We had to travel one hundred and fifty miles with a team to obtain provisions, as they were not allowed at the agency to sell us even the necessities of life.

Firsts of Many Things So far as I know, the first birth in what is now Dawes county, was a baby boy, at George Crawford's, on Chadron creek in July, 1884. The first wedding occurred at the residence

son's, in Bordeaux, in February, 1885, and they "didn't go home 'till morning." At this ranch the "gude wife" was known to everyone far and near."

The first trial, or rather attempted trial, of a criminal character was that of Frank Walthal, a nephew of the Mississippi senator ; but as no once could be found to act as complaining witness, it was dismissed. The sheriff who had been called all the way from Sidney, was much chagrined and searched the statute (of which I had the only copy) faithfully to find something he could do, but finally returned home alone. This was in April, 1885.

The assessment for Dawes county for 1885 was made by Cheyenne county assessors and was as follows :

Horses 1,828; valued at $ 35,460

Cattle 25,575; " " 222,126

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Mules 153;

Sheep 640 ;

Hogs 2;

Carriages and

wagons 143 ;

Merchandise .... Land, 800 acres . .

4,590

5,114 8,500 1,600

Total value of all property $280,000

Which with a tax levy of nine mills on the dollar gave Dawes a revenue of $2,520.