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The family of an Omaha artist whose work is better known than his name visited Omaha Public Library staff offices in March to research the Omaha Public Library’s special collections and to share stories, photos and articles about Charles M. Plein . Joining the group was Omaha historian Jeffrey Spencer, who shared significant information from his extensive research and collections of the time period. Plein (1870-1920) was the great-uncle of Jean McElheney of Rippey , IA (seated). He lived for a time in that area after emigrating from Alsace-Lorraine and before settling in Omaha in the 1890s. Jean told the library staff members that she had heard many stories about Plein from her mother, Elizabeth, Plein ’s favorite niece. The family collection includes photos of Charles; his brother, Eberhardt (Tony) Plein , who also lived in Omaha; vintage postcards sent to Elizabeth; published articles and personal letters. Jean now owns two bronze sculptures created by Plein , discovered and...

Ron Wirth from Oregon contacted the Omaha Public Library. His great-grandfather's brother, Walter J. Lowrie , was a member of the Omaha Hook and Ladder Company. He had in his possession a copy of a booklet published by the Omaha Bee newspaper called " Lowrie's Last Ride." It recounts the accident on July 21 1880, that took the life of Lowrie , the oldest paid member (except for the chief engineer) of the fire department while he was on his way to a fire. Ron asked us: "Are their any photos of the fire departments of that time in Omaha in the archives, or personal and or donated images?" As it happened, I had run across a photo in the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company records and so we scanned it for him. Mark Dasovic , a fire fighter / historian at Omaha Fire Department, identified the photo as one they also have in their collection. The photo was taken in January, 1879. It shows Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company #1 hand-pulled fire wagon with ladders on th...