March 27, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode, we travel back to 1935, to a time when the Republican River transformed from a gentle stream into a raging force of nature. Join us as we explore the devastating flood that swept through the Republican River Valley, claiming 113 lives and reshaping the landscape of recovery and federal intervention in American life. We learn more through the 2016 Nebraska History Magazine article, "Gentle River Goes Mad: The Republican River Flood of 1935 and its New Deal Legacy" by Stacey Stubbs.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
The following episode features ahistoric article from the
Nebraska History magazine. This article may reflect the
language and attitudes of its time and while it offers
valuable insight into the past, may contain expressions or
viewpoints that are outdated or offensive by today's standards.
Any outdated terms do not reflect the current views or
perspectives of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Welcome to the Nebraska History podcast.
I'm your host, Chris Goforth. Each episode we explore articles
(00:21):
written and published in Nebraska History Magazine.
In this episode, we travel back to 1935, to a time when the
Republican River transformed from a gentle stream into a
raging force of nature. Join us as we explore the
devastating flood that swept through the Republican River
Valley, claiming 113 lives and reshaping the landscape of
(00:43):
recovery and federal intervention in American life.
We learned that and more throughthe 2016 Nebraska History
Magazine article Gentle River Goes Mad, The Republican River
Flood of 1935 and It's New Deal Legacy by Stacey Stubbs After
years of drought, the arrival ofrain at the end of May 1935 at
(01:04):
first seemed a blessing to the residents of the Republican
River Valley. Years of poor farming methods
followed by severe drought resulted in a period known as
the Dust Bowl, marked by crop failures and massive dust storms
from Nebraska to Texas during the first half of the 1930s.
While conditions in the Republican Valley were not as
(01:25):
severe as in some areas to the South, farmers struggled.
Nonetheless, rain signaled the Valley's revitalization.
However, it also marked a new era for the region, one in which
the federal government and its New Deal programs played a
significant role in the aftermath of natural disaster.
(01:46):
The change to the usually gentleRepublican River came with
little warning. In the survey for the Department
of the Interior, Robert Fullensby and JB Spiegel stated
that the Dust Bowl ironically created conditions ripe for
flooding. The dry ground proved incapable
of absorbing large amounts of precipitation.
(02:08):
Several days of rain, along witha cloud burst over Colorado,
quickly saturated the ground. The runoff rolled into the
Republican River and its tributaries, all of which
overtopped their banks. The result was the greatest
flood of record. Normally 300 to 400 feet wide,
the river spread a mile wide in most places and up to four miles
(02:32):
wide in several areas of Nebraska and Kansas.
The Omaha World Herald describedthe resulting trail of disaster
under the headline Gentle River Goes Mad.
The Republican River's drainage basin covers 22,400 square miles
and stretches across Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.
It's flooding therefore affecteda wide area.
(02:56):
Although reports vary, an estimated 113 people perished in
the flooding. Most families recovered the
bodies of their lost loved ones,but the remains of several
victims eluded search efforts. Most of the flooded ground was
farmland, and property losses, including livestock and
machinery, came to approximately$26 million.
(03:18):
An estimated 341 miles of Hwy. 307 bridges and 74,500 acres of
farmland were damaged, along with many homes and buildings of
those living near the river. As the waters receded, residents
across the valley began the recovery process.
HH McCoy, publisher of the Orleans Chronicle, wrote quote.
(03:42):
But it has been a hard fight, and however brave these men may
be, they alone cannot forever play the role of Hercules.
End Quote. Many disaster victims relied on
the assistance of family and friends, but residents needed
outside help in their rebuildingefforts.
Private organizations such as the American Red Cross aided the
(04:03):
Valley's recovery, but just as important, the federal
government began taking a largerrole.
And like other regions of the country, the Republican River
Valley would benefit from the work of government officials,
the armed forces, and federal agencies such as the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration and the Civilian Conservation
Corps. The National Guard was one of
(04:26):
the first government entities involved in the relief efforts
with Nebraska Governor Robert L Cochran in Washington, DC.
When the disaster occurred, Lieutenant Governor Walter
Jorgensen took charge and declared a state of emergency,
citing the need to, quote, provide the necessary protection
for the citizens of the state. End Quote.
Jorgensen mobilized the NebraskaNational Guard, something the
(04:49):
state had not done for 20 years.By June 6th, several guard
companies arrived to help with efforts in the region, much to
the relief of local residents. According to the biennial report
of the Adjutant General of the State of Nebraska, 21 officers
and 237 enlisted men came to theRepublican Valley for a four day
(05:09):
tour. During that time, they rescued
78 flood victims, recovered numerous bodies, and spent
$4848.38 on relief efforts, including food and medical
supplies for those affected by the disaster.
The work of the government continued through the efforts of
various officials. Nebraska US Senator George
(05:31):
Norris lived in McCook, one of the region's hardest hit towns.
Besides contributing $100.00 of his own to help flood victims,
his Washington DC office became a meeting place for federal
officials involved in the reliefefforts, including President
Franklin Roosevelt, Farrah Dictator Harry Hopkins, and
while he was at the Capitol, Governor Cochran.
(05:54):
For Cochran, restoration of the valley to pre flood conditions
became a top priority. He began making plans while
still in Washington. The June 6th edition of the
Omaha World Herald reported a meeting between the Governor,
President Roosevelt Hopkins and other officials at which they
discussed the release of aid to flood victims.
While Nebraska's state government provided relief funds
(06:16):
to the Republican Valley, federal funding was crucial to
the recovery process. In an August 1st radio
broadcast, Cochran said that Nebraska received access to
$250,000 of federal funds within3 days of the disaster.
While he did not specify the source of the funding, the
governor added that funds spent on the National Guard's tour and
(06:38):
for the CCC camps in the region were not included in this
amount. More than likely, the Farrah
created under President Roosevelt's Federal Emergency
Relief Act passed on May 12th, 1933 was a key contributor.
