In 1865, under Territorial laws of Nebraska, Seward County was attached to Lancaster County for judicial purposes, and was yet unorganized. In October of this year, the Commissioners of Lancaster County called an election to be held in Seward County at the general election for county officers throughout the Territory. At this election, the following-named gentlemen were elected as the Board of County Commissioners for Seward County; William J. Imlay, of Seward; William J. Thompson, of Beaver Crossing; H. W. Parker, of Camden.

The board met and organized, and divided the county into five Election Precincts, and the returns of the several elections having been canvassed, it was found that the following gentlemen were the successful candidates; Thomas West, Clerk; C. J. Niehardt, Treasurer, W. E. Chapin, Sheriff; J. L. Davison, Probate Judge.

An effort was made to locate the county seat at Camden, but during the years 1865-66, the Commissioners held their meetings alternately at the residence of the County Clerk on the West Blue, at West Mills, and at the house of the County Treasurer on the Big Blue, five miles south of Seward.

The north half of the county in the mean time had been organized into Seward and Oak Grove Precincts, and the south half into three, Camden, Milford and Beaver Crossing. At this date, the population of the county was small, and hence the valuation of property here was not sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of county government. The amount of the levy for the current years of 1865-66 was $423.34.

It was evident, as early as the year 1866 that the settlers in the northern and southern part of the county were not going to work harmoniously together in their county organization. They were universally men of more than average intellect, and the strife and jealousies naturally arising from the differences in locality and the aspiring disposition of the sectional leaders, were the source out of which grew constant agitation in the contest for county seat honors. This was the great question that arose for adjudication, the vexed question of definitely locating the county seat. The settlements were yet sparse and scattered, the settlers generally poor, and politicians comparatively numerous. The records of the county for the years 1865-66 are as follows:

"County Commissioners H. W. Parker, W. J. Thompson and William Imlay met at Thompson's Ranch and transacted the following business: The bonds of H. W. Parker, W. J. Thompson and William Imlay, County Commissioners; J. L. Davison, Probate Judge; C. J. Niehardt, County Treasurer; S. A. Chapin, Sheriff; C. J. Niehardt and Orian Johnson, Justices of the Peace, were presented, acted upon and approved. The board ordered the Clerk to order from the Territorial Auditor the blank books belonging to the county.

"There being no further business, the board adjourned to meet at the house of H. W. Parker on the second Monday in January, 1866          THOMAS WEST, County Clerk."

"OFFICE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,

Seward Co., Neb., Feb. 19, 1866.

The following resolutions were passed:

"Resolved, By the County Commissioners of Seward County, that our County Clerk be authorized to call upon the proper officer of Lancaster County and demand the tax duplicate for the year 1865 of the property this county was assessed with, and this county to refund to Lancaster County the expenses she may have been to in making said assessment.

"Resolved, By the County Commissioners of Seward County, the County Clerk be authorized to fill up requisitions promised by the Territorial Auditor, and immediately forward the same to the Territorial Auditor. There being no further business, the board adjourned to H. W .Parker's.          THOS. WEST, Clerk."

Seward County, Nebraska, tax assessment as follows; County tax, 6 mills on the dollar; sinking fund ½ mill on the dollar; land road tax, $3 on quarter section; road poll, one day, or $1.50 each.

"Resolved, That we, the County Commissioners at their July term in regard to the levy of tax for 1866, and,

"Resolved, that sum be levied at 6 mills on the dollar, valuation for County General Fund.

County Clerk's office, October 1, 1866--County Commissioners H. W. Parker, William J. Thompson and William Imlay, and transacted the following business:

Settled with C.J.Niehardt, Treasurer, total
     amount of Warrants redeemed up to October 1, 1866...$65.33
Total amount of county fund collected.....................62.62
                                                          _____
     Due Treasurer overpaid on orders ...................$ 2.71
Amount of  county taxes delinquent Oct 1, 1866 ..........$25.45
Total amount of Road tax collected and in hands
     hands of the Treasurer .............................$60.48
Amount of delinquent road tax.............................27.50
Credit by amount of percentage for
     collecting general road fund .................$ 6.04
Balance of road fund in Treasury....................54.44

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS--Sirs: We, citizens of Seward County, Neb., would respectfully request your board to locate a county road, commencing at the northeast corner of Section 13, in Town 11, Range 3, and running west as near as practicable on section lines and the point of intersection with the road located running from the steam wagon road to the north line of the county, it being near the center of the south line of Section 7 in said township, and known as the northwest corner of William Imlay farm. W. W. Cox, Joseph Sampson, R. T. Gale, Sidney Pitt, E. A. Bingham, David Imlay, Lewis Moffitt, E. J. Ellis, D. J. Imlay, Joseph Imlay, J. A. Brown, E. S. Clark, E. L. Clark, T. B. Dunoway, William Imlay.

