the rope of sand-of nullification. The final shock did not come till the day of Appomattox. In 1854, as in 1832, the South dominated the Union, South Carolina dominated the South, and the Burt family were to the South Carolina manner born, and were of influential standing in that turbulent, intractable, and irrepressible commonwealth.

Armistead Burt was even more prominent in public affairs than his younger brother, our Nebraska governor. He was a member of the House of Representatives for five consecutive terms, from 1843 to 1853, and was temporary speaker of the 30th Congress for a short time during the illness of the speaker. He survived the Civil war, politically as well as physically, and was a member of the South Carolina legislature of 1865 which enacted the "black code," and in 1876 assisted Gen. Wade Hampton in the revolutionary political movement which rid the state of the carpetbag régime. Episodes in his career in Congress, at the time when Douglas was first undertaking the political organization of the vast northwest territory known as Nebraska, indicate the short-sighted, imperious presumption and narrow provincialism of the pro-slavery sentiment, which was to overreach itself in the repeal of the Missouri compromise by the Nebraska bill-the first step toward its self-destruction, secession being the second, and war the third and last. On the 21st of February, 1844, there was a sharp debate in the House over an attempt on the part of anti-slavery members to ignore or set aside the rule made by the 25th Congress excluding petitions for the abolition of slavery, and Mr. Burt, answering Beardsley of New York, uttered the following fiery speech:

"Language is impotent to express the intensity of scorn and contempt with which South Carolina regards the miserable, upstart

1 Cong. Globe, vol. 13, pp. 303-4.

According to a report made by the treasury department to the United States Senate in 1853 (Senate Document 112, 1st Sess., 32d Cong., vol. 11, p. 391) railway mileage was then distributed as follows: Maine, 365; New Hampshire, 500; Vermont, 439; Massachusetts, 1,128; Connecticut, 630; New York, 2,148; New Jersey, 254; Pennsylvania, 1,215; Ohio, 1,154; Indi

morality of the North which attempts to hold up her domestic institutions to the odium of the world. . . . The gentleman from Maine (Severance) has told the House that that class of petitions will never cease until Congress does its duty by abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia; but I beg permission to say that whenever that discussion is raised in this hall it will be the last subject here. The South would regard it as a decthat an American Congress will ever discuss laration of war, and she would act accordingly. She would not allow that government to which she had surrendered certain attributes of her sovereignty for the protection of this property to be permitted in any form to invade it."

It must have been obvious at the time that the settlers of Nebraska would be strongly anti-slavery in sentiment, and it is indicative of the subservient spirit of Mr. Pierce's administration that a man so widely distant in both sentiment and location should be sent to rule over them. Our wonder is increased by the reflection that the great hardships incident to traversing the vast physical distance cost the first governor his life.

With the exception of the short beginning of the Milwaukee & Mississippi railroadfrom Milwaukee, the Chicago & Rock Island to the Mississippi, and a few spurs or beginnings in Illinois, no railways had been built west of a line drawn north and south through Chicago. Most of the railways of the country were confined to southern Michigan, Ohio, and the northeastern and southeastern states.2

Governor Burt was commissioned August 2, 1854, and on the 11th of September following he left his home-Pendleton, South Carolina-for Nebraska, accompanied by his young son, Armistead, and several neighbors who intended to settle in the new territory. The party traveled by frequent alternations of private conveyance, "stage," railway, and

ana, 755; Illinois, 296; Michigan, 427 (Michigan Central, 228; Michigan Southern, 133); Alabama, 161; Georgia, 857; Maryland, 433; Virginia, 624; North Carolina, 249; South Carolina, 599. Now Nebraska has a greater mileage than any southern state, excepting Texas and Georgia, and about the same as the latter.- (Statistics of Railways, Interstate Commerce Commission, 1901, p. 11.)

steamboat. The extreme isolation of Nebraska and the progress of railways toward the West at that time are illustrated in an interesting manner by the account of this journey given in a recent letter to the editor from Dr. Armistead Burt at his home in New Mexico.1

2

From Chicago they might have gone by the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, which had been completed to the Mississippi river earlier in the year 1854, but since they could go part of the way to St. Louis by railroad and the rest of the journey by steamboat they preferred that route rather than to cross the unsettled plains of Iowa by wagon.

This very complicated and difficult gubernatorial journey was suggestive of the contemporary condition of politics and of the hard road over which Douglas, with his new whip of popular sovereignty, as embodied in the Nebraska bill, was attempting to drive the Democratic party. And yet, though the course of the governor and that of the intrepid leader of the democracy alike led to tragic

"HIGHROLLS, NEW MEXICO, September 22, 1902. "DEAR SIR-Your letter of the 5th inst., in which you ask a number of questions in regard to my father, reached me a few days ago. It gives me pleasure to answer them as fully as memory and the lapse of time will permit.

