This building was not plastered, neither did it have a chimney, the floors were all rough boards, counters, tables and other furniture was manufactured out of rough sawn Pine Ridge lumber by local carpenters. A large fire proof safe, costing one thousand dollars was bought on long time payments, which the commissioners promised to pay when funds were derived from taxation. This was completed .in May or June of 1887. A small jail, containing two cells, built of two by four scantling securely spiked together and covered with a rought board roof was also erected.

The first duty of County Clerk Clark was to take an assistant and go to Chadron and transcribe the records of the county which pertained to the few tracts of deeded land, mortgages, and other legal records, which were necessary, and the basis of the present county records. There were verv few duties for the new county officers to discharge, outside of those of the Countv Clerk. Clerk of the District Court, and the County Judge. There were no taxes collected during that year, and the County Treasurer spent a few days only of his time at the new county seat.

This set of county officers were elected to serve for the remainder of the year 1887, a period of about nine months, and their successors were elected at the election held November 4. 1S87. After a very warm political battle staged between the Republican and Democratic parties, with the Prohibitionists casting aboul thirty votes in the county, a ticket composed of both Democrats and 'Republicans was elected. The Pepublicans elected Fred V Shonquist, Sheriff; A. L. Field, County Judee; Doctor W. II. Smith, Coroner; while the Democrats elected John O'Keefe, County Treasurer; [olm Leith, County Superintendenl : C. V Burlew, County Clerk ; and Thomas L.