Jeffrey Lake, NE

Lake Jeffrey Tales & History Edition #10 October 2024

Hi again, and thanks for your feedback and support!

Okay, TALES first-1) Another successful JLDI Annual Meeting on May 4 @ the Brady Community Center, 2) a storm delay didn’t seem to deter the 95-100 people who showed up the for the Annual Picnic on July 6- plenty of goodies, 3) the end of summer Annual Concert on September 1 had the great duo of Big Daddy & the Wrecking Machine- the event also included a show of gratitude to Ted Rowen for his years of leadership on the board w/a Wild Horse gift card & his favorite Tanqueray, 4) a huge thanks to the Ingram’s (#29) for hosting the picnic & concert on their massive lawn, 5) the new & improved Potter’s Pasture was “re-opened” under the guidance of Luke Rickertsen, & 6) based on the May lake roster, the top 3 addresses this year are Colorado- 29, Gothenburg-26, Lake-20.

Now, some HISTORY- next up is the year of 1949, & because there is quite a bit of dialog, we will likely complete it next spring. A letter of January 20 from B.F. Butler, a Cambridge attorney & cabin owner, to Dr. H.C. Zellers (Lincoln) letting him know the Lake President, W. R. Lages (McCook), has appointed him to represent the Lake’s interest @ the February 15 meeting in Lincoln. In the letter, he explained that the Lake Jeffrey association is very interested in development, forestation, brooding fish @ “Jeffrey Canyon Lake”, & providing food for the fish. The next day (Sep 21), Lake President Lages sent a letter to Butler to thank him for representing Jeffrey’s interest, that the Lake may be eligible for tree planting, that bass from Minnesota may come our way, & the Lake’s interest in planting willows & rushes around the shore lines. Next is a letter of January 26, from a Dr. H.C. Zellers, Lincoln, & an officer of the Nebraska Council of Wildlife Clubs (NCWC), sent to Members of NCWC (of which the Lake Jeffrey area had a club), announced LB 184 (increase of permit fees for short time fishing), LB 187 (to abolish the Niobrara Refuge), LB’s 193/194 (increased fines & liquidated damages), all will be heard on January 31 by the Agricultural Committee. Zellers states, “This would be the only public opportunity to appear. Senator Ed Hoyt (McCook) chairs the committee & the permit fee is the most important bill to allow the Game Commission to continue the present level of operations in the state”. 

Now comes another topic volley- Paul Gilbert (Exec Sec of the Nebraska Game, Forestation & Parks Commission) sends a letter to our lake Pres Lages- “I just heard via the grapevine that you are complaining that the Commission only stocks bullheads at Jeffrey & never do anything about the carp situation, so I thought I better acquaint my home town friends w/the truth before they continue to misquote themselves too badly” (Now that’s telling him, eh? editorial comment😊). He proceeds to tell him there were 118,000 trout, over 2,000,00 walleye, 71,000 bass, 179,000 bluegill, 51,000 crappie, 19,000 bullheads, & 64,000 catfish- all produced & stocked around the state. Further, the Feds stocked 287,000 trout, 56,000 warm water fish. Further yet, the Salvage Crew garnered 585,000 fish & the Seining Crew seined 125,940 pounds of carp from state lakes! (Again, so there😊). He also says, “I don’t want to be malicious, I think a lot of my home town, and I just want you to have the correct information. Best personal regards.” The next day, Lages writes him back, “This grapevine you speak of must have hung over quite a little.” He questions the source of the rumor and asks for a report just for Lake Jeffrey as to what was stocked & what how much carp were seined. He also informs Gilbert that Lake Jeffrey will have a rep (B.F. Butler mentioned above) at the public hearing on January 31, and at the meeting on February 15 (also mention above). He suggests the two of them get together & see how the Lake Jeffrey group can support legislation that will assist the Commission to further their mission. “We hope we have greater cooperation to further the love of greater sportsmanship on our lakes.” Wait ‘til you hear the rest. 😊

Until the spring edition, have a great Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. 