A list of names to be attached to the petition for a road on the west side of the Blue: J. N. Roberts, John Roberts, Lewis Moffitt, David P. Imlay, Henry Palmerston, James A. Brown, Thomas Skillman, E. W. Johnson, Thomas B. Dunoway, William Imlay, Thomas Shields, Joseph Imlay, W. W. Cox, E. L. Ellis.

December 3, A. D. 1866--County Commissioners H. W. Parker, W. J. Thompson and William Imlay transacted the following business: A petition was received from W. J. Brown and twelve citizens of Junctionville, Nebraska Territory, attached to Seward County for judicial and other purposes, praying for the creation of a precinct, and for the appointment of a Justice of the Peace. The Commissioners created a precinct according to the prayer of the petitioners, bounded as follows: Commencing at a point on the Platte River at the northeast corner of Town 11, Range 7 west, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, thence south on the same line to south corner of Town 8, thence west to the east boundary line of Kearney County, thence north on that line to the south bank of Platte River; thence running east on south bank of Platte River to the point of beginning.

John P. Brown was appointed Justice of the Peace for said precinct, and the County Clerk ordered to notify him of his appointment, and for him to qualify according to law. William J. Clark was sworn in as Road Commissioner to locate a county road up the South Blue.

The following resolution was passed. WHEREAS, Thomas West, Orian Johnson, William J. Clark and other petitioners to have the lines of Beaver Creek Precinct changed so as to put them in said Beaver Creek Precinct.

Resolved, That the east line of said Beaver Creek Precinct shall be two miles east of where it was located, i.e., to the east line of Section 32.

A petition was presented for the location of a county road running as follows: Commencing at the quarter section corner on the line, between Section 1 and 2, Town 9, Range 3, and running north on said line between Sections 1 and 2, in Town 9, also between 35 and 36, Town 10, one and a half miles, with a variation of not more than six rods of said section line for the purpose of proper place to bridge Wolf Creek.

The Commissioners located said road according to the prayer of the petitioners as described above.

The bond of L. D. Laune, Road Supervisor, was approved. J. E. Fouse was appointed, and his bond approved as Assessor for the Beaver Creek and Junctionville Precincts.

Orders were drawn on road fund in favor of Road Supervisor for $16 in favor of L. D. Laune, Road Supervisor for $8.

"Seward County, Nebraska Territory, July 2, 1866--Assessment of taxes; roads granted; equalization of assessment; Commissioners' orders for meetings; Judges' and Clerks' fees for 1865-66, to be drawn at our next meeting in September 3; ballot boxes to be furnished; William Imlay to procure them by our next meeting, September, 1866."

"Minutes of the Commissioners of Seward County, N. T. equalization of assessment, $54,000; notice of election; appointment of W. J. Thompson for Road Supervisor of the Beaver Creek Precinct; Daniel Morgan made Supervisor in the Camden District; David S. Imlay, Supervisor in the Plum Creek District.

"An order was drawn in favor of C. J. Niehardt, County Treasurer, for $6.26, amount of his percentage on collecting the general county tax, and another order for $2.11 amount paid on county order over amount, county funds in his hands; also an order to W. H. Parker for services as County Commissioner, $12.20.

"The following resolutions were passed:

Resolved, The county will not bear the expense of locating any county road in this county.

"Resolved, That the amount of levy for the year 1866 shall be 6 mills on the dollar.

"Resolved, That the amount of salary to be allowed to the County Clerk for his services per annum as Clerk, shall be $100.

"A petition for county road from W. W. Cox and others was presented, petition granted and W. W. Cox appointed Commissioner to lay out and locate said road.

"Road District No. 1 was divided, and the South District is made four miles wide, extending four miles from the south line of the county.

"A petition was presented from Orian Johnson and others for a county road from the Camden Bridge, to or near the crossing of Beaver Creek, running on the north side of the West Blue. Said petition was granted and William J. Clark was appointed to view and locate said road.

"Commissioners adjourned. Martin & Howard's land to be listed on the old score at $2,000. Daniel Millspaugh's bonds were accepted. Ronald Reed was appointed Assessor."

                         TREASURER'S  REPORT

     Treasurer's report to the County Commissioners of Seward
 County, N.T., at their October term, 1866:
     Amount paid on county warrants .............
     Warrants paid in full ...................... $48 48
     Indorsements on warrants ...................  16 25
                                                   _____
          Total ................................. $65 53
     Delinquent county tax....................... $25 45
     Amount of county general fund collected ....  59 14
     Penalty ....................................   3 73
                                                   _____
          Total ................................. $62 62
     Land road fund collected ................... $56 75
     Penalty ....................................   3 73
                                                   _____
          Total ................................. $60 48
     Delinquent Land road fund .................. $23 50
     Percentage for collecting ..................
     County general fund ........................   6 26
     Land road fund .............................   6 04
                                                   _____
          Total ................................. $12 30

This comprises all records of the Commissioners' proceedings for the first two years after the organization.

On the 21st of October, 1867, the County Treasurer made his annual statement to the Board of Commissioners, when it was found that the Treasurer had a balance on hand of $8.57. At this assembly of the Board, the following business was transacted, of which the following is a copy of the records:

October 21, 1867.

