publications

Nebraska Territorial Fair Premiums

Robert W. Furnas, editor of the Nebraska Farmer, in its March 1860 issue, apologized to premium winners from the first Nebraska territorial fair, held at Nebraska City in September 1859. The expected prize money was not available except in the form of territorial warrants. With some embarrassment, Furnas, then a member of the Territorial Board of Agriculture, told his readers:



“All who had anything to do with the First Territorial Fair held at Nebraska City, in September last, are aware that the receipts on that occasion were but little more than sufficient to pay the incidental expenses. Every exertion in the power of the Board to raise funds with which to pay off all premiums called for, has been made. At the last session of the Legislature, the passage of an act was secured, appropriating out of the Territorial Treasury the sum of $300, for the purpose of aiding in paying premiums awarded. The act further appropriates the same sum annually, hereafter, for the same purpose.



“As there is no funds in the Territorial Treasury, the best that can be done is to pay off the premiums in Territorial Warrants. They draw ten per cent interest; and beside can be used by those procuring them in paying taxes, thus really answering the same as money. Those to whom premiums were awarded, and who wish them, can have a Territorial Warrant, by applying by letter, or otherwise, to the undersigned.



“There is about $70 in money in the hands of the Treasurer; but it is thought unfair to pay a portion of the premiums in cash, and the balance in Warrants. The $300 Warrants will undoubtedly pay all premiums called for, and with the $70 money in the Treasury, together with the $300 appropriated next year, and the receipts of the next Fair, premiums can next year all be paid promptly on the last day of the Fair.



“The Board regret not being able to pay the premiums as promised; but as this is the best that can be done, under the circumstances, it is hoped that all interested, will at least be content.



“Papers throughout the Territory will please copy, or call attention. R. W. Furnas, Pres’t Ter. Board of Agriculture.”

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

Other Publications

The Bachelors’ Protective Union of Kearney

When the Bachelors' Protective Union gave a gala reception for two of its newly married, former members and their brides in March of 1890, the social club for young, ...

U.S. Weather Bureau in 1890s Nebraska

The U.S. Weather Bureau was established by an act of Congress on October 1, 1890. It took over the weather service that had been established in the office of the Chief ...

Canning the Way to Victory

During American participation in World War I the U.S. Food Administration, under the direction of Herbert Hoover, launched a massive campaign to persuade Americans to ...

The Shoemaker’s Ashes

"Edward Kuehl, one of the most peculiar characters that ever lived in Omaha, or anywhere else, was found dead in his bed last night in the back room of his place of ...

Crazy Horse Surrender Ledger Foreward

Red Dog, an Oglala Lakota who lived at the Red Cloud Agency, Nebraska, 1876-77 (Nebraska State Historical Society RG2955.ph).   In the summer of 1876, following the ...

Darryl F. Zanuck

Darryl F. Zanuck Darryl F. Zanuck (1902-1979), a native Nebraskan, produced some of Hollywood's most important and controversial films. He helped found 20th Century Fox ...

The Burlington’s Profitable Pork Special

Nebraska railroads were much concerned with developing an adequate economy in the areas they served. The Burlington, for example, had a long history of caring for the ...

Bungalow Filling Stations

After the giant Standard Oil Company was broken into thirty-four separate companies in 1911, the newly independent Standard Oil of Nebraska dominated the state's market ...

The Bull Fight

This is the perfect time of year for a visit to the old fishin' hole. But a group of fisherfolk from Plainview discovered that this bucolic pastime sometimes has ...

Buffalo Soldiers West

African-American soldiers on the western frontier are the focus of an exhibit at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln. Buffalo Soldiers West, on loan from the Colorado ...

Protection for Buffalo

The extermination of the buffalo on the Plains occurred largely between 1870 and 1885. The Nebraska State Journal of Lincoln on February 1, 1874, editorialized in vain ...

Buffalo Hunting

In late October 1877 young Rolf Johnson and three friends left their homes in Phelps County, Nebraska, for a buffalo hunt in northeastern Colorado. The hunt was not very ...
About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society 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 History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska 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 History Nebraska members.

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

History Nebraska'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

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. 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.