Exposition Heist: A Sneak Peek at the Great Nebraska Scam

The streets of Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska, were abuzz with excitement in June 1897 as the Trans Mississippi Exposition loomed on the horizon. The Department of Exhibits was working overtime to secure the finest displays from across the country. But, amidst the fanfare, a peculiar crime unfolded. A man, though not identified, had taken to using a wart on the back of his neck as a makeshift collar button, a trick he’d learned from riding the back coach of a train to avoid paying interest on his money until the conductor came calling. Little did he know, this was only the beginning of a series of questionable transactions.