Upon receiving assurances of help from the Roosevelt
administration, Cochran flew to North Platte and then headed
South to McCook and ordered a tour the devastated valley with
(07:01):
State Engineer AC Tilly. While in McCook on June 6th, the
Governor held a conference at the Keystone Hotel with
representatives from across the flood stricken region.
More than 100 representatives from 11 Nebraska counties
attended the meeting. Cochran explained his goals and
plans for rebuilding, the foremost being a permanent
(07:22):
program for the valleys rehabilitation.
Other attendees included Albert Evans, a relief director for the
Red Cross, and Roland Haynes, director of the Nebraska
Emergency Relief Administration,or NEERA.
Both Evans and Haynes helped create recovery plans.
Haynes coordinated the state's relief efforts, including Red
Cross work, along with permanentrehabilitating and engineering
(07:45):
projects. On June 20th, the Culbertson
Progress reported that Haynes had received $434,000 in federal
funding for relief efforts. This amount included $194,000 of
general relief funds, $190,000 for rural rehabilitation funds
and $50,000 derived from the soil erosion fund previously
(08:09):
available. The program spent $337,769 on
recovery efforts from June to October of 1935, providing food
and supplies for flood victims along with funding for various
jobs. Besides financial support,
Haynes also brought in workers to aid in the rebuilding
process. During the McCook meeting,
(08:31):
representatives learned that Fiera workers were scheduled to
arrive in the area by June 13th.CCC and Neera both established
emergency camps which allowed for the placement of relief
workers in the Republican Valley.
Fullensby and Spiegel's report for the Department of the
Interior confirmed that the CCC brought 1000 men to the region
(08:53):
and that Fira camps employed 600men.
Neera, which place camps in Benkelman, Trenton, McCook,
Cambridge, Oxford, and Alma, brought in many of their workers
from eastern Nebraska. Local residents found various
ways to house these men. The town of Benkelman, for
example, used its school to house Fira men from Omaha.
(09:15):
In June 1935, Trenton received 71 men from Lincoln who camped
on the Legion grounds. When the Republican River
flooded again towards the end ofJune, Fira Camp residents moved
to Trenton's congressional church.
Not all towns received their requested workers.
Immediately after the flood, Culbertson, Nebraska attempted
(09:36):
to establish a fear a camp with little success.
Instead, the plan for recovery involved men from the McCook and
Trenton camps working towards the town located halfway between
the two camps. This meant that for the time
being, Culbertson residents, rather than government workers,
carried out local relief efforts.
As one writer put it, the town quote received a halfway promise
(09:58):
that possibly something could bedone.
End Quote Culbertson residents recognize the need for
government assistance. By the end of June, Carl H
Swanson, part of the Culbertson Committee for Recovery, reported
the imminent arrival of men fromthe Trenton and McCook camps.
That same article in the Culbertson Progress outlined the
(10:19):
work for the arriving men, including cleaning and
restoration projects. Local residents, upon completing
an application for the American Red Cross, also hired these men
for work on private property. The disaster created ample
employment in the region as a number of projects needed to be
completed, such as clearing transportation routes.
(10:39):
Local men found jobs with organizations such as the state
Highway department. Even with the new jobs for local
workers, however, the arrival ofrelief workers caused concern
among residents regarding which jobs the fear of men would take.
They felt local men should have hiring priority over outside
labor. This proved to be a justifiable
(11:00):
concern after the release of local men employed in highway
repair near Culbertson in anticipation of incoming FERA
workers. Although these men soon went
back to work, the misunderstanding led to a desire
for clarification. As outlined in the local
newspaper, work on highways and for private individuals went
(11:21):
first to local workers, whereas the Farah Laborers focused on
public works projects and in a general cleanup work for the
whole valley. The article did not specify
whether or not this issue was related to funding from the
federal and state governments, but the fact that both groups
soon found work indicated that the problem had been a lack of
(11:41):
coordination rather than a lack of funds.
Despite initial concerns and confusion, Republican Valley
residents appreciated Fiera's help.
The Franklin County Sentinel reported on their work, saying
the men did a quote good job of cleaning up houses End Quote and
handling carcasses of animals that perished in the flood.
(12:02):
The June 6th edition of the Omaha World Herald reported that
the Civilian Conservation Corps,or CCC, had begun to move into
the Republican Valley. Colonel SJ Sutherland,
commanding the state unit, worked quickly to establish
camps across the region. 25 CCC camps already existed in
Nebraska at the time of the flood, creating employment for
(12:24):
6100 men. One of the camps was located in
Franklin, NE, a town heavily affected by the flooding.
Shortly after the disaster, the program added nine temporary
camps in McCook, Superior, Franklin, Trenton, Cambridge,
Arapaho, Alma, Benkelman and RedCloud to help with the new need.
(12:45):
The CCC brought in men from previously established camps,
such as 50 workers from Atwood, KS, that came to Trenton.
Some of the men from the previously established Camp
Franklin helped fill the Alma camp, referred to in the
newspapers as a side camp, and men from Camp Nelson filled the
side camp at Red Cloud. The program also recruited local
(13:08):
workers to fill camp quotas. With a camp quota of 12, the
Town of Franklin offered positions to applicants between
the ages of 18 to 28. The CCC accepted more
applications as the program expanded to meet the new demand.
As a result of new jobs from private individuals and
organizations such as the State Highway Department, some camps
(13:30):
struggled to meet their quotas. From June 15th to July 5th, the
CCC set Hitchcock County's quotaat 9:00.
The Culbertson Progress thought it unlikely that the county
would meet its quota. The Franklin County Sentinel
also reported an inability to reach their local quota of 12
men by June 20th. The county hired only 9 local
(13:52):
men for the program. The Corps brought in workers
from other areas of the country.For example, 80 men from CCC
Camp Sarpy at Fort Crook, Nebraska came to Benkelman and
Parks. The men accomplished important
projects in Trenton, considered to be the lodging place for
considerable silt. During the floods, CCC men
(14:13):
helped to rid the town of debris.
The Republican leader reported on the removal of mud from the
town, which included more than 2000 wagon and truckloads.
