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BETWEEN THE PAGES
Plattsmouth Public Library, 401 Ave A, Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Phone 402-296-4154 Fax 402-296-4712
Volume 21 Issue 5 May 2021
New Carpet
The carpet company was able to remove all the old carpet and install the new
carpet in only one work week.
Special thanks to our staff for moving books, Streets department for moving
shelves and the carpet company employees for doing an excellent job.
Visit our Facebook page for more pictures.
Page 2 Between the Pages May 2021
Summer Reading Program 2021
The library’s Summer Reading Program has fun for all ages this year. There is a rubber duck
club for little ones to participate by doing activities at home. The older kids will have fun
completing challenges to win many different badges over the summer. Craft Bags to go were
so popular last year, we are doing them again for children, teens, and adults.
From June 1 through July 27, the Pre-Readers’ log and badge challenge sheets for children will
be available for download from our website or pickup at the library. The library will also
provide lanyards for showing off the badges. Registration is requested but not required.
Pre-Readers (ages 0-4) can build their own family of rubber ducks. Win a rubber duck for
completing two activities on the challenge sheet per week. Finish all 18 activities to take home
all nine ducks plus a board book.
Kids (ages 5-12) have a Badge Challenge log with different challenges for each week. They earn
a badge when they finish the challenges listed under the individual badge. Complete three of
the five challenge categories for the week to receive a special weekly badge.
Logs can be submitted in many ways - post a picture on our Facebook page, email them to
plattsmouthpubliclibrary@hotmail.com, drop them into the book drop, or drop them off at the
library. All entries have to be submitted by closing time on Tuesday, July 27, to receive rubber
ducks and badges.
Pick up free craft bags “to go” on Tuesday mornings at the library for ages 0-12. Each week’s
bag has fun activities and the supplies necessary to make them. Registration is requested but
not required. The registration form will be available through our website or Facebook page.
We are looking forward to a fun summer with lots of badges being given away!
We will provide details on the Adult and Teen Summer Reading at a later date.
Page 3 NEW Between the Pages NEW May 2021
New Items
Fic on The hunng party by Foley, Lucy
Act your age, Eve Brown by Hibbert, Talia Meant to be by Deveraux, Jude
Anywhere for you by Greaves, Abbie Ocean prey by Sandford, John
Best laid plans by Florio, Gwen Sunflower sisters by Kelly, Martha Hall
Blackberry Beach by Hannon, Irene We begin at the end by Whitaker, Chris
Early morning riser by Heiny, Katherine When the stars go dark by McLain, Paula
Every vow you break by Swanson, Peter Win by Coben, Harlan
A gambling man by Baldacci, David
Get a life, Chloe Brown by Hibbert, Talia Audiobooks
Good company by Sweeney, Cynthia Danger in numbers by Graham, Heather
D'Aprix Dark sky by Box, C. J.
The good sister by Hepworth, Sally Do no harm by McDonald, Chrisna
The holdout by Moore, Graham Every vow you break by Swanson, Peter
The hunng party by Foley, Lucy Exit by Bauer, Belinda
In a book club far away by Marcelo, Tif A gambling man by Baldacci, David
Indelible by Buchanan, Laurie Good company by Sweeney, Cynthia
The Jigsaw man by Matheson, Nadine D'Aprix
Leave the world behind by Alam, Rumaan The good sister by Hepworth, Sally
Lies we bury by Marr, Elle Her dark lies by Ellison, J. T.
