THEDFORD–Plans continue to move forward with “Lost in the Sandhills” tour Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m. According to the Sandhills Heritage Museum Facebook page, Pat Laird from Prairie Feeds of Thedford will offer lunch at the Thedford Legion Club. Steak sandwich’s, beans and potato salad. Dessert will be available at the Thedford Art Gallery. The program will start at 1 p.m. at the Haumann girls monument on the Courthouse Square. In-character role play based on actual accounts will take place there.
On May 10 of 1891 eight year old Tillie Haumann and her little sister, four year old Retta were picking wild flowers one Sunday afternoon and became lost north of Thedford, Nebraska. Retta was found alive three days later but sadly Tillie, found a week later, had perished in the hills northwest of Dunning.
A program explaining the hardships that the homesteaders of the area experienced during the late 1800’s will take place then. Jay Jones will act as master of ceremonies. Other individuals will portray family and persons of importance in the search for the girls.
The tour will then head east along Hwy 2 to the Sandhills Road between Halsey and Dunning. Traveling approximately eight miles into the hills, the tour will stop at Tillie’s monument that sits atop a steep hill. Not far from where Tillie’s body was actually found. Time will be spent there enjoying the beautiful view of the Sandhills and understanding the journey Tillie took. At the time it was estimated Tillie walked 75 miles up, down and around the many hills.
The tour will then conclude at the Dunning Community Hall for a program and refreshments. All are welcome for this extraordinary event of two little girls lost so many years ago.
A recitation of the Kate Dunning poem “Lost in the Sandhills” by Miss Charlsie Teahon. Snacks will be provided. This historic tour is sponsored in cooperation by the Thomas County Historical Society and The Sandhills Heritage Museum. And funded in part by the Thomas County Visitors Committee. Make plans now to attend!
