Dundee has a nice memorial to the street car. It is at Underwood and Happy Hollow. Dundee centered around the street car because you could work in Omaha and take the street car back and forth. Such communities were quite common. There was even a street car bridge over the Missouri River to Council Bluffs. As the car became more popular the street cars faded into history.
This documentary is about the reporter's different stories of 9/11. We all have our own 9/11 story and have seen the after effects over the past 24 years. Many of these people were closer to the actual action and share some interesting insights. They focused a great deal on the people who perished, and the memorials. They also focused on the reaction of President Bush. They reviewed going to war in Afghanistan and the Taliban quickly fleeing. There was a subsequent anthrax attack in the United States.
Tantoo was born in Canada. She is of mixed Cree and Métis through her mother and has a white father. Her mother taught her the Métis way and Tantoo learned to act from her. She grew up in a city without electricity so used lots of imagination in her play. Her name Tantoo is a nickname given her by her mother after the mosquito repellant they used.
She has been in numerous movies, including: Dances with Wolves, Loyalties, Smoke Signals and Killers of the Flower Moon. She has also had recurring roles on television, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, North of 60 and Moccasin Flats. She was nominated for Genie Award for best actress for Loyalties. She is also honored as Aboriginal Walk of Honor in Canada.
She has been an environmental advocate and was arrested for protesting the Keystone pipeline.
After Doolittle's Raid, in which 16 B-25 B Mitchell Medium Bombers bombed the Japanese mainland in April of 1942, the Japanese retaliated by sending over 6300 floated incendiary devices towards the United States. About 1000 of them reached the coast and of those 250 were accounted for. The idea was they would float on the prevailing wind currents and wreak havoc over the U.S. Some of them exploded. In the casse of the bomb over Omaha, no one was injured. However in Portland a family was killed. The devices were not reported for fear the Japanese would gather information based on the sitings. As they were not reported the Japanese became discouraged and stopped sending them.
This is the corner in Omaha where a bomb exploded. 5003 Underwood.
Moses and Eliza Merrill came to the Bellevue area in 1835 to establish a Baptist Mission. They were the first Christian missionaries to come to Nebraska. The mission was established three miles west of Bellevue. The government provided a log cabin and school. It included several more buildings over time including a blacksmith shop. Merrill died in 1840 and was buried in St Mary, across the Missouri from Bellevue. The mission burned and only the chimney remained.
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| picture from Sarpy County museum, |
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| historical plaque near intersection of 75 and 34 |
The Prebuterian Mission in Bellevue is the oldest standing church in Nebraska. The Baptist Mission preceded it, but it later burned down. Reverend Edward McKinney established the Presbyterian congregation in 1850. In 1853 Reverend Williams became the pastor, and in 1856 this church was built. It has been replaced as the primary Presbyterian church but is still used for special occasions such as weddings. In 1908 the steeple was blown off by a tornado. It was replaced by a shorter steeple, and that too was replaced to get back to the original height. When Nebraska first became a territory in 1854 the territorial governor, Franklin Burt, came to Bellevue and stayed at the mission. He had become sick on the journey from his home in South Carolina. He died just two days after taking office in the mission home.
Danny Millett, a Duckwater elder told me the story of a legend of the rock family. He talked about a family from the Reese River area. Somehow the family had been turned to stone. He said they were giants. He said he had actually seen the stone family. They are now giant rocks.
I have reviewed different stories in Nevada. There is a story of a race of giants who lived in the Lovelock area. They were cannibals. The people finally had enough of them, chased them into a cove, sealed the entrance after starting a fire inside the cave. This killed them all. The mummy of a man 6'6" has been found in the Lovelock cave.
But part of the legend told me by Danny Millet was that mountain took the shape of the family of giants and it could still be seen today.
.;?". )>n0nM The story of the 1899 Trans Mississippi and International Exposition held in Omaha at Kountze Park.
