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Chuck Hinman IJMA No. 327: The Sower Atop Nebraska's Capitol Building Robert Stone saw the photograph by Tim Loy of Columbia, entitled Travel: The Sower atop Nebraska capitol and recalled an article by Chuck Hinman about the statue. It's a wonderful complement to the photo, and is posted below. It's Just Me Again 327. The Sower Atop Nebraska's Capitol Building The next earlier Chuck Hinman story, Ever Read A Telephone Book? Reader comments to CM are appreciated, as are emails directly to Mr. Hinman at: charles.hinman@sbcglobal.net by Chuck Hinman Anyone who has not seen Nebraska's imposing capitol building in Lincoln wouldn't believe the magnificence of this structure. It is considered one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. It is indeed an inspiring monument for Nebraskans especially. It is a hidden treasure and of all places, it is in Nebraska, state of my birth and beginning! Built of Indiana limestone, the capitol's base is a cross within a square with four interior courtyards, the square base measures 437 on each side. From the base's center rises a 400-foot domed tower, crowned with a 19-foot bronze figure designed by Lawrie of "The Sower," which represents agriculture, Nebraska's chief industry. The Sower, small appearing from the ground, yet 19 foot tall in the clouds, stands barefoot and without hat sowing seed in the most primitive manner by taking a handful of seed from the grain sack suspended from his broad shoulders and scattering it with the assistance of strong Nebraska winds to the rich soil prevalent in Nebraska. He is not merely sowing seeds of grain, but something much greater. He is the symbol of the intrinsic principles of living, a sower of the seeds of life which will bring into being a finer life for the future. Signs upon entering Nebraska boast "The Good Life" -- and indeed it is! Construction on the new capitol building began in 1922, the year I was born, and was completed 10 years later in 1932. We lived on a farm about 60 miles south of Lincoln. My dad, Arley Hinman, had attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and because of his interest in Lincoln; we made many trips to Lincoln on Saturdays to watch Nebraska football games from the knot-hole section. The capitol building was newly completed in those days and it was a common game for us, as we approached Lincoln from the south on Highway 77, to be the first in our family to spot the imposing "Sower," many times hidden in the clouds. Being youngsters, we would squeal with delight when we made the first observation. Then we kept our eyes peeled on this thrilling spectacle in the sky until at last we were driving by the base of the capital building. What a thrill for a youngster! When I completed military service in WW 2, I received entitlement money to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. I commenced living in Lincoln in June 1946 and graduated in January 1948 during which time I lived on campus a few blocks northwest of the capitol building and the infamous "Sower." My childhood remembrances of the "Sower" and the excitement he engendered never left me! I always felt in awe, typical of a small boy. I was a grown adult with a small boy's exuberance! He was particularly of interest to me at night and sometimes in the early morning hours. He was always lighted, always bore a blinking red-light somewhere on his being to warn airplanes flying nearby. He was always there. He represented stability and evenness. No matter how the world might have seemed topsy-turvy at times, I always counted on the "Sower" just to being in the same place, still having seed to sow and that little red-light still blinking away after 70 some year. He looks no different now than when my Dad was still alive and viewed him, the red light still blinking like the Everyready battery commercial... I can but imagine what an inspiration he has been through the years to those Nebraskans who have seen him every day and felt their lives stabilized by his being. Even though I left Nebraska in 1948, I always get a child's thrill every time I return to Lincoln and search the skies for the first viewing of that bronze piece shining in the sky, the magnificent "Sower"! Truly, "There is No Place Like Nebraska," as the state song says! ... Chuck Hinman, former Nebraska farm boy, spent his working days with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Houston, Texas. He lives at Tallgrass Estates in Bartlesville where he keeps busy writing his memories. His hobbies are writing, playing the organ, and playing bridge. This story was posted on 2009-11-19 17:37:38
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More articles from topic Chuck Hinman - Reminiscences:
Chuck Hinman: IJMA No. 349: Ever Read a Telephone Book? Chuck Hinman: IJMA No. 343 Lost: Middle C Chuck Hinman, IJMA 336: Halloween When I Was a Kid Chuck Hinman IJMA No. 043: Somebody's sitting in my chair Chuck Hinman IJM No. 344: Mealtime When I Was A Kid Chuck Hinman, IJM 374: Wash Day Chuck Hinman IJM No. 306: Chuck Hinman IJMA No. 172: Depression Days Chuck Hinman, IJMA #10, My Dad, Arley Hinman Chuck Hinman: IJMA #176 Not in my boat View even more articles in topic Chuck Hinman - Reminiscences |
 
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