place of the one that was burned, and declared their wish to place the seminary on a catholic and firm basis. The next month, August, 1869, the treasurer presented to the trustees a subscription paper on which four thousand two hundred dollars were pledged for the new building, and they decided to erect the same at once. Α building committee was appointed, plans and specifications received, and the work begun. The trustees also decided to extend a call to some suitable person to become president of the college, and authorized the president of the board to extend such call to Rev. S. H. Emery, of Quincy, Ill., at a salary of from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars. But he had previously made other arrangements and could not accept. In January, 1870, the first story of the new building, 30x50 feet, was ready for the winter term. The following March, Rev. Thomas Douglas became president and was authorized to employ teachers for the coming year. An organ was purchased and a music teacher secured. Rev. C. G. Bisbee resigned, and Prof. J. J. Boulter was obtained to fill his place. Mrs. Boulter kept the boarding house, and both were faithful and efficient workers. But in 1872 the new building was visited by an unexpected calamity. It was surmounted by a heavy cupola and the upper story was not yet finished. A severe wind, amounting to something like a cyclone, struck the building, and helped by the insecure cupola, wrenched it out of place, thus rendering it unsafe for the school. Some work was done toward repairing the injury and more contemplated. A

subscription of fifteen hundred dollars by the citizens of Fontenelle was expected to meet all indebtedness. At a meeting of the Congregational association in Omaha, June, 1872, a vote was taken to place the Congregational college at Crete. Fontenelle was greatly disheartened but still hoped to save the buildings for a school. This pledge by the people of fifteen hundred dollars was partly collected. Then came the first grasshopper year. Because of this many could not pay what they had promised in more prosperous times. In 1874 the buildings were sold at auction. They were still standing in their places in 1876, but were afterwards removed. "The one hundred and sixty acres of choice land" was given on condition that the college should remain at Fontenelle. This reverted to the heirs of Deacon Keyes, of Quincy, who gave it on these conditions. Some other property was given in a similar way. Thus, for many years, says Rev. Mr. Bisbee, efforts were made to establish a Christian college at Fontenelle. Many prayers were offered and much self-denying labor put forth for its success. Encouragements and discouragements were experienced. Many were assisted in acquiring an education, and a goodly number found the Saviour. It did a good work in spite of great difficulties.

The above record from the pen of Mrs. Reuben Gaylord is a valuable contribution to the early history of Christian education in Nebraska. Few are now surviving who could tell the story as it is here done, by one who shared in all its chief events. It preserves some of the words, and shows the spirit, which always animated the heart of REV. REUBEN GAYLORD, the acknowledged pioneer of both education and religious work in this state. It should be counted the first chapter in the history which here follows, of Doane College. Its success is but the realizing of the ideas, and carrying out of the plans, under another name, which Mr. Gaylord began at Fontenelle. The work is one. The history is, and will be one. In this just view of the case is found another bond of union for all friends of Christian education past and present, an added stimulus to help carry on to success and great usefulness what was so early and so well begun. A. F. S.

THIRTY-THREE YEARS AGO.

THROUGH NEBRASKA BEFORE ANY SETTLEMENTS-JOURNAL OF A JOURNEY TO CALIFORNIA IN 1853.

[Read by Mr. John A. MacMurphy before the State Historical Society at Lincoln, January, 1886.]

The narrative below was written by a relative, and collated by Mrs. H. J. MacMurphy for the historical references to the country that is now Nebraska, and will be interesting to all old settlers who have watched the growth of the state in later years:

SCHUYLER, Neb., March 5.-Thirty-three years ago-April 20, 1853, a family consisting of father, mother, son and daughter started from Wisconsin to the then Eldorado-California-a journey of nearly 2,500 miles, to be made entirely by wagon.

The family which undertook and accomplished this great journey were not tillers of the soil, used to wrestle with nature, but that of a merchant accustomed to all the refinements procurable in the western state which had been their home; the wife a woman of very much more than ordinary intellectual culture for that day, and the daughter a highly accomplished musician; both mother and daughter possessing the gifts which eminently fitted them to call about them the best of whatever society they were thrown among. A journal of their travels with the sun, kept by such a woman, would possess many interesting features and, having it in my possession, I hasten to share with our readers a few of its daily records, mostly, in this short article, such as pertain to their progress through Nebraska Nebraska as it was thirty-three years ago. Our journey

with them will be typical of the contrast between their progress then and that of the present day, a rapid touch here and there, with

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