The Editor has endeavored to prevent any unnecessary repetitions, and to provide against serious omissions of what might naturally be expected in a history of its kind. In more than one instance he has been constrained by his deference to local authority upon strictly local subjects, and by yielding to the testimony of experts in matters which they alone are supposed to know thoroughly, to hold back his own judgment in regard to certain subjects, and permit the local writer and the expert to tell the whole story their own way. The result has sometimes been clash, confusion and contradiction ; for there is nothing about which local authorities and experts differ so much among themselves as those particular events and things in regard to which they collectively consider it the height of presumption for "outsiders" to disagree with them. Where the subject happened to be one of moment and importance, the author has cut the Gordian knot and stated things to suit himself ; but in indifferent or trivial concerns he has simply stood aside and let each writer give his own version.

Some space has been given to biographical sketches of leading and representative men, living and dead, who have borne an active part in the various enterprises of life, and who have become

vi

PREFACE.

closely identified with the history of the county. The achievements of the living must not be forgotten, nor must the memories of those who have passed away be allowed to perish. It is the imperative duty of the historian to chronicle the public and private efforts to advance the great interests of society. Their deeds are to be recorded for the benefit of those who follow them, -- they, in fact, form part of the history of their communities, and their successful lives add to the glory of the county.