NEBRASKA CITY – A bound volume of the Peoples Press, published in Nebraska City in 1862, was saved from the dumpster Saturday.

The newspaper claims to have a political purpose and was published during the U.S. Civil War in America and freighting days of the Nebraska Territory.

The newspaper, published by editor W.H.H. Waters,  includes a letter from President Abraham Lincoln regarding the emancipation of the District of Columbia.

Lincoln: “I have never doubted the constitutional authority of Congress to abolish slavery in the District.”

People’s Press: “We notice E.S. Hawley is erecting a large wagon shed in the rear of the Express Office. He keeps a large supply of wagons for sale.”

People’s Press: “Pete Laboo has opened a new bowling saloon on Main Street.”

People’s Press: “We have no sympathy with any movement that would tend to increase the black population of Nebraska.”

People’s Press: “Pioneer Nursery is offering apple trees from one to five years.”

People’s Press: “G.G. Gillette was elected mayor by a majority of 70 votes. D. Laboo was elected marshal by a majority of 61.  The return shows about 320 votes polled.”

People’s Press: “Charley Gerber killed an ox for beef this morning, for which he paid $100.”

People’s Press: “A train of emigrant wagons passed up the street yesterday, which – on a moderate calculation – was about a half a mile long. Those large “prairie schooners” of Byrams are passing and re-passing our office by dozens every day, propelled by from five to eight yoke of oxen.”

People’s Press: “The Festival of the M.P. Church passed off in a quiet and orderly manner. A large crowd was in attendance, and the receipts were large – giving a fair example of the liberality of our citizens.”

People’s Press: The church directory includes St. Mary’s Episcopal, First Presbyterian, First Baptist, two Methodist, German Presbyterian, German Methodist and Roman Catholic.

People’s Press. “The Iowain – published in Sidney – says some Jayhawkers have been operating in that vicinity recently. No damage done yet.”

People’s Press reported on the Otoe County Republican Convention at Dewar’s Hall in Nebraska City.

Wm. H. Taylor offered the following resolutions, which were first read, and then on motion considered one by one, and unanimously adopted.

“Resolved, that the Republicans of Otoe County are unanismoulsy in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the War, until this wicked rebellion is crushed and the Union is restored.”

Resolved, that Otoe County will, and the Territory of Nebraska should, contribute their pro rata of men and money to aid the government in this struggle for Constitutional liberty.”

W.H.H. Waters was named a delegate to the territorial convention.

News Channel Nebraska could not find a digital version of this historic newspaper in the archive available online at the Morton-James Public Library.

https://www.worldcat.org/title/peoples-press/oclc/32343956?referer=di&ht=edition

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Also saved from the 9th Street dumpster was a 1955 issue congratulating the winners of the Nebraska City News-Press’s “good-will subscription contest.” Margaret Clark of Unadilla won a 1955 Mercury Sedan.

Here is the digital image available online at the Morton-James public Library.

 Here are photos taken from the bound volumes that were saved from the dumpster.