Beatrice High School - Homesteader Yearbook (Beatrice, NE)

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The story is just an incident among many thousands in the def velopment of civilized America. To Beatricians, however, it is the symbol of their progress. As long as it is possible for Beatrice stu' dents to keep in mind the illustrious deeds of their pioneer predecessf ors, they will continue that tradition. By the standards of the past we judge the presentg by the mistakes of the past we profit in the future. Our forefathers laid the cornerstone. Each generation has added its share to the foundation. We as future generations of build' ers must mold our civilization higher and higher. From our predef cessors we take the challenge to finish the task that they began. But we must keep in mind the way in which the pioneers ad' vanced our civilization. Their basis is iirm, one created by honest toil, sincere hope, and forward vision. We must carry on the tasks in a like manner, if we are to create anything lasting. Daniel Freeman 1939. A name, an act, a symbolg none of these will die. In commemoration of the first Homestead, Congress has made it a national monument. In . . . . 'fA ':'g 3 commemoration of the spirit with :ag hr 1 which young Beatrice has become ' L J imbibed, the staff offers this '39 : sv- X ' I ,S if l 'll 'I 3 Homesteader. W 9 , 1 E J -V, 115 F if K'

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I , v n Daniel Freeman. With that 1 name is connected all the romance, intrigue, and sturdiness of early Beatrice pioneers, for it was he who received the first Homestead in the i so cccc c United States. Using his name as a symbol down through the years of industrialization, Beatricians have created a prosperous city. His story carries a spirit that seems as ad' 'ueriturous to us today as it did tlireefquarters of a century ago to the daring Homesteaders. Mr. Freeman, who was a member of the U. S. secret service dur' ing the civil war happened to be home on a furlough during the latter part of December in 1861. The Homestead Act had just been pas' sed and was to take effect January 1, 1862. Freeman wished to take advantage ofthe Homestead Act but, he had to report for military duty on the third of January. On New Years Eve he attended a dance at Brownville and became acquainted with a man from the landfoiiice. He told the official about his plight, and the accomodate ing fellow took him to the landfoilice, where shortly after midnight, Mr. Freeman received his land grant for a homestead just west of , F X ' I . . Z J 'x ' 1 what 1S now Beatrice, and he be' , N f ' 4 came the Hrst Homesteader under -,,,,.. 9 721 eg ix i , 31 1 F ,I ,Tj 1 the new act. 45:1 was ll 1 1 ' 4 ,' M l Q 3 45 14 pl: J ll fi 3 ik? Y' - 1 ft r E

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CUNTENTSQ The School QI aniza ions Athletics Features