Woods won a reputation in the house by shutting off useless debates. He would "move the previous question," and thus end wearisome arguments that otherwise seemed to have no termination. Combinations of politics kept Sheridan county out of representation in either house or senate for many years. In 1919 the potash interests demanded the retirement of Lloyd Thomas, of Alliance, who was a representative of excellent vitality and purpose. T. L. Briggs, of Antioch, was chosen.

Generally speaking, the officials of Sheridan county, at home and abroad, have been of progressive ideals, and the county may well be proud of their records. Few counties can show the public spirit in the official family, or the tendency to reward faithful service by the ballots of the people.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

BANKING AND FINANCE

According to the chattel mortgage records there were a few men who loaned money to deserving and desiring homesteaders before there were any banks established. Also as stated heretofore, the first bank in Rushville was put in by H. A. Chamberlain and called the Bank of Rushville. Then Joe Armstrong with the Farmers and Merchants bank, and then M. P. Musser & Company.

The evolution of banking has wrought many changes in the finances of the people of the county. The potato enterprise for instance has such a firm foundation that crop loans for a moderate amount upon the growing potato crop is not considered hazardous, wihile in the early days that character of a loan would have been for a bank, outside the question.