BLAINE COUNTY 
NEBRASKA

 
Belle J. DUNN
1906 - 2003

In 1927, Belle J. Dunn, was  a student at the University of Nebraska, 
at Lincoln, Nebraska, when she wrote this paper.  
She was the daughter of William M. and Mabel Dunn.  
Her paternal grandparents were  E. P. and Arabella (Thornburg) Dunn.  
Addie E. (Dunn) Leach Mathews mentioned in this paper, as superintendent on page 29, 
was also the daughter of E. P. and Arabella (Thornburg) Dunn.


         Belle J. DUNN James was born 5 March  1906 
at  Purdum, Blaine County, Nebraska.  

She died on 1 April 2003 at Rogue River, Oregon.  

She is buried in Purdum Cemetery, in the Dunn Family Plot,
with those of her grandparents, E. P. and Arabella Dunn; 
her parents, William & Mabel Dunn, and
  her husband, Foy James, 
Also buried there are  her two brothers, Ross & Percy Dunn, 
and their wives Katherine & Ethel Dunn.

The tree-clad mountains stand to the West
In the path of the setting sun.
They tuck the foothills to rest,
In the shadows just begun.

The mountains sing a lullaby
To the foothills clustered there;
The shadow arms protecting them,
From every nightly care.

When the last bright shafts
Have touched their crowns,
And darkness is complete,
The Mother mountains say "Goodnight"
To their children fast asleep.

Written by Belle James 1994

The Blaine NEGenWeb and the Loup NEGenWeb would like to extend their appreciation to Belle Dunn's family for transcribing, and making this paper available to researchers.  
   

PREFACE

            In writing this history of my native county I have endeavored to give a true picture of the life of the pioneers--their bravery, their hope, their faith, their courage in the face of seemingly overpowering obstacles.

            Having lived in this county all my life I have had many opportunities for first hand observations as well as many stories beginning, "When I first came out here......"

             Most of the material used in compiling this work was obtained through letters from my parents' friends and settlers who have since left the county.  I have tried to portray their lives as they lived them with neither the glamour of storybook romance nor the sordidness of some realistic writers.  Although this is a history I have tried to make it a story breathing life; not a statistical report oozing with boredom.

             I wish to acknowledge the kind assistance given me by these many friends through letters and interviews.  I wish especially to thank Mr. R. R. Greenland, Mr. George F. Purdum, Mr. E. H. Riggs, Mr. Floyd Fields, Mr. A. H. Schlasman, Mr. D. C. Norris, Mrs. Grace Purdum Johnson, Mrs. R. R. Greenland, Mr. S. H. Oldham, and Mr. Homer W. Cox.

Also I extend my appreciation for the cooperation of Mr. A. E. Sheldon and his assistants of the Historical Society in the typing of my paper.  

Belle J. Dunn