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The Blair
Courier, Vol 3, No. 30. Jan. 23, 1892
Grand Opening.
The New Keeley Opening One of the
Grandest Events
ever Known in This City.
The attendance from Abroad was Very
Large and Select.
Keeley’s Masterly Talk
History of the Bi-Chloride of Gold
Cure from its Discoverer, Dr. Keeley.
Thursday night the new Keeley Institute was formally
opened and it has never been the opportunity of the
people of this city to see such a gathering of people
from all parts of the county come together, and it will
be many days and years when another such assemblage will
do honor to this beautiful little city. Dr. Keeley
arrived on the evening train and was met at the depot by
the reception committee, headed by Dr. B. F. Monroe.
Farther on will be found a general review of the
evening:
Inasmuch as this issue is devoted largely to the new Keeley Institute formally opened on Thursday evening
last for the reception, treatment and cure of all
inebriates who may choose to enter within its walls, it
is mete and proper that the Courier as the leading home
paper should be the first in the field giving its
hundreds of readers a minute and carefully written
description of this wonderful institution, together with
the history of the cure, the discovery of it, and that
much talked of discoverer Dr. Leslie E. Keeley, as well
as the gentlemen who compose the Nebraska company; and
while we are doing this it necessarily devolves upon up
to give a brief description of our little city of Blair,
for the benefit of those into whose hands a copy of this
paper may fall, and who have never been so fortunate as
to visit us and spend a day or two in looking around.
In the first place we wish to emphasize the fact (and
a visit to our town will prove it,) that Blair is the
coolest and prettiest town during spring, summer and
autumn to be found anywhere in the state, if not
anywhere in the West, and her well built business and
residence houses, with their cheerful light, glowing
base burners, and pleasant and agreeable inmates, make
it not a bad place to stay these cold days when mercury
registers 35 degrees below zero.
Blair is the county seat of Washington County, and is
located near the center of population. It is twenty-five
miles from Omaha, and is the largest town between Omaha
and Sioux City, its present population numbering more
than 3,100 souls. Its buildings are brick and frame, and
it is situated about one and a half miles from the
Missouri river, the nearest point being the mammoth iron
bridge of the F.E. & M.V. railroad company. It is built
upon bench or second bottom land, the entire county
being dotted with lovely homes inhabited by an
enterprising prosperous and centered people.
The city is surrounded by fruitful orchards and
vineyards, this being the Egypt of the Elkhorn county to
the north and west extending far into the Black Hills
and Wyoming.
The charming scenes that are unfolded to the eyes of
visitors by a drive through the county, are indelibly
impressed upon the memory, and no difference how strong
the affections for their homes in other parts, there is
an indescribable fascination that comes over everyone
who remains for an indefinite period. There is scarcely
an individual who remains here for three weeks but what
finds that it requires an effort to shake off the
attachments that have insensibly stolen over him. We
have a number of instances in point where patients
attending the Keeley Institute and other have become
permanent citizens. The suburban growth of the city
during the past year is notable, and our building and
loan association and a large amount of private capital
already here, will push improvements the coming year.
Blair has a well equipped and efficient fire
department, and a system of water works of which all her
people are justly proud, the mains traversing all
portions of the city and well into the suburbs. The
water is pure, clear and sweet, the supply being forced
from wells by a powerful engine to a large reservoir on
top of a high bluff just south of town, and is furnished
in unstinted quantities for household use and for
sprinkling our hundreds of beautiful lawns and gardens,
and our broad and finely laid out streets.
Our system of lighting is electric, and the entire
city is lighted from large lamps suspended over the
streets at a height of about 30 feet at frequent
intervals. The brilliancy of the illumination which
extends to every portion of the city is the delight of
every inhabitant and a sure preventation of crime, and
the foot-pad and burglar find no opportunity to ply
their vocations. All the business houses and as many of
the private residence as desire them are lighted by the
same system.
Our hotel accommodations are first-class, and when a
stranger arrives within our gates he may rest assured he
will be well fed and entertained.
We have a large opera house in which all the best
troupes give entertainments, and are well patronized.
Three lovely little and well shaded parks, and a large
base ball park with one of the leading teams of the
state.
Blair is on the main line of the F., E. & M. V. and
C., St. P., M. & O. railroads, leading to the four
points of the compass, all trains arriving and departing
from the Union depo [sic] at the intersection of Front
and Seventh streets, with the exception of the St. Paul
limited and trains from South Omaha to Chicago over the
C. & N. W., which arrive and depart from the South Blair
Depo [sic] at the foot of Colfax street. Daily twelve
passenger trains stop at Blair, making it one of the
most important and accessible railroad points in
Nebraska.