Lake Jeffrey Tales & History Edition #9 April 2024

Hi again, and thanks for your feedback and support!

Okay, TALES first- 1) the lake didn’t freeze over until January & didn’t last long this winter, 2) had several 6-7-8” snows- the last one 2 weeks ago about 7” when North Platte got 17”!!! 3) the pelicans are back this spring in some big flocks, 4) & as of this writing the controlled burn at the dam has not occurred.

Now, some HISTORY- you may recall, because 1948 packed a lot of information, we had through March in last fall’s 8th Edition. So, on April 23, 1948, a very “bold” letter was sent to the Game Commission as to why there has been no action on the proposed lease for over 1 ½ years on some prime land- & the lake membership is getting restless. On the same day, a letter was sent to Tri County releasing the west side except for two leases already in place w/Paul & Jane Potter. Further research showed these two lots were in the farthest southwest corner of the lake where Jay Novacek built the home & cabins for his ranch. The Game Commission responded to the JLDC Board on April 29 w/a very lengthy letter referencing the paper trail over the past 1 ½ years- it’s basically a “he said, he said” (editorial comment). The Board met on July 22 at the Gothenburg Times w/Ray Blackwood, Frank Reeves, & Don Holmes. They approved the purchase of a mower to be stored at the lake & rented out for $.50/ hour- minimum charge of $1.00!! Carmen would receive a % of the rentals- the rest to the JLDC treasury. Because of the low turnout for the meeting, they delayed electing officers until the annual Labor Day picnic September 5 @ the Reeves- Blackwood cabins- Board at 4:00, picnic at 5:00. Current Board members are Hink Nelson-Brady, Maurice Stephenson & John Klehn-Moorefield, Gilbert Haynes & Harry Purdham- Hastings, RB Peckham & Kenneth Tetro-Brady, BW Pyle & EB Karr- Gothenburg, Ray Blackwood & CE Pollard-Farnam, Neil Schreck & Frank Cole- Bertrand, Bill Lages & Jack Molsbee- McCook, & Don Holmes & Frank Reeves-Gothenburg. August 11, 19, 31 brought more “healthy” letter exchanges w/JLDC & the Game Commission about the aforementioned leases. The Board met on September 5 prior to the annual picnic & elected Bill Lages (McCook) as President & MC Brown Sec-Treas. Bill Alexander was appointed to chair the committee for the proposed public boat loading dock. Dr. DH Morgan was to write the Game Commission to re-stock the walleye & bass & ask about the proposed fish rearing ponds north of the power house. A discussion was held on lot owners planting cat-tails & arrow heads & to encourage each lot to plan 10 trees each year-especially willows & cottonwoods. Meeting adjourned for the picnic. The Board met October 23- the primary agenda item was to work w/CNPPID to extend leases to 20-25 years & an audit of JLDC. The remainder of the year had several letter exchanges regarding fish stocking w/ Dept of Interior, US Senator Butler, UNL Extension, Rep. Carl Curtis, Nebr Wildlife Assoc, & JLDC. Lease payments through the year from names like Brown, Life, Holliday, Hargleroad, Leibrandt, Foote, Hicks, Loutzenheiser, Gallatin, Poore, Arnold, Warrick, Ryan, Peterson, Baumgartner, Anderson, Hudson, & Padley. And finally, some humor- in a letter to the caretaker at Johnson Lake, it seems a boat/trailer was used just one day in the spring, then tied to shore near the Jeffrey Lake caretaker’s cabin- still there in the fall and bailed several times & “looks like it needs an overhaul” 😊.

Until the October edition, have a super spring/summer & see you at the annual meeting on May 4!

Lake Jeffrey Tales & History Edition #8 October 2023

Hi again, and thanks for your feedback & support- I look forward to your future input!

