The North Platte Arch stood at the western city limits
on the old Lincoln Highway. This picture was taken in 1939. Just a
few feet west of the sign, the time zone changed from central to mountain
time. This sign was destroyed when the highway was widened.
Editors Note:The following excerpt and pictures
are from "Images of America: North Platte - City Between Two
Rivers" and are used with permission of author Jim Beckius of
North Platte.
"Images of America -
North Platte -
City Between Two Rivers"
by Jim Beckius
Published by America's leading
publisher of local and regional
history - Arcadia Publishing
Available at these locations in
North Platte, NE
A-Z Books • The Hay Loft
Steele's Antique Depot
Walden Books
Fort Cody Trading Post
The Espresso Shop
Wood 'N Doll • Red Roof Antiques
Or Contact Arcadia Publishing at:
sales@arcadiapublishing.com
TollFree 888-313-2665
Kate Manning was buried in the
old burial ground, then later to moved to the North Platte Cemetery located
on the north side of town.
History of North Platte North Platte'sfirst burial ground
Graveyards in most frontier towns were called Boot Hill, but nowhere in
the history of North Platte is that name used.
Early in 1867, a drunk went into a tent saloon on East Front Street looking
for trouble waving a six-shooter. Since no one was willing to accommodate
him, he became mad and threw the gun on the floor where it went off. Strangely,
the bullet hit him and killed him.
Since there was no cemetery, four men volunteered to bury him. Picking him
up and getting a shovel, they headed southwest. The country was mostly open
plains and after getting to what is now Fourth and Jeffers (Locust) they
were tired of carrying him so decided to bury him right there. They dug
a grave and buried him just west of Jeffers Street.
There were many people buried there after the first grave was dug. However,
dates differ depending on where you get your facts.
A young woman named Kate Manning was found murdered on her claim southeast
of North Platte on April 9, 1871. The evidence showed that her brother,
who had a saloon on East Front Street, was guilty because he had a deformed
foot and the shoe he wore matched the tracks found by the cabin. He was
taken to the soldier's barracks on West Front Street for safety and later
taken to Grand Island for trial where he was acquitted. Kate Manning was
29 years, 10 months, and 15 days old. She was buried in the old burial ground.
The last man buried in the old cemetery was Richard Ormsby, who died at
Fort McPherson Jan. 11, 1870.
Now we come to the place where
data is not always correct. The courthouse burned in 1923, along with all
the records.
On June 13, 1873, the cemetery association bought five acres of land from
Franklin Peale northwest of the city. In August 1884, the association bought
10 more acres to add to the cemetery from Mrs. William F. Cody.
According to current cemetery records, Kate Manning was the first woman
buried in the new cemetery and Sgt. John F. Kramph was the first man buried
there in 1870. Many people still living here will remember his daughter
Anna Kramph, who was a cashier for the First National Bank for many years,
and was still working there in the 1950s. Also buried in the new cemetery
before it was even started were Lydia P. Hubard and Alice Ray, both in 1869,
and Louise A. Wyman and Joanna G. Peutermang, both in 1871.
Many of the graves were moved from the old burial grounds to the new cemetery,
but many were left in the old, because the grave markers were long gone.
Many graves did not have any markers.
So, remember, when you turn west on Fourth Street or north on Vine between
Third and Fifth streets, drive slowly and with reverence as you are driving
over many pioneers who still sleep under part of our city..
NPTSummer 2003 Issue
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