Our well kept streets, shaded on either side by
magnificent trees, are the delight of our people, and
the cool walks are well patronizd [sic] by ladies and
gentlemen during the warmer months. Blair enjoys the
reputation of being the shadiest town anywhere in the
state.
Our public highways extend in all directions,
affording beautiful and pleasant drives, greatly
enhanced by beautiful home, fertile fields and
magnificent scenery. The entire country around Blair
abounds in good roads.
We might go on with column after column, but we have
given you a glimpse of our prosperous and happy little
city which is just 22 years old and is beginning to put
on manhood airs. We wish to conclude by saying that the
people of Blair are of the salt of the earth, endowed
with the grace from on high that make one at home among
them, and leaves a tender memory in the hearts after
separation. The poor are cared for, the afflicted are
healed, and the broken hearted are comforted. The people
of Blair are ever stretching forth a helping hand to
unfortunate humanity and lifting them up, and their
doors and the doors of their churches are thrown wide
open in hospitality, sociability and mercy.
 The
praise for Dr. Leslie E. Keeley, of Dwight, Ill., is
perhaps being sung from more hearthstones than for any
other man in the United States today. Twenty years ago
Dr. Keeley was a physician at Dwight, unknown outside of
his own county, was a strong advocate of temperance, and
enunciated the doctrine that alcoholism is a disease
that can be cured like any other bodily ailment, and he
began his investigations and experiments to discover a
remedy, and his Bi-Chloride of Gold is the result of his
studies, and it has now been about twelve years since he
called for patients. He was denounced by the medical
faculty as a charlatan because he kept secret the
composition of his remedy from the medical profession.
But for the past twelve years the Keeley treatment has
made its way until today, Institutes have been opened in
a number of the states, the Blair Keeley company being
among the first organized.
Dr. Keeley is not a gentleman given to braggadocio,
but is unassuming and sincere in all he does. He does
not thrust himself upon a community, neither does he
make a habit of selecting from among his patients those
who will write long testimonials advertising him or his
cure. The remarkable cures he has effected is enough.
The Blair Company was formed for the establishment of a
Keeley Institute in this state on the 14th day of April,
1891.
By the use of the Double Chloride of Gold remedies
all cases of liquor, opium, morphine, cocaine and
tobacco habits are permanently cured; also neurasthenia
or nerve exhaustion, from which many person, especially
ladies, suffer.
Dr. B. F. Monroe went to Dwight to investigate the
Cure and take instructions for administering the remedy
to patients, and Dr. Keeley personally imparted to him
all the instructions necessary for the successful
application of his Bi-Chloride of Gold remedies. The Dr.
returned to Blair immediately, and temporary office,
shot room, etc., were secured in the Monroe Block. But
by the last of August it was found that their quarters
were too small in which to transact their business and
accommodate their rapidly increasing number, and so
began to cast about for more convenient quarters.
Failing to find property they could obtain at a fair
price, the company decided upon building a fine
Institute, an illustration of which is seen upon this
page.
On the 10th day of July the Institute has fourteen
patients, and the increase has been gradual up to the
present time, the number now being increased to more
than one hundred.
The cure of liquor or opium cases is effected in
three weeks by means of a thorough course of medication
at the Institute under the care of Dr. Monroe which
results in destroying the appetite for the noxious drug,
eradicates its effects upon the system, rebuilds the
destroyed nerve tissues, and leaves the patient in a
normal, healthy condition. The medicine contains no drug
that will create an appetite for itself, and does not
interfere with treatment for any other ailment, nor
aggravate wounds, but assists nature in performing its
proper functions.
There seems to be in the human economy an imperative
demand for either stimulants, sedatives or narcotics;
and indeed, the use of one requires the other. If the
use of tobacco or any other narcotic depresses the
nervous system, there is an immediate demand for a
stimulant to restore the equilibrium, and vice versa.
The demand for and the use of tobacco has increased
remarkably during the last decade, until it has become
almost universal in our county.
Tobacco is a powerful sedative. It gives rise to
confusion of the head in vetigo, stupor, faintness,
nausea, vomiting and general depression of the nervous
and circulatory functions, which many times eventuates
in alarming and even fatal prostrations, ending in
death. It lays the foundation of nearly every serious
nerve disorder now common to the people of America. It
brings about epilepsy, bronchitis, rheumatism and
asthma. It is the promoter of dyspepsia and catarrh. It
afflicts it votaries by what has lately been known to
the profession as “tobacco-heart” and cancer of the
stomach.
The mental disorganization of the nervous system,
caused by tobacco abuse, is frequently observed in
severe facial neuralgia, which is not unfrequently [sic]
limited to one side. The patient will experience all the
forms of sick and nervous headache, often accompanied
with feelings of dizziness and utter prostration. The
mental faculties become confused, and it is difficult to
think consecutively and clearly, while the memory loses
its grasp on previous events and fails to perform its
duties satisfactorily.
