Mrs. Lily Oman Finds Box of Nebr. State Seal Medals
A great deal of curiosity was expressed by the towns people here a little over a month ago, when Mrs. Lily Oman brought a 14 k. gold medal of the Nebraska State Seal up town one morning and wondered if anyone knew just what kind of a historical relic it was.
Other than surmising what it was, no one seemed to know anything concerning it, so Mrs. Oman sent one to The Nebraska Farmer. They wrote back that they didn’t know the origin of the Medal, so sent it on to the State Historical Society. They wrote the first of the week, saying it was a gold Medal, made at the time Nebraska was admitted into the Union, and was originally made, presumably for souvenirs. There was one in the collection of relics owned by the society, and they knew of two others, the only known three to be in existance [sic.].
Mrs. Oman was having her basement enlarged the latter part of March and in digging near the foundation of the building one of the workmen found a small pasteboard box. In lifting it, he discovered that it was heavy, and inquired of Mrs. Oman “if she had a gold mine stored under there.” Upon investigating they found the medals, each one wrapped in a separate 3¼ in. square of tissue paper, and the box contained 190 medals. No one has been found, who knows anything concerning to whom they originally belonged, how or when they were put there, or by whom.
Roughly estimating, the house was built about 30 years ago and Mrs. Oman and daughters have lived there about seven years.
It is generally agreed that it is a very strange happening that so many were found there, and as long as no one has been located who claims any authoritative ownership, they belong to Mrs. Oman to do with as she pleases. The State Historical Society ha[s] very kindly offered to sell them for her at the price she wishes for them.
A good many of the people here have bought one from her to keep as souviners [sic]. They are about the size of a half dollar and bear the inscription, “Great Seal of The State of Nebraska,” across the top, and “March 1st, 1867” across the bottom. In fine letters is printed “Equality before the Law” across the lower top. The design is of the State seal, showing the mountains in the back ground, with a train just at the foot bordering a body of water. On which is a ship. In the center of the picture is a house and three shocks of grain at the left hand side, and a tree stands on the right hand side. In the foreground is a blacksmith working at his forge. It is indeed a treasure that anyone might be proud to own.