Okay, TALES first- 1) another successful JLDI Annual Meeting was held on May 6, @ the Brady

Community Center, 2) we had great day for the Annual Picnic on July 15 hosted again by the Ingram’s(#29), & 3) another super turnout for the Labor Day Sunday concert by Bases Loaded @ #29- along w/the incredible display by the dragon flies!! Many thanks to the Ingram’s adding a slice of life at Jeffrey. As of this writing the lake has been dropped 6’ & projected to be back up about the 13th . Based on the May Lake roster, the top 3 addresses this year are #1- Colorado-28, #2- Gothenburg-25, & #3 the Lake w/ 20.

A poetic entry by long time lake owner, Tot Holmes (#3)………….The Spell of the Lake

We’re here in this mighty hollow, That’s plum-full of hush to the brim; We’ve watched the big, husky sun wallow In crimson and gold, and grow dim; Till the moon set the pearly hills gleaming, And the stars tumble out, neck and crop; And we thought that we surely were dreaming, With the peace of the world piled on top. It’s a wonderous place just to ponder, It’s the cedars where the silence has lease; It’s the beauty that thrills us with wonder, It’s the stillness that fills us with peace.

On a personal note, thanks to many of you for the condolences & well wishes on the passing of Cheryl Miller, Jerry’s wife (#109), & our sister-in-law, on July 4 th . Many of you know that each year Cheryl dressed as Lady Liberty w/her Roman candles/sparklers to begin the annual boat parade at the south end of the lake & then came to stand on our front lawn to greet/wave to everyone as they passed by. But, as she would have wished, tradition carried on w/”Grandma” skiing for year #43.

Now, some HISTORY- as we move through the research, we are at 1948 & b/c of a lot of information, we may have ½ in this edition & the other ½ next spring’s edition! So, on January 19, several clarifications were made where some legal Lot/Additions/Sections descriptions were incorrect & causing some heartburn w/leaseholders. Of note on February 4, is a letter from two CNPPID board members to the JLDI board that they wanted to sell their cabin b/c it was too far away to take sufficient advantage of it- they had $300 in it & would take that much for it – the board will spread the word. Further, in February, CNPPID followed up on JLDI’s progress to release the west side of the lake for development purposes as CNPPID is trying to secure an expert on recreational development to lead the project. On February 7, there were 18 notices sent to leaseholders that had not yet sent their 1947 $5.00 lease fee. The activity at the lake seems to be increasing early this year w/ several inquiries about how to secure a lot, fees, access, etc….A Mr. Carmen, who lives at the lake, is designated by the JLDI board to handle all tours & lot locations & will receive $1 per lot lease signed for this time. In March, E.M. Sliger, of Sliger Motor Co. in McCook requested a permit to build a 10x24 boat house & pier on his lot to store their

Chris Craft utility boat- he was directed to contact CNPPID if it was going to be within 3’ of the

designated water level!

On March 25, the JLDI Board met at the Gothenburg Times offices. Discussions were held on 1) the land “in holding” for the Game Commission & their non-action- to be sent a letter that JLDI will terminate the hand shake agreement if they don’t move forward, 2) the road from Brady south past the lake to connect w/other state roads & a letter to be sent the Highway Commission protesting the current road conditions, & 3) the possibility of land to the west being released to CNPPID & direct CNPPID to draw up the appropriate documents for review with the exception of two leases already held on the west side. A motion was also made & passed to gravel all the turnouts “immediately”. Motion made & approved to have Mr. Carmen secure material and build a public toilet at the north end on the Tri County road in a location approved by both parties. Motion made & approved to have a Family Picnic next Labor Day at the lake. $5.00 leases coming in from names like Alberti, Dorwart, Hudson, Hecox, Brown, Life, Holliday, Hargleroad, & Liebrandt. We’ll pick here next spring w/ the remainder of 1948 in an effort to keep these at 3-4 minutes.

Until the April edition, have a great Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.

