Platte Journal, April 23, 1873
Stearns's Precinct
Was organized in June 1872. It is composed of the whole of Town 19, 2 west. The centre being on the S.W. 1/4 of Sec. 20, where a town is laid out, upon which, at the present writing stands a hotel, Post-office and store. We have a doctor a harness maker and a Justice of the Peace, here, and are greatly in want of a blacksmith, having to go to Columbus fifteen miles to get our work done.
    I was the first settler in the Precinct and I moved on to my claim the 2nd day of March 1871. I think only two other families moved in that summer. But enough came early in 1872 to make 17 voters for Presidential Election and the Assessor this spring 1873 has found 29 persons subject to Poll tax, and I think he ought to have found 40 No. of horses, 36. Amount of Personal property in full 5,213. There are two Pre-emptions proved up and considerable R.R. land bought by actual Settlers. In a three mile square School Dist. with Stearns the centre we register 13 scholars and daily expect four or five more. We propose to build a good School house this Summer.
    Our land is mostly all table land; Elm creek rises in the centre and runs South; Loseke creek rises near the centre and runs East making a good drawin only. We have as yet only raised a first crop which yielded per care, wheat 25 bu; Oats 30 bu, Corn 40, Potatoes 100 to 200.
    There are yet a few good claims in the Precinct with any amount of R.R. land at $5 per acre. Our citizens are alive to the timber question and are putting out a great deal this spring. I have about 4 acres 1 and 2 years old growing nice, all from slips. I pulled up trees this spring (which were slips last) which were 5 feet high with 5 to 10 roots the length of which I cannot tell as I never could get to the end of them. I measured one 12 feet long; if any dont believe it let them come and see.---O.E.