Local farmers who applied with the agricultural agent also
received help from the workers. As the floodwaters had washed
out many crops and damaged farmland, CCC men helped repair
(14:36):
the damage and replant the crops.
In Franklin County, workers disposed of animal remains and
cleaned mud out of homes from Napanee to Riverton.
As previously noted, aid was slow to reach many areas.
The Culbertson Progress complained that the quote
Federal government for the past two years has installed CCC
(14:57):
camps in various sections of thecountry, building lakes, Parks
and Recreation grounds, all of which are no doubt worthy
projects. But where can the federal
government place these men todaythat their work will render
greater benefit to mankind than in the flood area of the
Republican Valley? End Quote.
Once corps members arrived, their work was similar to that
(15:19):
of FIRA men. Local newspapers often use
phrases such as CCC and FARA menare in charge of this work.
Amongst their projects involvingpublic works and general
cleanup. The corn removed debris from a
Riverton hotel and cleaned up around the Republican River near
Napanee and Alma. Among the most difficult
(15:40):
projects was the recovery of human remains.
Local residents and the NationalGuard recovered many of the
bodies before the program established its temporary camps.
The Corps continued the process and operated the only organized
search parties, finding the remains of several flood victims
near Culbertson. For example, Misses Culver and
(16:02):
her six year old son had been caught in the rising water.
Culver held on to the boy as long as possible, but the
current washed him out of her arms.
CCC workers found his body southwest of Trenton on June
3rd. The CC CS role in restoring the
Republican Valley ranged from cleaning away debris and
(16:23):
salvaging personal property to searching for bodies.
Bernice Haskins Post of Napanee,Nebraska listed the work the
core completed in her area, which included removal of trees,
restoration of fields, and removal of trash from the
buildings and land. Post expressed gratitude, saying
that the men quote did much to make our place livable.
(16:46):
After the flood, the CCC ended its work in many areas of the
Republican Valley. By July, Governor Cochran, along
with other Nebraska representatives, tried to
prolong core efforts in the region by writing to US senators
and CCC leaders. This demonstrated their reliance
on federal and state aid, although aid also came from
(17:08):
private organizations, includingthe American Red Cross.
Prior to the New Deal, Congress had made only isolated attempts
to aid disaster victims. A federal disaster relief agency
did not exist for much of American history.
Established in 1881, the American Red Cross collaborated
with government to fill this role, becoming a, quote,
(17:30):
unofficial extension of the federal government.
End Quote. The American Red Cross continued
to play an important role in recovery efforts during the
1930s, providing survivors with food, clothing, and bedding,
while government aid provided employment for infrastructure
restoration and other services. Governor Cochran expressed his
support to Albert Evans, the RedCross District Director,
(17:52):
stressing his desire to cooperate with the organization.
In a report on the activities ofthe Flood Area Restoration
Office, the Red Cross stood at the top of the list of agencies
involved in restoration work. The same report also listed the
members of locally appointed restoration committees for each
affected town. Many of these committees
(18:13):
included at least one Red Cross member.
The Red Cross distributed many different forms of aid, working
closely with the FIRA and the CCC.
In Cambridge, Nebraska, it established kitchens for mass
Feeding in collaboration with FIRA.
The June 13th edition of the Franklin County Sentinel
(18:33):
reported that FIRA nurse Winnie Garlts had set up several
immunization clinics for people at risk of typhoid fever due to
the prolonged exposure to river water.
The Red Cross provided the vaccinations and other supplies
for the clinics. In another example of
collaboration, the CCC and FIRA worked at salvaging personal
(18:54):
property. The Red Cross supervised the
work and returned the property to its owners.
While each agency proved successful on its own, working
together led to further success.Blood survivors could also apply
to the Red Cross for direct aid.Hitchcock County Director Jesse
Clark served towns such as Culbertson and Trenton.
(19:17):
She reviewed applications, traveled to homes of applicants
and issued aid to those who qualified.
By June 28th, 71 families in Hitchcock County applied,
including several farmers, the hardest hit by the disaster.
Bernice Haskins Post from Franklin County said that she
and her husband received food and clothing from the
organization, which later also funded repairs to their house
(19:40):
and furniture. Thanks to Red Cross efforts,
Post and her family returned to their home just two weeks after
the disaster. According to the American Red
Cross's official report on relief activities, the
organization and its donors contributed $167,411.00 for
food, clothing, medical suppliesand farming equipment.
(20:04):
Despite their best efforts, however, many residents did not
recover from their losses. Over 1200 families registered
for the Red Cross and some managed to restore their
livelihoods, but 790 families were unable to do so.
Although Post and her family returned home, several neighbors
(20:25):
left for good, she recalled. Quote We felt sort of alone
without our old neighbors. End Quote.
But for many families who did return to homes and livelihoods,
assistance from the Red Cross and the various government
relief agencies made the difference.
On September 15th, 1949, the Trenton Register looked back at
(20:45):
the flood of 1935 saying quote, we will never forget the Red
Cross. End Quote.
Residents continued to pick up the pieces after the initial
restoration ended. The McNeese family of
Culbertson, Nebraska, lived on afarm just South of town, but
flood damage led to their move into town.
A Carpenter, Joseph McNeese, built the family a new home in
(21:08):
Culbertson on land given to him by his father.
His wife, Rena, helped local residents with various household
tasks such as washing and ironing.
The family also took in country kids during the school year.
The youngest daughter, Jeslyn, later wrote Quote.
Life went on and we knew we wereso lucky to be alive that we
(21:29):
could take a lot of hard work. People were good to us and
quote. The Republican Valley celebrated
a Reconstruction Jubilee in McCook on October 23rd through
25th, 1935. The program included rides on
the new Mark Twain Zephyr Train and exhibition drills from the
17th Infantry of the United States Army.
(21:51):
Several notable persons receivedinvitations including the
governors of Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado.