A million reasons why by Strawser, Ocean prey by Sandford, John
Jessica Our darkest night of Italy and the second
Moonlight over Paris by Robson, Jennifer World War by Robson, Jennifer
Mother may I by Jackson, Joshilyn The Palm Beach murders by Pa;erson,
No way out by Michaels, Fern James
Ocean prey by Sandford, John The path to Sunshine Cove by Thayne,
The path to Sunshine Cove by Thayne, RaeAnne
RaeAnne The red book by Pa;erson, James
Picnic in Someday valley by Thomas, Jodi Sooley by Grisham, John
The postscript murders by Griffiths, Elly Stargazer by Hillerman, Anne
The Rosie result by Simsion, Graeme C. Too good to be true by Lovering, Carola
Somewhere in France by Robson, Turn a blind eye by Archer, Jeffrey
Jennifer We begin at the end by Whitaker, Chris
Stargazer by Hillerman, Anne When the stars go dark by McLain, Paula
Sunflower sisters by Kelly, Martha Hall
Take a hint, Dani Brown by Hibbert, Talia Non-Fic on
Too good to be true by Lovering, Carola Buried in the sky by Zuckerman, Peter
Turn a blind eye by Archer, Jeffrey Declu;ering at the speed of life by White,
We begin at the end by Whitaker, Chris Dana
When the stars go dark by McLain, Paula Finding Freedom by French, Erin
For the common defense by Mille;, Allan
Large Print Reed
Danger in numbers by Graham, Heather I'll be seeing you by Berg, Elizabeth
Eternal by Sco;oline, Lisa Leave out the tragic parts n by
Fast ice by Cussler, Clive Kindred, Dave
A gambling man by Baldacci, David Overstated by Quinn, Colin
Good company by Sweeney, Cynthia The photo ark by Sartore, Joel
D'Aprix Thursday night lights by Hurd,
Her dark lies by Ellison, J. T. Michael
Connued on page 4.
Page 4 NEW Between the Pages NEW May 2021
New Items...Connued from page 3.
Teen Juvenile Fic on
Middletown by Moon, Sarah 100 friends by Bernstein, Ariel
Rule of wolves by Bardugo, Leigh Alien superstar by Winkler, Henry
The sacrifice box by Stewart, Marn J. Billy Miller makes a wish by Henkes, Kevin
Skyhunter by Lu, Marie Broken ground by Schwab, Victoria
The burning de by Auxier, Jonathan
The snow fell three graves deep by Wolf,
Charlie Thorne and the lost city by Gibbs,
Allan Stuart
Teen killers club : novel by Sparks, Lily City of villains by Laure, Estelle
The dragon in the library by Stowell, Louie
Video The dragon's eye by Chadda, Sarwat
Balloon Harry Po;er and the half-blood prince by
A call to spy Rowling, J. K.
Our friend I, Cosmo by Sorosiak, Carlie
Shadow in the cloud I survived the California wildfires, 2018 by
Think like a dog Tarshis, Lauren
Immortal guardians by Schrefer, Eliot
Wonder Woman 1984
Kondo & Kezumi are not alone by Goodner,
David
Easy Leonard (my life as a cat) by Sorosiak, Carlie
Bear Island by Cordell, Ma;hew The lightning thief by Riordan, Rick
Big rig rescue! by Gall, Chris Lights, camera, danger! by Winkler, Henry
Daisy by Bagley, Jessixa Midnight on the moon by Osborne, Mary
Girls and boys come out to play by Pope
Pearson, Tracey Campbell The monster in the lake by Stowell, Louie
Henry and Bea by Bagley, Jessixa The one thing you'd save by Park, Linda Sue
The house of grass and sky by Ray, Mary The return by Johnson, Varian
Lyn Scary sleepover by Bernstein, Ariel
I see you see by Jackson, Richard Sparrow by Moon, Sarah
If you give a mouse a cookie by Stormspeaker by Gonzalez, Chrisna Diaz
Numeroff, Laura Joffe The wildcat's claw by Johnson, Varian
The li;lest train by Gall, Chris The wizard in the wood by Stowell, Louie
Looking for sleep by Deutsch, Georgiana
Mel fell by Tabor, Corey R. Juvenile Graphic Novel
Most people by Leannah, Michael Buck's tooth by Kredensor, Diane
The oboe goes boom boom boom by Donuts and danger by Gallagher, John
Venable, Colleen A. F. Drama by Telgemeier, Raina
The ramble shamble children by Owly. Vol. 3, Flying lessons by Runton, Andy
Soontornvat, Chrisna Spring cakes by Harmon, Miranda
Regina is not a li;le dinosaur by Zuill, Unicorn famous by Simpson, Dana
Andrea
The rock from the sky by Klassen, Jon Juvenile Non-Fic on
The Smeds and the Smoos by Donaldson, Almanac 2020
Julia
The snowman by Briggs, Raymond
Adopt-a-Book
Squish squash squished by Rector, Rebecca
Jigsaw man by Matheson, Nadine
KraE
Three by King, Stephen Michael
In Memory of Gertrude Bri'ain
The three billy goats Gruff by Jackson,
Big feelings by Penfold, Alexandra
Richard
The li;lest train by Gall, Chris
Watercress by Wang, Andrea
On a magical do-nothing day by Alemagna, Beatrice
We are water protectors by Lindstrom,
Carole A complete list of new titles can be found on our web-
We love fishing! by Bernstein, Ariel site, www.plattsmouthlibrary.org, under New Titles.