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| Apparently Buffalo Bill's Wild West show performed twice in Omaha. First in 1883. Then as part of the Exposition in 1898. So many people want to attend that they had to find a larger venue. |
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| Built with temporary buildings and a large four block lagoon the area of the world's fair covered 112 square blocks. It included peace exhibit after the Spanish American War, Native American encampment with dances and song and displays of new technology including x-ray. The area was used again the next year for the Great American Exposition which high lights the U.S. acquiring the Philippines as a territory. |
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| The Grand Court was only two blacks wide centered on the current location of Kountze Park. It included a 2000 meter lagoon. It ran east to west. The Kountze family donated much of the land with the stipulation that part of the land be used for a park. |
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| Grand Court was seven buildings surrounding a lagoon. |
Bellevue: A Pictorial History by Gary Iske, illustrated by Terry Juhl, Heritage House Publishing, Marceline, Missouri, 1991.
This book is about the history of Bellevue, Nebraska, the oldest town in Nebraska. The official start date is 1810 the the American Fur Company established a trading post in the area. Of course the Nagtivr Americans preceded them and had lived in the area for some time. The Omahas occupied the area in the Fotanelle and Bellevue, while the Otto where a bit further inland. Following the trading post was the government establishing Indian agency offices. Then a couple of missions. First the Baptist mission to the Otto tribe. Then a Presbyterian mission to the Omaha. The Prresbyterian church in Bellevue is the oldest church in the state. The Baptiste mission was destroyed by fire and is no longer standing.
In 1854 Nebraska was mae a territory. It was natural that the capital be in the oldest and largest town, Bellevue. The appointed governor came to Bellevue, but took sick on the journey. He died just two days after being sworn in as governor in the Presbyterian mission. After the Lieutenant Governor was not so keen on Bellevue, and being encouraged by those in Council Bluffs, the territorial seat was moved to Omaha. Bellevue was given the consolation prizre of county seat. But even that was short lived anf the seat was moved to Pappillion, a more central location.
While talking about Cuncil Bluffs, they also took the original name from Bellevue. In fact the first post office for Bellevue was caled Council Bluffs. It was changed as Council Bluffs took that name.
The Prebyterian also sponsored a university, Bellevue University. There are many early pictures of the University in the book, including sports teams.
Bellevue was also bypassed for the railroad as it was determined it would go farther north and go through Omaha. After losing its place as capital and then as county seat, its name, and the railroad, Bellevue did get Fort Crook. This is a military base. It is now called Offutt and is the major location for Strategic Arms Deense. In other works they monitor the nulcear weapons. During WWII the manufactured airplanes at the base.
The most impressive thing in the book is pictures after the tornado of 1908. It was in fact two tornadoes that truck at the same time. Two deaths and numerous injuries. The steeps on the Presbyterian church was blown off. Several roofs and other damage at the Bellevue University. Also Fort Crook was also badly hit.
The original Bellevue Unversity closed and was sold. However more recently it has been reestablished farther south and farther west.
I enjoyed this book. I am trying to get to know the local history. The pictures add to the written story of Bellevue.
Big Elk was chief of the Omaha along the Missouri in Northern Nebraska. He was friendly with the Whites and two of his daughters married French fur trappers. He was prominent in the Bellevue area. His teepee was decorated with two riverboats as a manifestation of this friendship. Big Elk gave an important speech at the funeral of Black Buffalo, the grandfather of Crazy Horse. During the time of Black Elk many changes happenned with the coming of White people trapping furs or working at trading posts. Thee were several epidemics, including small pox which took a heave toll on the population of the Omaha. There were also negotiations as whites increasingly wanted more territory. As of 1834 the territory west of the Missouri was reserved as an Indian territory.
Of course thee were already white people living in this area. The Mormons arrived in 1846 and Big Elk was chief in negotiating with them. The Omaha made arrangements for them to stay, first in Fotanelle/Bellevue and then at Winter's Quarters. The Otto were also involved in the negotiations at Cutler's Park and Winter Quarters. It was agreed the Mormons could stay, but closer to the river as the Otto claimed the area of Cugtler's Park. For this reason Cutler's Park was abandoned in favor of Winter Quarters.
The Mormons, as well as Native Americans, came down with an illness in 1846. Big Elk became sick at the end of the year and passed away. He was 73. Joseph LaFlesche, his adopted son, followed him as Chief.