Dr. Keeley has made many experiments with the various
salts of gold, and has invariably found that, when
properly prepared and administered, gold is an
invaluable and never-failing remedy for the tobacco
habit – a habit which today is sapping the foundation of
American manhood and entailing disease upon all children
born of tobacco-using parents.
The cigarette habit has become so prevalent in the
last twenty years that in all cities they are constantly
smoked by everything wearing male clothes from a
bootblack to a merchant’s clerk. Too much cannot be said
of this soul-sapping, body –demoralizing abomination of
the present day. The make-up and contents of the
cigarette generally found upon the market is that of
unripe and imperfectly prepared tobacco. This tobacco is
first soaked in nicotine, largely impregnated with
opium, stramonium or belladonna. The wrapper is usually
rice paper, whitened with arsenic. It will readily be
seen, that the main evil of cigarette smoking arises
from the inhalation of carbon-monoxide, which is
extremely poisonous on account of its strong affinity
for the hæmoglobin of the blood, which brings about
cardiac inhibition and heart-failure.
No patient is taken for treatment without his or her
full consent. There is no coercion or restraint of
personal liberty. The patient is treated as a human, and
is supplied with all the things needful for comfort.
Confidence is first established, and no deception will
be tolerated.
Patients at the Keeley make it a point to be at all
of the incoming trains, and marked attention is shown to
an unfortunate should one so arrive. If able to navigate
with his “jag” he is conducted by an attendant, but if
not he is placed upon a stretcher and carried sick-man
fashion to the Institute just across the street and a
block west of the Union depot. If he is only ordinarily
full he is accorded a reception.
Well, the patient arrives at the Institute. He sees
the assistants and stenographers all busily engaged, get
a glimpse of the fine arrangements, and requests to see
the manager. Mr. W. J. Cook is then introduced to him,
and after making all necessary arrangements with that
end of the concern he is then introduced to Dr. Monroe.
In a moment his is asked with startling suddenness
whether he is a steady or periodical drinker. He
probably does not know. As a rule, however, he will say
that he is periodical. One man indignantly denied being
a steady drinker, because, he said, he could keep sober
as long as a week at a time and had done so for many
years. At any rate the question is soon decided, and
after a few more purely personal questions the new man
is ready for his first “shot.” He takes off his coat and
after an attendant has cut a slit in the upper part of
his left shirt sleeve a hyperemic injection is made.
Then somebody asks the new man if he has any whisky
concealed about his person. If he has he owns up, and if
he has not, he says so. If he has some it is taken from
him and a substitute bottle of 8-year-old out of a
barrel is given him with a request that he keep a little
for the morning. Then he is handed a bottle of medicine.
He is told to report at the office at the prescribed
hours, and to take his medicine regularly as the
directions on bottle denote. With these little
preliminaries and a copy of the rules and regulations
governing his case he seeks his boarding house or hotel
and he usually goes right to bed, after a careful
examination of his arm to see what effect the first
injection has had upon him.
Then commences his daily treatment. The injections
are given four time each day, at 8, 12, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
o’clock. Each is accompanied by a careful examination by
Dr. Monroe, and at the same time no attempt is made to
stop the whisky supply. The patient does that himself.
He is allowed a bottle at each operation and in three or
four days he is mighty glad to stop himself. It
commences to taste badly. The eye-opener is not what it
used to be and he imagines all sorts of things. He
visits his fellow unfortunates in the club rooms and
tell them there is no use talking about it, that Dr.
Monroe fixes the whisky with some vile tasting drug, and
that if he only had a good drink of good unadulterated
liquor, he’s sure he could get it down and keep it
there. And all that sort of thing. But it’s no use. He
is given some out of the same barrel from which came his
first bottle. The first was all right. The last tastes
badly and like a bad penny returns with some very
unpleasant experience.
Then with the forced conclusion of the ability to
enjoy a good drink comes the abatement of the desire and
the victim is on the road to a cure.
There is no doubt at all in connection with the Blair
Keeley gold cure. It is positive. Unless a man who comes
here for redemption resists with all his might the rules
and regulations governing the Institute, he is bound in
spite of himself to lose his appetite for the accursed
liquor, and he will leave Blair happy, cured,
enthusiastic, and a missionary for the gold cure cause.
He can not help himself.
There are no hardships to be encountered at Blair.
The rules governing the Institute are not hard to obey,
and no one can possibly say that there is any
inconvenience attached to them. There are no bolts or
bars, no padded cells, and no watching or guarding,
unless a tendency to delirium is noticed. All that is
asked is that the patient report to the office for
operation four times each day, and take his dose every
two hours while awake, Baths are required at least twice
each week, and this rule is perhaps the hardest to
enforce of the whole lot. Cigarette smoking is
positively prohibited, and is considered the
unpardonable crime. Gambling, borrowing money or
medicine are against the rules, and very severe are the
reprimands in the cases where there is disobedience.
