This position is an appointive one and filled by the commissioners annually. Dr. Hudson served three years, being succceeded by Dr. W. H. Babcock for six years. The office was then taken over by Dr. H. H. Hough who held it two years. ' Dr. W. Mullen was county physician "for a number of years after 1902, and in 1914 Dr. M. B. Patty was appointed and today is also a member of the town board of Chappell.

Dr. W. H. Babcock was the first coroner of the county, taking office in January, 1889 ; he was reelected in 1890 and in "1892, Simon Hopper, afterwards county commissioner, was

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

elected, being followed by Dr. Hosea Hudson, serving eight years. . Charles Davidson held office as coroner in 1906, afterward being followed by Clinton H. Smith, elected in 1911, and by Dr. M. B. Patty, elected in 1916. This completes the official list of the men who have served Deuel county in public office, usually most efficiently and to the entire satisfaction of the people.

CHAPTER y

TOWNS

Chappell, the county seat of Deuel county, came into existence with the building of the Union Pacific railroad, when it was first merely a station on the road. It is located in the west central part of the county, on the main line of the Union Pacific. John O'Neil, who was station agent here about 1S80 to 1885, located in the old improvised depot, was so far as is known, the first operator and agent, of the railroad at this point, and the first permanent resident. The depot was partly dug out and partly old railroad ties, while the rest was constructed from the wreck of an old freight car.