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| Rendering of his teepee |
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| by George Catlin |
Like a Lamb to the Slaughter: Revisiting the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith by Craig R. Dunn, Eborn Books, United States of America, 2019.
Another look at the events leading up to the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844. No one was ever brought to justice for this crime, but many people were culpable. This book gives a carful analysis of those responsible, starting with Governor Thomas Ford who insisted the come to Carthage and promised protection, but did not provide it. In fact he did just the opposite. He left Carthage with people who swore they were going to kill in Joseph Smith guarding the jail. Was he that stupid or part of the conspiracy? He seemed to be in on it according to this book.
Joseph Smith and the city council were first arrested for riot. This charge was dismissed twice by different judges. There was no riot. However Governr Ford insisted the come to Carthage tto answer before the judge who issued the indictment. They went, ans while on their way Joseph uttered the statement which is the title of this book, "I go like a lamb to the Slaughter." They arrived late and the next day they were brought before Judge Robert F. Smith, not the judge that issued the warrant. He was the heaqd of the Carthage Greys, also head of the antiMormon Party. He set bail so high for the riot charges he didn't think they could make bail, but they all did. However he then brought charges of treason, and bound them over without a hearing and without bail. Consequently Joseph and Hyrum were remanded to jail. All others were free to go.
So a couple days later when the militia was released from duty they went directly to the jail to carry out the deed and went right past the guards who were in on the plot. Thomas Sharp of Warsaw, editor of the newspaper was also instrumental in bringing about this fate.
I would recommend this book. It goes over the last details, and reveals Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. It also namers the shooters at the well, but gives the alternative version of joseph already being dead.
This documentary tells many things about Fred Rogers that I did not know. I really didn't care to watch his program growing up thinking it was too boring. I guess there was a reason for that boredom. Sometimes you need to slow down as compared to normal television for children which has too much noise and violence and belittle others. His common theme was "I like you the way you are." You are special. Some people think this creted a generation of entitlemen, but we are all children of God and we are special in his eyes.
Fred Rogers was a Presbyterian Minister but he did not preach religion but was an example of goodness. It is amazing how himself he could be with children, especially. He was genuinely a good person. He spoke out with his example against racism, war, and discrimination against homosexuals. He was ahead of his time. He tried doing a similar program for adults; but it really didn't succeed. His forte was with children. He broadcast through the Vietnam War, 9-11, the Challenger disaster. He helped children deal with loss and fear. He did not shy away from talking with children with physical limitations and could make them feel loved and important.
The documentary eveen dealt with parodies of Mr. Rogers. This included Johnny Carson and Eddie Murphy. Hiw reaction was some was funny, and some wasn't.
Most important he was not afraid to be human, and teaches us all how to be more human. Very good Mr. Rogers.
I came across a story of the Mormon Pioneers in the Lagan Fontenelle book I just read. In 1834 the government by an act of congress laid aside the area west of the Missouri River as Native American territory. Of course many white people already lived in Bellevue. More showed up including the Mormons who had left Nauvoo and traveled across the state of Iowa:
A serious violation of this law took place, however, in the spring of 1846, when 5000 Mormons, driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, where they had been attacked by mobs, traveled cross-country in the customary western style to the Missouri River, which they were unable to cross on theiur way to the promised land.
At the head of the contingent was Brigham Young himself, who accordingly sent a message of appeal to Colonel Sarpy, the man of power and influence in Bellevue, and the owner of the only ferryboat. When Sarpy crossed the river to see for himself, he was appalled at the pitiable condition of the travel-worn women and children. Without hesitation he and his staff of workmen ferried the wretched travelers to Bellevue, where he served them food and clothing from his warehouse.
Being in daily contact with Sarpy, Logan took part in this mass transportation. Indians meanwhile watched and wondered. Logan and his tribesmen beheld for the first time a large invasion of their land by white people from the east.
There could be trouble in as much as the Mormons expressed their intention to remain for a time. Such an act would. be a grave violation of the law, and it would invite hostility fr4om the natives. Realizin this danged, Colonel Sarpy immediately sought, and before long obtained, governmental permission for the Mormons; and, since this stopping here meant temporarily occupying Omahas' land he introduced Brigham Young to Big Elk.
