While doing research for McCook's 125th anniversary book of historical pictures, I came across a fact that I had not heard before. And, to me, it has great significance, because it underscores the important role McCook has played in American politics.

Here's what I found out: On Monday, Oct. 1, 1900, McCook was visited by the man who would become the 26th President of the United States: Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.

McCook was only 18 years old at the time, having been established in 1882, but Teddy brought out a massive turnout, with reporters for the McCook Tribune estimating that 10,000 people gathered for his appearance.

Known nationwide because of his leadership of the Roughriders at San Juan Hill, Teddy had already earned victory as governor of New York. He went on to capture the Republican nomination for president, and after his McCook visit, he earned victory in the 1900 general election

According to the front page story in the Tribune, Teddy Roosevelt's day here was "the greatest political demonstration in the history of Southwest Nebraska."

Every Republican office holder from this area appeared with him on the special day, riding from the train station to the city park for a series of speeches. Teddy also spoke later in the day to even larger McCook crowds.

Although Theodore Roosevelt was the first McCook visitor to become president, he was not the last. In the years to follow, McCook has been visited by three other men who were -- or became -- Presidents of the United States.

The other Chief Executives who McCook has hosted are Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan.

Four presidential visitors. That's quite an achievement for a town of medium population in the middle of America. To me, it's one more reason that McCook needs to make note of its special contribution to American public service and politics. And there's no better time than 2007 -- the 125th anniversary of McCook's founding as a town.

As an April Fool's Day joke, the Gazette's editor, Bruce Crosby, suggested the idea of a Mount Rushmore- type creation on M Hill, showing the faces of the four men from McCook who have been U.S. Senators and Nebraska Governors, namely U.S. Sen. George W. Norris; Gov. Ralph G. Brooks; Gov. Frank B. Morrison; and U.S. Sen. and Gov. Ben Nelson.

While the suggestion was made in jest, it might just be the inspiration for real action. How about putting entrance signs to all four highway entrances to McCook, showing Mount Rushmore type painted likenesses of the elected leaders with McCook ties?

Already, there is a campaign in motion to place a bronze life-size sculpture of Sen. Norris on a park bench in front of his home. We need to make that happen -- by kicking in donations of $125 and getting a scuplture replica for our gifts -- but we also need to do more to honor McCook's political heritage.

Here's a parting suggestion for possible use at one of McCook's remaining Quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) events.

Why not get local people to play the parts of the four presidents who have visited McCook? Local personages could be secured to portray the famous foursome -- Teddy, FDR, Ike and Reagan -- at one of the upcoming Q-125 celebrations. Judge Cloyd Clark would make an excellent Teddy, and the mayor, Dennis Berry, would make a good Reagan. That leaves only the Ike and FDR parts to be filled, and surely we can come up with some distinguished citizens to perform those roles. Well, on second thought, maybe they wouldn't have to be distinguished. That would be a plus, but beggars can't be choosers: just willing would be good enough.