Collected by the Rev. G. R. McKeith, Exeter, Nebr.
The following stories were gathered together for the purpose of
recognizing: Pioneers' Memorial Day, June 14, 1914, in honor of the
Pioneers whether living or dead.
The changes on these
western prairies have been so rapid, since the coming of the
pioneers, the whole history covering less than fifty years, that it
was thought fitting and proper to recognize the spirit and
achievement of the men and women who settled these plains and
prairies, and established the institutions which we now enjoy.
It is with a view also, of impressing upon the minds and hearts
of the present inhabitants of the 'neighborhood, and the rising
generation the importance of their work that, the writer asked the
remaining pioneers to tell their reminiscences of those early days;
which at once gives the history of Exeter and neighborhood in an
interesting way, and places on record facts regarding the early
settlers and their life which we believe will prove valuable to the
future generations.
Our minds are carried back to the days
of Ox teams, Wagons without •springs, and a limitless Prairie,
without Tree or Bush, and when as the Pioneers say, it looked like
one vast open sea.
We are back to the days of Indians,
Dug-outs, Sod houses, and lonely trails, and back to the days of
prairie fires, which were the terror of those times. We are told
that the fires were often the work of the "home seekers" who on
lighting a fire for needful purposes would find it soon beyond their
control, and others would suffer as a result, or "again" it was the
work of Indians who desiring the burnt patch for the purpose of the
better locating game, would find the fire beyond their control, and
instead of remaining local, it would cover miles and miles of
territory, going on its way with maddening rush, licking up
everything in its track, until man and beast alike within its radius
were often consumed. It was no uncommon thing in those days for a
man with team and wagon when crossing the prairie and camping out
for the night, the horses securely tethered, the man satisfied that
all were safe, to find himself within a few hours engulfed with
devouring flames. Such was the experience of two men who came
looking for land and encamped south of town, the horses were
tethered and they went to rest in one wagon, thinking everything was
well, but the fire came, the horses, and the other wagon containing
hay were burned and the men just escaping with their lives. Then,
instead of continuing their search for land they returned home, no
longer having a desire to settle in such a country.
The
story is told of the "Bothwells", who lived south of Turkey Creek.
The fire came upon them in the daytime and destroyed their property
and stocky the woman having to battle with the flames for hours,
giving an experience of heart and mind and loss that was not
overcome for many months. On another occasion, Mr. Lowbecker's
house, located north of Turkey Creek, v/as destroyed along with the
horses and other stock.
The change is so great and the
conditions are so different that the days are fast approaching when,
these Pioneer Stories will read more like fairy tales than actual
truth, and even be discredited by succeeding generations, but here
they are! the unvarnished facts of their lives, and yet, but a few
of the many experiences passed through by those who are still with
us; those who helped to make our modern conditions what they are,
from what they were, which very conditions are already so self
satisfying, especially to those without the pioneer experiences as
to help us forget rather than remember the early days, and even to
forget the God in whom they trusted when they made the bold venture
in entering an unknown and unsettled land to build up our community
and our homes.
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