Governor Cochran invited Henry Ford with the hope that his
presence would bring, quote, added encouragement to these
people, End Quote and perhaps that he would make a financial
contribution. While Ford declined the offer to
attend, his invitation highlights the importance that
(22:14):
organizers placed on the event. Reconstruction continued
throughout the summer, and the accomplishments left the area
with much to celebrate, althoughJubilee organizers kept another
goal in mind, flood control. This became a pressing concern
in the following years and eventually led to further
government intervention. The next three decades saw the
(22:36):
passage of various flood controlacts, including the influential
Flood Control Act of 1936 and construction of several dams,
but not until the region suffered more flooding in 1936.
That year, David Weber, president of the Bankleman
Chamber of Commerce, sent Governor Cochran a telegram
lamenting the loss of various bridges and roads that the
(22:59):
county could not afford to rebuild.
He insisted that their quote only immediate hope is through
government assistance and quote Although not as devastating as
the 1935 flood, this new disaster renewed the call for
flood control efforts. Organizations such as the
Republican Valley Association work to gain recognition for
(23:20):
their concerns. Governor Cochran and other
government officials petitioned for flood control.
Senator George Norris pushed forgovernment involvement to
prevent the recurrence of the 1935 disaster, including a
regional survey by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
On June 3rd, 1935, the Committeeon Flood Control presented
(23:41):
Secretary of War Harry H Woodring with a report that
called for a survey of the Republican and Smoky Hill
Rivers, along with several tributaries to assess the need
for flood control measures. Woodring accepted the proposal
and the report eventually becamethe basis of HR 8030, passed by
the House of Representatives on February 17th, 1936.
(24:05):
The bill retained the report's main provisions, including the
plan to survey the flood stricken region under the
direction of the Secretary of War.
The main addition involved the mention of previous legislation,
the Flood Control Act of 1917, which gave the government the
power to look into flood controlmethods of existing laws
(24:25):
pertaining to flooding. The 1917 Act was the most
influential. Originally designed to mitigate
flooding of the Mississippi River and Sacramento River, the
Act included several provisions now relevant to the Republican
Valley, especially Section 3, which allowed for quote
examinations and surveys, and two works of improvement
(24:47):
relating to flood control. End Quote.
However, aside from the 1917 Flood Control Act, the federal
government in the early 20th century was reluctant to involve
itself in disaster intervention.The New Deal showed a changing
mindset when a national flood control program took time to
develop. The Roosevelt administration
(25:08):
began taking important steps from the beginning of his
presidency. The first 100 days saw the
creation of the Tennessee ValleyAuthority to provide electricity
and flood control to that region.
The idea of a federal agency dedicated to river management
and improvement was a new concept for the country and the
TV as early days proved chaotic in terms of legislation.
(25:32):
Eventually the president authorized the Tennessee Valley
Authority to begin construction projects such as the Norris and
Wheeler dams. These dams are among the new
deals most important legacies for Although the focus of the
Tennessee Valley Authority was the Tennessee River, the program
changed public expectations for flood control.
(25:54):
This in turn, affected the stepstaken after the Republican River
flood. Nebraska's Senator George
Norris, dubbed the Daddy of the dams by the Montgomery Journal
in Alabama, became one of the most notable figures in the
flood control debates. He pushed for flood control in
eight different river basins besides the Tennessee Valley.
(26:15):
His efforts, aided by his friendship with President
Roosevelt, helped create the Tennessee Valley Authority and
various flood control policies. Another three years passed,
however, before more uniform flood control policies came
together with the creation of the Flood Control Act of 1936.
This act represented an expansion of the federal role in
(26:37):
efforts to prevent future disasters.
Section 1 affirmed, quote, that flood control on navigational
waters or their tributaries is aproper activity of the federal
government in cooperation with the States.
End Quote. The Act also recognized floods
as a menace to national welfare and that Congress was prepared
(26:57):
to act accordingly. This included the power to
authorize surveys, which eventually helped to establish
plans for the flood control in the Republican River Valley.
On April 10th, 1940, the US ArmyChief of Engineers, JL Schley
presented the Secretary of War with findings from the
Republican River Basin Survey authorized by HR 8030.
(27:20):
Both the Secretary of War and the Board of Engineers for
Rivers and Harbors supported thefindings.
The survey report stated that although flooding was
infrequent, the region served asa major agricultural center and
that the government should protect the farmers interests.
Schlay noted the ineffectivenessof many proposals, such as
(27:41):
building levees or the idea of building the Milford Reservoir
at the head of the river. Instead, Schle suggested that a
reservoir be located in Harlan County, approximately 236 miles
above the river's mouth. This was eventually done, and
Harlan County Reservoir is operated by the Corps of
Engineers to this day. The report also called for
(28:04):
reservoirs in five other locations, Medicine Creek, Red
Willow Creek, Frenchman Creek, the South Fork of the Republican
River, and the Rickery River. These structures would protect
approximately 287,500 acres in the Republican River Basin,
including Harlan County. The valley saw the completion of
(28:25):
seven reservoirs across the Republican River and its
tributaries. Jason Scott Smith looks at the
impact of these structures and the new role of the state in
American life. While many previous presidents
did not endorse the use of government funds for public
works, Roosevelt's administration embraced the
concept to stimulate the economy.
(28:47):
World War 2 delayed projects, but many of the planned
reservoirs were underway by 1949.
Commenting on the construction of Trenton Dam, the Trenton
Register said it quote is more than a reservoir for irrigation.
It is a monument to those peoplewho died in this area during the
flood, whose lives were lost to help to bring to light with
(29:11):
tragic realization the need for flood control along the
Republican River. End Quote.
Though the discussion of flood control had begun almost
immediately after the 1935 flood, nearly 14 years passed
before the completion of the first dam.
During that time, government officials and local residents
alike strove to recover from thedisaster and prevent its
(29:34):
reoccurrence, working under new assumptions about the role of
the federal government, assumptions that came out of the
New Deal and its work in the Republican Valley.
Thank you for listening to the Nebraska History Podcast.
To learn more about Nebraska History Magazine, to listen to
more podcasts, or to support ourpodcast by becoming a member of
(29:54):
the Nebraska State Historical Society, go to
history.nebraska.gov/podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to
the podcast and get notified when we release new episodes on
your favorite podcast platform. Until next time, I'm Chris
Goforth.