Okay, TALES first- it was a record year for snow this winter- one of 10” & another of 17” besides the usual lighter snow falls. Kudos to the Road Committee who worked OT keeping the roads clear!!! The eagles on the lake have been the most seen in years & now the pelicans are back en mass/thick as thieves even though there is still ice on the lake even at this time of year! Of note, since the Dillion’s sold their cabin, gone is the great Food Truck they operated at Turn Off #1 on summer weekends. ☹

Now, some HISTORY- A look at 1947! Beginning on January 20, and into February, there are several letters that should be themed- “who’s on first?” It seems that one of the JLDC officers was enjoying time south during the winter & some of the paper work was backed up- some lease checks were not deposited, some lease payments & their respective lot assignments were not responded to, some folks were ready to build when given the lot number, & some lots were double assigned. And in those days before texting/emails- the letters are rather humorous to read, especially if you’re not involved. All names withheld to protect the innocent. As a sidebar, some people were paying lot leases up to 6-8 years forward- even at the rate of $5.00 per year! One highlight in the spring was Bill Lages sending out a memo to the lake members that he purchased a new 9.7 HP Evinrude w/a molded Dumphy plywood 14’ boat and was ready to sell his 5 HP w/14’ Shell Lake wooden boat as soon as possible so he could get on with fishing. On March 3, the board agreed to reimburse one of the leaseholders for the $15 they had spent on gravel for all the roads- yep, $15! The April 25 JLDC board meeting was called to order by president Hink Nelson. Business included new officers- Frank Reeves, president, Hink as VP, & Bill Healey for Sec-Treas; decision to number the cabins and BOATS (Don Holmes-chair); Frank Gaston/Art Arnold to contact State Game/Parks about a lease on east side of lake; voted that dues are payable within 60 days or lease is terminated- & these men in their respective towns were to notified for follow up- Frank Gaston (Hastings), Bob Prest (McCook), Morris Stephenson (Morefield), Hink Nelson (Brady), Frank Reeves (Gothenburg); and discussed progress w/REA for lines to the cabins. The July 25 board meeting included investing up to $1,000 on road/shoreline improvements; invest in 2 outdoor toilets for visitors; lease w/Tri County for recreation ground development; build a ramp or equipment to get boats in/out of the lake; & a fine lunch served by Ray Blackwood was “enjoyed by all”. On October 1, the board authorized to release its lease on the west side of lake to Central so they would invest in some roadwork to access land west of the dam, the old Ginapp homestead, and the Potter land in the southwest corner of the lake- & will also put pressure on Game/Parks for a sand beach, a diving board, and dressing rooms for swimmers to keep people from using the dock for such activity. Some of the names on the bank deposits this year are Demay, Prest, James, Shank, Stevens, Sutton, Uridil, Rutt, Cunningham, Debus, Valentine, Haberman, Fisher, Hugo, Stinette, Evans, Sliger, Moskal, Herndon, Thanel, L’Heureux, Kelley, Foote, Carmen, Brestal, Blackwood, Klehn, Meritz, Cole, Pope, Heuer, Lyne, Norsworthy, Crouch, Padley, Cross, & a reimbursement to the VFW to terminate their lease! Until the October edition, have a super spring/summer & see you at the annual meeting on May 6, 2023,

Okay, Tales first- an overview of this year’s highlights. 1) another successful Annual Meeting held on May 14, at the Brady Community Center, 2) we had a great day for the Annual Picnic on July 9 hosted by the Ingrams (#29), and 3) a super turnout (150+) for the end of the season concert by Bases Loaded again hosted by the Ingrams!! Many thanks to the Ingrams adding a nice slice of life at Lake Jeffrey. As of this writing the lake is to be dropped some 9’ and back up around October 9.

Now some History- A look at 1946! Right out of the blocks in January, the State Game Commission is seeking lots on the lake to develop and Central asks the lake Board to follow through with the details. In April a letter from John Samson (Attorney- Omaha) requests for 6 trees to be planted and the availability of labor/water 😊. E.C. Stickelman was granted a lease on April 10 for $5.00 what is now lot #17. Expiring leases of Kee and Stinnette taken over by Lages and Modrell of McCook. 

