That these peoples were as far west as Sioux county is not yet demonstrated. There were, however, found ancient ruins north of Bridgeport and near Agate, about a half a century ago. Those near Agate were on the top of a high hill after the manner of the Aztec ruins of the southwest. Yet according to the best authorities, I am led to the opinion that the ruins were left by the Paducas or Comanches about the year'eigh-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

teen hundred, before they went south to the Arkansas river. The Cheyennes, the Arapahoes and the Sioux each have had a period in this land, while Assinaboines and Crows came at intervals. It is possible the Pawnees hunted here while they claimed the country in the vicinity about Court House rock. This however has been the Sioux country since it became a land of history.

Fort Robinson was established May 8, 1874, and was a place of great military activity for many years. It is on the east edge of the county, and on both sides of White river.

About two miles from its western extremity is the United States wood reservation about three and one-half miles square. The stories of the Indian wars of the early trappers in this vicinity, and as well as much of the ccw man's story appears in other parts of these volumes, and need not be repeated here. The Indian agencies known as Red Cloud on White river, and Spotted Tail on the pine ridges northeast of Chadron were the original cause for building Fort Robinson, but the discovery of gold in the Black Hills made it of vastly greater significance than at first intended. The two roads from the