One of the persistent ambitions of Gordon is to become a county-seat town, and one of the dreams of the future is a new county formed out of a part of Sheridan county, and a part of Cherry county, but the difficulties in the way of such an accomplishment is the consent of the two counties named.

Shortly after the building of the Burlington through the south part of the county, a petition was filed with the county commissioners (on October S, 1888.) asking the submission of the question of dividing the county, and forming the new county of Kersey. This petition was laid upon the table by the county board.

COUXTV DEIiTS

The first years of any county it is embarrassed by lack of funds. Taxation fails to bring returns for a year and then the amounts

are small. The result is that bonds are resorted to, to bring the finances of the county into good repute. Sheridan county issued $33,000 in bonds in November, 1888, to care for floating indebtedness and bring county warrants to a cash basis. Schools and roads are the two important items of expense in the county. It has a few bridges, but they are not long or expensive to construct, like those in counties along the Platte river. The courthouse, while very nice, artistic and convenient, was constructed at small cost as compared with the present costs of such structures. The county debt is small.

Fraternal Organizations

On the 30th of July, 1887, Amity Lodge No. 169, A. F. & A. M., was given a dispensation under authority of the Grand Lodge of the state. The charter members were : James M. Baker, Orren W. Boston. Albert M. Clyborne, Samuel S. Cornell, James D. Corder, James R. C. Davis. Casper C. Fransom, Francis M.