Edward W. Thomas [RG1459.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1459.AM:  Edward W. Thomas, 1830-1897

Letter (typescript):  1863
Brownville, Nemaha County, Nebraska:  Attorney
Size:  Two items

BACKGROUND NOTE

Born in South Carolina around 1830, Edward W. Thomas was living in Brownville, Nebraska, and working as a lawyer by 1860.  He married Kate Allison on March 30, 1865.  The couple lived in Brownville until sometime between 1870 and 1880 when they moved to Falls City.  Edward W. Thomas died on February 18, 1897.  He is buried in Steele Cemetery at Falls City, Nebraska.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection consists of one folder containing a typescript copy of a letter written by Edward W. Thomas to O.P. Mason on June 10, 1863.  The letter describes the murder of Tobe Manley and general lawlessness in Brownville, Nebraska.  Also included is an account of the murder of Nathan Handley, taken from a local county history book, as it was thought that Thomas may have been mistaken about the name and was actually describing Handley’s murder.

INVENTORY

Item

  1. Letter (typescript) from Edward Thomas to O.P. Mason, June 10, 1863
  2. Copy of an account of the murder of Nathan Handley

Subject headings:

Brownville (Neb.) — History
Crime and criminals — Nebraska — Brownville
Crime and criminals — Nebraska — Nemaha County
Handley, Nathan, ?-1863
Manley, Tobe, ?-1863
Nemaha County (Neb.) — History
Thomas, Edward W., 1830-1897


Revised TMM      02-11-2020

 

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

Check Your Bags? Scenes from the Ogallala Depot

Check Your Bags? Scenes from the Ogallala Depot

Nebraska History Spotlight: the Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebrsaka

Nebraska History Spotlight: the Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebrsaka

Philander DeForest Thompson: A Legacy at Neligh Mill

Philander DeForest Thompson: A Legacy at Neligh Mill

About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director Cindy Drake. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.