The rich history of Southwest Nebraska

Last year over Memorial Day my cousin and aunt came from Colorado to be joined with my father’s cousin and myself to decorate somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 graves throughout southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas. It was a special day, mapped out so that we could visit as many gravesites as possible in one day. I can say this about our area in the middle of nowhere, all of the cemeteries, even the abandoned one in a farm field were cleaned, mowed and honoring the people who had passed away, ready for the families coming to visit.

Respect for the past has always been part of our DNA in this area. I’m going to share some of the names of those who helped paved the way for McCook. They may not be famous, but to their families they were special and loved.

From the McCook Tribune, November 2, 1911: Jacob Long was born in Pennsylvania, January 6, 1839. He moved with his father to Indiana when a small boy. From there he enlisted at the call of his country and served for three years in the Civil War. He was married to Miss Millie McNeil and to them were born four children. They moved to Red Willow county, Nebraska, in 1876. About 45 years ago he united with the Methodist church. As a local preacher he did much to build up the cause of his Master having organized the Box Elder and other churches. The remains were buried in Riverview cemetery.

McCook Tribune, July 25, 1911: Samuel R. Messner was born near Pine Village, Warren County, Indiana, June 12, 1851. He was married to Miss Annie Henton, at Indianola, April 1878. The deceased, in company with W. T. Henton, came to Johnson County, Nebraska in 1873, fitting out an ox team, then they drove to where the Beaver and Sappa creeks join, at which place the fell in with Joe and Eugene Dolph, the four of them coming up the creek together. The Dolph boys were just returning from filing on their homestead. The deceased and W. T. Henton were the third and fourth settlers to fill on the Beaver, West of Lebanon. The deceased, in company with W. T. Henton, George S. Johnson, the Ashton brothers and the Dolph brothers took a leading part in organizing the county.

McCook Republican, April 21, 1911: Amy A. Daniels was born in Logan County, Illinois, January 21, 1871. She moved with her parents to Nebraska in 1875, where she grew to womanhood, and where she was engaged in teaching in our public schools. She was untied in marriage to Alfred H. McElroy, March 11, 1900. To this union were born seven children, six of whom survive. The oldest nine years of age, the youngest about three weeks. She succumbed to our common enemy, death, April 9, 1911, being aged thirty-seven years, three months, fifteen days.

McCook Tribune, April 19, 1920: Charles Eugene Houlihan, born October 15, 1892, at McCook, Nebraska, attended High School and lived here up to the time of his enlistment in the 6th Nebraska in June 25, 1917. He served in the 35th Engineers overseas for 18 months and also one year at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico. While in France he contracted pneumonia and developed tuberculosis. He was discharged July 29, 1919 and was sent to the Kearney Tuberculosis Hospital for disabled soldiers, where he died April 19, 1920, after eight months of illness.

A soldier, a preacher, a teacher and a pioneer, all people who paved the way for our lives here and yet perhaps, except for their families, unknown to most of us. What a rich history we have on the plains.

Buffalo Commons looks to be a great time to discover a bit more of the plains’ history and SWNGS will be honoring the lives of Civil War soldiers laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery. The tour will be held on Sunday, June 2. Watch for more information on Facebook and in this column.