52 Nebraskaland • March 2022
ere it not for Francis Burt's
digestive problems, Bellevue might
be Nebraska's big city and Omaha
its suburb.
Francis Burt was Nebraska Territory's
fi rst governor, appointed by President
Franklin Pierce. (U.S. territories elected
legislatures but not governors.) Burt
arrived in Bellevue on Oct. 7, 1854. Why
Bellevue? Towns were springing up all along the west bank
of the Missouri River, but Bellevue was more established,
having served as a trading post and Indian mission for
decades. Burt apparently intended to convene the legislature
there.
But the governor had fallen seriously ill during the four-
week journey from his native South Carolina. He died on
Oct. 18. During the
next crucial months,
territorial secretary
Thomas Cuming served
as acting governor.
Cuming was allied with
the founders of "Omaha
City" and made it the
capital.
Cuming ordered a census so he could apportion legislative
districts for Nebraska's fi rst election. The census showed
twice as many people living south of the Platte River as north
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska
W
FRANCIS BURT
When Omaha
Was the
Capital City
O
n
t
T
a
C
t
C
c
Thomas B. Cuming,
territorial secretary
and, twice, acting
governor of Nebraska
Territory. History
Nebraska RG2411-0-
1184
