1883: Money to be made by creating towns where the railroad wants them

Just a look back this week at articles taken from the McCook Weekly Tribune from the months of October, November and December.

“We learn that a new town on the line of the B & M cut-off has been laid out in Phelps County. It is eight and one-half miles northwest of Sacramento, and about the same distance southeast of Phelps Centre. Capt. Phillips, representing the Land Company, visited both of those towns, inviting the people of each to move to the new town, which is to be called Holdredge, after the Superintendent of the B & M R.R. and offered as an inducement that each owner of a business lot, or residence lot in their present location would be given a business lot or residence in this new town, as the case might be. The offer was accepted by a great many businessmen of both places, and before very long the probability is that both towns will be on wheels moving toward the new location. It is said that great excitement exists over the choice in selection of lots, and that many are selling at high figures.” Oct. 18,1883

Stopping here for a moment, yes, that is how the Tribune spelled the new town’s name. This news came out in October of 1883, one year after McCook’s beginnings, but note the fact that once again the railroad picked a townsite where none existed. I haven’t pulled a map to determine exactly where Phelps Centre or Sacramento but needless to say they don’t exist today by my estimation. Money was there to be made by creating towns where the railroad wanted them.

“All persons wishing water put in their houses, will please notify W. F. Wallace at Citizen’s Bank, immediately.” Oct. 18, 1883, This refers to a request of McCook citizens for notification.

Reading this notice I couldn’t help but wonder where these displayed items are today! “New England Supper-The following articles will be exhibited at the ‘New England Supper’ on Tuesday evening: Dishes 100 years old; clock 100 years old; paper containing notice of Washington’s death and Jeff Davis’ finger glass, (to say nothing of the fascinating young ladies in costume who will be present.) The prices of admission are: Adults, 15 cts. Children under 12 years, 10c. Supper, 35 c. The ladies are making extensive preparations, and we hope the people will turn out en masse.” Quick note, I believe at this time McCook had the heady population of 1,000 souls.

Mr. Nettleton, one of the original settlers in the county took umbrage over an article in the Lincoln Journal reporting poor farming conditions in Red Willow County. His answer was to have several farm operators answer that in the Tribune. From B.B. Duckworth of Danbury: “I take pleasure in sending you a statement of my success at farming in one of the most extreme counties in Nebraska. I came from Jackson county, Illinois, in 1868, and was worth $ 10.35 when I came to Red Willow county. I am worth $ 10,000, and have made it all in this county within the last five years, except one yoke of cattle and $70 in money. I raised this year, 1883; Wheat, 27 acres, 432 bushel, worth 70 cents per bushel; corn, 160 acres, 6400 bushel, worth 50 cents per bushel; rye, 36 acres, 1080 bushels, worth 50 cents per bushel. Plenty of vegetables for home use. I send you a sample of my corn.”

As one more little side note, the $10,000 Mr. Duckworth spoke of is equivalent to around $300,000 today but today’s money buying power is only 3% of what Mr. Duckworth’s money could buy in 1883.