GROUND SQUIRREL BOUNTY, 1894
Written and submitted by Doug Reckard, from a list supplied by the Fort Kearny Genealogical Society
The most common ground squirrel in Nebraska is the 13-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, literally "seed-eating 13-liner"), also improperly named the "striped gopher". Their habitat includes golf courses, parks, yards; generally closely mowed grassy areas, where they feed primarily on seeds, garden vegetables, flowers, and insects. They dig burrows 15-20 feet long, with two or more entrances, in which they hide from predators, raise litters of 7-10 young, and hibernate in the winter. Thirteen-liners are typically solitary animals, but they may reach a population density of 10 animals per acre.
In 1894 Buffalo County was overrun by ground squirrels, and a bounty of $0.03 was offered to eradicate the problem. A current (1992) estimate suggests that they cause $2M in damage to corn crops, but in 1894 the rodent's burrows also presented a hazard to livestock, which would step into their holes and break a leg. In June and July of that year more than 13,000 "13 liners" were killed at a cost to the county of less than $400.
One can imagine that many of the bounty hunters were children, motivated by the prospect of earning money. Some 13-liners were probably shot, but most squirrels were probably taken by poisoning or drowning. Though the 13-liner took a severe hit in the summer of 1894 it was not eradicated, and survives in gardens and lawns today.For further reading: NebGuide article -
Here, then, is a list of those who participated in the 1894 attempt to eradicate the Common Ground Squirrel from Buffalo County.
The bounty claim books are in the Archives of the Buffalo County Historical Society. If more information is desired, please write to the Fort Kearny Genealogical Society, Box 22, Kearney, NE 68848, or the Buffalo County Historical Society, Box 523, Kearney, NE 68848.
| NAME | CLAIM # | HEAD | EARNINGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLBRIGHT, Wm. | 1481 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| ALTMAIER, Andrew | 1555 | 106 | $ 3.18 |
| ALTMAIER, Andrew | 1398 | 116 | $ 3.48 |
| ANDERSON. D.L. | 1468 | 27 | $ 0.81 |
| ANDERSON, William | 1363 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| ANDERSON, Tilda | 1362 | 100 | $ 3.00 |
| ANDERSON, Andrew | 1361 | 107 | $ 3.21 |
| ANTHONY, J.H. | 1513 | 25 | $ 0.75 |
| ASAY, H.G. | 1374 | 35 | $ 1.05 |
| BAKER, Willard | 1370 | 43 | $ 1.29 |
| BAMMER, Willy | 1389 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| BAMMER, Wm. | 1385 | 103 | $ 3.09 |
| BANNING, Bennie & Ernest | -- | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| BARRAGER, Fred | 1460 | 42 | $ 1.26 |
| BEBB, William | 1544 | 33 | $ 0.99 |
| BERNARD, Ed | 1424 | 70 | $ 2.10 |
| BERNET, Paul | 1516 | 21 | $ 0.63 |
| BEYER, W.W. | 1394 | 128 | $ 3.84 |
| BILLINGSLEY, Jos. | 1491 | 35 | $ 1.05 |
| BLASCHKO, Thomas | 1396 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| BLUMFIELD, David | 1396 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| BREWER, D. | 1444 | 44 | $ 1.32 |
| BROADFOOT, Jas. | 1533 | 76 | $ 2.28 |
| BROOKS, James | 1450 | 1 | $ 0.03 |
| BROWN, C.H. | 1438 | 36 | $ 1.08 |
| BROWN, George | 1408 | 56 | $ 1.68 |
| BROWN, J.M. | 1417 | 66 | $ 1.98 |
| BROWN, Mrs D.I. | 1453 | 288 | $ 8.64 |
| BROWN,W?.A. | 1409 | 48 | $ 1.44 |
| BROWN, Walter | 1454 | 52 | $ 1.56 |