22 members attended the Board meeting on April 13- E.B. Karr is Pres/Bill Healey Sec/treas. It was decided that 2- 8’ directional signs to the lake are to be placed on the intersection entering Brady w/smaller ones near the power plant and the town of Brady is willing to pay ½ the cost. Hink Nelson is to follow up on the project. Discussion was held on a proposed Game Commission fishery nearby to stock the lake. Further, Frank Reeves/Hocick moved/2nd voted to plant wild rice along the shoreline to prevent erosion. Prest/Dr. Morgan moved/2ndto have A.B. Carman be Lot Spotter to show cabin sites and receive $2.00 for each lease he confirms. Hink Nelson/Don Holmes moved/2nd to pay sec-treas $50/year. Lunch served by Hink Nelson, Claude McCaig, William Collett. 

$5 leases from names the likes of Lloyd Peterson- Neb City, Dan McNickle-Gburg, O.L. Moritz/Foote/ Chas. Warrick/Hefnider-Hastings, Nels Zachry- GI, Robert Prest-McCook, Quentin Ginapp-Brady, Marvin Olson-Kearney, Joy Vogel- Nebr City/New York City, Dr. DA DeMay/McCook, and many more. A letter on 9.15.46 from Frank Gaston-Hastings to Healey records a compliment to the Board on what may have been the first picnic held that Sunday!!! A Board meeting followed- letter to all members to suggest planting trees on their lots and required on future lots. Bill Lages/Bill Alexander moved/2ndto reimburse Paul Potter $45 for building road along the shoreline. Karr/Healey to continue discussions on the potential lease with the State Game Commission. Don Holmes/E.B. Karr to follow up on further discussions on boating regulations and rules- some things never change 😊. An October 1 letter to all lease holders stating “if lease of $5 is not paid within 10 days, lease will be assigned to someone else!!!” And boy, did the $5 checks come flying in- one deposit had 21 names with some paying 3 to 5 years ahead! And finally, a letter in October from a Dr. E.A. Reeves of North Platte suggested the Board require tree plantings as part of future lease agreements- he had just finished setting about 300 small trees in a “hedge” and about 24 larger trees with rushes and cattails around his water front.

Okay, Tales first- Since I’ve had no stories to me since October, I’ll go with one of mine. In 1957, our family (I was 9, my sister 6) were guests of Adam Kohl I (Hastings), Lot 54 (currently Stagemeyer’s). One evening (after dark mind you) Adam Kohl II & his friend Jerry Spady (Hastings) loaded everyone in their two immaculate wooden Chris-Craft boats & proceeded to play tag in/out of the coves!!! Reflecting, I can’t imagine what the adults were thinking! Please don’t share with your children or grandchildren 😊.

Now some History- the last edition covered 1944- on to 1945. Leases were “selling” like hot cakes at $5.00/year/lot to the names of Neil Shreck (Bertrand), Frank Cole, H.W. Shreck in January; Jake Hefnider, Frank Gaston, Art Arnold & H.L. Haberman (all of Hastings) in May. The Board meeting of May 25 at Nelson Hardware in Brady called by President Collett= motion by Blackwood & Pollard allowed funds for cement/stakes to mark cabin sites/lots; motion by Karr/Peckham giving Carmon the right to sell minnows on the lake until June 1, 1946! More leases to John Samson (Omaha attorney), Clark Jorgensen, R.F. Prest (Prest Drug-McCook). July letter from Bill Healy requesting more expedient issuance of leases from Central since people were waiting to develop lots. Board meeting of August 3- open discussion held to the progress made w/Nebr Game Commission & recent publicity about their intent to develop at the Lake; Stephenson shared the Isaac Walton League of Curtis would like to have some of their Board attend the next meeting of the JLDC Board & the invitation was extended; following discussion, motion by Blackwood/Hocick to allow $200.00 to build a road along the shoreline known at “Crappy Hole” to allow 30 lot/cabin sites; motion by Blackwood/Reeves to have leases begin July 1st each year; motion by Reeves/Holmes to allow $$$ for location/directional signage w/Art Nelson (Brady), Ray Blackwood (Farnam), & Hocick/Stephenson (Moorefield) to handle this project; discussion held to issue pamphlets giving data to the location of the better fishing areas on the lake; motion by Nelson/Stephenson to have Treasurer Healey pay $6.85 to Howell Lumber (Gothenburg) for stakes & cement mentioned above & pay the Gothenburg Times $28.43 to cover printing of the Articles of Incorporation & membership cards for the leaseholders; 13 people adjourned the meeting & retired to a “fine” dutch treat lunch!