Page 5 Between the Pages May 2021
Ferries, Pontoons, and the Dollie Jane
Harlan Seyfer,
Plattsmouth Main Street Historian
Plattsmouth’s Ferry Boat Era began in 1848, when Libeas T. Coon started operating a flatboat propelled by sweeps
[oars] between Bethlehem, on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, and a landing on the west side of the river that eventually
would be Plattsmouth. In 1850, when the Mormons adopted the route south of the Platte River, they moved their ferry from the
North Mormon Ferry near Florence to Bethlehem which then became known as the South Mormon Ferry.
The South Mormon Ferry, like the North and Middle Ferries, took advantage of the river current to do the hard work.
Three “dug ways” were created, each excavated far enough into the river bank to keep the boat away from the current while being
loaded or unloaded. A hemp cable was strung from the first Iowa dug way across the river down-stream to the lower dug way on
the Nebraska side. When all were onboard, the boat was pushed into the river and attached to the “down-leg” cable. The current
pushed the boat downstream and across to the south Nebraska dug way, where it was unloaded. Then an ox team pulled the
empty boat upstream to the upper dug way for the return trip. The south Nebraska dug way was about where Main Street is today;
the north, near today’s water plant.
In 1852, Samuel Martin, the founder of Plattsmouth, took over operation of the flatboat ferry. When he died in
December 1854, the Plattsmouth Ferry Company was formed to take his place.
The ferry company began operating the steam ferry Emma in 1857. Business must have been good. In 1860, Peter Sarpy
began operating The Survivor in competition with the Emma. One scholar noted “The competition became so spirited at times
that both boats would carry freight and passengers free in an effort to drive the other off the river.” A compromise later in the
year left the Emma to ply her trade alone.
In 1859, Plattsmouth bought out the ferry operators for $1500 in Plattsmouth city lots. Meanwhile, the town raised
$9000 by issuing bonds to purchase the side-wheeler Paul Wilcox.
The Paul Wilcox set a record on May 9, 1865, when it brought across 125 wagons and their teams in 24 hours.
Throughout that May, a total of 2,360 wagons were ferried over. Unfortunately, in July 1868, the Paul Wilcox hit a snag and
sank, putting Plattsmouth out of the ferry business. Fortunately, an agreement was reached with J.L. McGee, a Brownville ferry
operator, to take over the operation. McGee salvaged the Paul Wilcox’s machinery and installed it on a flatboat, which he
intended to operate until he could acquire a replacement boat that could handle 30 wagons with teams at a time. By the time of
the American Centennial in 1876, the Mary McGee was conveying wagons and passengers across the Missouri.
