Liederkranz Quartet

This photo shows the Liederkranz Quartet in costume for “Buccaneer Days” February 1 – 4, 1925 at the Majestic Theatre in Grand Island. The men are identified possibly as (left to right): Gus Roeser, George Heyde, Harry Paulsen and H. Menck. An advertisement for the Majestic appeared in the Grand Island Herald on Thursday January 29^th, 1925 on page 5 that advertised the Liederkranz Quartet with Herman Krall, pianist in “Buccaneer Days” Sunday through Wednesday: “An especially prepared programme of vocal numbers prologuing “Captain Blood,” with two additional acts. “Captain Blood” starring J. Warren Kerrigan. The greatest sea battle ever filmed. A tale of the pirate days on the Spanish Main. Starts where “The Seahawk” ends and by the same author —Rafael Sabatini”. Kerrigan was a silent film actor. He replaced John Barrymore in the starring role in “Captain Blood.”

Looking west on second street

This image is looking west from the Southeast corner of Second and Wheeler Streets in Grand Island, Nebraska, about 1905. At the far right is Strattman’s Implements. To its left, directly east of the First Presbyterian Church, is a wagon and blacksmith shop. There are two houses on the west side of the Presbyterian church. The next intersection is Walnut Street, where you can see St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the distance. On the East side of Wheeler Street is an empty lot. The street itself is dirt in the picture, with the south side of Second showing newly placed brick.

A Hard Times Party

This photo shows attendees of a “Hard Times Party” gathered around a table in a basement where the party was held. Those identified in attendance were: William A. Fleischer the first man seated on right, his wife, Annabelle Fleischer, is the first lady standing on left in a black dress. Mr. Vogel is the first man standing on right – wearing a bow tie. The third man standing from right is Mr. Bowen who is wearing glasses and almost hidden behind the gentleman with the pipe and standing fifth from left is Alexander William “Curly” Larson. We cannot tell what was served for dinner since they had finished their meal, but located on the back of the table is a stand with a small cake and dolls dressed as a bride and groom on top, suggesting that the party was for an anniversary.

Hard Times Parties were mentioned in the Grand Island newspapers as early as 1897 and most recently August 1987. These parties could be held any time of the day or evening and were held in homes, social clubs, country clubs, churches, and even schools. Entertainment could include music, dancing, costume, masquerade, games, cards, costume contests and food. Foods mentioned include popcorn, apples, angel food cake, cornbread, baked beans, doughnuts, punch, and coffee. Prizes could be awarded for the best, tackiest, goofiest, or most appropriate costumes.

UPRR Car Department

Pictured here is the Car Repair Department for the Union Pacific Railroad at Grand Island, Nebraska, taken sometime between 1882 and 1884. The Car Repair department was responsible for the repair of air brakes, wheel safety, appliances such as ladders and steps, doors couplers and heavy wreck damage. They would also rerail cars and repair damage. The original roundhouse and car repair shop was located on the north side of the UP tracks on Locust street, where this photograph was most likely taken. By 1880, construction on new UP shops had begun on 120 acres on the east side of town where the rail yard is located today, but the shops would not be available for a few years.

The men are identified from left to right: 1. George Winn(worked till 1884), 2. J. D. Randolph, 3.Unknown, 4. David A. Tidball, 5. Otis James Winn(started 1882), 6. Purly A. Dennon, 7. Segrouser, 8. C. Tidball, 9. C. C. Dodsen, 10. Unknown, 11. Unknown, 12. W. H. Ryder, 13. Unknown, 14. A. M. Ross, 15. Unknown, 16. Fredrick Algernon McElroy, 17. Henry Philip “Hank” Makeley.

Between the second and third gentleman from the left can be seen part of a stencil  – “Westinghouse Automatic Air Brakes.” George Westinghouse received a patent for these airbrakes in 1869. Both Makely and Otis Winn served as foreman of the car shops during their time with UP in Grand Island. The men of the Car Repair Shop stand in front of a Colorado Central Box car #26810. What looks to be a straw boater-style hat hangs center front on the door of the boxcar below the C. C. on the door and a railroad lantern hangs on the left-hand side of the door. Written in chalk above the gentlemen on the right-hand side of the image: “Grand Island Car Repairs” Also shown are tools of their trade, including hammers, a pail, a journal oiler can, toolbox, wheelbarrow and jacks stands and at least four more hats have been tossed onto the floor.