Happy Birthday, Buffalo Bill Cody.

William F. Cody was born in Iowa on February 26, 1846. He was the fourth of eight children. Eventually they moved to Fort Leavenworth in the Kansas Territory. His father, Isaac, was stabbed in 1854 after making an anti-slavery speech. He had to go into hiding because the pro slavery people wanted to kill him. The family nearly starved. He came back in 1857 and was so ill, he died a few weeks later. At age 11, Cody had to help support the family.

At fourteen, he joined the Pony Express. He met Wild Bill Hickok, who became a lifelong friend. Cody joined the army at age 18 during the civil war and got an honorable discharge. He married Louisa in 1866 and had a daughter within a year. Louisa was the opposite of Bill. she was refined and he was adventurous. He wanted to settle down but was not happy with it and was not a good money manager.

He was hired as a buffalo hunter by the railroad for food for the workers. In 17 months, he had killed over 4000 buffalo and, became known as Buffalo Bill.

Cody was in need of work and money and became the chief of scouts for the Fifth Cavalry at Fort McPherson near North Platte, Nebraska. His family joined him and they soon had a son, Kit Carson Cody who was born in 1870.

Cody was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1872 for his work as an army scout. Buffalo Bill considered himself to be a friend with the Indians. When he started his wild west show, he hired Indians from several midwest tribes. In 1891, be began hiring mainly the Oglala Sioux. Government approval was necessary to hire Indians but was granted because the government wanted the native americans to be self supporting. In today's world, his use of the native americans would not be considered politically correct.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show traveled the world. Cody, Nebraska and Cody, Wyoming are named after him. He is a member of our Nebraska Hall of Fame and lived quite a colorful life.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy anniversary, Karen and Jim.

Today is the anniversary of my friends, Karen and Jim. Karen is an artist friend of mine. See and buy her work on her website. http://www.karenstiehlosborn.com/

Here's to many more years of marital bliss.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Birthday, Weldon Kees.

Weldon Kees was born on February 24, 1914 in my home town, Beatrice, Nebraska. He graduated from Beatrice Senior High in 1931. He went to Doane College in Crete, Nebraska for a time and later went to the University of Missouri in Columbia. In 1934, he wrote a storie for the Prairie Schooner. He became a student at the University of Nebraska where he became a member of the Wimberly's Boys. They were writers and poets. He loved spending his afternoons discussing writing and poetry.

He moved to California hoping to be a screen writer and work with fellow Nebraskan Robert Taylor. Kees published poetry and short stories.

Kees moved to New York and became a painter and later he became a musician. Kees was brilliant at all these endeavors. Unfortunately, he was never satisfied with his life regardless of what he was doing.

On July 18, 1955, Kees' 1954 Plymouth was found at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. He has not been seen since. Some have speculated he jumped off the bridge and others have speculated that he disappeared to Mexico. We will never know.

Sometimes the most talented are troubled, sad people. What a loss!

However, I wish him a happy birthday, wherever he may be.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Birthday, Paula Zahn!

Paula Zahn was born on February 24, 1956 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a newscaster by profession and has worked for a number of tv station news. She has three children with her former husband and resides in New York.

Have a great birthday, Paula.

Nebraska Nellie

Tomorrow we have two famous Nebraskans with birthdays. Friday we'll have another very famous Nebraskan. Stay tuned.

February is Black History Month

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was murdered at age 39, as he began to speak to a group at the Audobon Ballroom in Manhattan, New York. He was a civil rights activist who believed in his cause "by any means necessary."

Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a baptist minister. The Black Legion, a white supremacist group threatened his life. The family moved to Michigan. His father died, most probably at the hands of the Black Legion.

By 1942, he was involved with criminal activities such as narcotics, prostitution, and gambling rings. In 1946, he was convicted of burglary in Massachusetts and sentenced to 10 years. He focused on education while in prison and was released in 6 years. His brother had become a muslim. He became known as Malcolm X because he regarded Little as a slave name.

In 1992, Denzel Washington starred in Spike Lee's movie, Malcolm X. It was nominated for two academy awards.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Belated Birthday Bess Streeter Aldrich

Bess Streeter was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa on February 17, 1881. She began writing as a child and won a writing contest at age fourteen and another at seventeen.

In 1906, she married Charles Aldrich. They moved to Elmwood, Nebraska. Charles and Bess, along with others, bought a bank. They had four children--Mary, Robert, Charles and James.

Aldrich's first novel, Mother Mason, was published in 1924. Charles died suddenly in 1925. Aldrich began writing to support her family. She wrote short stories and thirteen novels, including Miss Bishop. The latter novel was made into a movie Cheers for Miss Bishop, which starred and Martha Scott and Edmund Gwynne and premiered in Lincoln.

Aldrich was named into the Nebraska Hall of Fame and her bust is in the State Capitol. She died in Lincoln on August 3, 1954.

Unfortunately, I did not yet have her on my calendar as I continue to look up information about our famous Nebraskans and I missed her birthday by a day.