The charge for treatment and medicine is $25 per week
for liquor or opium habits, board being extra and
costing from $4.50 to $5.50 per week. The tobacco habit
in any form can be cured in one week’s Institute
treatment. The home cure for tobacco is an internal
remedy and is put up in boxes containing a pair of
8-ounce bottles, one pair being sufficient for a cure,
and costing $5. The neurasthenia is also sold in pairs
at $8 per pair. Were it necessary we could refer to
several citizens of Blair who are living monuments of
what the Keeley cures can do for fallen humanity, and if
you drink, chew or smoke to excess, or use opium,
morphine or cocaine in any of their forms and wish to
quit, come to Blair and Dr. Monroe will certainly cure
you.
The daily life at Blair is peculiar. In all ages and
under all conditions it is generally accepted as a fact
that the best fellows, the most general, the brainest,
and the brightest are drinking men. Of course this is
conditional, but it is a fact that nowhere on earth can
be found gathered together a company of men such as is
at Blair. Each fellow knows what every other fellow is
there for, and there is more of the real charity to be
picked up during a stay at Blair than at any other place
on earth. One can get closer to men there than anywhere
else, and there are broader views, more sympathy and
more display of true feeling than among any other body
of men on earth. Brotherly love governs every action.
Sympathy prevails in ever speech. Kindness is a duty
that seems to come easier and more natural than it every
did, and friendships and acquaintanceships are looked at
as a matter of course. There is no mock modesty. There
is no attempt to conceal facts. Nobody wants to convey
the wrong impression. And there are no slurs cast, no
insults offered, no aspersions made and no sarcasms
indulged in. Rich and poor are on the same footing. The
common enemy makes all men equal. There are no high, no
low, no aristocratic, no plebeian. The laborer goes into
line with the banker, the judge with the lawyer, and the
doctor with them all. All are on the same level, and the
same needle enters all arms. Millionaires sympathize
with poor men, and all creeds and dogmas and beliefs and
superstitions are thrown aside. It is one common
brotherhood of men. All are enthusiastic and willing to
be cured, anxious the best they can do will not help a
worn and weary brother as much as he needs.
KEELEY INSTITUTE BUILDING
General Description of the Handsome
and Convenient Structure.
 Situated
on Front street, near the depot, and within two block of
the central part of the city, is this handsome edifice.
The main entrance is from Front Street, and the side
entrance is reached from Sixth street. Directly opposite
to the north is a large and beautiful park, well shaded
in the summer, and which will be greatly improved the
coming season. One block to the west on the same street
is another park—or as they are known, the “Twin Parks.”
The City Park is two blocks north of the Institute, and
here you find a very neatly kept and convenient place to
pass away the long hot days and sultry nights. Castetter
park is situated in the south part of the city, and
although newly started will be one of the fist in this
city in the near future.
The cost of this Institute is in the neighborhood of
$10,000. The architect was F.M. Ellis of Omaha, and the
contract for this entire building was given to Mr. A.F.
Cherry, of Fremont, who has done one of the most
complete jobs every finished in Washington county. Mr.
Cherry watches every detail of the building, and we are
assured that he has given satisfaction to all connected
with this structure. Lew Dulaney, of this city, did the
excavation; P.P. Power did the plastering; F.C. Steele
painted the outside; R.A. Twiss made the water
connection and the Utica Standard Furnace was put in by
Nesbit & Rogers, all of Fremont.
The main building is 30x60 feet and a wing to the
south 20x37 feet. The first story has a 12-foot ceiling,
the second being 10-feet, and the height of the
structure is 30 feet. The balcony runs around the north
and west sides, is 10 feet wide and 110 feet long. The
cellar under the kitchen is 16x20 feet, and can be put
in order for other purposes easily.
The first floor is divided up and will be needed for
the following purposes: Beginning with the west end,
there is the physician’s office 12x12 ft., drug room
8x12 ft., business office 12x12 ft., private office 8x12
ft. and a large hall running from the west entrance to
the reception room which is 18x21 ½ feet, and a stairway
from the basement to second story running through this
room which has several entrances and exits. Then comes
operating room with two doors, barber shop 8x10 ft.,
bath room and closets, 9x20 ft. The dining room is in
the wing and is 20x29 ft., pantry 6x8 ft., kitchen 12x16
ft., with stairs leading to sleeping rooms in the second
story.
The second story has a main club room 20x80 ft. with
an “L” 14x18 feet. The rest of the upstairs is divided
into bedrooms, nine in number, with convenient halls,
closets, etc. The body of the building is painted a
light lead color, trimmed white with black sashes.
