In 1917 Lloyd C. 'Thomas was chosen. Thomas was one of the members joining in the introduction of the Nebraska mineral statute, which was passed at an extraordinary session of the legislature in 1918. He volunteered for the world war, but was not inducted into service owing to its abrupt end.

John W. Thomas w;as deputy state land commissioner during the administration of G L. Shumwav as chief of that office, during 1917 and 1918.

William L. O'Keefe was assistant in the office of Chas. W. Pool, secretary of state, at the beginning of the war, but resigned and went into the service in the World War.

Each of these have performed well the duties assigned to them, and no word of reproach can be truthfully said concerning any of Box Butte county's contingent in the duties of the state assigned to them.

U. S. Land Officers

The United States Land Office was established at Alliance on July 1, 1890. Fred M.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

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Dorrington, of Chadron, was appointed Register, and James H. Danskin, Receiver. They served until the change of administration in 1893, when they were succeeded by John W. Wehn of Wilber, Nebraska, as Register, and F. M. Broome, of Alliance, as Receiver. Following another change of administration in 1897, Fred M. Dorrington was appointed Register and William R. Akers, as Receiver. Dorrington died in office in January, 1903, and was succeeded by Bruce Wilcox. Akers and Wilcox administered the office for four years, and were replaced by W. W. Wood of Rushville as Register and H. J. Ellis of Alliance as Receiver. Upon the election of Woodrow Wilson as president in 1912, J. C. Morrow, of Scottsbluff, became Register, with T. J. O'Keefe. of Alliance, as Receiver, and they continue to draw the salary and perquisites pertaining to the office.