Bust of Former Nebraska Governor Stolen From Wyuka Cemetery

The search is on for whoever left a trail of destruction at Lincoln’s historic Wyuka Cemetery.

Facilities Director Greg Osborn tells KLIN News that over the past two nights, the bust of a former Nebraska governor and four informational plaques were stolen, and dozens of bronze vases were damaged.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, someone broke in and “busted up” around 29 bronze flower vases, prying them from a columbarium (a wall holding urns), Osborn said. The dislodged vases were recovered by Wyuka staff, found “piled up” as if the vandal(s) intended to return and steal them.

Osborn then said on Wednesday night, Dec. 10, the bust of former Nebraska Gov. Albinus Nance and four plaques — one at a Civil War soldier’s grave, an Abraham Lincoln plaque, a Pledge of Allegiance plaque and one featuring a script — were stolen.

Nance was Nebraska’s fifth Governor from 1879 to 1883. He was buried at Wyuka after his death in 1911. Nance’s bust was sculpted by artist Gilbert Riswold. He is the namesake of Nance County.

Wyuka’s main entrance gate at 37th and “O” Street is currently broken, which would normally prevent overnight visitors, is currently broken and awaiting repair, Osborn noted.

He estimates the total damage to be around $100,000. Each plaque is valued around $15,000 and the bust is considered “irreplaceable.” Osborn speculates the monument of Nance could cost up to $90,000 to recreate. The cost to reinstall each of the 29 vases will also be “not inexpensive,” estimating damage around $8,700, he said. He speculated that whoever stole the monuments may be interested in selling them as scrap metal.

“It’s a mess. Disappointing. Hurt,” Osborn said. “It’s just unbelievable. I just can’t believe people would do that.”

Lincoln Police have been notified and took an initial report Thursday morning, Osborn said. Additional overnight security will be provided starting tonight by Wyuka’s regular security company, Osborn added.

If you have any information on these thefts, contact Lincoln Police at  (402) 441-6000 to speak with an officer, or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers at (402) 475-3600. An anonymous tip can be left online through lincolncrimestoppers.com.