Taken altogether the building is one of the most
convenient and handsome in the state devoted to any
similar purpose, and the projectors and builders can
point with pride at the New Keeley Institute, and many
will be the graduates who will look at it as they pass
along in the railway coach but a few rods distant and
remark: “In that Institute I was relieved of the curse
of drink and made a new and better man.”
THE OFFICERS
 Mr.
F. W. Kenny, Sr.
Mr. Kenny, the president of the Keeley Institute of
Blair, is a gentleman so well known in this part of the
state that it is poor taste for the writer to undertake
the difficult task of saying anything that would be new
to most of our readers, but we cannot let the
opportunity pass without giving a few lines in reference
to his past life.
Mr. Kenny was born in Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio,
in 1844. There he passed his early lift going to school.
Mr. Kenny also took a turn at the printers trade, but
was fortunate enough to drop it before he got too far
going on it.
At the outbreak of the rebellion he enlisted and was
with Sherman all through the war, receiving an honorable
discharge in June 1865. He returned to his home in Ohio,
and remained there but a short time, going to Chicago to
engage in the wholesale hardware business, where he
remained for five years, traveling most of the time for
the house he was connected with. At the expiration of
this time he concluded to come farther west, and in 1870
he came to Blair, bought an interest in the hardware
business of H.C. Riordan. Here he continued with Mr.
Riordan for seven years, when Mr. J. S. Stewart
purchased the interest of Mr. Riordan, and the firm
became known as Kenny & Stewart. The new block was built
in 1882. In January 1887, Mr. K. sold out his interest
to J. H. and E. A. Stewart. The Blair State Bank was
organized in 1887, Mr. Kenny being elected president,
which position he has since held. The bank is located at
the northeast corner of Washington street and Walker
avenue, and the building is one of the finest in the
county. He was one of the organizers of the Blair
Canning Company, and is still a member of the board of
directors. He has been a member of the Board of
Education for sixteen years, three of which he served as
its president. Mr. Kenny has been mayor of Blair twice,
and that he gave satisfaction is evidenced by the manner
in which the people in general wanted to elect him
again, but he insisted on not accepting if elected. He
is president of the Building and Loan Association, a
prosperous and paying institution; also president of the
Electric Light Company, and in all is one of the busiest
gentlemen in this neck of the woods.
 Mr.
Kenny was married in 1871 to Miss Amy Taggart, daughter
of Rev. J. M. Taggart, a gentleman who was well known
and respected by the people of this county. Mrs. Kenny
was also a general favorite in this city. They have
seven children, five girls and two boys, the oldest
being Fred W. Kenny, Jr. They reside at the corner of
Grant and Fifth streets, where everything is planned to
make a pleasant and comfortable home.
As president of the Keeley Institute, Mr. Kenny has
been a faithful worker for this cure and the making of
so many men, and he is honored and respected by many
reformed men and thankful wives and children.
J.
H. Stewart
Vice-President J.H. Stewart is what may be termed an
essentially Blair gentleman, having been born in this
county about one and one half miles from the place where
he is now living, on the 11th day of July, 1857, in the
same old log house which still remains intact on what is
known as the Stewart farm. His early life was the same
as most of the young business men brought up in smaller
villages of that day. His education was all acquired
here in Blair, and in 1873 graduated from the High
school, having received a good common school education.
He immediately went to work for Riordan & Kenny,
hardware merchants, in the store now occupied by J. H.
Stewart & Co., on the 7th day of April, 1874. In 1876,
J. S. Stewart, the subjects father, purchased the
interest of H. C. Riordan, and the firm became known as
Kenny & Stewart. This firm did business until 1881, when
J. H. & E. A. Stewart purchased the Kenny interest. He
then became the head of the firm and its manager, and a
more successfully directed business it would be
impossible to find in this county.
The present store is second to none in the state as a
retail hardware. It only requires a glance at this
mammoth place of business to convince you that it is
conducted on high business principles.
Aside from being vice-president of the Keeley
Institute, he is also a member of the board of
directors; he is secretary of the Haller Proprietary
Company, one of the best known patent medicine companies
in the West, and is largely interested in many other
improvements and interests in Blair and elsewhere; is
one of the most public spirited men of the county and is
always consulted on matters of interest to the
well-doing of the community.
Mr. Stewart is an ardent Baptist and one of the chief
supporters of the church here. He is superintendent of
the Baptist Sunday School, which position is next to
that held by the pastor, Mr. Sheppard. At Christmas time
you will always find Mr. S. and his brother E. A. out
with a wagon distributing something substantial to the
poor of the city as an act of charity and a reminder of
the season.
As a worker in helping fallen mankind, and especially
doing all in his power to get and keep men sober, we
know of no other who has taken more interest in this
direction than has Mr. Stewart. He will always be found
in a pleasant frame of mind when the good effects of Dr.
