SUBJECT: Railroad detective fiction author rediscovered in September 21 program
Fictional railroad detective Whispering Smith was the popular creation of Nebraska banker and author Frank H. Spearman, who worked in McCook and Omaha as a banker and writer from about 1887 to 1896. By 1900 Spearman had become one of America's most prolific writers of railroad fiction. Among his eighteen books and dozens of articles Whispering Smith became a best seller in 1906.
Tom White of Lincoln received a research grant from the Nebraska State Historical Society to uncover Spearman and his detective hero. Both will come to life in the program, "From McCook to Whispering Smith" at 12 noon on Thursday, September 21,at the Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P Streets, Lincoln.
The noon-hour brown bag lecture is open to the public free of charge, and will be re-broadcast on 5CityTV in the Lincoln area and Cox Cable in Omaha.
White's research will be published in the next edition of Nebraska History magazine, to be released in early October. Students of Nebraska literature will have an additional opportunity to learn more about Spearman and his creation on Friday, October 6, when the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center offers a free screening of the 1949 feature film, Whispering Smith. Starring Alan Ladd, Robert Preston, and Brenda Marshall, the rollicking adventure includes a cattle stampede, train wreck, and a lovely lady. Co-sponsors for the free screening are the Ross and the Nebraska Festival of the Book.For more information visit www.nebraskahistory.org or call 402-471-4754.