When it comes to McCook history, the answer is, "I don't know."

In case you missed it, last weekend's "On Main Street" was the last one.

Linda Hein and her mother are moving to Lincoln to join Linda's husband, Rick, who has opened a new automotive service business in Lincoln.

We wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors.

But now, I'm at a loss.

For a while now, at least since the death of local historian Ray Search, I've come to depend on Linda whenever a question about McCook history came up.

As a McCook native and as the official in charge of the Norris House historical site, Linda could be counted on to come up with an answer -- or at least the name of someone who could

I was reminded of her talents again last week when I received a note and telephone number with a question.

I dropped her an e-mail:

Hey, Linda

Cliff Like (719) 346-7610 wants to know if anybody remembers the coal gas plant in McCook.

Ever hear of it?The next day, I got an answer back:

Bruce ... It sounds familiar, like something Ray once talked about. He always talked about the gas plant at the bottom of West 4th and A and that may be what I'm thinking of. I just flipped through the Gazette big book and couldn't find anything quickly. Jeeze, who's the oldest in town now that would remember? I'm afraid I'm not much help on this one, unless it's that West 4th one. Sorry ...

Linda

Like Linda had anything to be sorry about!

We'll miss her weekly columns, and we'll miss her help. Good luck, Linda.

And, if anybody remembers the coal gas plant, give Cliff a call, or drop me an e-mail at editor@mccookgazette.com.

Of course, Linda wasn't the only one to have spent time picking Ray Search's memory of McCook gone by.

In fact, another Gazette columnist, Walt Sehnert, compiled a book of stories from his chats with Search, called "Ray Search Remembers."

Walt's "From Days Gone By" appears on page three each Monday, and includes amusing anecdotes and insights from Walt's experiences as well as McCook remembrances.

Both Linda's and Walt's columns have been among our most popular, generating more stories, questions and observations from our readers.