Keeley’s bi-chloride of gold is brought to notice. With
a few more such gentlemen as Mr. Stewart to help the
unfortunate victims of the liquor curse, what might we
not look forward to.
 In
September, 1884, he was married to miss Annie Gross,
daughter of W. D. Gross of this city. Mrs. Stewart is a
well-known and popular lady, and has always known Blair
as her home from childhood. They have two children, both
girls, one fire years and the other one year of age. He
resides on Grant street, the aristocratic thoroughfare
of the city. An Illustration of their home is given on
the first page.
 Mr.
T. E. Stevens
Mr. Stevens, the treasurer, first saw the light of
day away back in Vermont, in a farm house outside the
now prosperous city of St. Johnsbury. He attended school
at the place, and there finished his education at St.
Johnsbury Academy at the age of nineteen years. Without
letting his parents know of his ambition to leave the
farm to take hold of some employment in the town, he
laid his plans and made all arrangements to start in
life in the employ of the First National Bank there, and
at this young age he commenced the battle of life, which
in many respects has been an eventful one. Here he
remained for three and one-half years, having built
himself up to the position of teller at the end of this
time.
Mr. Stevens had heard of Horace Greeley having made a
remark about the West, and he thought there might be
something in it, so he packed his grip and started on a
tour of inspection through the “wild and wooly,”
arriving at Omaha in the spring of 1884. He landed in
that place an utter stranger, not knowing a soul in that
hard and wicked city. After looking about for something
to do he received employment that next day in the Omaha
National Bank as receiving teller. Here he remained for
one and one-half years, when he severed his connection
with them and accepted the position of paying teller of
the Commercial National Bank of the same city, where he
served for two years.
Here it might be mentioned that Mr. S. had not lost a
day’s pay from the time he started in as a mere boy in
his home bank at St. Johnsbury up to this time, of which
he may justly feel proud.
But it dawned upon him about this time that he wanted
to be something more than an employee, and after a long
and close observation of the prospects in this part of
the state he hit upon Blair as the city in which to
locate, and with Hon. F. W. Kenny, Sr., and others
organized the Blair State Bank in 1887. From that time
to the present he has been the cashier of this prominent
and prosperous banking house. He is also a member of the
board of directors. The business men of Washington
county are too well acquainted with his business
ability, integrity and gentlemanly demeanor to call for
any remarks from the writer in this direction.
We find him interested in several other lines of
business. He is President of the Arlington State Bank,
and a director of the same; a member of the board of
directors of the Blair Separable Horse Collar and
Manufacturing Company and its treasurer; holds the same
two positions in the Blair Building and Loan
Association; is interested in a similar company at
Omaha; and last, but by no means least, is the treasurer
of the Keeley Institute, and a member of the board of
directors.
With all of these positions to look after, we do not
wonder that he has not found time to build an elegant
residence, which we are sorry to say we cannot have to
ornament the first page of this issue, but in the near
future we look for such a move on the part of this
gentleman.
Mr. Stevens was married in 1882 at the home of his
boyhood to Miss Belle C. Weeks, a old schoolmate. As a
result of this happy union there has been born three
children, only one of whom is now living, a little girl
closing in on her second year. They reside on Grant
street in a very comfortable and convenient house. His
desire for the home back in Vermont has disappeared, not
only from him but also from his estimable wife.
 Wesley
J. Cook
Mr. Cook, the secretary and business manager of the
Keeley Institute at this point, is of all others the one
upon whom the great part of the responsibility and
management falls, and though it is a great task to look
after the wants of one hundred persons coming and going
all the time, and some of these in conditions which are
very trying to most men, he will always be found in the
best of humor and at all times ready to furnish the
patient or visitor any information or favors with-in his
power.
Mr. Cook was born at Grayson, Ky. Sept. 15, 1857, and
there he remained until his folks moved to Marietta,
Ohio, until five years later. After remaining there for
two years his parents again moved, this time coming west
to Harrison county, Iowa, where he remained on the farm
and attended the country school until the year 1874. At
the expiration of this time he became dissatisfied with
farming and went to railroading for the S. C. & P.
company. This line of business he took a liking to and
remained at it for nine years. Then he went into the
mercantile business, where he had a good trade for two
years, at the end of which time he was elected county
clerk for one term. From 1887 to April 1891, he followed
the Loan and Insurance business, at which avocation he
was prosperous.
 April
9, 1891, the Nebraska Keeley Institute was organized and
he was elected the first secretary. January 1, 1892 he
was again elected to the same office, which position he
is at the present filling to the satisfaction of the
directors, faculty and stockholders.
Mr. Cook was married about two years ago to Miss
Louie J. Pound, an accomplished and favorite lady of
this city. They live on Grant and Fifth streets in a
beautiful residence built about two years ago, an
illustration of which will be found on the first page.