| BROWNING, Clyde | 1466 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| BRUCK, James | 1510 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| BRUCKER, Edward | 1433 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| BUNNELL, Fred | 1460 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| BURRIS, N. | 1493 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| CAMPBELL, A. | 1508 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| CAMPBELL, Janet | 1389 | 66 | $ 1.98 |
| CARLSON, August | 1447 | 68 | $ 2.04 |
| CARLSON, August | 1395 | 31 | $ 0.93 |
| CARPER, Charley | 1459 | 21 | $ 0.63 |
| CARSON, Dell | 1425 | 15 | $ 0.45 |
| CARSON, George | 1407 | 112 | $ 3.36 |
| CASH, Rolla | 1381 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| CHAPMAN, Jas. | 1549 | 51 | $ 1.53 |
| CHEENEY, E. | 1374 | 104 | $ 3.12 |
| CLELLAND, Charles | 1376 | 110 | $ 3.30 |
| CORNSTOCK, F.G. | 1451 | 19 | $ 0.57 |
| CRAIGAN, Willie | 1404 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| CROSBY, W.M. | 1365 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| CROWELL, Dagen | 1373 | 34 | $ 1.02 |
| CUNMINGHAM, Willie | 1397 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| CUNNINGHAM, Willie | 1512 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| DARNELL, E. | 1387 | 52 | $ 1.56 |
| DARNELL, R.L. | 1379 | 44 | $ 1.32 |
| DEETS, L.S. | 1561 | 77 | $ 2.31 |
| DIETEL, Wm. | 1480 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| DONNELLY, I.S. | 1431 | 97 | $ 2.91 |
| DOWNS, Tevis | 1366 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| DRAKE, Philip | 1553 | 23 | $ 0.69 |
| DUNCAN, Joseph | 1521 | 68 | $ 2.04 |
| EAGELSTON, George | 1422 | 126 | $ 3.78 |
| EARLEY, V. | 1414 | 76 | $ 2.28 |
| EDDY, H. | 1407 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| ELLIOTT, J.E. | 1485 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| FAIRCHILD, James | 1538 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| FALK, Herman | 1400 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| FIEBIG, Charlie | 1487 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| FIEBIG, Charles | 1416 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| FIELDING, Joe | 1559 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| FIELDING, Josoph (Joseph) | 1526 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| FIELDING, Joe | 1411 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| FIELDING, Joe | 1424 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| FIELDING, James | 1457 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| FIELDING, James | 1368 | 17 | $ 0.51 |
| FISHER, Charles | 1442 | 35 | $ 1.05 |
| FISHER, Homer | 1476 | 86 | $ 2.58 |
| FISHER, Homer | 1432 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| FISHER, I/J.H. | 1443 | 45 | $ 1.35 |
| FISHER, Robert | 1441 | 52 | $ 1.56 |
| FITZ, W.J. | 1421 | 27 | $ 0.81 |
| FLEHARTY, Walter | 1475 | 17 | $ 0.51 |
| FLURY, Charles | 1432 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| FORSMAN, L.P. | 1489 | 22 | $ 0.66 |
| FRAME, Rollie | 1444 | 146 | $ 4.38 |
| FREEMAN, B. | 1386 | 25 | $ 0.75 |
| GAMBLE, William | 1547 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| GAMBLE, William | 1387 | 30 | $ 0.90 |
| GARDNER, G.E. | 1405 | 51 | $ 1.53 |
| GRASSMEYER, W.H. | 1436 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| GREENE, Frank | 1392 | 17 | $ 0.51 |
| GRIESS, John | 1536 | 7 | $ 0.21 |
