Omaha’s Colored Community in Shambles: ‘The Progress’ Exposed

June 1890 was a dark time for the colored community in Omaha, Nebraska. A shocking scandal was brewing, and it would take a team of detectives and journalists to uncover the truth. At the heart of the controversy was a local newspaper, ‘The Progress,’ which seemed to be more focused on fleecing its readers than reporting the news. Editor and Proprietor KL Barnbit was accused of running a racket, collecting money from unsuspecting subscribers without delivering a single issue.

Investigations revealed that Barnbit had been operating a Ponzi scheme, taking money from would-be subscribers and using it to fund his own lavish lifestyle. The newspaper’s offices, located at Herald Block corner 15th and Harney Streets, were found to be a hub of illicit activity, with Barnbit’s accomplices peddling fake subscriptions and pocketing the cash.

As the truth began to unravel, the community was left reeling. Many had lost their hard-earned money to Barnbit’s scheme, and others were left wondering how they had been duped. The Omaha Police Department was quick to respond, arresting Barnbit and his cohorts on charges of fraud. But the damage had already been done, and the once-thriving community was left to pick up the pieces.

The case of ‘The Progress’ served as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of a free press. It also highlighted the need for greater regulation and oversight in the publishing industry, to prevent similar scandals from happening in the future.

In the end, justice was served, and Barnbit was brought to account for his crimes. But the legacy of ‘The Progress’ scandal would linger on, a cautionary tale of greed and corruption in the heart of America’s Great Plains.