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Newspaper
Sidney Telegraph
Location
Sidney, Nebraska, United States of America
Date
Mar 16, 1878
Page
3
A scrambled 1877 rail debate notes Sidney’s growing promise for the Black Hills railroad while Cheyenne loses traction. It cites St Patrick’s Ball plans, local business shifts, banking and hardware losses to fire, and shifting freight flows. Cheyenne faces reduced status in regional traffic as Sidney’s route gains prominence.
Omaha Bee reports Union Pacific officials in Omaha confirm a Black Hills branch railroad is to begin this spring. Directors, led by Jay Gould, approve rapid construction from Sidney area toward 125 miles, aiming to reach Rapid City as northern terminus by fall. The meeting is described as highly satisfactory.
The Deadwood to Cheyenne coach carried two brothers John and Peter Short mine owners, a colored woman, and a man claiming to Cullen later identified as Cutler. Near Deadwood, four thieves joined the coach, chloroformed the Short brothers and rifled their pockets though they’d stored much of the money in the treasure box with the express company. The robbers fled before dawn, leaving the scene with only small sums remaining.
Telegrams report a fatal colliery explosion in Kearney England entombing 40 men and a Marlboro Massachusetts powder mill blast killing two. Other items note Chicago Evening Journal owner Charles L Wilson’s death, a Kansas murder verdict, a U S steamer Plymouth repairs for San Domingo, and a Cheyenne elopement with theft of savings.
A midnight storm across the nation from Green River to North Platte created extreme snow and wind. The vast storm, the worst since the Union Pacific era, trapped people, with two soldiers perishing between Fort Russell and Cheyenne and others freezing, losing stock, or dying in remote areas. Rail crews battled snow drifts, clearing 650 miles in under three days and resuming trains. Sidney faced brutal conditions and Private Jas Ward of the 9th Infantry was lost Friday and not heard from since.
A stream of notable visitors includes A Newman on a business trip and J J Dickey of Omaha, superintendent, viewing the Union Pueblo telegraph lines in Sidney. Omaha’s Theodore Hawkins heads through town en route to wealth prospects, while Fort Wayne’s James Bigelow visits briefly before heading to San Francisco. Will Price, a gay Omaha clerk, lingers in the city as political jokes and local activity swirl amid a riotous Black Hills scene. Magistrates Best and Thayer noted, with Best praised for promoting Black Hills interests. Thayer’s Wyoming governorship fate tied to a contested confirmation and potential re-election of Grant.
A local proclamation forbids skinning cattle bearing the group’s brands whether killed by railroad or other means and warns of full prosecution for unauthorized skinning. The text also advertises various goods and services from nearby merchants, including coal oil, fabrics, bread, sausage, dry goods, and meat market offerings, with multiple business notices and prices.
I do my own baking and guarantee clean work. All kinds of cakes pies crackers and more kept constantly on hand at my new bakery on Second Street near McDonald’s store.
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