The Philosophy of Emigration, by Hon. J. M. Woolworth........151 161 Admission of Nebraska into the Union, by Hon. C. H. Gere .....162-173 Gold at Pike's Peak-Rush for-Stampede, by Dr. A. L Child..174-180 The Discovery of Nebraska, by Judge J. W. Savage............................ The Place of History in Modern Education, by G. E. Howard...202–217 BROWNVILLE, NEBRASKA, Jan. 1st, 1885. To the Hon. James W. Dawes, Governor of Nebraska : SIR-In accordance with the requirements of "An act to aid and encourage the Nebraska State Historical Society," approved February 27th, 1883, I hereby submit this the first report of said organization. Very respectfully, ROBT. W. FURNAS, President. PREFACE. The preparation of this first report of the Nebraska State Historical Society for publication, while entered upon with much interest and pleasure, has been surrounded with many disadvantageous conditions. Principal among which has been want of time, owing to other pressing duties, since the work came into my hands. The Secretary left the state a year or more ago. Since then I have performed the duties of both President and Secretary. The books and papers of the Society came into my hands in a confused condition, requiring much time to digest and arrange. While not as much as I desired has been accomplished, I feel that a good work has been commenced, and now can be followed up under more favorable conditions. I find it quite difficult to obtain existing desirable data and matter by correspondence. To be entirely successful requires personal visits and attention. This has not been possible heretofore, but will be resorted to more in the future. In this report, in matter of biographies, I have, with a single exception, confined myself to those early pioneers who have died. The autobiography of Father Hamilton, the oldest of all, is so full of interesting history that I present it in this volume. I have on file the autobiographies of many of the old and prominent citizens, still living, for future use. As to future collections and reports, I feel I cannot too strongly urge the people of the state to make contributions. The importance of such work requires no argument. A moment's thought will convince all. Only let thoughts be followed by acts and an invaluable work is easily and quickly accomplished. ROBT. W. FURNAS, President. |