Anton Hiersche was driving a team of spirited colts, and had Judge Hobart in the rig with him. At the approach he put the team on the run and went across the bridge at full speed. It seemed like a perilous ride but Anton knew his skittish team, and took the chance. If kept going there was less menace than if given time to get frightened and possibly going off the bridge at so_me point.

The original bridge in Scotts Bluff county cost the county nothing, and cost those who built it around $10,000. The next bridge which was from Scottsbluff to Mitchell valley cost even less, for the railroad donated a lot. It was built by bonding Winter creek precinct for $6,500. Compared with our present bridges and bridge building processes it seems small, but those bridges served well in those days. Today seven concrete state aid bridges, which cost wlith the approaches nearly a million dollars, now span the river. But they are there for all time without much care or cost of repair.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Political History During the years of the early nineties the populists were active and a power to be reckoned with. In some instances they were strong enough to have their own way, and in others they combined with other parties and were sufficiently strong to dominate the conventions and practically name the candidates.

As late as 1896, Bryan carried Scotts Bluff county by fifteen. T. D. Deutsch was again elected county commissioner. The Courier then paid the following compliment to the present mayor of Scottsbluff city: "The returns indicate a good healthy trade on county officers was conducted, but the delivery was principally on one side. It is a losing operation every time unless a good schemer like Theo. Deutsch has hold of one of the strings.