A bit of history about the University of Nebraska

(NOTE: The latest "Nebraska History This Week" link was unavailable last week, so we offer this piece written for the Lincoln Journal Star by Jim McKee.)

"Financing and building the finest university west of the Missouri River"

Establishing and financing the University of Nebraska began even before its charter was approved in 1869, as many legislators and a few educators questioned its cost and even the need for its existence. Within a few years, however, the value to the state became apparent to the legislature and regents, leading to what was to be known as the university’s golden years.

Through the 20th century, the school’s top ratings rose and fell, often around statewide economic fluctuations. Now, in the first quarter of the 21st century the financing of the university is again being questioned as politics and money seem to dominate discussion of the institution.

The initial funding of NU traces to the 1862 Morrill Act, which granted federal lands to territories and states in order that universities might be established to “channel upward mobility and the democratic ideal of equal opportunity.”

Introduced as Senate File 86, the bill to create the university was sent to the Education Committee headed by Charles Gere, was passed through both houses of the legislature with “not a single negative vote” and signed by Gov. David Butler on Feb. 15, 1869.

The university ultimately received 136,000 acres of federal land with its financing supplemented by a mill levy.

The governor appointed a Board of Regents to oversee the university, including three ex officio members -- which included the governor -- to serve six-year terms. Not until 1877 were the Regents elected.

On June 5, 1869, 105 Lincoln lots were sold for $30,000 to partially pay for the construction of University Hall which, although beset by large overruns, was not originally intended to exceed $100,000 in cost.

Allen Richardson Benton

The regents proceeded to hire the first chancellor and faculty. Because they had no experience or clear idea of what these salaries should be, one source says they decided to pay an equal amount as offered by Harvard University. To that end the regents offered the chancellorship to Rev. Allen Richardson Benton (shown at right) at an annual salary of $5,000. Benton, then president of Mount Union College in Ohio, had been paid $1,200 in Ohio, so it is of little surprise that he accepted. Each regent then proposed a potential faculty member who would receive $2,000 annually and a principal for the Latin School at $1,000. Benton, amazingly, said the offer to him was excessive and at his suggestion, began his tenure at a salary of $4,000.

Although another name was first proferred, Benton received a unanimous vote as the first Chancellor of the University of Nebraska.  Benton, who was not only chancellor but also professor of intellection and moral science, lived on the northwest corner of 12th and H streets.

CSC hosts annual Western District History Days

Students from Chadron and Crawford middle and high schools participated in the annual Western District History Day hosted at Chadron State College Friday, March 2. The theme for the competition was “Conflict and Compromise in History.” The top three students in each category will advance to the state competition Saturday, April 7, in Lincoln.

Thirteen CSC employees, along with 12 community residents, served as judges for the event. Student members of the CSC Social Science Club Cody Madrigal of Omaha, Neb., Katelynn Mendenhall of Terry, Mont., Andrew Smith of Chadron and Skyler Smyres of Crawford, Neb. helped staff members Christine Fullerton and Whitney Hensley organize on-campus logistics. Laure Sinn coordinated check-in and assisted with registration and the awards ceremony.

The judges indicated they reserved the right to not award first place to entries.

Crawford High School student Jada Mader, right, explains her exhibit to Randy Krueger of Alliance, Neb., during Western District History Day at Chadron State College, Friday, March 2, 2018, in the Student Center Ballroom. (Photo by Kelsey R. Brummels/Chadron State College)

Junior (Grades 6-8) Results

Individual Documentary

1, Tyler Kaus, Chadron, “Raze or Renovate: The Conflict to Save the White House.”

Group Documentary

1, Cassidy Nesheim and Jackson Smith, Chadron, “The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall.”

Individual Exhibit

1, Tylea Underwood, Crawford, “For the Love of a Horse;” 2, Kristin Rasmussen, Chadron, “Josef Mengele's Experiments;” 3, Maralee Rischling, Chadron, “Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.”