When the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad arrived at the east bank of the river in 1869, the railroad used up to
three ferries to cross over until the railroad
bridge was opened in 1881. Ferry boats, mostly
cable, most unnamed, were used to carry people
and goods across the Missouri River during the
1880s. In April 1888, the Plattsmouth Board of
Trade proposed to the City Council that
$10,000 be allocated to construct a pontoon
bridge across the Missouri. The Council
referred the matter to its Judiciary Committee, a
sure sign of a lack of interest. Throughout the
1890s, ferry boats continued to ply the Missouri
waters from Plattsmouth, just south of the
railroad bridge.
The pontoon bridge idea was born
again in 1902. This time, a stock company was
proposed. Plattsmouth merchants eagerly
bought in. By July, the first pontoons were
being brought down from Omaha. Meanwhile,
4,520 bridge tickets were delivered to
Plattsmouth merchants who owned stock. On
Labor Day, 1 September 1902, the Plattsmouth
Pontoon Bridge was opened with great fanfare.
But alas, on December 4, as the
Journal reported …
The pontoon bridge, which has stood John Richardson with His Sons, Floyd and Claude
the test, and which has been a great at the Cable Wheel of the Dollie Jane.
accommodation to parties coming World-Herald Sunday Magazine, 1927-11-06, p. 6
from and going to the other side of the
Connued on page 6.
Page 6 Between the Pages May 2021
Connued from page 5.
raging and treacherous Missouri for several months, cut loose Wednesday and divided itself into several parts. A portion
of it remained on the east side while a part floated down stream quite a distance. The trouble occurred during the noon
hour, when one of those ice flows, usually so destructive to everything in its course, was the principal cause of the
break. Some of the barge were carried several miles down but none were lost. A similar accident was barely averted
during a recent cold spell. The structure will be replaced as soon as possible.
An effort was made to gather in and reassemble the bridge, but that following March the Nebraska City News reported,
“Part of the pontoon bridge from Plattsmouth passed down the river yesterday afternoon, but no one went out to land it.”
Fini to that effort. The Journal returned to referring to “the ferry road,” having apparently forgotten about the pontoon
bridge.
Moving ahead to the summer of 1913, when a notice ran in the Journal for several weeks: “I have taken charge of the
Missouri River Ferry, erected new pole and cable, and the same is now in perfect running condition and ready to accommodate
all passenger. Will operate at all hours, either day or night. John Richardson” Actually, the ferry was owned by Mrs. Anna Doty
and managed by Richardson. The County Commissioners provided her an exclusive, three-year license for $3 a year.
Richardson would come to personify ferrying, not only in Plattsmouth, but up and down the Missouri. Born in North
Carolina in 1871, he was brought to Iowa some time before 1880. His family settled near the Missouri River in Platteville
township, Mills County, where he grew up on the banks of the river.
At the time of his announcement, Richardson was supplementing his income by fishing and shipping his catch to
Omaha. Perhaps ironically, his most noted catch was two bridges washed down the Platte into the Missouri. “The two were
almost a mile apparat, and the first was no sooner landed below the [ferry] point than the outer put in an appearance above the
[railroad] bridge,” the Journal recorded. Richardson was offered $50 for each, but declined the offer. Unfortunately for us, there
is no record what he did with his catch. Meanwhile, Richardson maintained the road from Plattsmouth to the ferry landing just
south of the railroad bridge.
On one occasion, he was called upon to rescue two men stranded on a sandbar down by Rock Bluff when the boat they
were using grounded and could not be moved. After the men disappeared, Richardson discovered the boat had been stolen.
Tragedy occasionally tracked the ferry. On a pleasant October Sunday in 1919, 29-year old George Hobson suffered an epileptic
seizure, fell overboard, and drowned. Richardson threw a plank over the side where the young man’s hat was floating, but
Hobson never surfaced to grab it.
His reputation as a ferryman was such that when Bellevue established their own cable ferry, they contracted with him to
install the required poles and cables.
Richardson, in addition to operating the ferry system, built the ferry boats he used. He also gained a reputation for
raising and salvaging sunken boats in his off-season when the river was iced in. That is, when he wasn’t busy over the winter
maintaining his toll, ice road at the foot of Plattsmouth Main St.