Further reading shows there were 124 names on the mailing list for JLDC- many of which I recognize and I’m sure some of you more long-time residents of the area would certainly know. There is a letter of August 29 from the Board to the Game Commission telling them to wait for a response from Central regarding the Commission exploring potential development on the west side of the reservoir- which we all know now never happened! More leases to George Johnson (Hastings), Carl Marsh (McCook), George F. Fisher (Hastings) “to the lot north of Dr. Pyles” which are now #30 (Egender) and #31 (Ingram), Moritz Aabel (Hastings), Bob Geyerman (Hastings), Lloyd Peterson (Nebraska City), John Klein (Moorefield), Maurice Stephenson (Moorefield), Mason Hyde (Gothenburg Nurseries), and a unique payment from a Joy C. Vogel (New York City) via an Ardis V. Yates (Nebraska City), & Frank r. Gaston (Hastings). Lots at the time were 100x100 with a 15-foot setback from the lake & you could build as you wish for cabin, trees, and landscaping. October 6 marked the date when Central signed a lease with the Game Commission to develop the land which is currently our public area. There is a letter from the Board in response to an individual from McCook clarifying that it was erroneous that he heard boating was not allowed on the lake- ONLY the supply canal 😊. And finally from the Board meeting of December 7- motion by Reeves/Blackwood to have Holmes/Healey meet w/the Game Commission to commence on their site work; motion by Reeves/Stephenson to pay Beulah Healey $20.00 for typing & setting up a bookkeeping system for JLDC; motion by Hocick/Pollard to have Glen Foster report at the next meeting about planting wild rice and other vegetation along the lake; motion by Reeves/Holmes that all leases were null and void if not paid within 15 days following July 1 each year. Meeting adjourned and lunch was served 😊

Okay, Tales first, since last April…………Mitch Rickett, Lot 21, gave me two aerial photos taken in 1958 viewing the cove where he lives. They are insightful! No trees anywhere in sight; they show the original and very spartan cabins on Lots 20, 21, and 22 looking from south to north; and a photo taken from north to south shows the original cliff where Kaschke’s A-frame, Lot 36, now stands- I believe Clarence Block built it originally. A big- in fact TWO big- thank yous to the Ingrams, Lot 29, for once again hosting the annual picnic on July 10 and hosting the 1st annual lawn concert September 4- both great events! 

