On a convenient elevation a six hundred barrel reservoir is erected and close at hand is an inexhaustible well. The water is brought to the surface and into the reservoir by means of an immense windmill. Pipes lead out to the corrals and barns and into the home, which, by a system of plumbing, is carried to all parts of the building. In case of fire a stream of water can be thrown a distance of one hundred feet or more.

The herds of stock are of the high-grade quality and run largely to Aberdeen, and Angus. The number of horses on the place at present is but three hundred and fifty head, recent sale diminishing the former number. They are also of the high grade quality, and are sired, foaled and bred on the Agate Springs ranch.

The commodious home was built in 1893. It contains fifteen rooms, a den and bath room. It has all the conveniences of a modern home and is richly furnished throughout. Mr. Cook purchased Agate Springs ranch sixteen years ago, and has gradually developed its resources and beautified the premises until now it seems that any further effort along these lines would be fruitless. It has reached the point where perfection draws to a close years of persistent toil and countless dollars.

Mr. Cook's family consists of his estimable wife and two sons. Harold and John and his mother-in-law, Airs. Graham, a prepossessing

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

elderly lady of delightful entertaining qualities. A visitor to Mr. Cook's ranch is so royally entertained that the event is long cherished. Beginning of Crawford Crawford was incorporated August 2, 1886. There is an amusing incident connected with the story of incorporating the place. Crawford was a very tiny infant then and not enough legal signatures could be procured to a document asking for incorporation honors to satisfy the law, in the whole community.