| GRIESS, Johnnie | 1528 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| HAASE, John | 1470 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| HALLIWELL, S.B. | 1384 | 6 | $ 0.18 |
| HARDEN, Jacob | 1556 | 20 | $ 0.60 |
| HARRINGTON, C.E. | 1378 | 62 | $ 1.86 |
| HELSER, C.E. | 1390 | 40 | $ 1.20 |
| HELSER, Robert | 1383 | 81 | $ 2.43 |
| HENSON, Walter | 1499 | 21 | $ 0.63 |
| HENTHORN, Elmer | 1502 | 1 | $ 0.03 |
| HENTHORN, Elmer | 1501 | 19 | $ 0.57 |
| HERMANN, George | 1447 | 35 | $ 1.05 |
| HERMMANN, E. | 1448 | 111 | $ 3.33 |
| HERRMANN, George | 1525 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| HERVERT, John | 1428 | 132 | $ 3.96 |
| HERVEY, Sam | 1472 | 20 | $ 0.60 |
| HIGGINS, Charles | 1370 | 89 | $ 2.67 |
| HIGGINS, Ed | 1371 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| HOEFFER, Lee | 1436 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| HOELL, Joseph | 1423 | 80 | $ 2.40 |
| HOLLIDAY, Lester | 1557 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| HOLLINGSWORTH, Verlie | 1440 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| HORMEL, W.S. -Co. Clerk | -- | $ - | |
| HOWE, Richard | 1437 | 28 | $ 0.84 |
| HULBERT, George | 1560 | 6 | $ 0.18 |
| HUSTON, Clara | 1435 | 22 | $ 0.66 |
| IHDE, Fred (HIDE ?) | 1540 | 60 | $ 1.80 |
| JENKINS, Elwood | 1455 | 50 | $ 1.50 |
| JENKINS, Mrs. J.N. | 1377 | 45 | $ 1.35 |
| JOHNSON, A. | 1488 | 48 | $ 1.44 |
| JOHNSON, A. | 1402 | 50 | $ 1.50 |
| JOHNSON, J.W. | 1403 | 126 | $ 3.78 |
| JOHNSTON, Edd | 1486 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| JONES, Earl | 1393 | 62 | $ 1.86 |
| JONES, Everett | 1446 | 9 | $ 0.27 |
| JONES, J.Y. | 1406 | 8 | $ 0.24 |
| JONES, John A. | 1524 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| JONES, Walter | 1588 | 17 | $ 0.51 |
| JONES, Walter | 1450 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| JUHL/JEWEL,George | 1408 | 25 | $ 0.75 |
| KANZLER, Jacob | 1517 | 1 | $ 0.03 |
| KEIFFER, Edgar | 1454 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| KEISS, W. | 1532 | 126 | $ 3.78 |
| KENNEY, F.M. | 1459 | 84 | $ 2.52 |
| KESSLER, H.W. | 1471 | 51 | $ 1.53 |
| KEYSER, Willie | 1518 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| KEYSER, Willie | 1495 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| KIESS/KEISS, Henry | 1426 | 139 | $ 4.17 |
| KINCAID, Alfred | 1467 | 21 | $ 0.63 |
| KINCAID, Alfred | 1375 | 105 | $ 3.15 |
| KING, George | 1400 | 19 | $ 0.57 |
| KNOLL, Julius | 1498 | 148 | $ 4.44 |
| KRING, Coy | 1418 | 31 | $ 0.93 |
| LAWHEAD, Howard | 1371 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| LAWRENCE, J.P. | 1379 | 57 | $ 1.71 |
| LAWSON, Hiram | 1391 | 57 | $ 1.71 |
| LICKING, Charles | 1496 | 6 | $ 0.18 |
| LICKING, Charles | 1477 | 8 | $ 0.24 |
| LICKING, Fred | 1441 | 75 | $ 2.25 |
| LOEWENSTEIN, Willie | 1504 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| LOWENSTEIN, Frank | 1381 | 130 | $ 3.90 |
| MILLER, J.E. | 1364 | $ - | |
| MADDOX, Orson | 1420 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| MANSFIELD, N?. K. | 1514 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| MANSFIELD, Mary | 1388 | 110 | $ 3.30 |
| MANSFIELD, Mary E. | 1449 | 111 | $ 3.33 |
| MATTHEW / MATHEW, Jacob | 1422 | 68 | $ 2.04 |
| McCANN, Jas. A. | 1542 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| McCARTNEY, E.E. | 1519 | 26 | $ 0.78 |
| McCRITE, Roy | 1409 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| McCUTCHEON, J.O. | 1479 | 94 | $ 2.82 |