The following episode features ahistoric article from the
Nebraska History magazine. This article may reflect the
language and attitudes of its time and while it offers
valuable insight into the past, may contain expressions or
viewpoints that are outdated or offensive by today's standards.
Any outdated terms do not reflect the current views or
perspectives of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Welcome to the Nebraska History podcast.
I'm your host, Chris Goforth. Each episode we explore articles
(00:21):
written and published in Nebraska History Magazine.
In this episode, we travel back to 1935, to a time when the
Republican River transformed from a gentle stream into a
raging force of nature. Join us as we explore the
devastating flood that swept through the Republican River
Valley, claiming 113 lives and reshaping the landscape of
(00:43):
recovery and federal intervention in American life.
We learned that and more throughthe 2016 Nebraska History
Magazine article Gentle River Goes Mad, The Republican River
Flood of 1935 and It's New Deal Legacy by Stacey Stubbs After
years of drought, the arrival ofrain at the end of May 1935 at
(01:04):
first seemed a blessing to the residents of the Republican
River Valley. Years of poor farming methods
followed by severe drought resulted in a period known as
the Dust Bowl, marked by crop failures and massive dust storms
from Nebraska to Texas during the first half of the 1930s.
While conditions in the Republican Valley were not as
(01:25):
severe as in some areas to the South, farmers struggled.
Nonetheless, rain signaled the Valley's revitalization.
However, it also marked a new era for the region, one in which
the federal government and its New Deal programs played a
significant role in the aftermath of natural disaster.
(01:46):
The change to the usually gentleRepublican River came with
little warning. In the survey for the Department
of the Interior, Robert Fullensby and JB Spiegel stated
that the Dust Bowl ironically created conditions ripe for
flooding. The dry ground proved incapable
of absorbing large amounts of precipitation.
(02:08):
Several days of rain, along witha cloud burst over Colorado,
quickly saturated the ground. The runoff rolled into the
Republican River and its tributaries, all of which
overtopped their banks. The result was the greatest
flood of record. Normally 300 to 400 feet wide,
the river spread a mile wide in most places and up to four miles
(02:32):
wide in several areas of Nebraska and Kansas.
The Omaha World Herald describedthe resulting trail of disaster
under the headline Gentle River Goes Mad.
The Republican River's drainage basin covers 22,400 square miles
and stretches across Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.
It's flooding therefore affecteda wide area.
(02:56):
Although reports vary, an estimated 113 people perished in
the flooding. Most families recovered the
bodies of their lost loved ones,but the remains of several
victims eluded search efforts. Most of the flooded ground was
farmland, and property losses, including livestock and
machinery, came to approximately$26 million.
(03:18):
An estimated 341 miles of Hwy. 307 bridges and 74,500 acres of
farmland were damaged, along with many homes and buildings of
those living near the river. As the waters receded, residents
across the valley began the recovery process.
HH McCoy, publisher of the Orleans Chronicle, wrote quote.
(03:42):
But it has been a hard fight, and however brave these men may
be, they alone cannot forever play the role of Hercules.
End Quote. Many disaster victims relied on
the assistance of family and friends, but residents needed
outside help in their rebuildingefforts.
Private organizations such as the American Red Cross aided the
(04:03):
Valley's recovery, but just as important, the federal
government began taking a largerrole.
And like other regions of the country, the Republican River
Valley would benefit from the work of government officials,
the armed forces, and federal agencies such as the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration and the Civilian Conservation
Corps. The National Guard was one of
(04:26):
the first government entities involved in the relief efforts
with Nebraska Governor Robert L Cochran in Washington, DC.
When the disaster occurred, Lieutenant Governor Walter
Jorgensen took charge and declared a state of emergency,
citing the need to, quote, provide the necessary protection
for the citizens of the state. End Quote.
Jorgensen mobilized the NebraskaNational Guard, something the
(04:49):
state had not done for 20 years.By June 6th, several guard
companies arrived to help with efforts in the region, much to
the relief of local residents. According to the biennial report
of the Adjutant General of the State of Nebraska, 21 officers
and 237 enlisted men came to theRepublican Valley for a four day
(05:09):
tour. During that time, they rescued
78 flood victims, recovered numerous bodies, and spent
$4848.38 on relief efforts, including food and medical
supplies for those affected by the disaster.
The work of the government continued through the efforts of
various officials. Nebraska US Senator George
(05:31):
Norris lived in McCook, one of the region's hardest hit towns.
Besides contributing $100.00 of his own to help flood victims,
his Washington DC office became a meeting place for federal
officials involved in the reliefefforts, including President
Franklin Roosevelt, Farrah Dictator Harry Hopkins, and
while he was at the Capitol, Governor Cochran.
(05:54):
For Cochran, restoration of the valley to pre flood conditions
became a top priority. He began making plans while
still in Washington. The June 6th edition of the
Omaha World Herald reported a meeting between the Governor,
President Roosevelt Hopkins and other officials at which they
discussed the release of aid to flood victims.
While Nebraska's state government provided relief funds
(06:16):
to the Republican Valley, federal funding was crucial to
the recovery process. In an August 1st radio
broadcast, Cochran said that Nebraska received access to
$250,000 of federal funds within3 days of the disaster.
While he did not specify the source of the funding, the
governor added that funds spent on the National Guard's tour and
(06:38):
for the CCC camps in the region were not included in this
amount. More than likely, the Farrah
created under President Roosevelt's Federal Emergency
Relief Act passed on May 12th, 1933 was a key contributor.
Upon receiving assurances of help from the Roosevelt
administration, Cochran flew to North Platte and then headed
South to McCook and ordered a tour the devastated valley with
(07:01):
State Engineer AC Tilly. While in McCook on June 6th, the
Governor held a conference at the Keystone Hotel with
representatives from across the flood stricken region.
More than 100 representatives from 11 Nebraska counties
attended the meeting. Cochran explained his goals and
plans for rebuilding, the foremost being a permanent
(07:22):
program for the valleys rehabilitation.
