McCook in 1892 had its share of crime

From the Sidney Telegraph many years ago, I have a picture of my great-grandfather along with a large group of men standing ready with their horse drawn equipment to harvest a field for a neighbor who had been injured. Fast forward 130 years and I witnessed the response to a tragedy here in Southwest Nebraska and the true meaning of neighbors helping neighbors. I’m going to say, if you’re lucky enough to live in our wonderful Tri-State region, you’re lucky enough!

Another reason to rejoice in being in this place on earth was being able to witness the beautiful Harvest Moon that graced our skies early this week. Can you imagine living in an area where you couldn’t look up to the sky and see the stars and moon? We don’t have to get on a space shuttle to know that the earth is a precious gift.

If you look up in the early morning, you might also be lucky enough to see the bald eagles that grace our area. To differentiate from the turkey vultures who also like to soar above McCook, look for the white feathered head of our national bird!

McCook is approaching it’s 140th birthday next year and I hope that plans are being made to celebrate our survival as a town. Making 140 years of continued existence is pretty impressive to me because when I read the papers from the past, it certainly wasn’t a bed of roses for our founders!

I found these items from 129 years ago in the McCook Tribune 1892 editions: “ On last Friday evening, twelve bottles of beer were stolen from a car in the yard; and on Sunday evening a number of way cars were entered and various articles taken, two revolvers, an overcoat, etc., being the things purloined. These repeated thefts attracted the attention of the police and the company’s claim man, George Laverty; and on Monday, after some close trailing, they succeeded in taking into camp, Al Rice, Earl Kelley, and a white and a colored bum, whom they thought responsible for the deeds enumerated above. Young Rice was the only one held under complaint and he succeeded in breaking out of the city jail on Monday night and has not since been apprehended. It is stated that the boys have virtually acknowledged their guilt, and some of the goods were captured with them. The two bums helped to disposed of the articles secured. Much sorrow is expressed for the parents of the youths who have thus strayed from the path of virtue.” July 22, 1892

For you railroad history buffs: “ All new passenger cars being put on the road by the Burlington along its like are marked with the one word, “Burlington” in big golden letters, along the top, instead of with the “Chicago, Burlington & Quincy” or “B & M in Nebraska, as formerly. All cars sent to the shops for repair are also similarly marked. A number of the cars upon which the change has been effected are now in the service, and the effect is one that readily commends itself.” July 22, 1892

“ Round trip tickets will be on sale to Deadwood and Hot Springs, S.D., from July 25 to August 10, good to return until October 10, at one fare for the round trip. This will afford a very desirable opportunity to make a cheap trip to the cool retreats of the Hills and to visit the famous Hot Springs of South Dakota. These Springs are situated in the midst of the picturesque Black Hills, and present unequalled attractions to the invalid, tourist or pleasure seeker.”

My great uncle made trips to Arkansas for his rheumatism back in the day. It seems dipping in the Hot Springs of either state was claimed to be curative for aches and pains….that is if one had enough money to do so.

SWNGS library is open from 1-4PM on Thursdays. We are located in the Temple Building, 322 Norris Ave., rooms 2-7 on the second floor. There is an elevator for your use.