Mormon Chief met Indian Chief. They were not unlike in qualities of leadership. Thus, when the Mormon told the Indian that his people had been cruelly oppressed and compelled to leave their old homes, the Indian replied that he understood very well and he could sympathize, because his people had ben mistreated and driven from their old homes by the Sioux.
The two men arranged a meeting between the Mormon elders and the council of Indian chiefs. After much deliberation, The Indian council agreed with Big Elk that the Mormons should be allowed to tarry.
Big Elk then showed himself a noble spokesman. Rising to his feet, he struck the pose of a great orator. For almost five minute, he gave himself time to think, before addressing the assembly. Logan, who was present, wondered if his grandfather would talk at all; but in the meantime all eyes were fixed upon the old chief.
"My honorable white guests!" he began solemnly. "Our people have welcomed you. Through their council of chiefs, the Omaha Indians grant you sanctuary. As their head chief, I can explain what that means. It means that your lives are safe among us. It means that we shall be your friends. It means that we can trade together. It means that you need not hurry away. You may stay a year, if it pleases you, ot two years. I have spoken!"
Smiles and friendly nods followed Big Elk's hospitable speech. However, a misunderstanding when the Mormons refused to smoke the pipe of peace, the Indian custom of completing an agreement or treaty. Logan saved the situation, on demand of Brigham Young, by explaining that the Mormons' religion forbade the use of tobacco, whereupon the Omaha chiefs grunted their surprise.
But the Mormons would not let themselves be surpassed in acts of friendship. Their women, with renewed energy, at once prepared a big feast of wonderfully cooked food; and so those Indians who had been invited now hoped the Mormons woud never leave Bellevue.
When the feasting was over, Iron Eye asked Logan in the Omaha language if he noticed anything different about these white people as against other whites. "You know--they are not drinking whiskey?" His friend nodded, "It is against their religion," Explained Colonel Sarpy, who had overheard them. "I offended Mr. Young when Imnopened a jug especially for him. They don't even drink coffee."
In that respect , Logan and Iron Eye agreed, the Mormons would not harm the Omahas.
The chiefs then showed the Mormons where they could make their homes. This was a large wooded hollow in the bluffs but open to the east. There they would be protected from nature's storms. This place was then called Mormon Hollow, and it is still known by that name. This land along the river, they were told, could be used for fields, if the remained long enough to cultivate the soil.
In general the Mormons treated their hosts rather well. They gave them of their skilled cooking, which never failed to please the Indian appetite. They exchanged clothing for meat and skins. By signs and examples they explained their ways of working in field and home. Willing Indian women thus learned a few secrets from their visiting white sisters. New Moon (Logan's wife), likr many others, observed how the Mormon women dressed, acted among themselves, and treated their husbands and children.
In time Colonel Sarpy profited from the presence of the Mormons. A capavle and farsighted businessman, he shipped in whatever merchandise the Mormons eventually could use; and this merchandise they bought from him in large quantities.
As time passed, however, too many Mormons hunted game and cut down trees for their houses. The Indians now complained that they were being robbed; and they feared that, unless the plundering stopped, they would perish in their own homeland.
Matters became worse when a strange pestilence broke out--"a plague of scrofulous nature, which the Mormons called black canker." This terrible disease claimed victims from both races. Dozens of Omahas, including Logan's mother, Bright Sun, died of it after much suffering. Yet their losses were small compared with those of the Mormons. It was pitiful to see these people, far away from their homes, fall victims and leave sorrowing relatives in a strange land. Families lost one or more children. Husbands lost wives. Children lost parents. Wives lost husbands and children. Brothers and sister were parted. Friendships built on past trials and hardships were severed by the epidemic.
Then one day Brigham Young announced that the Mormons were leaving. He blamed the river for the wide spread sickness, saying that the bluffs prevented the Mormons from living at a safe distance. Consequently they would move to a place about thirty miles north, where they could live safely away from the Missouri, and yet near enough to ujse it for traveling purposes. They named this new location "Winter Quarters," today known as Florence.