Group Exhibit

1, Macey Daniels and Jacey Garrett, Chadron, “The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death;” 2, Riley Ambrose and Ayla Kephart, Chadron, “Ireland - Conflict and Compromise;” 3, Tatum Bailey and Olivia Reed, Chadron, “Nicholas Winton and the Kinder Transport.”

Individual Performance

2, Kylah Vogel, Crawford, “Why, Oh Why, Can’t I?”

Group Performance

3, Claire Fox and Gracie Jones, Chadron, “Modern Dance vs. Ballet - The Fight for Artistic Freedom.”

Individual Interpretive Website

1, Thomas Kaus, Chadron, “Poland: Creating Democracy from Conflict with Compromise;” 2, Brendilou Armstrong, Chadron, “The KKK in the 1920s.”

Group Interpretive Website

1, Bradd Collins and Noah Brown, Chadron, “The French and Indian War;” 2, Michael Sorenson and Dawson Dunbar, Chadron, “Harry Truman and The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb;” 3, Garrett Reece and Cody Hall, Chadron, “K - Syndrome: The Fake Disease that Saved Jewish Lives.”

Senior (Grades 9-12) Results

Group Documentary

1, Bryce Oetken, Nicholas Presson and London Gillam, Crawford, “The KKK: An Enigmatic Organization.”

Individual Exhibit

1(tie), Jada Mader, Crawford, “No Mama, I Didn’t Die;” 1(tie), Aysha Roos, Crawford, “The Danish: Refusing to Compromise;” 2, Ainslee Morrison, Crawford, “It Was an Education.”

Individual Performance

2, Alexis Konruff, Crawford, “Randall Forsberg and the Nuclear Freeze Movement.”

Individual Interpretive Website

1 (tie), Sydney Brown, Chadron, “Mars Exploration; A Conflict and Compromise in Budget;” 1 (tie) Hunter Hawk, Chadron, “The Battle for the Last Frontier: Racial Equality in Space;” 3, Jameson Margetts, Chadron, “The Mormon Trail.”

Group Interpretive Website

1, Grace Sorenson and Lauren Collins, Chadron, “Constance Markievicz: The Countess who Created Conflicts and Refused to Compromise;” 2, Lane Frahm and Hayes Frahm, Crawford, “Video Games: Conflicting Images.”

Special Awards

Mari Sandoz Heritage Society Great Plains: Ainslee Morrison, Crawford, “It Was an Education.”

Military Award: Brady Aschwege, Crawford, “Navajo Code Talkers.”

20th Century, Senior: Sydney Brown, Chadron, “Mars Exploration; A Conflict and Compromise in Budget.”

20th Century, Junior: Thomas Kaus, Chadron, “Poland: Creating Democracy from Conflict with Compromise.”

Women: Grace Sorenson and Lauren Collins, Chadron, “Constance Markievicz: The Countess who Created Conflicts and Refused to Compromise.”

WWII, Senior: Aysha Roos, Crawford, “The Danish: Refusing to Compromise.”

WWII, Junior: Kristin Rasmussen, Chadron, “Josef Mengele's Experiments.”

~~ CSC College Relations

Jim Butler had a full life – taught and inspired many

Western Nebraska – and all of us – have lost a very special man.   We've learned that Jim Butler, long-time resident of Dawes County, died Wednesday, February 28, in a Lincoln, Nebraska, hospital.  He was 99 years old.  He was a long-time educator, coach, and one-time Sheriff of Dawes County.

His passing was not a surprise.  Chadron writer and historian Con Marshall alerted many friends by e-mail that Mr. Butler had lost a battle to old age, following a series of setbacks over the past week or two.   After breaking his hip, he came through surgery, but before he could begin rehabilitation, he was dogged by not one but two strains of the flu – and then pneumonia.

But Jim Butler's was a full life.  Full of challenges but graced with so many achievements.  He was particularly proud of his family.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron. 

