Why you should move to McCook -- 1893

Note: Most of the following material was taken from the "McCook Columbian Souvenir 1893", a publication offered by the McCook Times Democrat, as a promotion piece, for Fairgoers at the Chicago Columbian Expedition, which celebrated the 400th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus Voyage of Discovery to the New World---an introduction the "good life in McCook and Southwest Nebraska" to Fairgoers, from all over the United States and Europe, and to encourage prospective settlers to come.

,At the close of the close of the great Civil War, thousands of our brave boys returned home only to find the business places they had once occupied filled by others, business of all to kinds at a standstill, and practically every avenue of business closed to them. Naturally enough, the great West, with its millions of neglected acres, and grand opportunities attracted their attention ... the tales of the great, almost unexplored land west of the Missouri River ... that the stories of the Great American Desert were a myth ... the plains of Nebraska swarmed with game ... and diversion could be found in hunting Indians when other sports became monotonous.

Nebraska: 30 years ago travelers or homesteaders were told that the "dead line" was the Missouri River ... lands lying to the west were unfit for cultivation. Now that Great American Desert has become the seat of Empire. Over 12M acres within the State of Nebraska are under cultivation and the cultivated area is increasing at the rate of 1M acres per annum ... For 25 years Nebraska has led all her sister states in every proportion of increase. In 1860 her population was less than 30,000---In 1890, 1,058,910. In proportion to her population, Nebraska furnished more grain, cattle and hogs ... than any state in the Union. Nebraska produces 2/5s of the beet sugar in the United States, the output more than 8M pounds per annum.

The state is literally gridironed with Railways, having a mileage of 5,400 miles ... probably 6,000 miles in the next year ... 4/5s of the farmers in the state are within 12 miles of a railway station. Nebraska has a greater railway mileage than all of New England.

Red Willow County: Lying west of the 100th Meridian, with its southern boundary boarding upon the State of Kansas is Red Willow County, 24X30 miles, containing 460,800 acres. The County was organized in 1873, but its first Post Office was established in 1872, near the mouth of Red Willow Creek, by Nelson Buck, and was called Red Willow.

Red Willow County has 115,208 acres, under high cultivation of Wheat, Corn, Alfalfa, but also 32,000 fruit trees, 1M forest trees, and 1,200 grape vines, to say nothing of farm crops such as meadow, barley, flax, broom corn, rye, and potatoes. According the County Assessor, there are also 6,375 horses, 11,774 cattle, 341 mules, 8,517 hogs.

Climate: A healthful climate is of paramount importance to the prosperity of any country. If, for instance, the cold winter is intense, the efforts of the producing classes are suspended, and much time is wasted. Or, if the summers are so warm as to enervate and enfeeble, similarly disastrous results follow. Or, if, again, through the existence of an unfavorable altitude or any other of the hundreds of disease breeding elements, ill health is the rule, development is handicapped, and a deplorable condition of affairs ensues ... To touch upon the climate of this greatly abused country is to develop one of its strongest points. The main basis for its excellence lies in the altitude of the region, which ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 feet above sea level.. The atmosphere is invigorating ... the catarrhs and rheums, the neuralgia and the consumption of the east are unknown, except such cases as were contracted before coming here. Although, in summer the thermometer ranges, high sultry heat is, of course impossible at such an altitude. To be perfectly comfortable in the hottest weather, it is only necessary to keep out of the direct rays of the sun. The nights are always cool. It must be noted that as regards heat and cold there is a great difference between Dakota and Kansas for instance. This is merely a question of latitude, but take a medium latitude, such as Southern Nebraska, and there you can find as near perfect climate as the United States affords. As between wintering in Southwest Nebraska and Florida, there is much in favor of the former.

McCook: According to Government census, in 1886 McCook had a population of 2,346. Today it is over 4,000. The town originally covered 480 acres, but has expanded in every direction, and has four distinct districts. West McCook is a good sized town in itself. South McCook, near the river is on a level plain. East McCook is also called Willow Grove Addition. Main Town ... slopes gradually from the north to the railroad to the south to the river. The roads leading to McCook from every direction are in good shape and are duly appreciated by the pleasure-loving citizens, many of whom own dashing turnouts and fine horses.

The businesses in the city are in a flourishing condition. The stores are full with well-selected stocks with everything the market affords. A number of brick blocks ornament Main Street, and a new Public Hall, with stores underneath is to be built this summer.

The business men in town are enterprising and public spirited. Every branch of business necessary for an agriculture centre is represented. McCook has two grain elevators, one flour mill, three cigar manufactories, five hotels, three banks, and a multitude of minor establishments representing every line of trade. A view of the business streets on a Saturday is enough to convince the most skeptical of the commercial activity prevalent, and suggests age and size.

McCook as a Medical Center: The dryness of the air and the elevation of the land produce nervous exaltation, which creates enthusiasm, energy, and vigor ... men are converted into boomers and hustlers. Expression is strong and suited in the time and place. Faith and enthusiasm animates every citizen and rejects the impossible, with lofty disdain. Ambition, hope, and belief in the future of the town are the prevailing sentiments. The low death rate will prove the healthfulness of the climate. Malarial and lung troubles do not find a home here.

From the Souvenir's paid ads: Castle Cure Company, McCook. $1,000 reward Will be given to any case of Piles, or Hemoroids that cannot be cured at this Institute ... We also give treatment for the Liquor, Opium, Morphene, Tobacco, and Neuresthemia. Our charge for professional service and medicine is $25 per week ... $4-$6 per week board and room, according to inclinations and purses. Dr. L.J. Spickelmeir, Medical Director.

Burlington Route B.& M.R.R. Don't be a clam!

Of course you're going to visit the World's Fair ... Now be sure and buy your excursion tickets over this line ... and say, don't forget to stop at McCook, the Queen of the Southern Tier!

McCook (1893):A reply to jealous critics: There is always gross criticism and ignorance prevalent in regard to a newly settled region, but particularly is this true of 'Western Nebraska and Kansas ... over enthusiastic tourists see only the advantages and beauties of this section ... others, are disappointed, and write doleful newspaper articles about droughts, mortgages, cyclones, deserted towns, sharpers, etc., enough to frighten the most sanguine. We evenly qualify any enthusiasm that might creep into a description of this section.

Throughout the entire tributary of the great Burlington Route are scattered cultivated farms, comfortable houses and barns, cattle ranches great and small, fields of growing grain, ... a healthy moving forwards to a prosperous future, particularly for Red Willow County and McCook.

While envious competitors are misrepresenting, McCook has gone steadily on, until today she has become THE CITY between Lincoln and Denver. The Burlington Railroad ... is considered one of the most important Railroad systems in the country ... its head in Chicago, connecting with branches ... from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with McCook on its Main Line.