Document text
Sup. G. B. Washington A, 1, 2, b, 3, 4 (Ida M. Dugan)
461 words (4
8/21/36 eft
Omaha, District #2
MRS. E. J. EMPEY--OLD SETTLER
Mrs. E. J. Empey moved to Ft. Calhoun Nebraska with her
parents Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Moore, when she was a child about
thirteen years of age.
While living in Ohio her parents learned about free land
in Nebraska. Since they were of moderate means, living on a
farm, owning livestock they really had no reason for moving
West other than a natural desire to better their circumstances.
They finally disposed of their property and made preparations
for the family to travel West in a covered wagon.
Mrs. Empey is now eighty-three years of age, retains mental
alertness and humorously recollects incidents that occurred on
their journey West. She remembers that Ulysses Grant and Horatio
Seymour were candidates for president of the United States that
year. Whenever the family passed another covered wagon the
occupants leaned out and joyously shouted their presidencal
choice.
When they arrived at Council Bluffs, Iowa, they expected
to cross the Missouri River on the ferry but found it was no
longer in use. Then when they realized that they would be de-
tained several days, Mr. Moore decided not to delay, and so they
journeyed farther north where they crossed on a ferry at De Soto,
Nebraska.
"i 2—
(1) Interview with Mrs. E. J. Empey, 574 So. 35th Ave., August
4, 1936.
Page 2
When they reached Nebraska territory they lived for a time
in the village of Fort Calhoun where the children attended school.
Later Mr. Moore settled on a homestead a few miles south of Blair,
Nebraska, proved up on it, and the family continued to live there
many years.
Mrs. Empey further related how many times the Otoe and the
Sioux Indians cane to the vicinity from the reservations. They
were however abiding, peaceful Indians, not the thieving, cruel
type wa so often read about.
As was the custom in those days, Mr. Moore buried his po-
tatoes under ground for the winter. After having used the largest
potatoes, there remained a few small ones in the ground that the
family did not want. One day Mrs. Moore heard a great commotion
outside. Stepping into the yard she saw three Indians who had
discovered the small potatoes. One Indian cam forward and said,
"Have"? The Indians always asked permission before taking any-
thing.
The Moore family eventually moved to a farm near PapUlion
where some of the members resided for nearly fifty years. About
seven years ago Mrs. E. J. Empey came to Omaha to live with a
daughter Miss Lillian Empey, a teacher in the Omaha Public Schools.
SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
(1) Interview with Mrs. E. J. Empey, 574 South 35th Avenue,
August 4, 1936.
AS: