Our return to what is now known as Dakota Junction required over a day's time, owing to the fact that our team mired in Dead Horse creek. Soon after dark we were helped out by a passing cowboy, and escorted to the Price & Jenkins ranch on Chadron creek. Here we were given a warm welcome and a good supper. A young fawn, skinned and dressed, was added to our supplies, and cowboys, on horseback,

guided us safely to our log house. I often wish, when one uses the term 'cowboy' slightingly, he knew some the many hundreds of noble and generous acts they are credited with in northern Nebraska. To me the very name means 'one of nature's noblemen.' "

First Commissioners

The latter part of April, 1885, notice was received from Governor Dawes of the appointment, as special commissioners of Dawes county, C Fairchild, E. E. Egan and H. G. McMillan, with F. B. Carley as county clerk. Chadron was the temporary county seat. This board met May 9, 1885, and divided the county into voting precincts and called an election for June 27, to elect county and precinct officers, and to locate the county seat permanently.

July 3, 1885, when the official vote was counted. Chadron was declared the county seat of Dawes county, over Dawes City (now Whitney), its only opponent in the race. It was said that every Indian, every traveler, every boy, in fact, every person that could be found

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA