The bridge was built, however, and was used by the people passing north and south.

SIDNEY'S WILDEST DAYS

Sidney had by this time become a boiling caldron of humanity, some serious and hurried, others serene, methodical and unruffled, all with the one object, gold. The town was wide open, and day and night business houses, saloons, dance halls and theatres were thronged with people. It has been claimed that Sidney introduced to the world, the all-night theatre, with continuous performances.

The Telegraph of 1876 refers to the floating population as "freighters, teamsters, herders, 'cowboys,' Mexicans, half-breeds, gamblers, and 'Nymphs du pave.' " The name "cowboy" was apparently just coming into use. In subsequent years the term "herdsman" was made to apply only to those who attended flocks of sheep.

The character of Sidney's Wildest Days, before the vigilantes hung Reed, and partially subdued the town, was such that the Union Pacific railroad issued orders refusing to allow through passengers to get off their trains at the station. This came as a result of complaints of tourists, who were held up or mistreated on the station platform. The men committing these offenses were "Three-finger Jack," "Hold-'em-up Johnny" and others of their kind. Jack made a tactical blunder in a storm and held up a citizen of the town, following which he and some of the worst citizens "dusted," as a result of public sentiment. A number of incidents, some tragic, and others nearly so, and some of boisterous humor, are here chronicled, which indicate the life of the time and place with historic accuracy.