R. Thompson
Mr. R. Thompson, the assistant manager of the Keeley
Institute at Blair, is a native of Iowa, and was born in
1857. When quite young he was employed in a printing
office at Winterset, Iowa, as “devil” in chief. After a
thorough course in the manly art he migrated to
Chrisman, Ill., and established the Chrisman, Leader,
which he continued to run for one year. From there he
went to Danville, Ill., and in the year 1878 established
the Danville Post, now Leader, it being the only
democratic paper ever established in that city that
proved a success. He disposed of that paper to a stock
company, Gen. J. C. Black, ex-United States pension
examiner, being the president. Thence he came to Council
Bluffs, Iowa, and for a short time occupied a position
on the Council Bluffs Globe, a newspaper now owned by
Congressman Bowman. From Council Bluffs he went to
Hastings, this state, and founded the Democrat which he
successfully run [sic] for nine years. He also was a
half owner in the McCook Democrat, a paper established
in 1884. After selling the Democrat at Hastings he, with
another party, founded the Hastings Tribune.
Mr. Thompson was a candidate on the democratic ticket
in 1886 for the office of secretary of state, and though
running ahead of his ticket was defeated by
Ex-Congressman Laws.
He came to Blair nearly three months ago and after
remaining here for a short time was chosen assistant
manager.
 Dr.
B. F. Monroe.
Dr. B. F. Monroe, the physician in charge at the
Institute is today one of the best known and most
respected men in the state, and when it is understood
that only a short year ago he was a comparative stranger
outside of his professional practice in the county, it
is no wonder that the graduates speak of him in the
praise worthy manner they do in every city and village
in this state and in many other states. How many homes
he has made happy, how many husbands and wives he has
re-united will never be known until the final day
arrives and he is rewarded in a manner that it is
impossible to bestow upon him in this life.
Mr. Monroe was born at Fon du Lac, Wisconsin,
forty-two years ago, at which place he lived until he
was 21 years of age, and there on the shores of the
beautiful Lake Winnebago he received his early education
and grew up to his six feet of manhood. Here his
education was received and he graduated from the high
school at that place. At the age of 21 he went to Ames,
Story county, Iowa, where he studied medicine for three
years. He then moved to Fox Lake, Wis., where he had a
paying practice, but the place was too small for his
ambition and he moved to Watonia, the same state, where
he remained until he came to Blair thirteen years ago.
He let us mention that he is a graduate of Hahmenn
College, Chicago, one of the best known and practical
colleges in the United States. Mr. Monroe is the picture
of the ideal man, being six feet in height, weight about
two-hundred pounds, is quick to perceive the thoughts
and ailments of his patients, and if any of the boys try
to deceive him in any way they will find he is “strictly
in it.” While attending to his duties as physician in
charge, you find that it is a matter of business, but in
the Club rooms or out on the streets a more pleasant,
congenial or unselfish gentleman would be hard to find.
He was one of the leading spirits in getting the
Institute located here, and to his untiring work can the
people of Nebraska, and Blair in particular feel
thankful, for at the time of starting here he had one of
the best practices in this part of the state. It was
only a chance for him to leave his practice to take hold
of this grand work, but it has proved all that could be
desired, and he is undoubtedly satisfied with the
change.
 Dr.
Monroe was married at Fon du Lac, Wis., to Miss Annie E.
Johnson, and as a result of this happy union four
children have come to make their home life happy. His
residence is Washington street, an illustration of which
appears on another page.
Stock Holders.
The stock holders of the Keeley Institute here are:
F. W. Kenny, Sr., J. H. Stewart, T. E. Stevens, W. J.
Cook, Dr. B. F. Monroe, E. S. Gaylord. G. W. Wainwright,
Geo. Neff, F. A. Stewart and Haller Bros.
The Keeley Institute of Beatrice, Nebraska
On the 11th day of January, 1892, the Keeley
Institute of Beatrice was organized with a paid up
capital stock of $20,000 with the approval of the Keeley
Institute of Blair, Neb., who are owners of one-half the
stock at the place. The Beatrice Institute is empowered
to act, and will use the same remedies in treating the
Liquor, Opium, Chloral, Neurasthnia and Tobacco diseases
as the Blair Keeley Institute.
The stock holders are composed of the leading and
most influential citizens of Beatrice and are men of
honor and responsibility. The building in which it will
be located is heated by steam, well lighted, with bath
rooms and all other modern conveniences. The officers
are, Dr. L. Gillett, president; C. E. Cooke;
vice-president; A. W. Clancy, treasure, W. C. Brooks,
secretary and business manager; Dr. Robinson, physician
in charge. The directors are composed of the officers,
including W. J. Cook of this city. The new Institute
will be ready for business Feb. 1st., and already
several patients are booked for treatment.
