Memories from the ‘other founder’ of the McCook Gazette, Ailene Strunk

ons is in the book, as is June’s Third Thursday which was the Community Dinner. Both were well attended and both featured either in part or in whole free activities. This weekend is Cruising the Bricks and as usual watching all the wonderful classic and antique cars is free. Every time I see the activities provided in SW Nebraska, I know that they wouldn’t exist except for the phenomenal volunteers (who probably outnumber any paid workers 20 to one) that help make them happen.

Phenomenal I am not, but the McCook Community Foundation found that I should be named Volunteer of the Month, an honor that I was dumbfounded to be chosen for. There is a myriad of community members that put in far more time than I do, but truly I appreciate the honor. My Gazette stories were mentioned which got me thinking about how long you’ve suffered through my ramblings, approximately 21 years if you can believe it! That’s probably well over 1,000 stories and this next one involves the ‘other founder’ of the McCook Daily Gazette.

“James Payne Allen by Ailene Allen Strunk. Dear Mr. Sutton, I received your letter of the 11th and am afraid I can not help much, but will be glad to do the best I can. My father, James Payne Allen died in Benkelman on October 7, 1905, in the Ough hotel across from the depot and Dr. Fugua was the doctor. My mother, brother and I had driven over to Wauneta that morning and since we were not at home, my father went back to help the night operator. (Benkelman B & M railroad depot where Allen was agent.) Benkelman was the first stop of all fast trains and it being a Saturday night, there were two freight trains in the yard. My father was helping the stockyards and after loading some cattle, someone left the gates open and as the cars came by my father was thrown from the side of the car and dragged quite a ways. I had just a few days before passed my 13th birthday and I am afraid I can’t recall too much.”

“We came to Benkelman the fall of 1904 and were there about 13 or 14 months. We came from Wauneta where my father had worked as agent for the Burington for 6 years. I don’t recall an obituary but I’m sure Mr. Ketler was the editor of the Post Chronical at that time. I know Miss McEvey had a funeral home.”

“My father was born Sept. 2, 1865, in Bridgeport, Indiana, he went to school there, taught a country school and then became a telegraph operator for the Illinois Central Railroad. He married my mother, Stella Stillman, in Delavan, Ill, Dec. 24, 1890. I was born in Tolego Illinois in 1892. In 1893 he came West to Stratton, Nebr., as operator for the B & M, we moved to several localities where he was agent in Nebraska and Kansas. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Wauneta. He was a wonderful man, and his untimely death cast a terrible shadow over our lives.”

“We moved to McCook Oct 31, 1905, and I have lived here ever since. My father is buried here in Memorial Cemetery. No, we did not live in the (Benkelman) depot but rented a house in northwest Benkelman from Mr. Robidoux. My father thought that the depot was a poor place to raise two children. I hope that this will help you some. I know it is not well written but may be helpful with the newspaper files. If I can be of any help or tell you anything else, please ask me. Sincerely, (Mrs. H.D.) Ailene Allen Strunk.”

This letter was written, Mar. 16, 1974, in response to questions asked by Sutton who was gathering railroad stories for a book. Ailene of course was the wife of H.D. Strunk, the mother of Allen Strunk. She must have been a very gracious, unassuming woman, since history tells us that she worked side by side with Harry when they were birthing what became the McCook Daily Gazette. As with many families, once you see the maiden name, you see how it was carried on through her son, Allen.

SWNGS library is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 PM and is located at 322 Norris Ave., in the historic Temple building or you can research online at www.swngs.org for free.