The Kays of McCook

Dr. Z.L. Kay

Recently, the descendent of one of McCook's early prominent families made news when it was learned that Harold Kay had stepped forward, with a substantial donation, to further the fund drive for a new Event Center at McCook College. A long-time resident of North Platte (though he has been back to McCook frequently over the years through his practice of the law), nevertheless, Mr. Kay has deep roots in McCook. Harold Kay's father, Elmer (Jr.) moved away from McCook when Harold was just out of school, but he was the great-grandson and grandson of two of McCook's leading citizens. He was also married to the daughter of Leonard Larson, who was the McCook Superintendent. of Schools and President of McCook Junior College after World War II.

Harold Kay's great-grandfather was one of McCook's very early physicians, Dr. Zachius L. Kay, of Kentucky, who graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1876. After graduation, he practiced medicine for a short time in Illinois. Of interest is that while in Illinois, the first baby that Dr. Kay delivered (of more than 3,000 in his career) was George McClain, who later became the sheriff of Red Willow Co. In 1884, Dr. Kay came to McCook as company physician for the Burlington railroad, and practiced medicine in our city until his death in 1937.

Dr. Kay was a man of great abilities. Early settlers described him as being "of noble character." Though medicine was somewhat primitive on the frontier at that time, he was inventive in developing procedures and improving surgical instruments for use in his practice, "to alleviate pain and suffering in this area." Upon his death these frontier- day vintage instruments were willed to St. Catherine's Hospital.

Elmer Kay

Smoking, in those early days, was widespread and Dr. Kay was somewhat unique in that he preached to his patients, with great vigor, of the evils and danger to health of the "vile habit." This, however, did not prevent Dr. Kay, himself, from smoking big black cigars. He also counseled his patients about the importance of eating well, and avoiding between meal snacks. Yet, Dr. Kay was a regular at the local restaurants at coffee time, and a big eater. "Do as I say, not as I do" was his motto.

Dr. Kay was a long time chairman of the "Sanity Board." He was a caring man and enjoyed the confidence of the many people he interviewed over the years. According to an article in the Gazette, "he was said to have a shrewd insight into a person's behavior, for a man who had little formal training in psychology".

At the time of his death in 1937, the McCook Gazette paid its respects to Dr. Kay, calling him "the most beloved man in the city."

Dr. Kay's son, Elmer, Harold Kay's grandfather, was born in Illinois in 1878, and came with his family to McCook in 1884. He began school in McCook and was the first person ever to complete the full course, from first grade through high school in the McCook system. He was a fleet halfback on McCook's first football team, and was a member of McCook's first school band and orchestra.

Following graduation from high school in 1895, Elmer lived in Joplin, Mo., where his father practiced medicine for a short time before returning to McCook. In Joplin, Elmer served as a bookkeeper and ore buyer for the Pritcher Lead Co. Later, after his marriage to Zylpha Gunter, he worked as cashier, paymaster, and auditor for the Wells Fargo Express Co. in Chicago.

In 1907 Elmer and his bride returned to McCook where he took on the duties of Manager for the McCook Commercial Hotel, as well as Manager of the old "Burlington Eating House."

In 1912, he was elected to his first term as Clerk of the District Court, a position he held until his death in 1943. Later, he also served as Deputy Clerk of the U.S. District Court. Elmer Kay was active in many of McCook's organizations. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the McCook Elks' Lodge. He followed his father in serving on the County Sanity Board. He was active in the McCook Chamber of Commerce and for a time served as the Managing Secretary of that group. He was a pillar in the County Republican organization. After World War II began he served as the local leader of the County Civil Defense Organization.

But it was as the Secretary and Manager of the Red Willow County Fair Association, beginning in 1920, that he is most commonly identified. Kay was a key figure in almost every aspect of fair business -- the planning, building, and financing of every building on the fairgrounds. He personally supervised the layout of the grounds and the racetrack, which was to be the premier attraction of the Red Willow County Fair.

Whether it was Kay's interest in horses that led to his work with the county fair, or the other way around, he spent the rest of his life promoting trotting horse racing and the Red Willow County Fair. Under Kay's leadership, Southwest Nebraska became a hotbed of harness racing in the state. Its popularity is shown by the fact that grandstand seating for 3,500 was needed for the races. It was said that "high rollers" from Denver regularly attended races in McCook and added much "excitement" to the event. (Note: As part of McCook's Centennial celebration in 1982, an effort was made to hold a session of harness racing at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Alas, it was found that there is no longer any harness racing in Nebraska or even Midwest America.)

Even into his final years, Elmer Kay was breeding fine harness racing (trotting) horses in McCook. His skill as a breeder and trainer of harness horses was well known, leading not only to acclaim for McCook, as a harness racing center, but to Kay's being named to the Nebraska State Racing Association.

Two of the finest race horses ever foaled in Nebraska, "Indianola," from the Plourd Stables, of Indianola, and "Kent Bumpas, from the Kay Stables of McCook, came out of Red Willow County and dominated the Midwest racing scene for some years.

Elmer Kay passed away in February, 1943 after a short illness. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, Lois and Elizabeth and one son, Elmer, Jr.

It is gratifying that in 2010, 126 years after they first came to McCook, a member of the Kay family is still actively helping in the betterment of our city.

Source:

Trails West by Ray and Rutledge; McCook Gazette Centennial Edition, 1982