NOVEMBER 2017 • NEBRASKAland 13
after locating the Red Willow townsite and their respective
claims, announced their readiness to return."
Townsite companies were common in Nebraska during
the territorial period and the early years of statehood. Towns
were often founded by groups of speculators who located
sites, claimed land, and tried to convince prospective settlers
to buy town lots. Such would-be cities were known as "paper
towns." Some grew into actual towns, and some didn't. The
now-unincorporated town of Red Willow (between present-
day McCook and Indianola) became the county's first town
in 1872.
Kimmell continues his story:
"Two of the company kept in camp by allotted duties,
had no opportunity of attending to individual interests, and
looked upon the proceedings as being extremely selfish and
unjust, and so pronounced it in vigorous language. The usual
way of eating was in regular camp style, each as he pleased,
but in deference to the day, this dinner must be somewhat
ceremonious. The tin plates were arranged as on a table and
all sat around, except the two, who were not yet in a thankful
frame of mind, and while a blessing was asked, one of them,
in an aside, muttered quite sulphurous words.
"After while, matters were so adjusted that the two shared
in advantages taken by the others, and the lurid atmosphere
cleared. Buffalo meat, wild turkey and prairie chicken were
eaten with the regulation camp fare, among which was the
inevitable flapjacks and syrup. It was too cold for the syrup
to run, so it was cut off in chunks and lengths as it pressed
through the bung hole of the keg. On occasion, one would
become impatient for his sweet morsel, and reach over
another to secure the piece for which the first was waiting,
when exhibition of temper and ready use of strong words
followed."
May your Thanksgiving pass with warmer
lodging and fewer "sulphurous words"! ■
Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's
website at nebraskahistory.org.
An unidentified family in front of their dugout, presumably near
McCook, Red Willow County, about 1890. NSHS RG3464-45
