Renfrow for sheriff and Clara Shumway for superintendent as aforesaid.

The county was organized on January 29, 1889, and Ashford was chosen the temporary county seat by the commissioners. An election was called to locate the seat of county government permanently, and at the first election Banner was eliminated. Another election resulted in the selection of Harrisburg, for Freeport went over in a body for that point quite to the surprise and chagrin of Ashford.

What was considered one of the shrewd political moves of the time was when a meeting was being held to determine the basis of representation for a coming convention. M, E. Shafto proposed that it be on the basis of one delegate for each fifteen votes or major fraction thereof, cast at the last election. This was adopted, and when the vote was appor-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

tioned it was found that Long Springs precinct (containing Harrisburg) had cast 82 votes and Ash ford 83. This one vote for Ashford gave that precinct one additional delegate and the balance of power in the convention that followed. It was a long time before the politicians of Harrisburg could forgive or forget Shafto.

The following is the official history of the county from the beginning: clerks, J. E. Logan who served two terms ; J. W. Hoke followed serving two terms, after which M. E. Shafto served two terms. J. W. Hoke was then returned for two more terms. Murdoch McLeod followed and he was succeeded by A. J. Shumway. In September, 1905, Shumway removed to Scottsbluff. He resigned and C. S. Page was appointed. Dr. Page served for nearly fourteen years, retiring in January, 1919. R. D. Wilson then assumed the duties of the office and was re-elected at the last election.