They had pulled the augur from the hole preparatory to going into dinner, when a two-year old child ran, fell, and toppled head-long into the hole. The distance was some eighty feet to the bottom of the hole. In the neighborhood there was a boy about eleven years old who was very slim. He consented that they tie a rope to his feet, let him head first into the well, and he would bring out the baby. This boy -- Johnny Smith -- was certainly a brave young fellow and should have been given a medal, but they were not passing out medals in those early days. They never have awarded prizes to pioneers. Johnny saw his duty, and did it well: the child was brought to the surface, but was quite dead. The sorrowing parents buried the little one. and immediately pulled out and left the country.

The Smith family later went into the western coast countrv. I have never learned what became of the brave little hero that went head first down an eightv foot well that was none too large to admit his body.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

CITY OF SCOTTSBLUFF

Scottsbluff was established by the Lincoln Land Company, upon the southeast quarter of section 23, township 22 north and range 55 west 6th principal meridian. The principal part of the town as originally platted was on land patented to Elizabeth McClenahan by the United States.

Anselmo B. Smith surveyed and the plat was filed covering fifteen original blocks, which with streets and alleys approximated forty acres. It was surveyed upon liberal lines, wide streets and alleys, the main thoroughfare being one hundred feet in width.