An Important Decision

The United States circuit court for the district of Nebraska has just handed down a decision that is quite important in this locality, involving 2,215 acres of improved land in Gage County, valued at about $70,000.

It was a bill in equity by John S. Bilby of Quitman, Missouri, to obtain a deed to the land from Prentiss D. Chaney of Jerseyville, Illinois.

The case involved a land contract in which Bilby claimed that he was entitled to a deed, and Cheney claimed under the provisions of the contract Bilby had forfeited his right to a deed, and also to the improvements on the land.

The case has been in litigation for several years, and as both plaintiff and defendant are men of wealth, the case has been fought with the utmost vigor on both sides. 

Judge Riner, United States district judge of Wyoming, while temporarily holding court for Judge Dundy, decided the case.  His decision was a complete victory for Bilby,  Mr. Bilby having won every point in contention.

The court held that Bilby was not only entitled to a deed, but that Cheney, by refusing to accept money that had been tendered to him, lost in the neighborhood of $15,000 in interest on certain notes provided in the contract.

Omaha World Herald – May 12, 1895

A Great Victory  

The republican party in Gage County has been going through about the same experience as has the party in this county.

On last Saturday primaries were held there and the result was a crushing defeat for the bolsters and renegades and the triumph of true republicanism.

Commenting on this victory the Beatrice Express says:

The result of the republican primaries is an excellent example of what the people can do when they become thoroughly aroused to the existing conditions and begin to realize their meaning. "You can't fool all the people all the time."

While we boast of our free American institution and the fact that every man is a sovereign, yet the fact is that we are usually so engrossed with our personal matters that we pay but little attention to public matters. The result is that matters of the most vital importance are allowed to go by default or fall into the hands of men more interested in their personal schemes than in the prosperity of the city or county. Nevertheless, the people will stand about so much and no more. When the limit is reached the bonds are broken and the men who have allowed themselves to be imposed upon and deceived rise in their wrath and make things right.

This is what happened in Gage County last Saturday. The republicans of the county have been so occupied in gathering in their share of the republican prosperity that they have paid but little at that they have paid but little attention to party business.

A ring; of self-seeking, scheming politicians, most of whom were democrats, laid their plans to capture the republican party and hold it as a captive. By devious ways and crooked paths they had led many of the voters of the county away from the straight and narrow road to patriotic republican­ism. They had become so strong as to become defiant, but the long suffering voters at last became aroused to the situation and you know the result. It must not stop at this. The republican party must be controlled by the rank and file of the republican voters. Men who have professed the democratic faith, are welcome in the republican ranks, if they become converted, but the people of Gage county are now and ever will be opposed to any attempt of democratic politicians to control the old republican party.

That is what the landslide of Saturday means.

The Falls City Tribune – March 25, 1904

Nebraskans Lost At Galveston    

Residents of Otoe, Gage and Nemaha Counties Perish in the Storm 

Special Dispatch to the World Herald 

Nebraska City,  Nebraska, September 13.  John Darley, Jr., has received a message from his brother at Galveston stating that his father, mother and sister were swept away by the storm at that place, with their home and nothing could be found of them or the home.

Mr. Darley, Sr., was a resident of this city in the early days and did much towards building up the town.  He was a large contractor.  The young man is prostrated by the news.

Special Dispatch to the World Herald 

Auburn, Nebraska, September 13. --  Reports have just been received here that Thomas A. Lorance is among the missing in Galveston, and that his wife and niece, the latter a daughter of Benjamin Parker of this city, were found drowned in the house where they were living.

Mr. Lorance moved to Galveston about a year ago for the benefit of his wife's health, taking with him the Parker child with the consent of the parents.  He had been a resident of Nemaha County and Gage County nearly all his life prior to his going south.  His occupation was general merchandising.  His father, who is a veteran of the Mexican War, survives him; also several brothers and sisters who live in this county.  Mrs. Lorance was also raised in this county.

Omaha World Herald - September 14, 1900

Woman Legislator Widow of Rancher    

Mrs. Myrtle Musser Born in Gage County; Was Wed at Butte - No Word on Plans

Special Dispatch to the World Herald

Rushville, Nebraska, November 22. -- Mrs. Myrtle E. Musser, who was recently chosen state legislator from Sheridan County on the democratic ticket, is the widow of John B. Musser, Mayor of Rushville from 1920 to 1927.

The Mussers, after they came here in 1892, owned and operated one of the largest cattle ranches in this part of the state for some years.

Made Four Week Campaign

Mayor Musser's death occurred in an accident, while he was inspecting a new well for the city.

Election of Mrs. Musser came at the close of a four week campaign, her first entry into party politics.  She had served on the board of education here for three years, was state president of the Rebekah Assembly in 1923, and a year ago was first president of the Sheridan County Federation of Women's Clubs.

Her parents Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Jamison, were among the early settlers in Nebraska, coming from the south to Gage County in the seventies.  Three years after the birth of the daughter there, they moved to  "Antelope County, then to Stuart, and to Springview when that town was under vigilante rule.

Third Family in Butte

The Jamisons were the third family of white settlers that moved to Butte, Nebraska, when the Indian reservation area in Boyd County was opened for settlement.  It was at Butte that the legislator elect met and married John B. Musser, at that time cashier of the Butte Bank.

Mrs. Musser and her two daughters had returned from a trip abroad just in time to make her election campaign.

She has not discussed her plans or intentions in respect to legislative activity.

Omaha World Herald - November 23, 1930

Demand for Nebraska Land       

It is Growing All The Time, as Instanced in Gage County- Railway Building - Track Talk. 

"The demand for Nebraska land is growing all the time," says Assistant General Passenger Agent Arthur B. Smith, of the Burlington.  "Take Gage County sales for February for instance.  There were filed with the registrar of deeds suring that month transfers of farm land amounting to $211,311, and so far in March, $97,000, making a total of $64,011 for the past six weeks.  This does not represent all of the real estate transfers in that county for that period as many of the real estate dealers have told me they have deeds in their offices unrecorded.

"It is the same way all over the state. which shows that Nebraska is forging to the front."

Omaha World Herald - March 12, 1901

Nebraska Sheriff Suspended   

Lincoln, Nebraska, April 6. --  Sheriff J. L. Scheik of Gage County, was suspended from office today by order of Governor McKilvie, on information contained in affidavits that he violated prohibition laws by selling liquor.  Impeachment proceedings charging among other things, oppression and extortaion, were started against the sheriff at Beatrice yesterday.

Duluth News Tribune - April 7, 1921

Standing Up For Nebraska   

Nebraska newspapers generally are showing a commendable disposition to boon Nebraska at this time.

The Beatrice Express says that a man can't  help getting rich if he owns Gage County land.

Referring to this boast, the Nebraska City Tribune says that "If he owns Otoe County land he doesn't get rich, he is rich."

Omaha World Herald - March 2, 1903

Demand for Nebraska Land   

It is Growing All The Time, as Instanced in Gage County- Railway Building - Track Talk. 

"The demand for Nebraska land is growing all the time," says Assistant General Passenger Agent Arthur B. Smith, of the Burlington.  "Take Gage County sales for February for instance.  There were filed with the registrar of deeds suring that month transfers of farm land amounting to $211,311, and so far in March, $97,000, making a total of $64,011 for the past six weeks.  This does not represent all of the real estate transfers in that county for that period as many of the real estate dealers have told me they have deeds in their offices unrecorded.

"It is the same way all over the state. which shows that Nebraska is forging to the front."

Omaha World Herald - March 12, 1901