The Union Pacific railroad was built on to the west from Sidney in 1868, and with it went a large part of the population of the town when it was the end of the road. There was a large, nomadic, rough element in the country at the time, which always followed the rail head where it could prey on the laborers. The post was reduced to the mere needs of protection from Indians, which grew less and less each year.
For a period there was little life in the town and county, after the road reached farther west, bur, in 1870, things began to liven up, and the people began to consider organization. A partial set of officers were named and plans made for a regular election. This took place October 8, 1871, when Sidney's pioneer attorney, George W. Heist, was elected probate judge, but refused to qualify. He was later appointed and did qualify. George Cook was elected sheriff, but was removed and John Ellis was appointed in his place. James Moore was elected treasurer of the county but was unable to give the county commissioners a satisfactory bond and Thomas Kane was appointed for that office, and D. Cowigan was commissioner, but later resigned. L. Connell, elected county clerk, served. Even at this early day there were indications that a political ring had been formed in Cheyenne county and unless a man was favored by the members he did not succeed in public life.
The Cattee Business
The stagnation of the town and county continued through the next five years. The trail herds passing through the town and county enlivened life occasionally, when cattle werei driven from Texas into the country north of Sidney. The cattle business was becoming important in the Nebraska Panhandle where abundant pasture was available.