Other attendees included Albert Evans, a relief director for the
Red Cross, and Roland Haynes, director of the Nebraska
Emergency Relief Administration,or NEERA.
Both Evans and Haynes helped create recovery plans.
Haynes coordinated the state's relief efforts, including Red
Cross work, along with permanentrehabilitating and engineering
(07:45):
projects. On June 20th, the Culbertson
Progress reported that Haynes had received $434,000 in federal
funding for relief efforts. This amount included $194,000 of
general relief funds, $190,000 for rural rehabilitation funds
and $50,000 derived from the soil erosion fund previously
(08:09):
available. The program spent $337,769 on
recovery efforts from June to October of 1935, providing food
and supplies for flood victims along with funding for various
jobs. Besides financial support,
Haynes also brought in workers to aid in the rebuilding
process. During the McCook meeting,
(08:31):
representatives learned that Fiera workers were scheduled to
arrive in the area by June 13th.CCC and Neera both established
emergency camps which allowed for the placement of relief
workers in the Republican Valley.
Fullensby and Spiegel's report for the Department of the
Interior confirmed that the CCC brought 1000 men to the region
(08:53):
and that Fira camps employed 600men.
Neera, which place camps in Benkelman, Trenton, McCook,
Cambridge, Oxford, and Alma, brought in many of their workers
from eastern Nebraska. Local residents found various
ways to house these men. The town of Benkelman, for
example, used its school to house Fira men from Omaha.
(09:15):
In June 1935, Trenton received 71 men from Lincoln who camped
on the Legion grounds. When the Republican River
flooded again towards the end ofJune, Fira Camp residents moved
to Trenton's congressional church.
Not all towns received their requested workers.
Immediately after the flood, Culbertson, Nebraska attempted
(09:36):
to establish a fear a camp with little success.
Instead, the plan for recovery involved men from the McCook and
Trenton camps working towards the town located halfway between
the two camps. This meant that for the time
being, Culbertson residents, rather than government workers,
carried out local relief efforts.
As one writer put it, the town quote received a halfway promise
(09:58):
that possibly something could bedone.
End Quote Culbertson residents recognize the need for
government assistance. By the end of June, Carl H
Swanson, part of the Culbertson Committee for Recovery, reported
the imminent arrival of men fromthe Trenton and McCook camps.
That same article in the Culbertson Progress outlined the
(10:19):
work for the arriving men, including cleaning and
restoration projects. Local residents, upon completing
an application for the American Red Cross, also hired these men
for work on private property. The disaster created ample
employment in the region as a number of projects needed to be
completed, such as clearing transportation routes.
(10:39):
Local men found jobs with organizations such as the state
Highway department. Even with the new jobs for local
workers, however, the arrival ofrelief workers caused concern
among residents regarding which jobs the fear of men would take.
They felt local men should have hiring priority over outside
labor. This proved to be a justifiable
(11:00):
concern after the release of local men employed in highway
repair near Culbertson in anticipation of incoming FERA
workers. Although these men soon went
back to work, the misunderstanding led to a desire
for clarification. As outlined in the local
newspaper, work on highways and for private individuals went
(11:21):
first to local workers, whereas the Farah Laborers focused on
public works projects and in a general cleanup work for the
whole valley. The article did not specify
whether or not this issue was related to funding from the
federal and state governments, but the fact that both groups
soon found work indicated that the problem had been a lack of
(11:41):
coordination rather than a lack of funds.
Despite initial concerns and confusion, Republican Valley
residents appreciated Fiera's help.
The Franklin County Sentinel reported on their work, saying
the men did a quote good job of cleaning up houses End Quote and
handling carcasses of animals that perished in the flood.
(12:02):
The June 6th edition of the Omaha World Herald reported that
the Civilian Conservation Corps,or CCC, had begun to move into
the Republican Valley. Colonel SJ Sutherland,
commanding the state unit, worked quickly to establish
camps across the region. 25 CCC camps already existed in
Nebraska at the time of the flood, creating employment for
(12:24):
6100 men. One of the camps was located in
Franklin, NE, a town heavily affected by the flooding.
Shortly after the disaster, the program added nine temporary
camps in McCook, Superior, Franklin, Trenton, Cambridge,
Arapaho, Alma, Benkelman and RedCloud to help with the new need.
(12:45):
The CCC brought in men from previously established camps,
such as 50 workers from Atwood, KS, that came to Trenton.
Some of the men from the previously established Camp
Franklin helped fill the Alma camp, referred to in the
newspapers as a side camp, and men from Camp Nelson filled the
side camp at Red Cloud. The program also recruited local
(13:08):
workers to fill camp quotas. With a camp quota of 12, the
Town of Franklin offered positions to applicants between
the ages of 18 to 28. The CCC accepted more
applications as the program expanded to meet the new demand.
As a result of new jobs from private individuals and
organizations such as the State Highway Department, some camps
(13:30):
struggled to meet their quotas. From June 15th to July 5th, the
CCC set Hitchcock County's quotaat 9:00.
The Culbertson Progress thought it unlikely that the county
would meet its quota. The Franklin County Sentinel
also reported an inability to reach their local quota of 12
men by June 20th. The county hired only 9 local
(13:52):
men for the program. The Corps brought in workers
from other areas of the country.For example, 80 men from CCC
Camp Sarpy at Fort Crook, Nebraska came to Benkelman and
Parks. The men accomplished important
projects in Trenton, considered to be the lodging place for
considerable silt. During the floods, CCC men
(14:13):
helped to rid the town of debris.
The Republican leader reported on the removal of mud from the
town, which included more than 2000 wagon and truckloads.
Local farmers who applied with the agricultural agent also
received help from the workers. As the floodwaters had washed
out many crops and damaged farmland, CCC men helped repair
(14:36):
the damage and replant the crops.
In Franklin County, workers disposed of animal remains and
cleaned mud out of homes from Napanee to Riverton.
As previously noted, aid was slow to reach many areas.