The Banquet
An Elegant Repast and Many fine Toasts Delivered.
Never before has such an assemblage of ladies and
gentlemen gathered together as that which thronged the
opera house Thursday evening. From all parts of the
state and from many distant states they came in great
numbers. What a happy and enthusiastic crowed it was.
Reformed drunkards came here with well dressed and happy
wives, some of whom were not maay [sic] months ago
wretched in many ways. Some of the gentlemen, remarks
were touching in no small degree. When they spoke of the
sorrow they brought to the wives and children they had
promised to protect, the audience were touched in the
tender spot of mankind.
Judge Jesse T. Davis, on behalf of the people of
Blair, delivered a ringing and happily received address
of welcome. He said that it was indeed a pleasure for
him to deliver the address of welcome for the occasion.
On behalf of the good people of Blair, he continued,
where I have resided for so many years, I extend a
hearty welcome.
We are not a great and populous city, but we are
blessed with churches, schools, some three thousand
inhabitants, and the grandest institution in the
state—The Nebraska Keeley Institute. We can also lay
claim to the fact that a more hospitable and
kind-hearted people does not occupy the same space on
this globe. Mr. Davis was in his best form and his
address was a telling one.
The address of Dr. Leslie E. Keeley was a masterly
one, and the audience listened with attention to the
good sober judgment of this wonderful man. It is
impossible for the Courier to go into details on this
speech, so we will not make an attempt, but those who
were present will for many years to come remember his
good plain talk to the graduates and present members of
the league.
Dr. Leslie E. Keeley, L. L. D., of Dwight, Ill.,
arrived on the 6:30 p.m. train and was met by a large
delegation and escorted to the institute where he dined
with some of the officers. He was in no way fatigued,
and said to a report of the Courier that he was feeling
in the best of health and was more than pleased with the
Blair people’s welcome to him.
After he lunched he was about among the graduates and
seemed to be at home as much as if in his laboratory at
his home in Dwight.
At 8:50 he was escorted to the banquet hall. Judge
Jesse T. Davis delivered the address of welcome, which
was well received. He in a befitting manner spoke of the
great amount of good and happiness he, Dr. Keeley, had
done to mankind.
At the institute the crowd was large and it was
almost impossible to move in this large edifice. Over
the main door leading to the dining room was the words,
“Welcome, L. E. K.” In other parts of the interior were
many fine and beautiful designs.
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Menu.
Escalloped Oysters.
Cold Turkey. Sliced Ham.
Cranberry Sauce. Jellies.
Salads.
Saratoga Chips. Rolls.
Celery. Olives. Gherkins.
Cream Dairy Cheese.
Oranges. Bananas. Grapes.
Lemon Ice Cream.
Assorted Cake. Macaroons.
Oolong Tea. Mocha Coffee.
Cigars. |
“Dr. Keeley and the Press” was responded to by A. P.
Childs, of the Wayne Democrat. “The Keeley Graduates,”
was taken care of in a masterly manner by Dr. B. F.
Monroe, the physician in charge. “Our League,” received
a good response from Hon. Pat. O. Howes. “Our Visitors”
was responded to by C. L. Sleeper. Judge A. C. Reed, did
credit to the toast, “The Liquor Habit and Reference to
Young Men.” “Keeley and the Home,’ by Chet B. Dyke. G.
W. Hunt responded to the toast “The Veil Uplifted.”
Walter Mason read an original poem, and it was in good
taste and well received.
The banquet was held at Germania hall, where the
ladies had prepared the finest spread ever tendered to
honored guests of our city. Three tables extended the
entire length of the auditorium, with a table crosswise
at either end. At about 8 o’clock the throng began to
file out of the Institute and fill up the tables. The
Blair orchestra occupied the stage and rendered
excellent music. Three hundred and eighty guests were
seated at the tables, with J. S. Stewart at the head of
the head table. President Kenny and wife occupied seats
at the center facing the long tables, with Mrs. Keeley
and Dr. Miller to their right, and the vice-president of
the Blair Keeley League and his lady to their left. A
divine blessing was invoked by Dr. G. W. Wainwright,
after which all lingered long and fondly over the
following bill of fare:
The following young ladies and gentlemen waited on the
tables, and the manner in which it was accomplished
would lead outsiders to believe that they were real
waiters, instead of the best young people of Blair:
Fanny Perkins, Nora Carrigan, Carrie Lawson, Carrie
Wilson, Clara Kenny, Gertie Bradley, Bessie Palmer,
Edith Haller, Mrs. Mummert, Mrs. Miller, Ethel Trainer,
Anna Landsbury, Nellie Bradley, Mamie Wilson, Fanny
Gross, Mr. Miller, Fred Kenny, Byron Clow and Guy Axtle.
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