Caril Ann Fugate

Caril Ann Fugate was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 31, 1943. She was the 14 year old girlfriend of Charlie Starkweather. On January 21, 1958, Fugate later claimed to have come home to find that Starkweather had shot and killed Marion Bartlett, her stepfather, and her mother Velda. Starkweather then choked and stabbed her baby half-sister Betty Jean to death.

The two then went on a killing spree. This brief period of time was terrifying for the people in southeast Nebraska. I was only 22 months old and have no memory of it, but my parents do.

Caril claimed unsuccessfully that she was his hostage and not responsible for any of the killings. Starkweather was executed on June 25, 1959. This is very fast compared to the length of time today before all appeals are finished in any death penalty case. I'm not sure that Caril wouldn't be acquitted today. The trials were held very quickly and we have a different understanding of hostages and the Stockholm syndrome. She has always maintained her innocence. She was released from prison in 1976.

She is clearly a famous Nebraskan but not in a good way. She is a member of Nebraska Nellie's Hall of Shame. Today she turns 67.

Nebraska Nellie

Happy Birthday, Hilary Swank!

Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 30, 1974. I had no idea she had any Nebraska connection until she did Million Dollar Baby. I am no fan of Clint Eastwood--except from his Rawhide days, but went to this movie because of her. Loved it. There was an article in the Lincoln Journal Star around that time that said she was born here and lived on Portia Street until she was about 3 years old when her mother moved to Bellingham, Washington.

It's my understanding that her Nebraska connection is why she wanted to play Brandon Teena in Boy's Don't Cry for which she won her first Oscar for best actress. She won a second one fof Million Dollar Baby.

She is truly a marvelous actress. Happy birthday to her and many more.

Nebraska Nellie

Carhenge

Carhenge is one of the stops on the scenic byway. It's near Alliance. The cars are supposed to replicate Stonehenge in their proportions.

Nebraska Nellie

Welcome to Scotts Bluff

On July 5, 2010, I traveled to a number of places on my way home. At Chadron State Park, we got a Nebraska Scenic Byways Passport. The idea is to get stamps at 27 places around Nebraska on the byways for a variety of prizes--depending how many stamps you acquire. Starting at Chadron State Park, then the Fur Traders Museum, and back to Fort Robinson on the 4th of July. On the 5th, we got Carhenge, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Sidney, Ogallala, and The Golden Spike. I would like to get all 27 by September 30 if I can.

Nebraska Nellie

Special Olympics 2010

Today the Special Olympics start here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Special Olympics was the dream of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. I heard that they asked for 8000 volunteers and that 11,000 volunteered. Many special athletes are arriving at our airport today. KFOR said it was the busiest airport in the country today. Many pilots volunteered to fly in the athletes.

Good luck to all of you. Have fun in Lincoln. I hope it cools off for you.

Nebraska Nellie

Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford, our former president, was born as Leslie King in Omaha, Nebraska at 3202 Woolworth on July 14, 1913. I miscalendared it and consequently I am late in celebrating his birthday. In December, 1913, his mother divorced his father because he was abusive. She later married Gerald Ford in Michigan and Leslie began going by Gerald Ford, Jr. He was never formally adopted but did change his name legally in 1935.

Although he was made fun of for being clumsy, but he was very athletic. He became vice president to Richard Nixon and later pardoned Nixon after he resigned after Watergate. Ford pardoned him to get the country past a very rough time. Ford was our 38th President.

Ford died in 2006. He was a one term president, most likely due to the pardon.

Happy birthday to you, President Ford.

Nebraska Nellie

Chief Crazy Horse

This is the place at Fort Robinson that Chief Crazy Horse was killed after being betrayed by the US government. Lots of bad lessons to learn from the history there.

Nebraska Nellie