The Culbertson Progress complained that the quote
Federal government for the past two years has installed CCC
(14:57):
camps in various sections of thecountry, building lakes, Parks
and Recreation grounds, all of which are no doubt worthy
projects. But where can the federal
government place these men todaythat their work will render
greater benefit to mankind than in the flood area of the
Republican Valley? End Quote.
Once corps members arrived, their work was similar to that
(15:19):
of FIRA men. Local newspapers often use
phrases such as CCC and FARA menare in charge of this work.
Amongst their projects involvingpublic works and general
cleanup. The corn removed debris from a
Riverton hotel and cleaned up around the Republican River near
Napanee and Alma. Among the most difficult
(15:40):
projects was the recovery of human remains.
Local residents and the NationalGuard recovered many of the
bodies before the program established its temporary camps.
The Corps continued the process and operated the only organized
search parties, finding the remains of several flood victims
near Culbertson. For example, Misses Culver and
(16:02):
her six year old son had been caught in the rising water.
Culver held on to the boy as long as possible, but the
current washed him out of her arms.
CCC workers found his body southwest of Trenton on June
3rd. The CC CS role in restoring the
Republican Valley ranged from cleaning away debris and
(16:23):
salvaging personal property to searching for bodies.
Bernice Haskins Post of Napanee,Nebraska listed the work the
core completed in her area, which included removal of trees,
restoration of fields, and removal of trash from the
buildings and land. Post expressed gratitude, saying
that the men quote did much to make our place livable.
(16:46):
After the flood, the CCC ended its work in many areas of the
Republican Valley. By July, Governor Cochran, along
with other Nebraska representatives, tried to
prolong core efforts in the region by writing to US senators
and CCC leaders. This demonstrated their reliance
on federal and state aid, although aid also came from
(17:08):
private organizations, includingthe American Red Cross.
Prior to the New Deal, Congress had made only isolated attempts
to aid disaster victims. A federal disaster relief agency
did not exist for much of American history.
Established in 1881, the American Red Cross collaborated
with government to fill this role, becoming a, quote,
(17:30):
unofficial extension of the federal government.
End Quote. The American Red Cross continued
to play an important role in recovery efforts during the
1930s, providing survivors with food, clothing, and bedding,
while government aid provided employment for infrastructure
restoration and other services. Governor Cochran expressed his
support to Albert Evans, the RedCross District Director,
(17:52):
stressing his desire to cooperate with the organization.
In a report on the activities ofthe Flood Area Restoration
Office, the Red Cross stood at the top of the list of agencies
involved in restoration work. The same report also listed the
members of locally appointed restoration committees for each
affected town. Many of these committees
(18:13):
included at least one Red Cross member.
The Red Cross distributed many different forms of aid, working
closely with the FIRA and the CCC.
In Cambridge, Nebraska, it established kitchens for mass
Feeding in collaboration with FIRA.
The June 13th edition of the Franklin County Sentinel
(18:33):
reported that FIRA nurse Winnie Garlts had set up several
immunization clinics for people at risk of typhoid fever due to
the prolonged exposure to river water.
The Red Cross provided the vaccinations and other supplies
for the clinics. In another example of
collaboration, the CCC and FIRA worked at salvaging personal
(18:54):
property. The Red Cross supervised the
work and returned the property to its owners.
While each agency proved successful on its own, working
together led to further success.Blood survivors could also apply
to the Red Cross for direct aid.Hitchcock County Director Jesse
Clark served towns such as Culbertson and Trenton.
(19:17):
She reviewed applications, traveled to homes of applicants
and issued aid to those who qualified.
By June 28th, 71 families in Hitchcock County applied,
including several farmers, the hardest hit by the disaster.
Bernice Haskins Post from Franklin County said that she
and her husband received food and clothing from the
organization, which later also funded repairs to their house
(19:40):
and furniture. Thanks to Red Cross efforts,
Post and her family returned to their home just two weeks after
the disaster. According to the American Red
Cross's official report on relief activities, the
organization and its donors contributed $167,411.00 for
food, clothing, medical suppliesand farming equipment.
(20:04):
Despite their best efforts, however, many residents did not
recover from their losses. Over 1200 families registered
for the Red Cross and some managed to restore their
livelihoods, but 790 families were unable to do so.
Although Post and her family returned home, several neighbors
(20:25):
left for good, she recalled. Quote We felt sort of alone
without our old neighbors. End Quote.
But for many families who did return to homes and livelihoods,
assistance from the Red Cross and the various government
relief agencies made the difference.
On September 15th, 1949, the Trenton Register looked back at
(20:45):
the flood of 1935 saying quote, we will never forget the Red
Cross. End Quote.
Residents continued to pick up the pieces after the initial
restoration ended. The McNeese family of
Culbertson, Nebraska, lived on afarm just South of town, but
flood damage led to their move into town.
A Carpenter, Joseph McNeese, built the family a new home in
(21:08):
Culbertson on land given to him by his father.
His wife, Rena, helped local residents with various household
tasks such as washing and ironing.
The family also took in country kids during the school year.
The youngest daughter, Jeslyn, later wrote Quote.
Life went on and we knew we wereso lucky to be alive that we
(21:29):
could take a lot of hard work. People were good to us and
quote. The Republican Valley celebrated
a Reconstruction Jubilee in McCook on October 23rd through
25th, 1935. The program included rides on
the new Mark Twain Zephyr Train and exhibition drills from the
17th Infantry of the United States Army.
(21:51):
Several notable persons receivedinvitations including the
governors of Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado.
Governor Cochran invited Henry Ford with the hope that his
presence would bring, quote, added encouragement to these
people, End Quote and perhaps that he would make a financial
contribution. While Ford declined the offer to
attend, his invitation highlights the importance that
(22:14):
organizers placed on the event. Reconstruction continued
throughout the summer, and the accomplishments left the area
with much to celebrate, althoughJubilee organizers kept another
goal in mind, flood control. This became a pressing concern
in the following years and eventually led to further
government intervention. The next three decades saw the
(22:36):
passage of various flood controlacts, including the influential
Flood Control Act of 1936 and construction of several dams,
but not until the region suffered more flooding in 1936.
