130 Years Ago -- 4/13/2008

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

   1878: Convicts began to build the first artificial stone cell at the State Penitentiary.

   The city assessor reported Lincoln’s population was 9,090.

   The end of the pool between the Atchison and Nebraska and the Burlington and Missouri River railroads resulted in a reduction in freight rates of about 33 percent for Lincoln.

   1888: Hastings organized an “enterprise association” with capital of $100,000 to help build up the city.

   A drowning kept alive the superstition that Salt Creek claimed a victim every spring in Lincoln.

   1898: Debates over Cuba raged in Congress. While the Senate, spearheaded by Nebraska Sen. Frederick Allen, virtually declared war on Spain, the   House had not acquiesced to that radical sentiment.

   1908: A prairie fire in Holt County destroyed a large amount of property in a 30-square-mile area.

   The cornerstone of the Lincoln YWCA building was laid by Gov. George L. Sheldon.

   1918: The demand for farm workers was unprecedented. The State Penitentiary was unable to send help to the agricultural front to replace men in military service because the prison population was the lowest in years. Farmers said hired hands were becoming profiteers.

   1928: A fire destroyed the 30-year-old Lincoln City Auditorium at 13th and M streets, in which many of the world’s famous artists had appeared.

   1938: District No. 6 of the Nebraska Farmers Union, convening in Oakland, adopted a resolution to urge public use of fuel made of alcohol from farm products blended with gasoline.

   1948: Senior class representatives at the University of Nebraska urged abolition of the annual baccalaureate services because attendance had dwindled in recent years.

   A $5,000 gift from the Cooper Foundation inaugurated a $200,000 drive by the Nebraska Resources Foundation.

   1958: Mead was selected as the probable site for a $25 million intercontinental ballistic missile base. About 790 people were to operate the 900- to 1,000-acre unit.

   1968: An inch or more of snow covered far western Nebraska areas. Meanwhile, Pawnee and Richardson counties had tornadoes but no serious damage, and most of the state had good rains.

   Nebraska Wesleyan University opened a 10-year, $20 million “Decade for Fulfillment” campaign aimed at providing new buildings and better faculty.

   1978: Telex Communications Inc. of Minneapolis was the $6 million high bidder for Hy-Gain Electronics’ antenna division and its marine and amateur radio business.

   1988: A site selection committee for the International Special Olympics visited Lincoln for a day. Lincoln was one of six finalists hoping to host the International Special Olympics summer games in 1991.

   1998: Lincoln Electric System explored but decided not to bury overhead power lines following the October 1997 snowstorm that cost LES $4.3 million.    More than 55,000 customers lost power. It was estimated that burying overhead power lines would cost $520 million, take 20 years to complete and force at least an 18 percent rate increase.