I went to see her home in Elmwood in December. It was all decorated for Christmas and was lovely. It cost $7,000.00 to build and was built just for the Aldrich family. Go visit it when you have the opportunity.

Sorry Bess that I was a day late, but happy birthday.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Birthday, Denny Zager.

Remember this song?

In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may find . . . .

Denny Zager of the duo Zager and Evans released this number 1 song in 1969. Zager was born in Wymore, Nebraska on this day in 1943. I remember the song well but I was in junior high and did not know that Zager and Evans were Nebraskans at the time. The words are so good that the words are easy to remember now.

In researching Denny Zager, I learned that he is selling guitars and sells on line guitar lessons from here in Lincoln. Go to his website zager.com. It gives the address for Zager Guitars as Lincoln, Nebraska. He sells his own line of guitars. Look at them on his site.

I'll have to visit his store in the near future.

Happy birthday, Denny Zager. What fun it was to learn more about this local celebrity. Have a wonderful birthday.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Birthday to Larry the Cable Guy

Larry the Cable Guy, also known as Daniel Lawrence Whitney, turns 47 today. He was born and grew up in Pawnee City, Nebraska--a small town in southeast Nebraska. As an adult, he lives in Florida with his wife, Cara, and two sons, Wyatt the Cable Guy, and Reagan the Cable Guy.

Larry the Cable Guy often comes to Nebraska for football and other events and has been very generous to Nebraska.

I have an autographed photograph of him in my collection of famous Nebraskans. I hope he has a wonderful birthday.

Nebraska Nellie

Failure is impossible.

Susan Brownell Anthony is a real life heroine to women. Her life's work was women's suffrage. She did not live to see her dream realized. None the less, she and others like her helped women achieve that right.

Ms. Anthony was born in Adams, Massachussetts on February 15, 1820. Her father was a cotton manufacturer and abolitionist and the family was Quaker. Her mother, Lucy, attended a women's rights convention in Rochester, New York two weeks after the famous convention at Seneca Falls.

Anthony made thousands of speeches all over the United States and Europe. She lived in Rochester, New York with her sister.

I have seen her birthplace from the outside several years ago when it was still a private home. It is being restored and you can visit the website: susanbanthonybirthplace.com. Last fall, I made a trip to the east coast and visited her home in Rochester and Elizabeth Cady Stanton's home in Seneca Falls. There is a park near Anthony's home with statues of Anthony and Frederick Douglass having tea. Please visit the website: susanbanthonyhouse.org. You can be and should be a member. The tour of the house was inspiring. I loved seeing where she worked and met with others.

Susan B. Anthony was once arrested for voting in 1872. She went to trial to get the publicity for her arguments. She was convicted and fined and but refused to pay. She could have been jailed but was not.

On the tour of the house, they talked about how she always dressed in black. She did so in order to not have her clothes attract attention. She once wore something bright and that was all that was discussed. How little things have changed in that regard.

Ms. Anthony died on March 13, 1906--fourteen years before the passage of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution. I will be honoring her again on that date.

While we all honor our presidents today with their holiday, as Abigail Adams asked of her husband many years earlier, "Remember the ladies."

Failure is impossible.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! It's snowy and blowy here today. Nice day to stay inside and make some comfort food. I love to cook but I may have to go to the store before that can happen.

I watched some movies yesterday and today I may watch some more on Turner Classic Movies. I'm going to the film festival in April so I'm enjoying learning even more about classic movies and movie stars.

Also, we have several birthdays and important days this week so looking forward to blogging about it.

Valentine's Day isn't always fun for people without a Valentine, but I think of my nieces and nephews as my Valentines. I have eleven and plus two nieces in law and a grand niece and a grand nephew plus a couple of kids I think of as my nieces and nephews. Who could ask for more.

Nebraska Nellie

30 Days of Oscar on TCM

Jezebel is on Turner Classic Movies. It stars one of our famous Nebraskans--Henry Fonda. TCM says that Bette Davis was given this part to compensate for her not being given the starring role in Gone with the Wind. Davis won best actress and Fay Bainter won best supporting actress. Love this movie. You should be watching it right now.

Next you should watch Henry Fonda in War and Peace.

Fonda is from Grand Island, Nebraska. Father of Jane and Peter Fonda.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy 101st Birthday, Max Baer!

Max Baer was born on February 11, 1909 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the son of Jacob Baer and Dora Bales Baer. Jacob worked at a slaughter house in South Omaha. The family moved to Colorado and later to California in 1922. The California move was to move away from the harsh winters which were difficult for the parents' health. Jacob eventually bought a cattle ranch near Livermore, California--which Max Baer considered to be his home town.

Baer credited working as a butcher boy, carrying heavy carcasses and sledgehammering cattle with one blow for his powerful shoulders.

He became a professional boxer in 1929. He nearly left the profession the same year after fighting Frankie Campbell who died after a match. Baer was charged and acquitted with causing his death. Max Schmelling also died after a fight that some related to an earlier match with Baer. Max Baer, Jr. says that his father cried about the Campbell death and was really a kind person and saw boxing as mostly performance.

