More railroad business from 1890s

McCook Railyard with Roundhouse in background.

By 1892, the labor troubles, which culminated in the major strike of 1888, between the Engineers and Firemen and the Burlington Railroad had been settled and in a spirit of cooperation the business of "Father Burlington" and his "Child, McCook," continued to grow and prosper. In 1892, 516 men were employed in the passenger and freight departments in McCook. Their monthly pay amounted to over $22,000 -- a major part of the McCook economy, to be sure. There were five miles of track in the yards, which employed another 23 men. 74 train crews, with not less than five men to each crew, had homes in McCook.

In 1892, 736 cars of produce were shipped out of McCook. The product shipped was entirely agricultural in content -- primarily wheat and corn, but included broom corn, flour, flax, oats, rye, cattle and hogs as well. Probably 100 percent of the products McCook received came by rail. That year McCook received some 676 car loads of product, primarily coal and lumber, but included merchandise, implements, barb-wire, lime, furniture, salt, oil, flour, apples, stone, canned goods, and immigrants (65 cars). It was interesting that in '92, another important commodity was brought in to help the citizens cope with frontier life. 38 cars of beer were imported as well.

Almost as soon as trains began running from Chicago to Denver, they began making new records for speed -- many times through McCook, and the citizens of McCook took pride and delight in the records set, progress made, and the rapid improvements in the trains of the Burlington -- "their trains."

S. H. Colvin, early McCook real estate agent

In 1897, there was an extraordinary record set by a special train from Chicago to Denver. A man in Chicago had hired a special to take him to Denver to see his dying son. The fee agreed on was $1,000, and the time was to be not more than 24 hours. That special train consisted of President Perkin's own special car, #98, and an engine. The special left Chicago at 9:58 a.m. and pulled into Union Depot in Denver 18 hours and 55 minutes later, a distance of 1,028 miles. That time included all stops and slow-ups. Stops were for coal, water, and changing engines. Average speed for the entire distance was 55.5 miles per hour. The best time made on the McCook Division was between Hastings and McCook, at 63 miles per hour. David Magner was the engineer of engine # 210, Walt Jefferies was Fireman, and Harvey Miller was Conductor, all from McCook, on that record setting portion of the trip. (Unfortunately, despite this remarkable performance, the Chicago man's son was dead by the time the father arrived in Denver.)

Records continued to be made on the McCook Division rails. Two years later, in 1899 a new Baldwin engine, No. 246, made a record run of 143 miles in 140 minutes between McCook and Akron. This train carried nine cars and one diner.

(Note: In coming weeks more stories of record breaking runs will be addressed.)

In 1899 the company made major improvements to the Burlington roundhouse in McCook, the center of railroad activity in the city. The new improvements allowed the shops to do all repair work except the major rebuilding of a locomotive, which work continued to be done exclusively at the shops in Havelock, Nebraska.

The McCook roundhouse was a massive structure. In the center of the roundhouse was a turning track, which allowed the trains to enter any of the 15 stalls for engines. Some of the improvements in McCook included wheel mounting machinery, a wheel press, axle lathe, boring mill and other extensive machinery. These improvements meant a great increase in the number of men employed in the McCook Roundhouse.

In 1896 the Burlington Railroad sponsored a great inspection trip to ----McCook by 75 Land Agents and Entrepreneurs from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio. "They were surprised at the attractive and businesslike appearance of the town".

Accompanying the Land Agents were correspondents from the United and Associated Press. These men supplied their papers with daily glowing and appropriate particulars concerning McCook and Nebraska generally.

The 1896 inspection trip must have been very successful, as the next year a special Excursion train brought not only Land Agents, but farmers (potential settlers) as well. This train consisted of one day coach, two Pullman sleepers, and one official car. This train carried 70 Land Agents and Farmers from Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as some local Agents.

One of the McCook Agents, who served as a go between the Land Agents and the potential Immigrants, was S.H. Colvin, surely one of the area's biggest boosters of the time. He advertised extensively in publications which were distributed in the East. "I make a specialty of placing loans for Eastern parties, paying taxes, renting farms and houses, and do a general collecting business." "40 acre to 2,000 acre properties for sale -- improved or unimproved -- With small cash payment and long term loans -- paying one tenth annually." "I have also a few fine pieces of residence property for sale in the city of McCook as well as vacant lots. No charge for showing land or residence property. References: Hon. J.C. Allen, Secretary of State, Lincoln, Citizens Bank, McCook, First National Bank, McCook."

In McCook these visitors received a royal welcome. Carriages were supplied to show the land and crops to the incoming guests. The crops were especially abundant in 1897, so the McCook Land Agents really had something fine to show to their visitors. Some of the visitors were taken to the Northwest of the city, and some were taken Southwest of the city. "Everywhere the evidence of the wheat crop and the corn prospects astonished the excursionists, who were filled with wonder and pleasure."

In the late '90s people in the little city of McCook were doing quite well -- and felt a bit smug about their situation. From the Columbia Souvenir, published by the McCook Times-Democrat: "While envious rival towns were jeering and jealous competitors misrepresenting, McCook has gone steadily on, until today she has become "The City" between Lincoln and Denver. Her situation, nearly equi-distant from both cities makes it evident to all that she has nothing to fear from competitors, and the settlers, who occupy the large section tributary to the great Burlington Route in Nebraska, come to her for supplies of necessity. This makes McCook a first class market." Child McCook and Father Burlington could look forward to a bright and prosperous relationship. They realized that they must meet the future together, hand in hand, to ensure that prosperous future for both.

Source: Marion McClelland, "Early History of McCook", " McCook Memories" by Gene O. Morris