The following text is by John W. McManigal, Postmaster, February 1, 1957. The painting on the north wall represents a picnic, not necessarily local. I was still a student at the time, very much influenced by Thomas Benton, and the mural reflects both these facts.
Artists have the right and responsibility to use the images, forms and colors which seem suitable.
However, the mural could certainly be criticized as immature and provincial. It represents a Pony Express rider departing on a fresh mount. Kennekuk, near Horton, was a station on the Pony Express route where riders changed mounts, long before the railroads came to this vicinity. Artist Evett has had three one-man shows at a famous New York gallery, and has exhibited individual paintings in most of the major museums of the United States. He won the national competition to do three murals for the State Capitol building at Lincoln, Nebraska, and these murals, like those in many public buildings, proved controversial.