We are indebted to Mr. Fred E. Bodie of Blair, for several recent important contributions to Nebraska territorial history. These contributions have come from examination of old documents in the possession of the Castetter Bank of Blair. This bank and the business which preceded it go back to the beginnings of Washington county. As receiver in charge Mr. Bodie has had occasion to go over these early documents and had discernment to recognize their historical value.
   The document which follows is the first record thus far found of a hat factory in Nebraska. The city of Desoto had then a population of more than 1,000 people, two newspapers, steamboats tying up at its river front to discharge cargo, enterprising business men, real estate promoters. To-day it is a horse pasture, three miles from Blair. The Missouri river has deserted its former channel and wandered away a mile or more eastward. And now after more than a half century, comes to light these ancient articles of co-partnership with their most interesting figures on the cost of hats, printed according to copy as follows:
   Article of agreement made and entered into this 3rd day of January A. D. 1862 by and between Joel Ruly of the City of De Soto County of Washington and Territory of Nebraska and John H. Hoskinson of the Same place the above named parties to this article mutually agree with each other and by these presents do Enter into a co-partnership for the purpose of manufacturing Hats in the City of De Soto County Washington & Territory of Nebraska and we the above named Joel Ruly and John H. Hoskinson do further agree and Bind ourselves by these presents to Each Share alike the expences of furnishing the tools necessary to Manufacture Hats. And it is further agreed between us that the material out of which the Hats are made to be furnished by us and that each one of us is to pay an equal proportion for the same but in the event that either one of the within named parties should furnish more stock than the other that the said party so furnishing shall be allowed to draw the amount of money so furnished out of the capital stock of the firm before any division shall be made & after the same shall be taken out by the respective party entitled to the same that the balance shall be then equally divid between the Parties to this instrument after first paying for the Making of Said Hats and we further agree by and between ourselves to each furnish an equal proportion all the material necessary to carry on a regular Hattery business Stock included and that John H. Hoskinson, one of the within firm is to manufacture Said Hats in a good workmanlike manner out of the material so furnished and for such prices as is laid down in a Schedule or Bill of prices hereto attached marked A and in consideration for said Labor each of us the parties herein name viz Joel Ruly and John H. Hoskinson are to pay and equal proportion of said Labor which pay is to be taken out of the Hats so manufactured before any division Shall be made or any disposition made of it other than is heretofore expressed.

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Nebraska History -- Published Quarterly by the Nebraska State Historical Society
Vol IV, no 1 (part 3)    January-March, 1921  http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/Journals/HPR/Vol04/nhrv04c1.html