History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. II
Thompson's store ; "Rushville" precinct at Wood & Weeter's law office ; "Gordon" precinct at Ladd's law office ; "Heywood" precinct at G. A. Heywood's residence ; "Hunter" precinct at Hunter's ranch ; and "Mirage" precinct at S. Dewey's store.
The clerk was ordered to issue call for an election and prepare ballots and ballot boxes for these ten precincts.
First Officers Elected
The first officers of the new county by virtue of this election were :
Judge, C. Patterson ; Treasurer, A. McKinney ; Superintendent, S. S. Murphy ; Clerk, Abel Hill; Sheriff, John Rig7S ; Coroner, Jas.
F. Tucker; Surveyor, Sojomon V. Pritcher; and Commissioners, T. B. Irwin; G. T. Morey and J. D. Woods.
Abel Hill appointed J. Steward Coghlan as deputy, while he went in person to Sidney to transcribe the meagre records necessary for starting the new county on its way. (Abel Hill died in Alliance some years ago. -- Ed.)
John Riggs appointed two dqxity sheriffs : one, Edward C. Miller of Rushville, and the other D. C. Middleton, of Gordon. The last named is the well known character of western Nebraska, Doc. Middleton.
The first meeting of the newly elected board of commissioners was held in Rushville September 15, 1885, and there were present T. B. Irwin, J. D. Woods, and G. T. Morey, commissioners ; and Abel Hill, clerk.
The bond of C. Patterson as county judge was approved, after which the judge approved the bonds of the three commissioners. The bonds of the clerk and sheriff were also approved. The bond of J. C. Weeters as justice of the peace was also approved, he being the first justice and precinct officer of Sheridan county to qualify.