While the railroad had passed both Gordon and Rushville, and they had become established in history before Hay Springs came into existence, and while Chadron was to be the division station, and thereby overshadow its near neighbors, in some respects the town of Hay Springs made a very important mark in history. "This town is near the west line of the county of Sheridan as later created, and the fartherest west of any railroad town in the county. It has the highest elevation, the same being 3828 feet above sea level.

T. S. Tripp, who was a land attorney at Hay Springs in the autumn of 1885, and who did considerable business locating homesteaders, secured for himself an appointment as United States Court Commissioner, thereby qualifying for the making of land entries, of hearing contests and of receiving final proofs. He was also the first notary public in the town.

The Congregationalists were the first church to organize in Hay Springs. Rev. B. F. 1 tfffenbacher was there in 1885 and preached also occasionally elsewhere, being one of the tir-t to preach at Rushville.

Rev. Diffenbacher preached the sermon in commemoration of the life of General Grant, in 1885, in a big tent which had been set up by the quartermaster of Civil War veterans, in the town of Rushville.

The first marriage license issued in the new county of Sheridan was to Benjamin Robbins and Miss Lila Abbott. They still reside in Rushville.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

CREATION OF SHERIDAN COUNTY