Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

This week’s article completes the coverage of Franklin County Pioneer Elizabeth uncomb of Upland. I save the best for last. Since I have so many stories, I thought I would present to you one of my favorite articles: The story of a remarkable woman with a strong will who participated in the Civil War as a nurse and taming of the frontier. We should be proud Elizabeth Duncomb chose to live among us in Franklin County.

Upland Eagle, November 11, 1920

“Mrs. Elizabeth Duncomb presented to the soldier and sailor boys of Upland, a beautiful flag, 6 by 9 feet, a gold eagle above it, at the Rex theatre, on Wednesday evening. About 14 soldiers were present and a good-sized audience. America and The Star Spangles Banner were sung, and L. M. Hines presented the flag to the boys on behalf of Mrs. Duncomb.

Hines told some interesting bits of Mrs. Duncomb’s history and of the sacrifices, which were made, that we might have our flag. “For three years during the Civil War she was a Red Cross nurse. Her husband Edmond Duncomb was captain of the 9th New York Infantry in the Mexican War in 1848, and under the command of Zachary Taylor. During one of the battles, the flag, which he carried, was riddles by bullets. When Taylor heard this, he sent for the flag, which he took to Washington. It is under glass in the Smithsonian Institute there, and is one of the greatest relics of the war.

Civil War Nurse

“Mrs. Duncomb lived in the South, but because of the sentiment of the Southerners toward Northern sympathizers, she was obliged to move north. Once during the war, when Mrs. Duncomb went to visit her brother with out a pass, she was put in Libby Prison, where she remained for a short time. There were twelve Civil War nurses reported to be living of whom Mrs. Duncomb is one.

“Mrs. Duncomb presented this flag to the boys, because of the interest she had in them; both having served under the same flag. To her, the flag is full of memories, her life having been wrapped up in it. Dr. Devers, on behalf of the boys expressed his appreciation for the gift. The boys appreciated the flag because it means as much to them as to the giver. They expect to organize a post of the American Legion the first of the year.

Upland Eagle, November 9, 1930

“Mrs. Duncomb told of her first night here in the spring of 1876. They had no place to go, so they camped in a draw on the land 8 * miles south of Upland that was to be their home.

She and her husband slept in the covered wagon and the children were put on a feather bed under the wagon. The evening was clear, but in the night a sudden hard rain came and the children and the bed had to be rescued from the flood. She thought then if they were only back in New York, Nebraska would never see her again. For seven years they raised very little, but carried on until better times came.”

Writing about Elizabeth Duncomb and her family, I wondered why they came to such a frontier as Franklin County, Nebraska.

This lady could have had all the comforts of the Old South. Her children could have been educated in the finest schools and could have been a part of a social world where life flowed smoother. She could have easily returned to that world, especially after her husband passed away, as many widows did.

Why did she stay? The answer is clear to me: Elizabeth Duncomb saw a need for her talent in our midst. She believed she could be helpful here. Elizabeth sacrificed the easy life for one of nursing our pioneers. With her medical knowledge, she helped Franklin County progress by helping to save the lives of our inhabitants. This was what made her the happiest and what fulfilled her soul.

Edward Duncomb was born May 1, 1827, and died March 27, 1884. Elizabeth Duncomb was born July 14, 1833, and died March 6, 1836.

Winning the West
No lips can speak the words, that tell the many hardships that befell
Our brave, courageous pioneers who won the West.
The dept we owe, we can never pay to the grand old souls, who paved the way
To safety, for their fellow men, in Nebraska. Anonymous

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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