His name was Robert Ball Anderson.  The fact that he was the first ex-slave to homestead in Nebraska cements his place in state history.

That he chose Box Butte County for his new home adds local flavor to an already unique story.

You can learn more about Robert Ball Anderson at a “Pre-Chautauqua” program to be held in the community meeting room at the Alliance Learning Center Thursday April 30th at 6:00pm and again Friday May 1st at Noon.

Faye Friesen will present the program, based on Anderson’s book “From Slavery To Affluence: Memoirs Of Robert Anderson, Ex-Slave”, which was co-written with his wife Daisy.  The Alliance Public Library has multiple copies of the book available for interested readers.

This program and others like it are being presented in hopes of generating interest and discussion regarding this summer’s Chautauqua event, which will be held June 9-13 in Alliance.  More details on the event, which will include historical lectures presented in the characters of noted historical figures, are available on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AllianceChautauqua?fref=ts