Baer became the world champion on June 14, 1934 beating out Primo Carnera. He held the title for 364 days when he was beat by Jimmy Braddock, aka the Cinderella Man. Baer's family disputes how Baer was portrayed in the 2005 movie, The Cinderella Man.

Baer was became an actor opposite Myrna Loy and Walter Huston in The Prizefighter and the Lady in 1933. He acted in about 20 movies.

Baer was married twice and also dated some well known actresses, including Jean Harlow, Mae West, and Greta Garbo. He had three children with his second wife. We best know his son, Max Jr. who starred as Jethro in The Beverly Hillbillies--a show I grew up with and still love.

Baer died in 1959 at the age of 50. His funeral was one of the largest in Sacramento. There are parks to honor him in Livermore and Sacramento.

In researching Baer to write this, I found a number of sites about him. I recommend maxbaer.org to learn more about him and his family.

Max we will think about you today.

Nebraska Nellie

Mammoth

Back to the state capitol today for a picture of the mammoth on the floor of the rotunda. These animals were to represent the fossils found in Nebraska.

There are several places to see the fossils. I have been to Ash Falls and it is fascinating. I suggest you go.

Nebraska Nellie

P.S. We do have a famous Nebraskan's birthday tomorrow. Any guesses?

No famous Nebraskans today.

There are no famous Nebraskans with birthdays today. However, because I love old movies, I saw that there were a few birthdays of celebrities I find worth noting. So happy birthday to them up in heaven or wherever they may be. Ronald Colman was born in 1891. Carmen Miranda was born in 1909. Gypsy Rose Lee was born in 1914. Katherine Grayson was born in 1922. They were all actors in movies in the 30's and 40's.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy birthday, Nick Nolte.

Nolte was born in Omaha on this day in 1941. His mother, Helen, was a department store buyer and his father, Franklin, sold irrigation pumps. To me Nolte appears to be one of those very talented actors with a troubled personality. He is probably his own worst enemy. We have all seen very ugly photos of him being arrested. His bad behavior started at a very young age.

Nolte went to Omaha Benson High School and played football. He was expelled for drinking beer during a practice. He then attended Westside High School.

He attended several colleges, but got poor grades and ended his college career. He has found himself in several criminal cases.

He became a model and then an actor. He first became well known in his role in Rich Man, Poor Man in the 1976 miniseries. He continued to act in over 40 films.

He has been married and divorced three times and has had several live in girlfriends as well. He lives in Malibu, California.

I hope he has a good 69th birthday.

Nebraska Nellie

Another hint

One more hint for the famous Nebraskan's birthday tomorrow...The birthday's celebrant is a man.

Nebraska Nellie

Pioneer's Park

While waiting for the tow truck, I took photos of the snow on the trees. The reddish brown needles looked so pretty against the green needles and the snow.


Nebraska Nellie

Pioneer's Park

I saw the buffalo and the elk. The park staff had just gone in with bails of hay. They were in with the buffalo. That was interesting because I had gone to Theodore Roosevelt National Park last July and a park ranger told us that buffalo were very dangerous.

Took this before the car incident. May not go back til spring.

Nebraska Nellie

Alrighty then.........

Well, they say things come in threes and I hope so. Today is day three of some frustrating things. I planned to go out of town and when I got nearly out of town, I decided it was too slick to go. I was close to Pioneer's Park and I thought I would drive through and take a few winter pictures. The snow was so pretty. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but............just as I was heading out of the park the road wasn't plowed and the I was going up a slick hill. About half way up, it became clear it wasn't going to happen. The ice underneath caused me to slide back and into the side of the road. I had to have someone tow me out. Let's hope this makes three.

Nebraska Supreme Court ceiling

Last Saturday, as part of the tour of the state capitol, we visited the Supreme Court. It is a beautiful room. I have also visited the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC. Both are beautiful and it is interesting to see how every part of every wall, floor, and ceiling have details that relate to Nebraska. The ceiling is beautiful with so much detail in every square.

Icy Holmes Lake

Holmes Lake can be quite beautiful anytime but this winter we have had 35.8 inches of snow so far. Last Saturday a lot of the snow was gone but the lake was still frozen.

Another snowy day

It's beautiful outside today. We had so much snow a month ago that much of it is still sitting in our yards. However, it had become so dirty. Yesterday's snow made it look fresh and pretty again. I hope to get a few photos of it today.

On Monday, I will be discussing another famous Nebraskan. Does anyone know who it is? This person is living. That's the hint for today. Maybe we'll have another hint tomorrow. This month has several more birthdays for famous people I'll be talking about. Can't wait.

Nebraska Nellie

Warner Legislative Hall

Today’s photo is the ceiling of the Warner Legislative Hall that is used as an auditorium for a variety of functions. The center is the sun and it is surrounded by four Native American scenes and animals that are symbols for the tribes.

The work on the ceilings and floors throughout the capitol is so intricate with thousands of pieces in each one. In every corner of every room and hall there are many things to see. The tour was helpful to see and understand the meanings of the art in capitol.

The Warner family’s contributions were honored by the naming the hall after them.

Nebraska Nellie