| McCUTCHEON, J.O. | 1443 | 82 | $ 2.46 |
| McCUTCHEON, J.O. | 1442 | 70 | $ 2.10 |
| McDONALD, George | 1534 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| McFARLAND, Willie | 1383 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| McINTIRE, C.L. | 1437 | 8 | $ 0.24 |
| McINTIRE, C.L. | 1414 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| McLELLAN, Horton | 1384 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| McLELLAN, Vars | 1382 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| McMAHON, Martin | 1421 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| MELIN, L. | 1416 | 40 | $ 1.20 |
| MILLER, Fred | 1456 | 35 | $ 1.05 |
| MILLIGAN, Stella | 1530 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| MILLIGAN, Stella | 1386 | 15 | $ 0.45 |
| MOFFITT, J.S. | 1419 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1562 | 7 | $ 0.21 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1554 | 4 | $ 0.12 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1543 | 29 | $ 0.87 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1527 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1446 | 15 | $ 0.45 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1373 | 6 | $ 0.18 |
| MOODY, Percy | 1420 | 20 | $ 0.60 |
| MOORE, Lavinia | 1529 | 52 | $ 1.56 |
| MOORE, Willard | 1430 | 68 | $ 2.04 |
| MORRIS, Wm. | 1412 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| MOSES, Ralph | 1366 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| MOTT, Edwin | 1484 | 26 | $ 0.78 |
| MOTT, Frank | 1401 | 45 | $ 1.35 |
| MURRAY, W.H. | 1430 | 54 | $ 1.62 |
| MURRISH, Martie | 1511 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| MUSIL, Charles | 1395 | 107 | $ 3.21 |
| MYERS, Lewis | 1483 | 60 | $ 1.80 |
| NEAL, C. | 1506 | 15 | $ 0.45 |
| NELSON, Emil | 1464 | 41 | $ 1.23 |
| NEWELL, W.H. | 1415 | 92 | $ 2.76 |
| NICHOLS, Arthur | 1548 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| NILES, George | 1375 | 20 | $ 0.60 |
| NILES, Lester | 1413 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| NUTTER, Herbert | -- |
23 | $ 0.69 |
| NUTTER, Herbert | 1461 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| NUTTER, Herbert | 1445 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| NUTTER, Herbert | 1412 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| NYE, Lee D. | 1397 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| OVERMIRE, Mell | 1392 | 17 | $ 0.51 |
| OVERMIRE, Earl | 1456 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| PATTERSON, George | 1429 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| PEAKER, Howard | 1452 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| PERRY, Ernest | 1378 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| PETERSON, John O. | 1398 | 37 | $ 1.11 |
| PETTETT, W.C. | 1431 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| PICKERELL, Clarnee | 1417 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| PLATNER, Charles | 1401 | 63 | $ 1.89 |
| PRASHER, Arthur | 1494 | 26 | $ 0.78 |
| PRATT, Thomas | 1490 | 30 | $ 0.90 |
| RAMER, T.N. | 1537 | 76 | $ 2.28 |
| REDDING, L.A. | 1551 | 42 | $ 1.26 |
| RHILEY, Mrs. M.N. | 1382 | 109 | $ 3.27 |
| RICE, Charles | 1500 | 29 | $ 0.87 |
| RICE, Charles | 1457 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| RICE, Lulu | 1539 | 64 | $ 1.92 |
| RICHTER, Willie | 1480 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| RICHTER, Willie see DIETEL, Wm | 1480 | $ - | |
