HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG3105.AM: George W. Berge, 1864-1925
Papers: 1892-1925
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb.: Lawyer; newspaper editor
Size: 2.0 cu.ft.; 4 boxes
BACKGROUND NOTE
George W. Berge established his law practice in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1890. He was the fusion nominee for Congress in 1900 and for governor in 1904. In 1906 he attempted to gain the Democratic nomination for governor, but lost to Shallenberger. He edited The Independent, Lincoln, Nebraska from April 27, 1905 until January 17, 1907. He is the author of The Free Pass Bribery System (1905).
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The Berge papers are arranged in four series: (1) Addresses, 1892-1906; (2) Frank Dewit Eager files, 1905-1908; (3) Printed matter, 1900-1925; and (4) Scrapbooks of political clippings, 1900-1905. The bulk of these papers date from 1892-1908.
The material in this collection relates to Berge’s career as a lawyer and editor, to his activity in the Populist, fusion and Democratic parties, and to his associates such as Frank Dewit Eager and William Jennings Bryan. Berge remained a critic of railroads and Republicans throughout his life.
Note: See the Library catalog and the Nebraska History Index for various published materials by/about George Berge. See also the papers of George Berge’s son, Wendell Berge [RG3106].
INVENTORY
Series 1 – Addresses, 1892-1906
Box 1
1892-1906, Bound volume of addresses, typewritten, 255 pages
Undated, Political speeches in manuscript form
Series 2 – Frank Dewit Eager files, 1905-1908
Box 2
1905-1908, Correspondence, financial and legal papers relating to the Independent Publishing Company, Lincoln, Nebraska. (Eager was business manager of The Independent.)
Series 3 – Printed matter, 1900-1925
1907, Harrah vs. Smith, bound volume of legal briefs, 289 pages
1900-1905, Newspaper clippings
1914, Newspaper clippings
1925, B.P.O.E. Memorial Service
Series 4 – Scrapbooks of political clippings, 1900-1905
Box 3
Vol. 1, 1900, Clippings relating to Berge’s congressional campaign
Vol. 2-3, 1904, State campaign clippings
Box 4
Vol. 4-5, 1904, Political clippings
Vol. 6-7, 1905, Political clippings
Subject headings:
Berge, George W., 1864-1925
Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925
Eager, Frank Dewit, 1872-1960
Independent Publishing Company (Lincoln, Neb.)
Newspaper publishing — Nebraska — Lincoln
Politics — Nebraska
Populist Party
Encoded TMM 02-22-2010
Revised TMM 09-08-2011
