Kimball and Chappell each had ambitions to become county seat towns, and they each wanted all the territory north to be tributary to them in matters administrative and judicial as well as commercially. This was not satisfactory to the people off the railroad, with the result that the proposed lines of division were rejected by the people. Next year, or in 1888, the five county proposal was submitted which was carried in all parts of the old county including Sidney, which had previously opposed any form of division.

Banner county territory then had 2,721 votes -- the largest in its history -- indicating a population of 8,000. 2,064 votes were cast for division and 657 against ; more than three to one. Theo. Menges and George Moyer were leaders for division at Kimball, in both elections, but within a short time after Kimball became a county seat both of these agitators went to other fields.

There was an effort to make two counties on Pumpkin creek which would center near Freeport and Banner. E. M. Cowen headed the Freeport delegation to Kimball convention, and Robinson & Wells took active part for the Banner crowd. Banner was near the head of the creek. In the resolutions committee they won out, and on the floor of the convention, John Adams successfully threw his support to a minority report that was brought in by the delegates from the central part of the territory now in Banner county.

Wright's Precinct At the convention that was held in Wright's precinct to elect delegates to go to Kimball, there was some discussion as to the name for the proposed new county. Some proposed "Wright" in honor of the early ranchman. J. B. Hankinson proposed it be named "Frelingheuson" and other names were proposed. I was one to consult with delegates from Banner and Ashford.