Joseph E. Johnson and the Huntsman's Echo
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 40° 46.804 W 098° 44.137
14T E 522308 N 4514376
This marker is about an early settler, his road ranch and newspaper.
Waymark Code: WM27ND
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 09/18/2007
Views: 48
The marker stands in Shelton, Nebraska, by Route 30.
The text of the marker reads:
In April 1860 Joseph E. Johnson, a Mormon, established a road ranche at Wood River Centre,
today's Shelton, and began publishing The Huntsman's Echo, the first newspaper in Nebraska
west of Omaha. He had earlier edited papers in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha. Johnson was a
keen observer of the Nebraska scene, which he discussed in a vigorous and breezy style
suggested by his paper's motto, "Independent in Everything, Neutral in Nothing."
Johnson's Ranche was an important supply point serving Mormons and other travelers on the
Council Bluffs Road (Mormon Trail). It included a general store, blacksmith shop, post office,
mill, and a farm that grew crops and vegetables. Buffalo and elk roamed the area and the Pawnee
Tribe lived nearby.
Johnson strongly favored preserving the Union and was appalled by the coming bloodshed of the
Civil War. On the grounds that "this Republican reign of terror . . . is too much for our
democratic style of free thought, free speech, and freedom," he decided to move west to join his
fellow Mormons in Utah. The last issue of The Huntsman's Echo was published August 1, 1861.
The marker, #407, in Hall county, was placed by
Wood River Valley Historical Society
Nebraska State Historical Society
Marker Name: Joseph E. Johnson and the Huntsman's Echo
City: no
Roadside: yes
Other: no
Web Address if available:: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!