Dirty, Wicked Town

by David L. Bristow

Omaha, Nebraska, is a laid-back city in America’s heartland. In the nineteenth century, however, it had a very different reputation. Omaha grew from a speculative scheme in 1854 to a booming city. Along the way there were scores of great stories.  “It requires but little if any, stretch of the imagination to regard Omaha as a cesspool of iniquity, for it is given up to lawlessness and is overrun with a horde of fugitives from justice and dangerous men of all kinds who carry things with a high hand and a loose rein. . . . If you want to find a rogue’s rookery, go to Omaha.”—Kansas City newspaper.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Book Club

300 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Dennis Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this book on a trip I took some time back. I loved it. Omaha is about eighty miles from where I live, so I have a connection with the city. The author has done a wonderful job of putting together newspaper accounts and other source materials to present life as it was in Omaha from 1854 until the turn of the century. Criminals, drunks, madcaps, thieves, politicians, and men of goodwill all lend themselves to this narrative of lawlessness. Dark humor and clever trivia combined with actual accounts as presented by area newspapers mix into a wonderful tale. You don't have to like history; you don't even have to know where Omaha is; to enjoy this story. I'm not going to relate any of my favorite parts - that would be too close to writing spoilers. I highly recommend this book to any late teen to adult reader.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of material from diaries and early newspaper articles. Some really interesting bits; I didn't know that Omaha was founded on July 4th.

Writing is a bit clunky at times, but it's an enjoyable read.

Note to the copy editor: To flaunt the law is to display it ostentatiously - "We passed a law to ban smoking in airplanes! Hip hip hooray!" To flout the law is to treat it with contempt or disdain - "I don't care about the law; I'm going to smoke anyway."

[Andrea McDermott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been edited better but I am partial to a book about my hometown. Entertaining.

[Mythie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omaha, I never knew you! What a checkered past. A book definitely worth reading.

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omaha Syndrome: 2
Alec: 0

A very enjoyable read which discusses the first few decades of Omaha's existence, I found Bristow's history of my hometown to be as well researched as it was written. There are anecdotes aplenty from Omaha's early years that range from the charmingly chaotic (brawls in the early legislature) to horrifying (the 1891 lynching of George Smith) and all paint the picture of a place far removed from the safe, suburban Omaha of my childhood. I recommend this book to any who live in or love the dirty, wicked town.

[Krista Danis · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Bristow is an engaging storyteller, weaving chronological and historical benchmarks with narrative anecdotes about Omaha's culture in the late nineteenth century. The George Smith lynching, in particular, is a story needing to be told (as uncomfortable and genuinely horrifying as it was to read). I enjoy the way Bristow surprises his reader with necessary facts at unique times in the story, as he did with the trial of Standing Bear or the Carl Sandburg chapter.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giving this 2 stars because while it wasn't very well-written, it was interesting enough to finish—but probably only because I'm from Omaha. Much of the text came from the local newspapers of late 19th century Omaha (also unimpressive). I was hoping I would find a connection with my hometown—but after reading this book, I've developed more of a revulsion for it.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your hats, homies. If you think that Omaha was always the sleepy city it has the reputation for being now - you are in for a shock.

Well written and researched. An easy read full of thoughtful stories and shocking antidotes.

Enjoy.

[Joseph Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, I had hardly thought of Omaha. Then, in 2022 I moved here for work and came to really love the city. Being a history nerd, I had to find a book on Omaha history.

This book is what it says, it's not a general history of Omaha more then a collection of events that occurred in the 19th century thay gives a glimpse of life in Omaha. And man, life was rough.

From brawling journalists, hoards of con-men, a seedy underground scene, nasty weather, and a horrific lynching. Omaha was not a pretty town in the late 19th century, and the author paints this picture well.

The writing is a bit rough at times, but it didn't hold me back much from the book. For anyone interested in local history of a midwestern town (you don't have to be from Omaha to enjoy this book) I would recommend it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dirty, Wicked Town is one of the best history books I have read!

It's well written and a super easy read. I laughed a lot. Learned a ton. Got super angry and sickened, and even cried a bit.

As a native Omahan, there were moments of prideful recognition and others of deep, deep shame. Stories I wish I could have seen playout with my own eyes and others, I desperately wish I could have stopped from happening altogether (knocking heads around before the thoughts even entered them).

Overall, I am thankful I read this book. History is always important to read, learn, and remember. This one will stick with me. The good... and the bad.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quotes:
"A legislator who was out of order (i.e., speaking against Omaha) would be ordered by Hanscom to sit down and be quiet. If the legislator failed to take his seat,he 'was emphatically notified that if he didn't sit down he would get knocked down.' The result, Dr. Miller reported casually, 'was usually satisfactory to the speaker.' Such was democracy, Omaha style. It was loud, combative, corrupt, potentially violent, and generally a little sour from the odor of alcohol"(p. 52).

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book for school that i am reading.

[John Lourens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great chaser to Ken Burns' the West and the Civil War. Highly recommend to any Omahaian (Omahaite?)

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Very entertaining.

[Josh Charvat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read for anyone interested in Omaha's history. As others mentioned could have used a little more editing but that doesn't take away from any of the stories.

[Maria Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous, story-like history of the darker side of the history of Omaha in the 19th century.

[Ericka Clou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really intriguing vignettes about the history of Omaha. Wish I'd read it soon after moving here but I only recently heard of it through my book club.

[Roger Piasecki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and I give it 3 1/2 stars.

[Jlkhailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting reading about the history of omaha

[Winter Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this as research for an artist's book I am working on. This is the more personal view of Omaha, the stuff that does not make it into the history books. Definitely worth the read if you are into such things.

[Catherine Richmond]

Omaha wasn't always a great place to raise a family. Author David Bristow goes beyond dates, elections, and military events to expose the seedier roots of the city.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The absolute best book on Omaha history!

[L. Duhigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me want to spot landmarks like Central High's hill. Omaha has always been a problem child!

[Rodney Moorhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

God I love Omaha.

[Jim Sutphen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for those that like the real uncut History of our State.

[Heather Cardinale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth the read!