There are so many that I should thank for the kindly assistance that personal mention of each individual will not be possible. I wish however all should know that I appreciate this help and to hope that a better hand than mine will complete the story of our inland empire.

The prosperity of the county in the future will fall upon its people and their co-operative efforts. The present financial condition has proven unsatisfactory in that the banks have exacted too great a tribute in proportion to the service rendered.

BANNER COUNTY

FOLLOWING HORACE GREELEY'S ADVICE -- EARLY EXPERIENCES

The historian crossed the Missouri river on September 15, 1885, and has since claimed Nebraska for his home. That trip up the Republican river and into Colorado and Kansas; then across country from Indianola to North Platte, was the prototype of the experience of many seeking new homes in the far west.

My first impression of North Platte was not of the best. It had twelve saloons that ran wide open. My opinion of "Buffalo Bill" fell several notches when I saw the Wild West saloon in which I believe he had an interest. I had come from the provincial community of western Illinois, and in the light of years have come to be more liberal in my conceptions of the early people of the plains. In subsequent years I rode the range as a "puncher" and drove twenty mule teams with one line and a blacksnake whip. I remained an abstainer and occasionally found others that did likewise ; but I learned to tolerate and really sometimes enjoy the witticisms and foolishness of those who did indulge. The fact of being sober did not reduce one in the opinion of his associates, although they in their cups and in carousals frequently "smoked up" the little cities of the plains.