Now some History…………..A quick look at the newest Cabin Directory shows out of 124 members, 29 have a Gothenburg address, 24 a Colorado address, and 22 the Lake as their address; also 4 new owners during this past fiscal year. So, picking up from the first Board meeting on June 2, 1944, where some familiar names were elected to the Board and Officers (see Edition #3), we move forward. A letter dated June 20, 1944, from Frank Reeves, Chairman of the Dawson County Wildlife Federation to the Nebraska Game, Forestation, and Parks Commission (NGFPC) informs them of the formation of JLDA. It also states Board and Officers have been elected and they have signed an agreement with Central to create recreation grounds, cabin sites, boat docks, and picnic areas. The letter also asks for assistance on what to plant along the shorelines for fish and wildlife food supply. This request was because the lake was drained very quickly in 1942 and resulted in a massage fish kill. Further, and of special note are bank deposits in July and August 1944 of $272……..since the site assessment at that time was $5 per lot per year, I’m not sure why the odd number! 😊  The remainder of 1944 includes many letters back and forth along with meetings including members of the Lake Jeffrey Board, officers from Central, and officers with the NGFPC. The thrust of the dialog throughout these notes/letters is because of the planning and efforts of several of the Power and Irrigation Districts around the State, Nebraska was “rapidly becoming a state of unusual deep-water fishing possibilities. These new reservoirs are already producing much fishing recreation for both residents and non-residents of Nebraska. It is the ardent desire of the Commission and myself to have these areas become meccas for fishing enthusiasts from all the Midwest.”……..Paul T. Gilbert, Secretary, Nebraska GFPC. 

Further reading shows the Commission was developing one of its largest hatcheries for walleyed pike at North Platte. Aquatic planting projects were under study in order to make these reservoirs suitable for fishing. It seems the Commission’s major concern was the fact that leases were being issued around the state with little concern for public access to the various lakes involved. They were meeting with the irrigation districts to ensure “bankage areas for public fishing.” They were also interested in the development of picnic and recreational areas adjoining the larger reservoirs, which would call for immediate planting programs for suitable trees and shrubs. 

Okay, Tales first, since last November………..Carissa Skeen writes, “ My mom, Marlene Skeen owns her aunt and uncle’s cabin (Hazel-Jake Hefnider), now Lot 59, and recalls going to the lake as early as 1942. Mom believes the Hefniders, Gastons, and Arnolds were some of the first lots chosen at Jeffrey.” Carissa also sent copies of a story and some photos from the Hastings Tribune dated August 4, 1945, showing the Hefnider’s original 24’ mobile home before they added the 8x24 glass-screen enclosed porch. Photos also show an 18’ boat, an 18’ sailboat, and a string of fish!

Now some History………..last summer Terry Healey, Lot 95, dropped by with a box of history from his parents (Bill-Beulah Healey). I have since put all the papers in order from 1943 to 1959- and so begins some interesting insights of this magnificent lake! 

The very first piece of paper is a hand-written yellow legal-size sheet with the minutes of the organizational meeting on July 7, 1943- and it’s in shorthand!!! The names within the minutes include Collett, Pyle, Hess, Healey, Reeves, Peckham, and Karr. The next page states “Sites Sold” at $5 per site to Gaston, Arnold, Hefnider, Kolb, McConnell, Jensen, and Stebbens and 12 more with no names mentioned.

Next is a letter from McAndrew McCall, Resident Engineer, to E.E. Flanagan, Chief Draftsman- both with CNPPID- in response to a request from William Collett, from the Bank of Brady Island. The above group wants to develop the east shore of Jeffrey Canyon Regulating Reservoir for recreation purposes. McCall suggests they send a copy of the recently prepared plat showing shorelines, the new road leading to the proposed evaporation station, the print showing reservoir topography from April 23, 1936, and show the elevation of 2759 in blue color so the newly formed group will see the maximum water level under normal operating conditions. Remember from Edition #1 that construction on the power plant began in 1936 and produced its first power in 1941. 

The first Board meeting was June 2, 1944, in Gothenburg. Members present were Collette, Nelson, Pyle, Karr, Pollard, and Blackwood- all constituted the original Board. Officers elected were President Collette, VP Karr, and Nelson-Sec/Treas. Motion by Pyle that the two men from each town appoint a third person from the country to also serve on the Board- seconded and passed. The three appointed were Arch Jorgensen- Farnam, R.H. Peckham- Brady, and Ken Tetro- Gothenburg making it nine members.

