It was necessary to get fuel, for nature had bestowed upon the hills south of the valley, the timber supply that assisted the early people of the valley. There were several places found along the river, where by passing from island to island, and sand bar to sand bar, there was little difficulty or danger. If one followed the track of the wagons gone before, a good load could be pulled across the river, but if one got out of the beaten track, there was more or less trouble.

Near Tom Fanning's place was one of these fords, which a great many of those who settled on the Dutch Flats, used as a crossing. Gotfried Kamaan was coming across there on his way to his claim, and he had a yoke of oxen. He got out of the beaten track, and the oxen broke the yoke, leaving him sitting in mid-stream. He waded ashore, went to Fanning's and stayed all night. In the morning his wagon had settled down somewhat, but was still in sight. Fanning's horse stock was more of the saddle and driving varieties, and Kamaan needed a good draft team to get him out of his trouble. The Dvorseks had a place a short distance down the river from Fanning's and he had some heavy draft horses. A team of these and a rope reaching to the shore were secured ; Kamaan broke the ice which had frozen thinly across the space, and waded out to the wagon in the icy cold water. The team pulled the wagon out, and he proceeded upon his way. Experiences similar or otherwise, sometimes amusing, and sometimes tragic, were the lot of the pioneer in Scotts Bluff county.