This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
1000 Mile Horse Race Chadron to Chicago Narrative
The Chadron to Chicago 1000 mile horse race began as a joked idea in 1893 and drew public attention. Nine riders started June 13 1894 with Doc Middleton among them, completing the distance in thirteen days sixteen hours to win a $1000 purse plus a further $500 from Buffalo Bill. A 1960 reenactment by Chadron residents followed the original route during Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chadron
Nebraska
Chicago
State Archives
Nebraska State Historical Society
Buffalo Bill Cody
Doc Middleton
Emmett Elbright
Joe Gillespie
John Berry
George Jones
C.W. Smith
Berry
Buffalo Bill