Okay, Tales first. Here’s some input I had following Edition #1…… 

Many of us have known the 1st cabin (some called it a shack) on the lake was built by Dr. B. W. Pyle from Gothenburg on Lot 31, now held by Greg/Leah Ingram.  It was a log cabin and rumor has it that it was a place for Doc to have a toddy (or two or three) on his day off and host some hunting buddies. Visiting recently with Terry Healey, Lot 95, he confirmed that the story is NOT a rumor! J  And next time you’re driving or cruising by, you can still see the original fireplace standing alone in Ingram’s yard.

Tot Holmes, Lot 3, writes “my father, Don Holmes, moved a small building from south of Brady to the lake on October 7, 1945, which was also the 7th game of the Chicago-Detroit World Series. It was the 2nd cabin on the lake and the lot fee was $1 per year.” 

I shared in Edition #1 that Lot 34, which is where I grew up from 1957-1970, and is now held by Matt/Sue Williams, was the 3rdcabin on the lake. I have since found out it was built by Snub Karr in late ‘40’s. 

And Scott Sneller, Lot 37, writes “my parents bought the cabin from Ralph Fagot in 1965. Ralph had just finished building it from scratch by pouring and molding every brick in the walls.” And I recall that Scott’s parents had their Episcopal priest come out each summer to have a Sunday service on the deck over their boathouse……always a memorable day. 

I have also received some names of people to contact and learn about more Tales about this gem of nature we call Lake Jeffrey - and be able to share in the future. 

Now some History……….Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID or Central) is a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska organized under the public and irrigation district laws passed in 1933. Central was created to enable the people of south-central Nebraska to develop the state’s irrigation and electric power potential. Central delivers irrigation water to more than 113,000 acres south of the Platte River between North Platte and Minden. Central also generates electricity for homes, farms, and industry at four hydro plants- one of them at Lake Jeffrey. Their system of canals and laterals also provides groundwater recharge that helps stabilize groundwater supplies for irrigation, municipal, and industrial use.

Hi all……….Pete Kotsiopulos here, Lot 35! At the Lake Jeffrey Annual Picnic last year, our Secretary-Treasurer, Kathleen Stubbe, asked if I would consider being the “lake historian”. Why not, right? The goal is to have this and future editions be helpful to cabin owners, acquaint us with not only some history of the lake, but provide all of us with some conversation topics going forward. Personally, I would welcome any stories, corrections, suggestions, humor, etc….at anytime. And no promises how often these will come your way. 😊 Moving on …………….

First, a short story from my perspective. Our family were guests at the lake in 1956 when I was 8 years old at Lot 54, then held by Adam Kohl, Sr., from Hastings, now held by Jeff/Kristin Stagemeyer. The next year, 1957, my father and a close friend, Bill Peterson from Grand Island, acquired Lot 34, now held by Matt/Sue Williams. History tells us that the original cabin on this site was the 3rd one on the lake. More research later! In 1970, families grew and there were 3 lots left on the lake, so my father and I acquired Lot 35. More to follow sometime, but I don’t want anyone to fall asleep in the first minute!

Lake Jeffrey is one of 28 lakes or holding ponds between Lake McConaughy, north of Ogallala, east to Johnson Lake, located between Lexington and Elwood. 26 of those are the responsibility of CNPPID-Lake Maloney at North Platte and Sutherland Reservoir are not. The major lakes in the chain from west to east are McConaughy, Lake Ogallala, Sutherland Reservoir, Maloney, Jeffrey, Midway, Gallagher Canyon, Plum Creek and Johnson ……..then back into the Platte River.

The monumental task of creating this series of lakes and canals began with surveying in the 1930’s. I believe Bill Healey, the patriarch of Lot 95, was on the survey crew. Construction of the Jeffrey Hydro plant began in 1936 with the excavation at the plant site and generation of power began in January of 1941.

For those of you who like number, Jeffrey is 5,300 acre feet, compared to Lake McConaughy at 673,500 or Johnson Lake at 40,000 or Maloney at 18,000. In fact, if you add up the 17 major lakes in Nebraska they would total 639,293 – still short of McConaughy!