History
Plattsmouth Journal Thursday July 9, 1998
by Nancy Reissig
"Safari Park Land Has Special Meaning For Murdock Resident"
Recently my husband and I ventured to Wildlife Safari Park to ride with Lloyd. The little cream colored engine with its gold lettering indicating its origin of Italy, pulls the like-colored, London made cars, It is an eye catching treat and one classy scene. As the people board, Lloyd greets each one and wishes them a good ride. He insisted that I sit in the train so I have the unique position of eyeing all of the little bells, whistles and dials. I also hold his script which he only glances at occasionally. I have the distinct feeling that I have just boarded the "Little engine that could."
We pass the "7MPH speed limit" sign and we are on our bumpy way. Along with the views and interesting facts about the animals we see, Lloyd weaves his story about the history of the land. Our ride which took 45 minutes seemed to take only a short time, as we bumped around the curves and into the valleys of the land. I found an increased appreciation for our Nebraska heritage and the simplicity, hard work, and consistency of the lives before us is important to realize.
"Your're hired, the Wildlife Safari Park hiring manager informed me, I didn't even know I wanted a job." This writer was visiting Lloyd Jones on his porch one breezy day, and he was laughing while telling me about the time he had visited with the manager about the history of the park land which is the newest addition east of Mahoney State Park, "I have a microphone in one hand and drive the tram with the other, I also take the money."
Lloyd is one of three tour guides at the new park. There is a reason why the manager was so intent on hiring Lloyd. Safari Park land was his home place and he was reminiscing that day he had the conversation with him. No doubt, the manager knew that he had the perfect person to tell park visitors the story of the park, and espically, the history of the land the park now sits on.
It all began in 1914 when Lloyd's parents purchased 160 acres of farm land and like many other families around the area began farming with horses, and raising hogs and cattle. His parents had married in 1907 and Lloyd was the 10th in the family of 11 children. As the family grew, worked and played on the farm, different ares of the farm were named so the parents would know where the children were working or playing. We named every ditch, canyon, hill and ridge." Most were logical names such as 7-acre patch, or field north of the barn, or squirrell hollow, coyote holler and Uncle Luke's holler. Leganed named the "Black Pinnacle" area, because Indians woud sit on that spot to observe the counrtyside, and anyone sitting there can see Otoe, Sarpy, Douglas and Dodge Counties. Watermelons and Muskmelons grew in abundance on this high area. "Dad would pick them and we would have a big feed." "Ice Hill" was north of the barn, and a place to watch huge pieces of ice flow alont the river int eh winter. "Some were scary and as big as a building." Wild flowers grew on "Otto's Little Nook."
The families and neighbors were very close and all were happy. Square dances were common entertainment and each of the famiy homes had a large room where monthly square dances were held. A fiddler, harmonica player and guitar furnished the music. While dancing was going on, the children were outside playing "Andy over," "Touched you last," or "Hide and go seek." "Andy over " was played withgroups of children on either side of a small building such as a chicken house. A ball was thrown over and caught by one of the group ont he other side. These games were played until it was too dark to see. The children came in and sat in chairs to watch their parents dance. At the end of the dances, pie, cake, and ice cream were served in the summer and oyster stew and pie in the winter. Before dispersing, the families made a decision as to where the next dance would be held. There were no officers and not special organization.
There were two schools int he area where Lloyd attended. One was Klondike District #57 where he attended 1at through 6th grade and another district school where he attended 6th through 8th grade. One school building has been recycled and is used for a residence with an added garage. Other farm buildings have been torn dow. The roof of one has been used to cover an Iowa restaurant. Lumber from the house was used by his brother to build his own cabin. The windmill is the only remaining structure on Lloyd's homeplace, but memories remain and no one can take those away from a booy who grew up in a happy place.
Lloyd enjoys the children. He is proud that the land has been turned back to nature and is a place for families to enjoy. "It is good for people to get a taste of what it was like in the olden days, and how our fathers and grandfathers made a living."
A few little notes.
The Jones Family farm was purchased in 1914 by William Alexander Jones and his wife Etta Isabelle Miller Jones. It lies 2 1/2 miles west of South Bend Nebraska, nestled in the hills that rise above the Platte River in Cass County Nebraska. The farm remained in the family until 1975 when Etta passed away. There are lots of fond memories of the farm for this Granddaughter of William and Etta Jones.
I spent many a day hiking over the farm with my dad, looking for fossils found in the limestone rocks that were in abundance on the farm to hunting for arrowheads, and did find one, to fishing in the pond left by the limestone company who mined rock on the place many years ago.
Lost in time was the spear point my dad found in the creek bed still loged in a buffalo skull. Yes many fond memories of a childhood spent by this city girl on the farm in the summer and weekends, with her best friend her dad. Always daddy's girl, Nancy Morris Boyd.
