The Republican 4-26-1889

Connecting with History

The Bugle Notes from the Fort column was written by soldiers living at Fort Niobrara along what is now the Niobrara National Scenic River in the 1880's and 1890's in "The Republican" newspaper published in Valentine, Nebraska. Fort Niobrara became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1912 when troops were moved elsewhere in the United States. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge protects and conserves the wildlife, plants, and habitats of the Nebraska Sandhills and Niobrara River Valley. Visitors can explore the land that the soldiers trod many years ago now protected as the Niobrara National Scenic River and the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.

Microfilm 1 of 2 of The Republican 4-26-1889, Bugle Notes from the Fort Column.

City of Valentine, Public Library.

The Republican 4-26-1889
Valentine, NE

Bugle Notes from the Fort
Editor The Republican

Messers Deiner and Gatias have fitted up a commodious little addition to their hair dressing establishment.

Mr. Gaugherity of Ft. McKinney takes the place of Hospital Steward Fausch, and will remain here until a suitable person is appointed.

Two stage-coach looking vehicles containing the gentlemen of the Omaha board of trade passed through the fort on Tuesday on their way to Rapid City and Deadwood.

Sergt. Macie went to Pennsylvania a bachelor and returned last week, a married man. May peace and happiness attend the change, a joyous home, a pleasant partner and a host of smiling children.

Easter Sunday brought a number of visitors to the post and the company tables made a special display of eggs on that day. Some Valentine base ball players passed the afternoon with a pleasant game on the parade ground. Our charitable subbatarians hoped they would break their legs for breaking the Sabbath.

We are informed that Private Craemar of the Hospital Corps has been promoted to the rank of second steward, or rather what is now termed, acting steward. This gentleman gets credit for having more than the ordinary share of intelligence. He is decidedly clever and his cleverness is not lost for lack of ambition. He is also very popular and we are certain that his brother soldiers will be pleased to hear of his promotion. We wish every success in his new position.

H and A companies have been turning their respective quarters inside out this week and scrubbing, scouring and whitewashing has made a cheerful alteration on those places. H company boasts the nearest approach to the seven league boots of the immortal “Jack the Giant Killer”. One of the soldiers has a pair of boots which he claims to be possessed of the extraordinary power to keep him from the evils of intemperance, he simply puts on the magic boots and they are always sure to prove a trusty talisman. It would be a good thing if we had more of them in the Fort. Perhaps some scientist or an enterprising businessman may yet find the secret of the charm and mankind may be regenerated through the medium of intemperance proof shoes. This may be the advertisement of the future. Mears Fitemtight & Co. beg to draw the attention of the public to their new and improved intemperance shoes, warranted to walk only in the paths of righteousness. No home can be happy without them. Beware of worthless imitations, etc. and it may be accompanied by a few letters like the following: Dear sir, I was a drunkard for twenty-five years and can scarcely remember of being sober for a single day during that time. I broke my mother-in-law’s neck and nearly broke my wife’s heart through drink and I saw nothing before me but a drunkard’s grave. But thank heaven! I secured a pair of your intemperance proof shoes and have been a sober and happy man ever since. No sooner put them on my feet than I felt an inspiration in my legs which carried me passed every saloon in spite of myself. At the end of the first week water assumed its old thirst-satisfying power and the sight of a bottle or glass filled me with an ungovernable propensity to kick something which never left me until I had smashed them with your wonderful intemperance proof shoes. Heaven bless your industry.

Yours gratefully,

Samson Wink.

It will be amusing in the future when a man blows his shoemaker because he happens to get drunk, blaming the tradesman for selling a pair of shoes that did not keep him sober.

Tam O’Shanter

Microfilm 2 of 2 of The Republican 4-26-1889, Bugle Notes from the Fort Colum.

City of Valentine, Public Library.

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Textual Note:

"Bugle Notes from the Fort" articles were transcribed to reflect the original text in grammar, spelling, and formatting. Errors are true to the original text and reflect the historic context of their authorship.