| RIGHTENO/AUR, James | 1439 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| RIZER, D. | 1365 | 228 | $ 6.84 |
| RIZER, E. | 1364 | 130 | $ 3.90 |
| RIZER, Everett | 1552 | 69 | $ 2.07 |
| ROSE, E.A. | 1434 | 45 | $ 1.35 |
| SALSBURY, J.S. | 1515 | 118 | $ 3.54 |
| SCHLUND, Max | 1509 | 112 | $ 3.36 |
| SHAFTO, C. | 1474 | 20 | $ 0.60 |
| SHAFTO, Clarence | 1380 | 73 | $ 2.19 |
| SHERIFF, C.J. | 1492 | 43 | $ 1.29 |
| SHUBERT, Stephen | 1399 | 125 | $ 3.75 |
| SHULL, Clinton | 1425 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| SIEBKE, C. | 1496 | 65 | $ 1.95 |
| SINCLAIR, James | 1435 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| SMITH, A.W. | 1380 | 100 | $ 3.00 |
| SMITH, George | 1391 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| SMITH, Harley | 1434 | 237 | $ 7.11 |
| SMITH, Jasper | 1541 | 8 | $ 0.24 |
| SMITH, Jasper | 1404 | 2 | $ 0.06 |
| SMITH, Mrs. H.M. | 1535 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| SNAVELY, Clyde | 1419 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| SNAVELY, Edgar | 1497 | 14 | $ 0.42 |
| SNAVELY, Ira C. | 1545 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| SNEDEKER, Sam | 1410 | 60 | $ 1.80 |
| SNOOK, F.L. | 1399 | 39 | $ 1.17 |
| SNYDER, C.W. | 1390 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| STALLINGS, Roy | 1428 | 11 | $ 0.33 |
| STEELE, Chas. | 1465 | 47 | $ 1.41 |
| STEELE, Charlie | 1403 | 36 | $ 1.08 |
| STEVENSON, J.C. | 1372 | 56 | $ 1.68 |
| STOVER, Walter | 1439 | 7 | $ 0.21 |
| STUART, E.E. | 1368 | 82 | $ 2.46 |
| SWAN, Carl | 1558 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| SWAN, Carl | 1411 | 30 | $ 0.90 |
| SWEEZY, Noah | 1415 | 3 | $ 0.09 |
| TAUBENHEIM, Wm. | 1369 | 157 | $ 4.71 |
| TAUBENHEIM, Paul | 1423 | 22 | $ 0.66 |
| THORP, Lon / Lou | 1367 | 50 | $ 1.50 |
| THRALL, A. | 1394 | 38 | $ 1.14 |
| THRALL ? (bottom of the page) | |||
| TRAVELPIECE, Elma | 1550 | 7 | $ 0.21 |
| TRAVELPIECE/TRIVELPIECE, Cora | 1410 | 1 | $ 0.03 |
| TRIPLET, Ernie | 1505 | 18 | $ 0.54 |
| TRIPLETT, Harry | 1426 | 9 | $ 0.27 |
| TRIVELPIECE, Elma | 1507 | 13 | $ 0.39 |
| TROGLER, Willie | 1377 | 47 | $ 1.41 |
| TROLL, Frank | 1462 | 51 | $ 1.53 |
| TUCKER, Perl / Pearl | 1418 | 22 | $ 0.66 |
| VALENTINE, Wm. | 1455 | 32 | $ 0.96 |
| WAGNER, Henry | 1531 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| WAGNER, Henry | 1503 | 7 | $ 0.21 |
| WAGNER, Henry | 1463 | 8 | $ 0.24 |
| WALLACE, C.W. | 1523 | 15 | $ 0.45 |
| WALLACE, James | 1520 | 82 | $ 2.46 |
| WATERS, Jane Mrs | 1372 | 67 | $ 2.01 |
| WEAVER, Joseph | 1376 | 153 | $ 4.59 |
| WEISTER, Murl | 1445 | 26 | $ 0.78 |
| WELLER, Howard | 1478 | 56 | $ 1.68 |
| WELLS, L.P. | 1413 | 209 | $ 6.27 |
| WELSH, Fred | 1429 | 150 | $ 4.50 |
| WENZLICK, Philip | 1482 | 52 | $ 1.56 |
| WENZLICK, Philip | 1452 | 50 | $ 1.50 |
| WHEATLEY, Clarence | 1546 | 4 | $ 0.12 |
| WHEATLEY, Ray | 1453 | 5 | $ 0.15 |
| WHEATLEY, Charenee | 1458 | 6 | $ 0.18 |
| WILEY, Evertt | 1458 | 128 | $ 3.84 |
| WILLIAMS, Fred | 1522 | 10 | $ 0.30 |
| WILLIAMS, Ed | 1438 | 16 | $ 0.48 |
| WILLICH, John | 1369 | 133 | $ 3.99 |
| WINK, Frank | 1473 | 40 | $ 1.20 |
| WOOD, Charlly | 1402 | 26 | $ 0.78 |
| WOOD, Fred | 1433 | 25 | $ 0.75 |
| WOOD? (bottom of the page) | $ - | ||
| WORD, John | 1406 | 112 | $ 3.36 |
| WUNDERWALD, Carl T. | 1427 | 160 | $ 4.80 |
| YOUNG, Mark | 1440 | 12 | $ 0.36 |
| ZIMMERMAN, R. | 1367 | 24 | $ 0.72 |
| TOTAL: | 13018 | $ 390.06 |