"First, in regard to the modes of travel. From Pendleton to Athens, Georgia, in his own conveyance; thence to Nashville, Tennessee, by rail; from Nashville to Louisville, Kentucky, by stage coach; by rail to Chicago, Illinois, and on to Alton; thence to St. Louis by boat; then up the river by boat to St. Joseph, the river being so low that the boat could not go higher, and the governor, being very anxious to reach the end of the journey, hired a hack and traveled in it to Nebraska City, which then contained one house, where he lodged one night. Next morning he hired a twohorse wagon from the only citizen of the city, and traveled in it to Bellevue, reaching there, I think the same evening.

"Being thoroughly worn out by the three days travel from St. Joseph he went to bed and was never again able to be up. We had physicians from Council Bluffs I think a Dr. Malcolm and his partner. I am not positive as to the name and don't remember the diagnosis, but Governor Burt had been for years a dyspeptic and subject to bowel trouble. On the way out, the journey from Nashville to Louisville, during excessively hot, dry weather, drinking strong limestone water and traveling day and night in a rough coach, so exhausted him that he had to stop two or three days in St. Louis in care of a physician. The rest of the journey was as trying, if not more so, resulting in his reaching the end with his stomach and bowels deranged and without sufficient strength left to rally. At Bellevue were two or three houses, the principal one being a Presbyterian mission in charge of a very kind

disaster, it is doubtful that either could have chosen a better or wiser one. Comparison of the material and political condition of the country at that time, as illustrated by these aims and struggles of Burt and of Douglas, with present conditions reveals the miracle that has been wrought within the memory of living men.

Governor Burt was very ill when he reached St. Louis and was obliged to stop over there several days, confined to his bed. By the time he reached Bellevue, on the 7th of October, he had grown still worse, and he continued to sink until his death, which occurred October 18. He took the oath of office on the 16th, before Chief Justice Ferguson, and so was governor two days.

Correspondence between Mrs. Burt and her husband shows that she repined over his absence at his post in Washington, and when he submitted to her the question of his acceptance of the governorship of Nebraska she replied eagerly that she would go anywhere if they could only be together. These letters show

clergyman whose name was, I think, Hamilton. He had Governor Burt moved to the mission and did what he could for him.

"There was an old man who lived across the river at a little village, St. Mary, who was also very kind. His name was Sarpy. Then there was Mr. Decatur, who kept store on the Nebraska side, and a few others whose names I have forgotten.

"The governor's intention was to convene the first legislature at Bellevue; I think the Rev. Mr. Hamilton had offered the mission house for the purpose. As to locating the capital I remember hearing him say he intended to choose a place that would, he hoped, be permanently the capital of the state. He intended to make Nebraska his home.

"Hoping the above is as full as you wish and assuring you that it will give me pleasure to serve you further if I can, I am, "Yours truly,

"A. BURT."

"There is a singular discrepancy in what should be considered authoritative statements as to the time of the opening of this first railway to the Mississippi river. The Rock Island Republican of March 1, 1854, says that the first train of cars over this road reached Rock Island, February 22, 1854, and this ought to be reliable. On the other hand there is an item in the Annals of Iowa, of October, 1902 (vol. 5, No. 7), which states that Millard Fillmore, former president of the United States, came to Iowa in June, 1855, on the occasion of the opening of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway to Rock Island; and that State Senator P. W. Crawford, who was present, gives an account of the incident in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald of September 17, 1902. Poor's Manual gives the time of the completion of the road as July 10, 1854.

12,133,120 acres heretofore owned by the United States-in all, 21,133,120 acres open for settlement.

Replying to the objection raised by opponents of the bill that "there are no people in the country proposed to be organized except Indians, half-breeds, traders, soldiers, and those in the employ of the Indian bureau," Mr. Henn said that a few months ago this was no doubt the case, because the people of the frontier were law-abiding and unwilling to interfere with the regulations of the government which forbade their occupancy of the country. Yet an intelligent citizen had

informed him that two months since there were between five hundred

and six hundred whites within that territory by permission of officers of the government -three hundred at Ft. Laramie, two hundred at Ft.

Kearney, and seventy-five scattered at other points. Within three days after the passage of the

bill, he asserted, there would be not less than

"Omaha city may be considered among the first in importance. It is situated directly opposite Bluff city upon a delightful and sightly eminence overlooking the country on all sides for miles around, bringing in view the city of Council Bluffs, town of St. Mary, Trader's Point, and Council Point in Iowa, and Winter Quarters in this territory. It extends directly to the river landing and back upwards of a mile and some taile and a half up and down the river. There is

some 1,500 lots surveyed, together with a large square on the summit of the elevation for the capitol. The streets are 100 feet wide and alleys divide each block. There are a number of cool, clear streams and springs of water in various parts of the town site. A heavy body of timber, including many square miles, lies immediately below and adjoining the city, and wide open prairies stretch back from the river that will make most delightful farms. An extensive brick yard is in uccessful operation and a large amount of prime lumDer and shingles is looked for daily. A number of houses are already reared, and hundreds are anticipat

a handsome place;" and in detail: "It occupies a beautiful plateau, sloping well to the river. The

view is extensive and picturesque, taking in a

ing building this summer and fall. Preparations are in progress for rearing a large and commodious building immediately, to be used at present as a State House and for offices for the various departments provided it should be required by the executive. A good and commodious ferry boat runs every day regularly between this city and Council Bluffs. .

