Building tries to keep up with demand in 1893 McCook

February 1893, 130 years ago, my how time flies! It must have been so different when McCook just 11 years old and still in the growing stage. Houses and businesses were being built to accommodate all the pioneers wanting to settle in Red Willow County but no one could build in the winter.

All of the following come from February publications of the McCook Times-Democrat which boasted on its’ front page that 1893 was the eighth year they had been in business! It was printed every Friday afternoon by C. W. Barnes, a man whose life I am going to cover next week.

Indianola news 2/10/93: “John Reiter was thrown from his wagon while returning to his home last Saturday night and quite severely injured. The pupils are making great preparation for their supper on Washington’s birthday, the 22nd. The proceeds are to be used to pay off the debts of the high school and purchase necessary apparatus. Patronize it. It is a worthy object. The paint factory has been running all week and is rapidly turning out paint. They turned out a carload of red paint for the U.P.R.R. this week. President McMillan is expected Thursday or Friday and Mr. Butterfield will be here with his family probably the latter part of this week.”

Tongue in cheek 2/10/93: “It is stated that the sun’s fires are gradually burning out and the world is cooling rapidly in consequence, and as time passes the earth’s glacial zones will enlarge, driving shivering humanity toward the equator. At last the habitual space will lesson to nothing and overcrowded humanity will be frozen in a heap. If the Almighty will let us off this winter, we promise to do better.”

From the same pen 2/10/93: “A pair of false teeth were found at the base of our doorway yesterday, noon. Our devil believes them to be of the of the female gender-who, no doubt, dropped them in passing up street to the post office, during this gale. If the owner who had her mouth open will call she may have them upon promise not to pass this office again only with mouth closed.”

Comments 2/24/93: “Over sixty new dwelling houses are already on the list for erection in this city as soon as the building season opens. A train of twenty-seven immigrant cars left Hastings yesterday afternoon and one of the same number last evening, destined for points west of Holdrege. Three cars were dropped off here this morning and still they roll in. Someone would make a good thing of it to put up rooms for sleeping apartments to accommodate the public. Many who reach our city on the midnight train are compelled to sit up all night on account of the hotels being so crowded.”

Bartley news 2/24/93: “Our school, under the efficient management of Professor Carnahan, is gradually moving onward and upward. There are 125 pupils enrolled. Miss Mad Vicrey fell from the high steps in front of the school house on Friday evening and severely hurt her right arm, fracturing and spraining it badly. From the harmonious sounds that floated on the still night air and broke the calm of Wednesday, it was evident that a number had been up north of town reviving their spirits. We would advise those that jump off the north end of Main street into the wagon road after dark, to remember it is a little muddy.”

Box Elder news 2/03/93: “ Wm. Doyle has introduced a new style of surgery, i.e. amputating fingers by horse power. Bill says it will work for he lost two; instrument used a corn sheller. D.D. Wildman has built a house on the Mangan tree claim, and will move there soon; while C. Templin will take possession of the Wygent farm for this year at least.”

Just think, climate change, immigrants, cold and windy days. Have things really changed? www.swngs.org is the free website maintained by Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society. When “baby it’s cold outside” do your research online with us!