Vandenburg was the first to build, and has the credit of being the starter of the- fourteen foot sidewalks now on Broadway. While the board was debating about the width of the sidewalks, which had previously been but ten feet, Vandenburg planted his curb at fourteen feet, and began work. The First National Bank, which was then at the location of the present east entrance of the Diers Brothers store, did likewise, and the ordinance was made to conform.

Water Works Bonds

On October 6, 1908, the village voted $30,- 000 bonds for water works, the election carrying by a vote of one hundred twenty-two to thirty-two.

B. A. Lathrop of Lathrop & Buzza, Julesburg, came before the board in January, 1909, with a proposition to put in an electric light plant. An agreement could not be reached.

On the 18th of February following an ordinance was passed granting such a franchise to J. C. Caine and C. J. Morley of Denver, and the first light plant in the North Platte valley was soon under construction. It was built upon lots purchased and owned by the city, where the water tank and city wells were likewise placed.

In the April election of 1909 Jesse Babcock, J. H. Graves and H. W. Neff were elected members of the board, in the place of Cole, Coleman and Shumway. Two hundred votes were cast. T. F. Kennedy was named clerk and Fred Wright as attorney.

The importance of the automobile in traffic was emphasized in May, 1909, by the passage of a speed ordinance.