In 1919, Richardson purchased the ferry franchise from the heirs of Mrs. Doty, becoming its sole owner. A year later,
near his Nebraska landing, he constructed a swimming and picnicking park. In those days, the river banks could have nice, sandy
beaches. Later, he included a campground for auto tourists.
In 1925, Richardson decided to bring his two sons, Floyd and Claude, into the business, each receiving a one-third
share. Fares were automobiles 75¢ one way, $1 round trip, regardless of the number of riders. A pedestrian was 10¢, horseback
rider 35¢.
Every five to ten years, as needed, Richardson traveled to Council Bluffs to purchase lumber and fittings for a new boat
which he would build in Plattsmouth. In 1926, the Richardsons launched their last ferry. A year earlier, Floyd’s daughter, Dollie
Jane, was born. It was logical for the proud
parents and grandparents to name their new craft
after the progeny. Soon after the Dollie Jane hit
the Missouri’s muddy waters, John Richardson
retired.
The Dollie Jane was a cable ferry held to the
long cross-river cable by shorter cables
connected to each end of the craft. By
lengthening one or the other of the end cables,
the craft could be held at an angle to the current.
The current pushing against the ferry’s side
propelled it across the river. In one of the photos
accompanying this article, John is shown at the
wheel controlling the cables.
The Dollie Jane ran until the vehicle
bridge across the Missouri became available in
early 1930. During the Great Depression,
Richardson continued to build boats for
companies doing river improvement work. He
Dollie Jane about 1927. That’s probably John Richardson standing, hat in died from a heart ailment in September 1941, age
hand, on the leE. 70 years.
author photo collecon, ref: Journal 1927-12-11, p. 4Page 7 Between the Pages May 2021
Donations Being Accepted
Donations of books and other items are now being accepted. Please bring items
through the back door of the library.
A tally of the items being donated is available upon request. Sorry, no
encyclopedias or VHS tapes.
The book sale will be in late summer or fall so people will have more time to drop
off their donations
Laser Cut Flowers
Laser cut some flowers for Mother’s day.
One $3 board holds one box and 4 flowers.
You can also bring your own colored card
stock and cut out some paper flowers for
free!
The library has a laser cu;er capable of
etching on wood, glass, ceramic les, cork,
metals, and many other materials. It can be
used by anyone who has completed the
one-hour training session.
Call the library, 402-296-4154, ext. 24, to
schedule training or to reserve me to work
on your projects.
You don’t need to have a library card or even
live in Pla;smouth to use it. It can be used for
personal or business purposes, so think about
how you might benefit from the opportunity!Page 8 Between the Pages May 2021
May 2021 Registraon Required*
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Zoom
Golden Sower*
10-10:30am
2 3 4 5 Zoom 6 Zoom 7 8
Storytime* Storytime*
10-10:30 10-10:30
9 10 11 12 Zoom 13 Zoom 14 15
Storytime* Storytime*
10-10:30 10-10:30
16 17 18 19 Zoom 20 Zoom 21 22
Storytime* Storytime*
10-10:30 10-10:30
23 24 Adult Craft 25 26 Zoom 27 Zoom 28 29
Storytime* Storytime*
Bag Pickup
10-10:30 10-10:30
30 31
June 2021 Registraon Required*
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Summer 2 Zoom 3 Zoom 4 5
Storytime* Storytime*
Reading
10-10:30 10-10:30
Starts!
6 7 8 9 Zoom 10 Zoom 11 12
Storytime* Storytime*
10-10:30 10-10:30
Summer Reading Program all week
13 14 15 16 Zoom 17 Zoom 18 19
Storytime* Storytime*
Summer Reading Program all week 10-10:30 10-10:30
20 21 22 23 Zoom 24 Zoom 25 26
Storytime* Storytime*
Summer Reading Program all week 10-10:30 10-10:30
27 28 Adult Craft 29 30 Zoom
Bag Pickup Storytime*
10-10:30
Summer Reading Program all weekYou can also read
