Charlie Hickman & Viola Ostrum:
The First Couple Married in Dundy County, Nebraska
Charlie Hickman in 1878
THE FIRST WHITE MARRIAGE
Related by Viola Hickman at Halloween Party, 1915
In 1881 the Wilson erected a large two-story frame house, the largest in the entire valley, about 40 rods above the old block house and painted a large circle on its roof. It was lavishly furnished, even to a grand piano. He lived in Denver much of the time but often returned to the ranch with business associates and friends. Neighboring ranchers were invited in for dinner and dancing. A Negro youngster was kept on the pay-roll, mostly to entertain with folk songs, jigging, and banjoing but he also served as a waiter – until he hit the punch bowl.
Viola Ostrom assisted Mrs. Calvin, the manager’s wife, with household duties and special dishes. Viola once remarked: “When I was a mere 16-year-old lass, the cowboys were very attentive and tried to teach me to ride, But I fell in love with Charley Hickman and one frosty day we rode the 35 miles to a justice of peace in Culbertson where we were married. We spent our honeymoon taking in the sights – a general merchandise store, a harness shop, blacksmith shop, livery barn, and the hotel. It was January 1, 1882, the first white wedding in the county, and it called for a celebration. The cook whipped up an eggless cake and two married women were the sponsors, and I was the belle. There not being enough women, some of the cowboys donned aprons and the dance went on until my feet seemed worn down to my ankles. The cowboys were perfect gentlemen and went as far as taking away the liquor until the party broke up. Then a round was served as they presented me with a very fine shoulder cape. Our bedroom was part of a large room upstairs where we had been dancing. Curtains were hung between the beds and party-goers slept on the floor. But we had a partitioned room. Top hand Jeff Gallagher married Addie Monvoisin that same year (1882). They went to Culbertson in style in a buckboard and wrapped in buffalo robes. And that cleaned the valley of single women.”
[From: SUTTON’S SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA by E.S. Sutton, published by the author in Benkelman, Nebraska, 1983]
Related by Viola Hickman at Halloween Party, 1915
In 1881 the Wilson erected a large two-story frame house, the largest in the entire valley, about 40 rods above the old block house and painted a large circle on its roof. It was lavishly furnished, even to a grand piano. He lived in Denver much of the time but often returned to the ranch with business associates and friends. Neighboring ranchers were invited in for dinner and dancing. A Negro youngster was kept on the pay-roll, mostly to entertain with folk songs, jigging, and banjoing but he also served as a waiter – until he hit the punch bowl.
Viola Ostrom assisted Mrs. Calvin, the manager’s wife, with household duties and special dishes. Viola once remarked: “When I was a mere 16-year-old lass, the cowboys were very attentive and tried to teach me to ride, But I fell in love with Charley Hickman and one frosty day we rode the 35 miles to a justice of peace in Culbertson where we were married. We spent our honeymoon taking in the sights – a general merchandise store, a harness shop, blacksmith shop, livery barn, and the hotel. It was January 1, 1882, the first white wedding in the county, and it called for a celebration. The cook whipped up an eggless cake and two married women were the sponsors, and I was the belle. There not being enough women, some of the cowboys donned aprons and the dance went on until my feet seemed worn down to my ankles. The cowboys were perfect gentlemen and went as far as taking away the liquor until the party broke up. Then a round was served as they presented me with a very fine shoulder cape. Our bedroom was part of a large room upstairs where we had been dancing. Curtains were hung between the beds and party-goers slept on the floor. But we had a partitioned room. Top hand Jeff Gallagher married Addie Monvoisin that same year (1882). They went to Culbertson in style in a buckboard and wrapped in buffalo robes. And that cleaned the valley of single women.”
[From: SUTTON’S SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA by E.S. Sutton, published by the author in Benkelman, Nebraska, 1983]