Drought, trains, and a chicken dinner: FDR’s 1936 campaign stop in Fremont

It was billed as a presidential tour of the drought-stricken areas of the Midwest, but President Franklin Roosevelt was in full campaign mode when his train stopped in Fremont on September 2, 1936.

By David L. Bristow, Editor

 

It was billed as a presidential tour of the drought-stricken areas of the Midwest, but President Franklin Roosevelt was in full campaign mode when his train stopped in Fremont on September 2, 1936.

Digitized by History Nebraska, this newsreel has no sound, but the three-minute clip has plenty to see. It gives a lot of attention to the other newsreel cameras and radio microphones—the national media presence seems as much a part of the story as the presidential visit.

At the 2:45 mark we see how the wheelchair-bound Roosevelt stood while holding the arm of a man at his side. The public never saw his wheelchair. At 2:54 we see the president chatting with Nebraska governor Robert LeRoy Cochran, who was riding the presidential train to a drought conference in Des Moines. We even get a brief glimpse of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at 3:13.

The ongoing drought was on everyone’s mind. FDR had just come from the Nebraska Panhandle, where he talked with farmers in Sidney and North Platte. And not shown here but aboard the train was Waterloo, Nebraska, farmer Gus Sumnick, “who entertained Roosevelt with a chicken dinner at his farm during the 1932 campaign.” Sumnick told reporters he hoped to discuss farm issues with the president.

“I ought to know something about farming,” Sumnick said. “I’ve been a farmer 45 years, from hired man up.” Farmers were going to need more federal help, he said, if they were going to put in another crop. He ended up talking with Roosevelt for about half an hour. Governor Cochran, meanwhile, talked to the president about the need for major flood control projects in the Republican River valley. The valley had flooded disastrously a year earlier.

That November, Nebraskans gave FDR more than 57 percent of the vote (41 percent voted for Republican nominee Alf Landon). It was the second—and last—time Roosevelt carried Nebraska in his four presidential campaigns.

 

Video still: Nebraska governor “Roy” Cochrane with Roosevelt.

 


Sources:

“Cochran Flies to Columbus,” Omaha World-Herald, Sept. 2, 1936, p. 1.

“Gus Sumnick on the Presidential Train,” Lincoln State Journal, Sept. 4, 1936, 11.

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.