Hemingford High School - Bobcat Yearbook (Hemingford, NE)

Page 15 text:

Quest of West Brings Settlers to Nebraska. It was the Indian roving the plains of Nebraska who gave this state its name, The Land of Flat Water. That was the time when the Indian could move free, for he was free. Then came the white man, the passing voyager who only crossed this territory in his quest of the West. Nebraska was to the settler just what one such frontiers- man penned in his diary, A land of extremes, cold and hot, barren and infertile; a land to only pass through. But not all passed through. Some began to carve out farm and ranchland. The Indian was pushed back, treaties were signed and violated, again the Indian was pushed back and finally he struck out in the only way he knew how. While surveyors were laying out the Burlington Railroad along the old Mormon Trail they came upon Rebecca Winter's grave. This grave remains as a shrine to pioneer motherhood. Directly adjacent to the Bluff lies Dome Rock which was used as a lookout post by the Indians since it commands the view of both Roubidoux and Mitchell Passes. 11

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Northwest of Ogollolo lies Ash Hollow, the scene of the Battle of Blue Water which took place in 1855. A dispute arising over a Mormon cow resulted in the deaths of 30 cavalry men under the command of Grattan, a West Point lieutenant; Chief Conquering Bear; and the almost total annihiloton of the Brule Sioux under the command of General Harney. 10 Front Street in Ogallala has attracted many visitors to this unique old western town. It pos- sesses a charm that takes one back to true western era.

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One of the most famous homesteads served as a landmark to western settlers while in the Roubidoux Pass area. Homesteads Spring Up In Scotts Bluff Area. Scotts Bluff Monument has over-looked the North Platte Valley as homesteaders came to Western Ne- braska. Settlers would set up their homesteads on Squatter's rights. After living on the land for five years, the land automatically belonged to the squatter. Many of the towns were banded together. Scottsbluff itself wasn't established until around 1910 and is actually the newest town in this area. Mitchell was the first settle- ment in the valley. 1 Bull Canyon, west of the Scotts Bluff area houses this picturesque homestead which undoubtedly was one of the finer houses in the day and age. 12