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| Mormon Hollow trail |
Logan Fontenelle: An Indian Chief in Broad Clothe and Fine Linen: A Biographical Narrative by Charles Charvat PhD., American Printing Company, Omaha, Nebraska, 1961.
A very good historical book of Logan Fontenelle whose father was French and mother Omaha Indian, the daughter of Chief Big Elk. Fontenelle had teaching from both cultures, but as an adult affiliagted mostly with the Omaha Tribe. He received an education with his brother from a boarding school in St. Louis. He was also educated in Native American ways by his mother and grandfather. He was raised in the Bellevue area. He married a girl of the Omaha, Gixpeaha/ New Moon.He worked for the government as interpreter. He spoke Omaha and French from youth and had learned English and several other Native languages. He had a home built for he and his wife in Bellevue, Fontanelle Forest area. He and New Moon would have three daughters.
His grandfather Big Elk became ill and passed away. Then Big Elk's adopted son, Joseph La Flesche/ Iron Eye became chief. He also was half French and Logan and and he were very close. Logan was close to many prominent people of early Bellevue, including those of the Presbyterian mission and he and his wife and daughgters were baptized. He also affiliated with Colonel Sarpy who also ran a trading post.
When the Omahas traveled to Washington to negotiate a treat giving up their land in Bellevue and moving to a reservation, Logan Fontenelle went with them not as an interpreter but as a chief. He had a key position in negotiated. For money and food and protection they gave up their land. I do not know if the government fulfilled their commitment, but during Logan's life they did not. The food and money did not come, so they were forced to hunt buffalo. This put them in contact with the Sioux, their enemy. Logan was killed during a skirmish at the age of 30. He was buried close to his home.
Bellevue log cabin was built in 1835 by the Missouri River. It was prone to disease in this location so moved to higher ground. It 1850 it was moved to its current location a block from Washington Park. It was then used as a resien ce for 104 years.
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| Hackberries |
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| hackberry tree is behind |
Father Fanagan started Boys Town in 1917 as a non-sectarian place for boys. Father Flanagan was from Ireland. He started with a home in Omaha and then a larger home and then in 1921 he was able to get a square mile property west of Omaha. They purchased Overlook Farm. Boys Town started with a large dormitory style program. Their program is now family home based with numerous small cottages. Boys Town has it own city government with elected officers from the children.
Boys Town has expanded to now include young women and girls. They also are an international affair. They have operations all over the United States. They man the National crisis hot line. From a start with a few boys
Weird Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure by Ryan Roenfeld, Reedy Press, St. Louis, Mo, 2021.
This book is a very good reference book and tells you many places to see in Omaha and the surrounding area. It includes many Bellevue sites. For example:
Omaha has a no roller coaster law based on a four cars leaving the track falling from the Big Dipper Roller Coaster at Krug Park resulting in four deaths and 17 injuries. Many were trapped inside the cars.
Omaha has been the site of several riots over the years.
A giant fork in Little Italy.
The Japanese sent balloons with bombs and floated them over the United States. One exploded in Omaha with no injuries. Another exploded in Oregon and killed a family. I had never heard of this.
Standing Bear was a Native American, Ponca who was arrested off the reservation as he came home to the area to bury his son. He sued for habeas Corpus and proved that Native Americans are people with rights. His name now adorn Standing Bear Lake in north Omaha.
And over 100 more such gems.
King Follet is most known for the discourse Joseph Smith gave a few months after the death of King Follett. It coincided with general conference and was given in the grove by the Nauvoo temple. Joseph mentioned Follett at the beginning and the end of the discourse. King Follett was a friend of the prophet Joseph Smith. He was an elder in the church and possibly a high priest. He and his wife joined the church in Ohio in 1831. They had nine children. He was in Jackson County, and Clay County, as well as Caldwell County in Far West. The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were expelled from all three places. At Far West he was arrested. Trial was held and all charges were dismissed. He was the last member of the church released from prison in 1838. In Nauvoo he served as a police constable. He died March 9, 1844 when a tub of rocks fell on him as he was lining the wall of a well.
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| This is a reconstruction of the King Follett well |
