[2] Following his graduation, he worked as a geologist in a scientific expedition exploring the Lake Superior region for minerals.

[3] Cuming was appointed Secretary of the newly formed Nebraska Territory at the age of 25 and arrived to assume his duties on October 8, 1854.

The Acting Governor further complicated the situation by allocating a majority of the legislative representation to counties north of the river.

[5] As a result, when the legislature convened on January 16, 1855, it dedicated most of its energies to examining Cuming's role in making Omaha the territorial capital.

The political split between north and south continued however, with a short lived effort to have southern Nebraska annexed into Kansas taking place.