Here is a story – accompanied by a few video clips – that we posted last year as Jim Butler celebrated his 98th birthday.   It was a small tribute to a remarkable fellow, Jim Butler – A Diverse Life!

Also, here's a link to Jim Butler's obituary in the Lincoln newspaper.

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Elks baseball – another trip down Memory Lane

Rummaging through some memorabilia recently, we came across a photo of what was labeled as the 1950 Chadron Elks baseball team.  We have a few team photos from those years – but none that has shown together the two stalwart pitchers who brought great strength to the Elks in their heyday years.

Above at left in a warm-up jacket is Ed Puck.  Next to him is Andy Anderson.  Peeking over Puck's left shoulder is long-time team manager Paul Rhodes.

A few years ago, Con Marshall penned a story featuring Andy Anderson, but also providing a bit of information about Ed Puck.  Old-timers well remember both these fellows, especially Andy Anderson, who has called Chadron home for many years now.

Con has graciously allowed us to post his story.  It's originally dated 2014, but it's a timely story we think you'll enjoy.  Just click on the link below:

Chadron southpaw finally gets to throw out ‘first pitch’

By Con Marshall

That's Curtis Baldwin.  He and his brothers George and Ernest operated "test farms" at three locations in western Nebraska during the 1920's and '30's.  By the 1940's, they were also operating Baldwin Iron Works in Dawes County.  Their lasting legacy, however, was the Baldwin Gleaner combine.  But there's more to their story...

Read about the

Baldwin Brothers  

WWII was over; these were East Ward 1st Graders!

FRONT ROW (L-R):  Russett Ann Tangeman, Richard Lenington, Mary Masek, Ernest Milburn, Mildred Zarr, Lawrence Denton, Irene Pugh, and Robert Olson.
MIDDLE ROW:  David Rice, Kathleen Higgins, Karen Sweigln, Robert Crawford, Eric Pokorny, Darlene Dau, Keith Schieldhaver.

BACK ROW:  Kenneth Maika, Bill Hallsted, Marilyn Morgan, Butch Sinclair, Janet Goodrich, Beverly Cronk, and Hildegarde Neilson.
(Photo courtesy of Lawrence Denton)

NOTE:  You'll find close-ups and more class photos in our SCHOOLS GALLERY

No cell phones? Kids had "Time on Their Hands"

by Larry Miller

On a winter day back in 1947, the Lincoln Journal-Star published a story about how high school students in Chadron were spending their time.  The report was based a survey of 77 high school students and was conducted by Chadron State Teachers College.  We don't know if the kids were from Chadron Prep, Assumption Academy, Chadron High – or all of those schools.

It wasn't front page news, but the page 6 story offered some interesting contrasts with today's young people – most of whom are attached to a smart phone or some other "social media" device.

Slugged "Time on Their Hands," here's the text of that newspaper report from 70 years ago:

"A survey conducted by the state teachers college at Chadron in the local high school has brought out some interesting statistics as to how these pupils spend their time.  

Most of the students had outside work, averaging an hour and three quarters daily; an hour and 28 minutes is spent listening to the radio; a little over an hour watching or participating in sports; an hour reading; 48 minutes playing a musical instrument; 36 minutes on dates.  They attend the theater twice a week on the average.

Only two of the seventy-seven students surveyed cannot dance.  Twenty-eight percent receive an average weekly allowance of $2.05, while those who work earn nearly four dollars in their out-of-school time."

It would be interesting to compare those findings with contemporary data.  

We'd hazard a guess that only two of seventy-seven students surveyed today CAN dance.  We're also inclined to think that kids aren't reading books much these days.  Although we suspect they do spend more than an hour reading – but it's top-heavy with short bursts of items from Facebook and other social media.

And 70 years ago, if you asked someone if they had a cell phone, they likely would have thought you had the misguided notion they were doing time in the basement jail at the old City Hall with a pay phone at the end of the hall – not a device appended to their person nearly 24/7.

Not sure which of those two scenarios is worse.   ...Sigh.