Wisner, Winfield Evans and A. J. Shumway constituted the village board, or in 1908 and 1909, stands out as a period of municipal advancement. In its life as a city, Scottsbluff has had excellent management from the start, the administrations of Fred Alexander and F. S. McCaffree, appearing to have the advantage in municipal progress. The latter worked under a handicap of a smallpox epidemic of unusual violence, yet the progress is distinctive indicating exceptional executive ability.
HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA
1921 Election
The spring city election of 1921 proved a surprise to man)'. L. B. Murphy had been nominated for mayor and until the last hour for filing candidates it seemed that there would be no opposition. Then the friends of Theo. D. Deutsch placed with the city clerk a petition asking that his name be placed upon the ballot. Murphy was in California and had no idea of the influences that made him a candidate which were the so-called "business interests" and a combination of other ideas. Other people believed that it meant the selling of improvement bonds for whatever market price they would bring and municipal improvements which the condition of the times would hardly justify. Deutsch was a heavy tax-payer and an old time resident of the city and county.
The farmers took a part also and passed about cards, the striking legend of which was. "This is our town too." Deutsch was elected and began his administration by some excellent appointments: P. J. McSween chief of police; A. R. Honnold as city attorney ; F. M. Cline, street commissioner ; arc! Dr. S. G. Allen, city physician. The administration started off with marked executive standards and conservative economies. "It is no public crib to run to" for salaries, and "a dollar's worth for a dollar," are two of the policies strictly adhered to by the mayor and the council.