That year, David Weber, president of the Bankleman
Chamber of Commerce, sent Governor Cochran a telegram
lamenting the loss of various bridges and roads that the
(22:59):
county could not afford to rebuild.
He insisted that their quote only immediate hope is through
government assistance and quote Although not as devastating as
the 1935 flood, this new disaster renewed the call for
flood control efforts. Organizations such as the
Republican Valley Association work to gain recognition for
(23:20):
their concerns. Governor Cochran and other
government officials petitioned for flood control.
Senator George Norris pushed forgovernment involvement to
prevent the recurrence of the 1935 disaster, including a
regional survey by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
On June 3rd, 1935, the Committeeon Flood Control presented
(23:41):
Secretary of War Harry H Woodring with a report that
called for a survey of the Republican and Smoky Hill
Rivers, along with several tributaries to assess the need
for flood control measures. Woodring accepted the proposal
and the report eventually becamethe basis of HR 8030, passed by
the House of Representatives on February 17th, 1936.
(24:05):
The bill retained the report's main provisions, including the
plan to survey the flood stricken region under the
direction of the Secretary of War.
The main addition involved the mention of previous legislation,
the Flood Control Act of 1917, which gave the government the
power to look into flood controlmethods of existing laws
(24:25):
pertaining to flooding. The 1917 Act was the most
influential. Originally designed to mitigate
flooding of the Mississippi River and Sacramento River, the
Act included several provisions now relevant to the Republican
Valley, especially Section 3, which allowed for quote
examinations and surveys, and two works of improvement
(24:47):
relating to flood control. End Quote.
However, aside from the 1917 Flood Control Act, the federal
government in the early 20th century was reluctant to involve
itself in disaster intervention.The New Deal showed a changing
mindset when a national flood control program took time to
develop. The Roosevelt administration
(25:08):
began taking important steps from the beginning of his
presidency. The first 100 days saw the
creation of the Tennessee ValleyAuthority to provide electricity
and flood control to that region.
The idea of a federal agency dedicated to river management
and improvement was a new concept for the country and the
TV as early days proved chaotic in terms of legislation.
(25:32):
Eventually the president authorized the Tennessee Valley
Authority to begin construction projects such as the Norris and
Wheeler dams. These dams are among the new
deals most important legacies for Although the focus of the
Tennessee Valley Authority was the Tennessee River, the program
changed public expectations for flood control.
(25:54):
This in turn, affected the stepstaken after the Republican River
flood. Nebraska's Senator George
Norris, dubbed the Daddy of the dams by the Montgomery Journal
in Alabama, became one of the most notable figures in the
flood control debates. He pushed for flood control in
eight different river basins besides the Tennessee Valley.
(26:15):
His efforts, aided by his friendship with President
Roosevelt, helped create the Tennessee Valley Authority and
various flood control policies. Another three years passed,
however, before more uniform flood control policies came
together with the creation of the Flood Control Act of 1936.
This act represented an expansion of the federal role in
(26:37):
efforts to prevent future disasters.
Section 1 affirmed, quote, that flood control on navigational
waters or their tributaries is aproper activity of the federal
government in cooperation with the States.
End Quote. The Act also recognized floods
as a menace to national welfare and that Congress was prepared
(26:57):
to act accordingly. This included the power to
authorize surveys, which eventually helped to establish
plans for the flood control in the Republican River Valley.
On April 10th, 1940, the US ArmyChief of Engineers, JL Schley
presented the Secretary of War with findings from the
Republican River Basin Survey authorized by HR 8030.
(27:20):
Both the Secretary of War and the Board of Engineers for
Rivers and Harbors supported thefindings.
The survey report stated that although flooding was
infrequent, the region served asa major agricultural center and
that the government should protect the farmers interests.
Schlay noted the ineffectivenessof many proposals, such as
(27:41):
building levees or the idea of building the Milford Reservoir
at the head of the river. Instead, Schle suggested that a
reservoir be located in Harlan County, approximately 236 miles
above the river's mouth. This was eventually done, and
Harlan County Reservoir is operated by the Corps of
Engineers to this day. The report also called for
(28:04):
reservoirs in five other locations, Medicine Creek, Red
Willow Creek, Frenchman Creek, the South Fork of the Republican
River, and the Rickery River. These structures would protect
approximately 287,500 acres in the Republican River Basin,
including Harlan County. The valley saw the completion of
(28:25):
seven reservoirs across the Republican River and its
tributaries. Jason Scott Smith looks at the
impact of these structures and the new role of the state in
American life. While many previous presidents
did not endorse the use of government funds for public
works, Roosevelt's administration embraced the
concept to stimulate the economy.
(28:47):
World War 2 delayed projects, but many of the planned
reservoirs were underway by 1949.
Commenting on the construction of Trenton Dam, the Trenton
Register said it quote is more than a reservoir for irrigation.
It is a monument to those peoplewho died in this area during the
flood, whose lives were lost to help to bring to light with
(29:11):
tragic realization the need for flood control along the
Republican River. End Quote.
Though the discussion of flood control had begun almost
immediately after the 1935 flood, nearly 14 years passed
before the completion of the first dam.
During that time, government officials and local residents
alike strove to recover from thedisaster and prevent its
(29:34):
reoccurrence, working under new assumptions about the role of
the federal government, assumptions that came out of the
New Deal and its work in the Republican Valley.
Thank you for listening to the Nebraska History Podcast.
To learn more about Nebraska History Magazine, to listen to
more podcasts, or to support ourpodcast by becoming a member of
(29:54):
the Nebraska State Historical Society, go to
history.nebraska.gov/podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to
the podcast and get notified when we release new episodes on
your favorite podcast platform. Until next time, I'm Chris
Goforth.
Popular Podcasts
Spooky Podcasts from iHeartRadio
Whether you’re a scaredy-cat or a brave bat, this collection of episodes from iHeartPodcasts will put you in the Halloween spirit. Binge stories, frights, and more that may keep you up at night!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.