Nebraska State Historical Society
Date of this Version
1885
Abstract
It is fit that in this year of grace, 1880, and in this month of January, we should, by public exercises now held for the first time, mark a period in the history of the state.
It was in March, 1854, that the Indians, by treaty, ceded these regions to the United States, and in May, that a system of government was framed for them. In October, Francis Burt, the first governor landed on these shores. In a few weeks he died, and the work of organization devolved on Thomas B. Cuming, the secretary. On the 21st day of October he ordered a census of the new population; On the 23rd of November he divided the territory into counties and precincts, and apportioned the members of the Council and House of Representatives among them. On the 12th of December an election of members of the legislature was held. On the 20th of that month Gov. Cuming constituted the judicial districts, assigned the judges to them, and appointed the terms of court; and on the 16th of January, 1855, he convened the legislative assembly at Omaha.
Comments
Published in Transactions and Reports of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Volume I (Lincoln, NE, 1885).