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2. The commissioners, having selected the present site of Lincoln for the purposes of the act, caused plats thereof to be made, on each of which block twenty-nine was designated as the "State Historical and Library Association Block," and on the legend it was thus referred to "The following blocks are reserved for public purposes: * * * Block 29, for State Historical Library Association, incorporated August 26th, 1867." These plats were duly filed in pursuance of the act. The commissioners, in their report to the legislature of their doings, specially state that the reservation of a block for the State Historical and Library Association had been made.

3. On the 15th of February, 1869, the legislature passed a joint resolution adopting the plat, with "all reservations of public squares." 4. On the 26th of August, 1867, certain persons procured their incorporation under the general laws of the state " for the purpose of establishing a state historical and library association," and it is understood by your committee that that corporation is still in existence.

5. On the 24th of February, 1875, the legislature passed an act donating this block to the city of Lincoln for the purposes of a market.

6. Your committee, after the most careful consideration, are of the opinion that the state had, before the act of February, 1875, divested itself of all right over this block of land, and that the grant to the city of Lincoln was void. It is not clear to your committee whether the association which became incorporated August 26, 1867, and was referred to in the legend of the plats, is entitled to the block. Your committee recommend the passage of the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee be raised composed of three members of this Society, to be appointed by the Chair, to confer with the State Historical and Library Association, incorporated August 26th, 1867, for the purpose of harmonizing and uniting their interests, and in connection with, or apart from, the said Association to institute proper legal proceedings to have the act of the legislature granting block 29, in Lincoln, to that city, declared by the proper judicial courts null and void.

All which is respectfully submitted.

J. M. WOOLWORTH,
J. R. WEBSTER,

CHAS. O. WHEDON,

Committee.

My only criticism on this report is that I hardly wish to admit a doubt of the title of the old incorporation (see page iv., top). In respect to Mr. Woolworth's judgment, I defer to his opinion.

I am in favor of the uniting of the two societies.

J. R. WEBSTER.

Reported also that the old society had revived and put itself in shape to work in harmony with this organization to secure, if possible, the property in question.

J. A. MacMurphy, J. M. Woolworth, Lorenzo Crounse, C. H. Gere, and C. O. Whedon were appointed a committee to draft a bill and ask its passage by the legislature, recognizing this organization as a state institution, requiring the President to report annually to the governor, as other institutions, and the state to print such reports as public documents.

J. M. Woolworth, J. R. Webster, and C. O. Whedon appointed committee on union of the old and this society.

The President announced that he had much valuable historical matter he would present to the Society when it was in condition to care for and preserve it.

Mr. Woolworth gave an outline account of a historical mantel-piece he was constructing in his new building in Omaha.

At this meeting Dr. A. L. Child, of Plattsmouth, read a paper, "Gold at Pike's Peak-Rush for-Stampede." (This address will be found in its place in the Appendix.)

A quarterly meeting was appointed for April, at Nebraska City, and J. Sterling Morton invited to address it. Also, a meeting was provided for at Plattsmouth, in October, the orator to be selected hereafter. No meetings, however, were held at either of these places.

The old officers were all re-elected.

Secretary reported he had sent out 600 of our circulars, 200 of our Constitution and By-Laws, and had written 211 letters; that he has on file 800 books, pamphlets, and manuscripts; that he encounters increased and bitter opposition because of action of Lincoln people and the legislature in the matter of the Historical block.

Dr. Child presented the organization with a copy of " Fremont's First and Second Expedition, 1842-3-4," for which thanks were extended..

Owing to absence of officers there was no annual meeting held in 1882.

ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 17TH, 1883.

Met at Commercial Hotel parlor, Lincoln.

Death of Moses Stocking announced. R. W. Furnas, S. Aughey and W. W. Wilson were appointed a committee on resolutions expressive of the feelings of this Society at the loss of Mr. Stocking.

The old officers were re-elected. The office of Recording Secretary was revived, and Mrs. C. B. Colby elected to fill this place.

W. H. Eller was elected a member of the Association.

The Secretary reported now on hand 925 books, pamphlets, and manuscripts.

R. W. Furnas, David Butler, and C. O. Whedon were appointed a committee to again ask the legislature for recognition as a state institution, and for a small appropriation to collect historical data and matter, and to obtain, if possible, a room in the Capitol building for library and other accumulating matter.

An hour was spent in relating reminiscences, participated in by Messrs. Merritt, Allan, Grennell, Wheeler, Clark, Dinsmore, Mullon, Furnas, and others.

The following is the Treasurer's Report, from organization to date:

SYNOPSIS OF REPORTS

For every year since the organization of the State Historical Society. Year 1879.

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To the Hon. R. W. Furnas, President of Nebraska State Historical Society:

I have the honor to submit my annual report, as your Treasurer of Nebraska State Historical Society, for the year 1883:

To balance on hand, as per report of 81.....

61

To amount fees and dues......

35 00

To cash received of state treasurer, as per appropriation by

legislature

500 00

$535 61

By cash paid State Journal for letter heads, as per voucher...

9.00

Balance on hand.......

$526 61

Respectfully submitted,
W. W. WILSON,

Treas. Neb. Hist. Society.

LINCOLN, NEB., Jan. 2d, 1884.

This balance is deposited in 1st National Bank, Lincoln, in name of Nebraska State Historical Society, the $500 to draw 3 per cent interest if left for three months or longer.

HISTORIES OF COUNTIES.

We have collected, and have on file, reliable, detailed histories of the following counties, together with many interesting reminiscences connected therewith. These are entirely too voluminous for publication as part of this report. But will form the basis, as valuable data for future historical use and publication.

Antelope county.

Boone county, prepared by S. P. Bollman.
Butler county, prepared by G. L. Brown.
Colfax county, prepared by Wm. Draper.
Clay county, prepared by Dr. M. Clark.
Cuming county, prepared by E. N. Sweet.
Cass county, prepared by A. L. Childs.
Cedar county, prepared by L. E. Jones.
Dixon county, prepared by Ed. Arnold.
Dawson county, prepared by T. J. Jewett.
Dodge county, prepared by L. J. Abbott.
Douglas county, prepared by E. Estabrook.
Dacotah county, prepared by Wm. Adair.
Franklin county, prepared by M. O'Sullivan.
Furnas county, prepared by W. E. Crutcher.
Fillmore county, prepared by W. H. Blaine.
Gage county, prepared by W. H. Somers.
Howard county, prepared by R. Harvey.
Hamilton county, prepared by L. W. Hastings.
Hall county, prepared by Wm. Stolley.
Johnson county, prepared by Andrew Cook.

Knox county, prepared by A. L. Towle.
Lancaster county, prepared by C. H. Gere.
Merrick county, prepared by J. L. Martin.
Madison county, prepared by Judge M'Callum.
Nemaha county, prepared by Robt. W. Furnas.

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