Donations to local genealogy society; the death of Sen. George Norris

Often, I have to take a few moments to say thank you to the people who remember our society or my columns. In this case, I have to play catch up, because I’m really behind on that list.

First, Wendy Mefford Brown gifted a Natural History book from 1817 to the society a couple of months ago complete with a clipped article concerning its’ owner, C. W. Barnes, an early news paper publisher in McCook. It joins other books we have that give a researcher a bird’s eye view of life in centuries past.

Second, a thank-you to Roberta Felker for taking the time to let me know how much she enjoys my stories that I share and to reveal that from one article last spring she learned the birth and death dates of her grandmother, Amy Daniels McElroy. After reading her letter I discovered that my dear neighbors on the lane in Indianola, Albert and Lola Brooks, were tied to that line also because Amy’s sister, Cora, married to Parker Brooks, was Albert’s mother. Small world.

Last, at least for this column, I received a news paper clipping from my dear friend, Brenda Ulery, that her father, Jack Benton, had discovered while sorting through things in his home. The newspaper that this came from is not revealed by the clipping but I’m going to share a portion of it since it is so historically tied to McCook.

“Lying Unconscious. Reported Resting Easily at Home; Has Attack While is in Bed. George W. Norris, 83-year-old former veteran Independent United States Senator from Nebraska, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at his home early Tuesday but was given a good chance to recover by one of the attending physicians.”

“Dr. F. W. Shank, who with Dr. E. F. Leininger, Norris’s family physician, is attending this nationally known political figure, said Norris is resting easily and has a good chance of recovery. The physician declared that Mrs. Norris found her husband suffering from the hemorrhage about 7:30 a.m.”

“The hemorrhage apparently occurred just a short time before it came to the attention of Mrs. Norris, Dr. Shank said. Dr. Shank said Norris’s right arm is paralyzed and that he is having some trouble with his right leg. Norris is being cared for in his home.”

“Norris has been inactive in public life since voters in 1942 rejected his bid for a sixth term in the senate, but recently he accepted the honorary chairmanship of the national citizens’ Political Action Committee.”

“’I am too old and won’t be able to do much, but they thought I would help the movement if I was honorary chairman, so I got enthusiastic and accepted,’ Norris said at the time. ‘I intend to do as much as I can.’”

The article went on to outline the Norris legacy, but the final paragraph outlined accomplishments that we should all be proud of: “Norris also fathered Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, the only one-house body in the nation. He fought for the adoption of the 20th amendment to the constitution abolishing “lame duck” sessions of congress and providing that congressional terms start January 3rd and those of the president on January 20th instead of March 4th. The amendment became effective in 1933.”

Everyone should read the 20th amendment and the commentary on how it changed politics and lawmaking in the United States. Senator Norris had to introduce this amendment before 5 different congresses over 10 years before it finally passed in both the House and the Senate and ratified. This was done as he was serving as chair of the Agricultural Committee. To further prove how well written this amendment was, it has never been challenged in court. There are those detractors however, that feel the amendment possibly increased the power of government over the power of the people.

Please don’t forget Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society during the Big Give next week. We appreciate any donations made in our name.

Library hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4 PM, and we are located at 110 West C, Suite M-3. Should icy or snowy days be predicted please check our Facebook page for announcements prior to visiting us.