It is well known that the soil of western Nebraska is adapted to the growing of sugar beets and an analysis has disclosed that beets grown in Dawes county and northwest Nebraska contain a greater per cent of Saccharine matter than those grown in other parts of the same state. This suggested that if we could secure a facory, the county would at once come into its own, as the beets could be easily grown and the yield large.

So in the summer of 1894 an effort was made to find some individual or corporation who could or would bring a sugar factory to our energetic little city. The Oxnard's already had a factory at Norfolk, but could not be induced to come here. A mass meeting was held to consider the matter and a committee consisting of J. S. Romine, B. F. Pitman and A. C. Putman were elected to go on a still hunt for the right man, and finally unearthed one. He styled himself Hurst. Baron ( ?) Hurst of Chicago, who represented that he possessed the necessary knowledge, influence and money to carry out the scheme. Every one was enthusiastic. All the baron required was the title to about 16,000 or 20,000 acres of land and a good chunk of stock in the concern and his "Open Sesame" would unbar the door that held Dawes county wealth captive. Land was cheap here and any 160 acres in the county could be bought for a song, so we all commenced singing the song and succeeded in securing the title to several sections. The committee waited on the so-called Baron Hurst in Chicago several times, were wined and dined and sent back to Chadron for more title deeds. The factory would be commenced in a few weeks and be ready for operation next season.