The

next in importance is Belleview, some ten miles below this city. It is situated about three miles from the river upon a high and beautiful eminence, commanding a view for many miles around, including Bluff City, St. Mary, and Chouteau. There is timber in the bottoms below the site and a continuous body all the way to this city. There are good springs of water at hand, a plenty of rock near at hand, with good farming lands around. The old Mission House, the government agency buildings, and Trading House of the American Fur Company, are near the site. Mr. Sarpy has a new steam ferry boat which continues to run across through the business part of the year, but is now laid up until spring. Ferrying is, however,

iong reach of the river both up and down, the broad, rich bottom lands dotted over with fields, houses and cattle, and a strange, romantic, and bewildering background of indented and variously formed bluffs."1

Nor was the industrious promulgation of this early "Iowa idea" confined to the local field. In the same issue of the Arrow is copied correspondence of the Ohio State Journal which tells the old, old story:

"But the site which seems to me to contain

Omaha.

the most advantages is that of the city of The plat is most beautiful and attractive. Several gentlemen of capital and great influence are interested in this new city and a regular survey and platting of premises is now going on. Being so near Council Bluffs, the only town of any size in western Iowa, it has many advantages as the seat of government, and a vigorous effort is being made by those having influence in the right quarter to secure that object. A public square and a state house will be donated by the company for this purpose. If

it succeeds Omaha will at once take rank as the first city in Nebraska, and if the roads. come to Council Bluffs it will, whether it becomes the capital or not, assume an important position."

We may well believe that these esthetic conceits would be much less obtruded in a contest for the choice of a site of a capital in the face of the more dominant commercial spirit of the present. But our beauty-struck

done with few boats for the present. Ft. Kearney is situated some 18 miles below the mouth of the Platte and is also on the river, and is also a beautiful and charming location with all necessary advantages for being rapidly built into a thriving city. We can not speak from much observation of this point.

"Winter Quarters is also located upon the river some ten miles above this city; is pleasantly situated upon a high bench and inclined plane, giving a fair and pretty view of the country for a great distance around, and is the old site of the "Winter Quarters of the first Mormon pioneers. The town is now being surveyed and improvements and public buildings are being erected. There is good water, plenty of rock, considerable timber and excellent farming lands adjacent. A flat boat ferry is kept in operation for the benefit of settlers, etc. Ft. Calhoun is some 15 miles still up the river and is expected to be laid out upon the site of the old fort, which is upon a bench or plateau some 50 or 100 feet above the river.

There are, without doubt, other equally eligible sites further up the river; none, however, have yet come to our notice. Upon the Elk Horn and Loup Fork there will also doubtless be large towns built. The climate is pleasant and congenial in this region and the soil

pioneers did not, after all, miss the main chance; for in the same article the Arrow significantly observes that, "in full view, and due east, is Council Bluffs City, the great and well known local point of the Iowa railroads."

While this mouth-piece of Council Bluffs spoke wide of the fact for that place had not been fixed upon then as the objective of any railroad—yet he did not speak without his reckoning. He could with some safety discount the influences around him which, about two years later, diverted the Rock Island down the Mosquito to Council Bluffs from its intended route down Pigeon creek to a terminus at the rock-bottom crossing opposite Florence. And while this reason was not free from the hit-or-miss element and the influence of the wish over the thought, yet it foreshadowed a great economic fact. Here the railway was to precede occupancy and growth, and so, during an exceptionally long period of commercial and political dominance was to receive, if not to exact, from its creatures recognition and obeisance as the creator of the commonwealth.

3

At the beginning Nebraska was a state without people, and it remained so, virtually, until their forerunners, the railroads, opened the way for and brought them. This phenomenon distinguishes the settlement of the trans-Missouri plains from that of the country

unsurpassed for fertility in the world, producing any. thing that is natural to Ohio or Illinois." July 28, 1858. 'The Omaha Arrow, August 6, 1854.

2 This phrase became famous in the political campaign of 1902 as the characterization of the demand for tariff revision by a faction of the Republican party of Iowa.

3 General G. M. Dodge, who in 1853-54, surveyed the route for the Mississippi & Missouri (afterward the Rock Island) railroad, in a letter to the editor dated December 11, 1902, states that while the promoters of the railway strongly favored the Pigeon creek route his surveys demonstrated that the Mosquito route was more feasible, and on this account it was adopted. The Council Bluffs Bugle of April 14, 1857-Johnson, Carpenter, and Babbitt editors and proprietors-stoutly defends General Dodge from accusations of having acted from improper motives in changing the route from Pigeon creek to the Mosquito valley. The date on which the change was approved is determined by a telegram copied in the article in question, as follows: "New York, March 31, 1857. To J. Smith Hooton, mayor of Council Bluffs: To-day the directors adopted the Mosquito route. ENOS LOWR."