Storytelling on the Plains

Conner and Irene are joined by Jerry Lucas to discuss the famous Mormon who died on the trail in this two-part episode.

Conner and Irene discuss John Hollman, 19, who died on the Oregon Trail. They also discuss the importance of organizations such as OCTA, the Oregon-California Trails Association, in preserving history.

Conner and Irene discuss the Silver Hill Theater Museum in Oshkosh, Nebraska. While discussing the theater's history, Conner and I share their memories of movies as well as the importance of small-town museums.

Conner and Irene discuss Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, one of the first two documented women to come along the trails as she, her husband, and a group of missionaries headed toward Oregon Territory in 1836.

Conner and Irene discuss how the Mormon group with Brigham Young named an outcropping in western Nebraska, which would be a marker for future Mormons as they made their way west toward "Zion." They also provide a teaser for their next episode and ramble on about some things viewers have come to expect them to do.

Conner and Irene discuss the bicycle journey of the Army's 25th, who made a journey from Fort Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri in a test to see if bicycles would be a viable mode of transportation for the military.

Conner and Irene return with a chat about what they've been up to and they discuss their visit to the 2024 Circle the Bluffs Powwow at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, Nebraska.

Conner and Irene talk about hiking Bead Mountain and the area around it you can hike in. They also discuss photography and whatever else pops into their heads about this cool place to hike in western Nebraska.

Conner and Irene get way off track while talking about the Kiowa Wetlands Wildlife Management Area.

Conner and Irene discuss the new trails opened at the Chimney Rock Historical Site and talk about the historical importance of the landmark on the overland trails.

Conner and Irene discuss the meandering story of how the first marriage came to be in Scottsbluff on August 12, 1900.

Enjoy the conversation with Conner and Irene and they wrap up the discussion on how people arrived in western Nebraska.

In Part one of this two part episode, Conner and Irene mostly stay on task talking about the people of the area, from a variety of tribes to the present day. 

The Lincoln Hotel is the largest building in downtown Scottsbluff, Nebraska. It has stood for more than 100 years. Conner and Irene discuss the hotel and other off-topic issues during this mostly unedited episode.

Conner and Irene talk about a crash that happened on June 7, 1944, and two former military airfields that continue to serve their communities as municipal airports. They get sidetracked, as usual, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

One of Irene's favorite stories is that of Hubert Clair Bishop, who lived in early Scottsbluff. Bishop's life is intriguing and today we're going to talk about Bishop's life and claim to fame as a female impersonator, Miss Claire Bish.

Conner and Irene have a chat about what's going on in western Nebraska. They talk way too much about the zoo in a meandering episode about life on the Plains. 

Irene sits down in the middle of the night to discuss her thoughts on a major change at the newspaper she used to work for.

Lucretia was a lady Irene had met, who lived to be 108. She was a bit of an inspiration and everyone who ever met her only had good things to say about her. This is her story.

Wee Granny was an emigrant on the Mormon Trail. She began her trek to Salt Lake City from her native Scotland along with several hundred other hopefuls in the Martin Handcart Company. Her story is one of thousands who were seeking a better life out west.

We wrap this story about the forgotten fort in western Nebraska.

Fort John is a forgotten stop along the Oregon Trail. It existed only for a few years, but little is known of this fort in Scotts Bluff County. Part One of a two-part episode discusses the research that went into finding information on Fort John, which is marked today by historical marker in the middle of a field.

The only rail tunnel ever built and used in Nebraska was the Belmont Tunnel.

The Battle of Warbonnet Creek on July 17, 1876, was the first battle, or skirmish, after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Battle of the Greasy Grass. In this episode, we discuss the aftermath of the battle.

The Battle of Warbonnet Creek on July 17, 1876, was the first battle, or skirmish, after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Battle of the Greasy Grass. In this episode, we discuss accounts of the battle, Buffalo Bill Cody, and the killing of Yellow Hair.