The Midwest company has done some drilling in the county of Dawes only a few miles from the county line, and at present the Big Chief company is drilling just over the South Dakota line. This company is operated from Rushville, and is owned in large part by Sheridan county people. If this well becomes a producer, well number two will be put in on the

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Nebraska side of the state line, for the rocks encountered indicate the best prospects are to the south of the present drilling.

In February, 1921, this company was officered by William F. Matthew, president ; G. A, Ostrander, vice president ; Ira Kelley, secretary ; and Geo. Greer, treasurer. Frank Owens was actively interested, and Doc. Underbill the driller. The new officers are : Rev. W. G. Vahlie, president ; H. S. Gillespie, secretary ; Herman Miller, treasurer. Herman Lund and Tom Lincoln were active in the promotion of the enterprise, and "Red" Mc- Clure spudded the well, the depth of the drill in March. 1921, being about five hundred feet.

Nothing speaks more eloquently for the substantial character of Sheridan county, than the story of its agricultural development. The first turning of virgin sod smiled back at the first settlers with abundant harvest. By 1888, the county's agriculture had advanced to such a stage that an agricultural society was formed. Recent exhibits at the state fair have won the admiration of those agriculturally inclined, especially in potatoes, vegetables, and alfalfa and wild hay.