Tidbits from McCook's early newspaper, the 'Trumpet'

I discovered that McCook had a newspaper called the "Trumpet." That was a new one to me! Apparently it was one of McCook's first newspapers. Here are items that were abstracted by a Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society member from the September and October 1885 issues.

Sept. 7, 1885: School started today. Boys enrolled, 73; Girls enrolled 95.

Sept. 17, 1885: An infant babe of B. S. Thomas, residing in West McCook, died on Monday morning, and was buried the proceeding day. Reverend Suess conducted the funeral services.

Sept. 19, 1885: First edition of the Indianola Times published.

Sept. 27, 1885: Died, Jabez Baraclough, aged 33 years.

Sept. 28, 1885: Born to Tom Colfer, a son.

Oct. 1, 1885: Matt Zimmerman, the murderer of Sheriff Jack Wood of Hitchcock County in October 1882, sentenced to be hung has been liberated on bail. The bail will have to be forfeited as Zimmerman has left the country.

Oct. 1, 1885: Lewis and Walsh, who were on a hunting trip in the sand hills north of North Platte, reported that they had not only found chickens and ducks, but that they had two antelope in their wagon.

Oct. 16, 1885: Born to Mrs. Jabez Baraclough, a son.

Oct. 29, 1885: Seats and a large heating stove have been placed in the Tully building for school purposes. (I am going to have to find out where the "Tully" building was located!)

Apparently in 1885, there was keen rivalry between West McCook and the main part of town. The Trumpet office was in West McCook. The other local newspaper, The Tribune, was on Dennison Street (now B Street) on the alley facing north between Main Street (Now Norris Avenue) and East First.

Since this is the first I have heard of the Trumpet newspaper, I have no idea how or where the SWNGS editor at the time, Diane Lyons, found these items but I am going to have to find out!

This reminds me of another thought that needs to be expressed. People often wonder what to do with the old annuals, phone books, city directories, newspapers, commemorative publications and pictures that they find when cleaning out a home.

SWNGS began taking donated materials in 1975 and we have built an extensive library of items, some of which are one of a kind. When we get donations, we catalogue the items and place them out for people to use in research. If we find they are something that the Nebraska State Historical Society or any of the local historical societies might be interested in having copies of, we share them. We value every piece of information placed in our safe keeping. Please think of us when you find these treasures because we serve not only Nebraska residents but visitors from far and wide. Our most recent researcher came from Chicago and was impressed with the pieces of history concerning his family that he found.

As a final note, our library wouldn't be possible without the generosity extended to us by McCook National Bank. The rooms in which we house our records are donated to us by the bank and we cannot express how much we appreciate that gift.

SWNGS will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in November. An open house is planned on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2 -- 4 p.m. Please join us at 110 West C, Suite M-3, for our celebration.