When Colonel Babcock came from New York State in 1871, there was no
railroad beyond Lincoln, he had made his way to Seward, and walked
on from there looking for a family near Indian Creek, nothing like a
house could be seen anywhere, at last he noticed a stove pipe
sticking out of the ground on a little hill, and on making closer
investigations found a dugout having one of the best rooms he ever
saw. He afterwards made his way nearer to Exeter, the only house
visible at that time being the one built by '"Boss" Woodard. When
crossing the country he noticed the horses acting rather queer,
then, a man mysteriously put in an appearance, asking the Colonel
what he was after? He assured the man that he was after no mischief,
when the man said, but you have your horses on my house!
When the Colonel brought Mrs. Babcock to the claim North East of
town, they came in a wagon which was without springs, and their
seats were wooden chairs, certainly not an ideal outfit for a fifty
miles trip over the prairies. Their household goods did not arrive
for a week afterwards, so a fire had to be built in the hillside,
their meat was cooked on the end of a stick, the potatoes boiled in
a teakettle, and for plates they used shingles, which, with the
companionship of silverware provided ideal contrasts in past and
present experiences.
In their part of the country there was
nothing to distinguish weekday from Sunday, in which condition
Sunday was extinguished. They lost track of the Sabbath for a time,
and were no doubt glad when they once more knew one day from
another. Rattle Snakes were numerous then; no less than 36 were
caught in one day. Mr. Babcock had several rattles until recently
when they passed into the hands of younger members of their family.
When speaking of the Grasshopper times they mention having
sent word to a brother back East, giving an account of the numbers
and destruction of the invading host, but the brother sent word
back, "that is a good fish story you have out West." They finally
sent a small piece of soil about an men square back East so that
they might see the grasshoppers hatch out, instructions were given
what to do. That small piece of earth contained so many young
grasshoppers that they never more doubted the western story.
Pioneers of Fillmore and Adjoining Counties
Source: Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties, by G. R. McKeith, Press of Fillmore County News, Exeter, Nebraska, 1915