Gold Fever Struck Our Area Nearly 130 Years Ago

Gold is currently fetching nearly $2,350 an ounce, up from around $1,850 just six months ago. Some critics of the federal government's fiscal policy say gold could soon go for twice or three times the current price as the U.S. debt and the debts of most other nations soar -- and fiat currencies become worth less.

Is it time to start panning Nebraska rivers and creeks for the yellow metal? There are folks who believe you should try. Watch this video by a guy who touts a successful prospecting trip near the Niobrara River. 

Gold has been found in western in rivers that flow from Colorado and Wyoming. Gold in the eastern part of Nebraska has been found in the glacial gold sources around the Nebraska-Missouri border, where it has been trapped, sliding and settling in the flatland.  

Nebraska isn't exactly California 1849, but experts say there's still gold to be found here, even in areas like Saline County. Nearly 130 years ago, believe it or not, there was a short-lived gold rush in the Dorchester area.

The Oct. 7, 1895 edition of The New York Times reported: "A raging gold fever has settled down on this section of country over a startling discovery" of gold just north of Dorchester.

According to the publication, the primary source of speculation was a gravel pit near Milford, said to be "rich in gold dust." The pit had been used by Burlington Railway in the construction and upgrade of its rail system.

The Times noted that there was "great excitement in the vicinity of the reputed find" and that speculation was active. 

But if you are too skeptical to go panning for gold on the West Fork or Turkey Creek, just take the advice of another YouTube star: Look for buried treasure in old outhouses. Or try looking in one of these five areas where ample gold can still be found.

Happy 143rd Birthday, Dorchester!

Later this month, on June 23, the Village of Dorchester will celebrate its 143rd anniversary of its incorporation. Yes, that means our 150th is only seven years away.

Because Dorchester's founding is a big deal, here's a look at how our community gained its official status 143 years ago:

• As Dorchester's population grew to nearly 300 by the early 1880s, it was necessary to establish a formal system of government. On June 23, 1881, a petition was presented to and granted by the Saline County commissioners for the incorporation of the village.

• The following residents were appointed by the commissioners as village trustees: D.G. Panter, John Oberlies, N.B. Alley, Thomas Jarrett, and W.H. Pallett. At the same time, C.F. Thomas, J.H. Clark, and M.O. Alley were named village clerk, treasurer and marshal, respectively.

• On July 6, 1881, the first meeting of the Dorchester Village Board was held.  At this meeting, the trustees designated that the first Monday of each month would be the regular meeting time for the board, which is still adhered to today. Four other ordinances were approved at this first meeting of the Dorchester village board. They were:

• Ordinance 1: Regulating the sales of intoxicating liquors in the village;

• Ordinance 2: Imposing a license tax on dogs in the village;

• Ordinance 3: Levying a five mills to the dollar valuation taxes for the year 1881; and

• Ordinance 4: Providing for the grading and guttering of streets and alleys, as well as construction of wooden sidewalks.

May the next 143 years bring our community joy and prosperity!

Looking Back: Main Street Dorchester, 10 Decades Ago

 

The photos above provide some of the best images that we have seen depicting Dorchester's bustling main street, or Washington Ave., as it appeared in the 1920s. (Click on each photo for a better look.)

The first photo shows the South Side Garage, located on the west side of the block between 6th and 7th Streets. Henry Sehnert owned and operated the garage from 1925 to 1930, before moving to the other side of the street, where he would operate his Ford garage for half a century. The South Side Garage was located near the present-day car wash. 

Today's City Hall can clearly be seen in the photo, looking north. At the time of the picture, the building housed Citizen's State Bank, Dorchester oldest continuous business, despite the name change. Also pictured are the Post Office and the Masonic and Good Fellows Hall (which were housed on the second floor of today's City Hall and Donna's Hair Creations.)

Other photos published by the Times clearly show Dorchester's former water tower in the background of the South Side Garage. Prior to the 1920s, this area of main street was home to Skinkle Cafe and the H. Oetkin Machine Shop, according to a 1914-1920 map of Dorchester. 

Just north of the machine shop were Ireland's Dry Goods and Grocery and Randell's Shoe Shop. Continuing north up Main Street -- separated by the narrow alley and present-day bank drive-through -- were the Bank of Dorchester and Dr. Waller's Drug Store.  On the east side of the street on the same block sat the Commercial Hotel; Opera House; Cookus Blacksmith; Parker's Cream and Poultry; the Chamber of Commerce; City Hall; Dillon's Blue Front Cafe; and Malek's Butcher Shop.

Dorchester was a hub of business activity and free enterprise. Times' readers would enjoy hearing any residents, past or present, who have heard stories from friends or family about Dorchester in the 1910s, '20s and '30s. 

NEWS ROUND-UP: New Dorchester Businesses In The Spotlight

New Dorchester Businesses: The Crete News published a special report on new businesses in Dorchester. The Dorchester Community Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting and open house celebration for R&K Styles -- a new hair salon owned by Shelena Neeman -- and Cradles & Crayons, a daycare owned by Hannah Railsback. The latter operates from the new building on main street constructed by LJ and Sam Barley. The story notes that Dorchester Bret Cerny has opened Blue River Firearms, with plans to have a Dorchester storefront within the next year.

Village Board Meets June 10: The Village of Dorchester Board is set to meet Monday, June 10 at the Farmers Cooperative Meeting Room at 607 Franklin Ave. The public should use entrance No. 2.

Dorchester Receives 6 Inches of Rain Since April 15: According to the National Weather Service, Dorchester has received 5.99 inches of rain over the past six weeks -- a welcome development in an area ravaged by drought for the past year. Dorchester's water restrictions remain in place. See the personnel at the Village Office for details.

Food Trucks' Schedule: Dorchester will have be served by several food trucks throughout June. The mobile restaurants will be parking by the Legion building and will be serving on the following days: Amigos, June 3 (11:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m.); Chi Style Kitchen, June 10 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.); Billie's Grilled Cheese, June 11 (10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.); Game Time Eats, June 17 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.). Menus will be posted at the bank and post office.

U.S. Flags Being Collected for Retirement: The Dorchester Legion is a flag retirement collection spot. If you need American flags retired, please deliver them to the Legion by Monday night, June 10. Greg Tyser at Tyser Weld and Repair and Tyser Auto will collect the flags if you can't deliver them when the Legion building is open. The retirement ceremony will be in Wilber on June 14.

Fajita Fiesta Coming To Dorchester, June 8

Get ready for a fun time in Dorchester on Saturday, June 8. 

That's when the Dorchester Community Foundation will host its Fajita Feed from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. 

The event will take place at the Dorchester Community Building and Legion Hall.

You can count on great food, drinks, and conversation with friends.

Dine in or take out by calling 402.381.7789.

This is a free-will donation event, so please give generously.

By the way, in case you missed it, check out the ribbon cuttings the Foundation recently conducted to celebrate Dorchester's two newest businesses -- Cradles and Crayons Childcare and R&K Styles.