A number of soldiers on scout duty out of Fort Robinson found themselves hard pressed by Indians, and were held in close quarters until nearly starved before the rescue party arrived. When relieved from their tension of resistance they were "hungry enough to eat a raw dog." The sole article of provision which the rescuing party had, was old dry-salt bacon, which in the language of the rough west was called sowbelly. Since then the name has clung to the place.

First Newspaper

The Bodarc Record was the first newspaper published in Sioux county, coming in-

No one can properly appreciate how much the press is doing for the community until he reads it in the light of years. After the lapse of a quarter of a century one can read understandingly of the period of the record. One can appreciate wdiat provoked the outbursts of wrath or satire, or the many little disturbances that stirred the communities to their center. The country press of thirty or forty years ago said things without the restraint that is seen today. There were no studied efforts to say a thing in a way that might easily be understood another way. There were no veiled insinuations. They called a spade by that name. In that perfect expression, the world of the time was cor-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

rectly recorded, and there was no doubt about it. Sometimes we wonder if the press has deteriorated, or, having taken cognizance of the weaknesses and frailties of ourselves and our brothers, most of us speak with observance of the rules of charity. The next generation will perhaps understand us better than we understand ourselves.