December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 29 Perhaps these examples gave a group of Minden residents the idea to approach the city council for permission to string electric lights during the state convention of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to be held in May of 1915. The residents wanted to light the pathway from the depot and auditorium to downtown where the convention was to be held. The council approved the idea and put J.W. Haws, the local light commissioner, in charge. Haws had much background and experience with electricity as his family owned the local hardware store, and therefore was involved in installing the wiring in homes when electricity became available. Haws started working for the local electric company in 1913 and, at some point, began working for the city and county by 1915. “We don’t know for sure, but with his background, Jack could have even been involved with hanging the lights to advertise the county fair in 1911,” Hultquist says. During this point, the lights were held between two bare wires. Good weather with no wind or rain was required for the lights to shine. Unfortunately, record-breaking rainfall during the GAR convention meant the lights couldn’t fully function as planned, and so they were removed. This setback sparked the idea for Haws to use the lights for a display for the Christmas season later in the year. Haws took it upon himself to take approximately 100 of those plain light bulbs and hand-dip them in Christmas colors to differentiate the display and make it festive for the holiday season. It’s unknown exactly how Haws added the colors, or his specific technique, but the colors made the lights suitable for the new Christmas tradition. In the book Heros Without Medals, Roy T. Bang records that “According to Mr. Haws, this Friday, Nov. 15 Ladies Night Out 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday, Nov. 29 Christmas City Festival Live Nativity 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Petting Zoo 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Santa and Reindeer 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Scavenger Hunt Christmas Parade 5:30 P.M. Miss Christmas City Lights on the Square Begin Saturday, Nov. 30 Light of the World Pageant Small Business Saturday Friday, Dec. 6 Daniel Christian Band 7:30 P.M. Friday, Dec. 6 (cont.) Kearney Co. Historical Society Bake Sale Saturday, Dec. 7 Books & Breakfast with Santa Christmas City Fun Run 9:00 A.M. Kearney Co. Historical Society Bake Sale Sunday, Dec. 8 Tour of Homes Light of the World Pageant Saturday, Dec. 14 Polar Express 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Dec. 15 Light of the World Pageant 2024 Christmas Traditions presented by Minden Chamber of Commerce method produces a crystal effect which cannot be obtained with commercially colored bulbs.” Haws then took four strands of lights featuring the colored bulbs and strung them through the courtyard at the town square, likely through tree branches. This marked December These two photos by Jack Hultquist showcase the present-day Christmas light display at the Kearney County Courthouse in Minden. The tradition began 109 years ago and continues today. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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