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ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 339
Introduced by Hughes, 24; Brandt, 32; Storm, 23; Strommen, 47.
WHEREAS, the Blue River Cattle Trail follows the Blue River spanning from
Abilene, Kansas, to Schuyler, Nebraska, and was used by Texas cattlemen with an
overabundance of cattle answering the demand for beef in Nebraska and other
northern states; and
WHEREAS, the cattlemen traveled north, but brought a fatal cattle disease
with them that destroyed most of the local cattle populations. The cattlemen
were then faced with retribution from Kansas and Nebraska including border
patrols, quarantine zones, hefty fines, and angry and armed citizens; and
WHEREAS, to create a safer route, Joseph G. McCoy founded the small town
of Abilene to create a convenient rail road terminal and established the Blue
River Cattle Trail's start; and
WHEREAS, Abilene prospered, but the cattlemen faced new economic and
financial problems and sought relief in rail prices and fewer delays on the
route from a local judge William N. Font. Font negotiated with the Union
Pacific Railroad and chose Schuyler, Nebraska, to become the Bull Head for
cattle drives; and
WHEREAS, business boomed in Schuyler and the cattlemen received relief and
safety along the Blue River Cattle Trail; and
WHEREAS, some cattlemen later stayed in Nebraska growing Schuyler, but due
to such growth, a new law allowed stray cattle to be confiscated and fines were
imposed on trail bosses for such strays; and
WHEREAS, Schuyler became unsafe and the Texas cattle business ceased,
forcing the cattlemen to either return home or stay in Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the Blue River Cattle Trail allowed Texas cattlemen safe passage
to seek fortune in Nebraska and the cattlemen who stayed in the state passed
down skills for generations to cattle farmers today to help Nebraska become the
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Beef State.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH
LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, SECOND SESSION:
1. That the Legislature celebrates the history of the Blue River Cattle
Trail and the historians who make such remembrance and celebration possible.
2. That the Legislature encourages citizens to celebrate and share the
history of the Blue River Cattle Trail.
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