NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/625084
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 • NEBRASKAland 51 wool – who held in his hand a deed conveying to the State of Nebraska 80 acres of land straddling the South Loup River: 17 acres to the east of Highway 21, the remainder to the west. Prime real estate. According to an article published in the April 1930 issue of Outdoor Nebraska, a precursor to NEBRASKAland, "This is one of the most highly developed and beautiful tracts of land on this scenic river, and Nature has designed it for a delightful recreation ground." Now early afternoon, Purcell, standing atop the wooden platform, sharply dressed in a three-piece suit, called the gathering to order. Following a short string of guest speakers, Purcell introduced the man with the deed, the benefactor whose name would forever be attached to the park they were gathered in now: Henry E. Pressey. Some called him "H.E.," others "Harry." Either way, he looked uncomfortable on stage, standing next to Purcell and Gov. A.J. Weaver, neck craned and shoulders slouched, cap in one hand and his cane in the other. He leaned heavily on his right leg, for his left was solid hackberry below the knee. He whittled the appendage himself. "In a few well-chosen words," wrote the Custer County Chief, "he [Pressey] stated that it was a great pleasure for him to give this property to the state, expressing the hope that it would be of lasting benefit to the public as a recreation ground." After a brief exchange, Weaver placed in Pressey's grip a gold watch engraved for the occasion, "as a token of the love and esteem of his Nebraska friends." Turning to face the audience, the governor, a much larger man than Pressey – more at ease before a crowd of thousands – delivered a half-hour speech, praising the mission of the one-year-old parks commission. When it began, just four state-owned recreation areas were available for public use. Today, he said, there are more than 40. But only one of them was donated outright to the people of Nebraska, and they were standing in it now. More than the land's intrinsic value, Pressey's gift, the governor proclaimed, has "established a precedent of public spirit with a high regard to the welfare of rotating generations." Pine Barrens to Plains Today, it's the name itself that rings a bell – not the man behind it. Aside from those stalwart curators at the local historical museum, few Custer County residents seem to remember that before Pressey, there was a Henry Eugene. PHOTO COURTESY OF CUSTER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Nebraska Gov. A.J. Weaver (right) reads a statement of thanks to benefactor H.E. Pressey (left) at the opening ceremony of the Pressey State WMA. Between them sits Emerson R. Purcell, editor of the Custer County Chief, who helped facilitate the donation.