"Upon examination of the books, the Commissioners find --

The total amount of levy for county purposes
     for the years 1865 and 1866 to amount to .....$423 34
Penalty for 1865 ..................................   3 34
Penalty for 1866 ..................................  16 19
                                                     _____
     Total amount .................................$442 87
Less by error in assessment .......................   2 40
                                                     _____
     Making total  ................................$440 47
Total amount of county tax collected to date ...... 319 91
                                                     _____
     Leaving.......................................$120 56
Less the ten per cent for collecting ..............  31 99
                                                    ______
                                                    $88 57
Amount of uncollected tax on duplicates ...........  80 00
                                                     _____
Amount of money in Treasurer's hands Octo-
     ber 21, 1867 .................................  $8 57

"An order was drawn in favor of W. J. Thompson for $15.20, the amount due him in full, up to and including date, for services and mileage as County Commissioner.

"W. J. Thompson donated to the county enough for the cost of the necessary books needful in the County Clerk's office, and at his request the County Treasurer was instructed to procure said books.

"The amount of sinking fund collected and in the Treasurer's hands October 21, 1867 is $18.25

"Ordered, that C. J. Niedhardt, County Treasurer, be authorized to procure for the county a seal for the County Clerk's office, and the amount of cost of said seal to be paid out of the sinking fund.

Amount of land road tax collected on tax 
     duplicates of 1866, in cash ................ $60 50
Amount collected in road receipts ...............  83 50
                                                   _____
                                                 $144 00
Less Ten percent for collecting .................  14 44
Taken from $60.50 leaves in Treasurer's hands
     in cash ....................................  46 06
Amount of dog tax collected (school fund)........  18 00

"Bonds of W. H. Reed, County Clerk; J. L. Main, Probate Judge; J. D. Olney, Magistrate; A. J. Wallingford, Sheriff, J. H. Anderson, Surveyor were presented and approved.

"On motion, it was ordered that the election shall be held on Saturday, November 16, 1867, to determine the place for county seat.

"There being a mistake on the tax duplicate by there being 160 acres of land put down to J. L. Davison which belongs to W. H. Reed, and the tax on the same being paid by Mr. Reed, the Treasurer is hereby authorized to make the necessary correction in Mr. Davison's taxes."

Through the liberality of Commissioner W. J. Thompson, who generously donated the required funds, the necessary books for the Clerk's office were procured without entailing an indebtedness upon the county.

The amount on hand in the treasury just mentioned, the sum of $8.57, was a part of the general fund. A sinking fund had already been established and the sum of $18.25 was still in the treasury, realized from this source. It was considered best to borrow from this sum sufficient to purchase a county seal, which was accordingly done.

At a meeting of the Commissioners held May 13, 1867, for equalizing the assessment rolls, the following abstract of the valuation of property for the year 1867 was made:

                           "SEWARD COUNTY, NEB., May 13, 1867
     "Pursuant to adjournment, County Commissioners H.W.Parker,
 Thompson and Imlay met and transacted the following business:
   "Equalized the assessed property of the county--
  Number of acres of entered .............10,115
  Value assessed  ..........................     $23,880.00
  Number of horses.......................... 182
  Value of horses...........................       1,050.00
  Amount of moneys and credits .............       3,560.00
  Number of mules ..........................   8
  Value of mules ...........................         660.00
  Number of neat cattle .................... 482
  Value of neat cattle .....................      10,498.00
  Number of sheep     ...................... 215
  Value of sheep   .........................         405.00
  Number of swine .......................... 168
  Value of swine............................         530.00
  Wagons ...................................  75
  Value of wagons ..........................       3,355.00
  Amount of personal property ..............       2,875.00
  Capital in merchandise....................       1,650.00
  Capital in manufacturing .................       3,900.00
  Dogs  ....................................  48
  Polls   ..................................  82
  Males..................................... 154
  Females  ................................. 120
  Boys  .................................... 159
  Girls    ................................. 144

     "Assessment returns of the property in the unorganized
counties west of Seward, attached to Seward for revenue and
other purposes:

  Amount of land ..........................421,316
  Value of land  ............................       $842 00
  Capital in merchandise ....................        935 00
  Horses  ...................................   64
  Value of horses ...........................      3,765 00
  Neat cattle  ..............................  265
  Value of cattle ...........................      5,270 00
  Moneys and credits  .......................      1,835 00
  Mules  ....................................    3
  Value of Mules  ...........................         70 00
  Sheep  ....................................    1
  Value of sheep  ...........................          1 00
  Number of swine  ..........................   21 
  Value of swine ............................        100 00
  Wagons ....................................   36
  Value of wagons  ..........................      1,415 00
  Personal property  ........................        697 00
  Polls  ....................................   38
  Dogs.......................................   20
  F.E.Pitt presented bill for assessing, six days'
     time  ..........................................$18 00
  Stamp  ............................................  1 00
                                                      _____
                                                      19 00
  John E.Fouse, bill for assessing, thirteen days'
     time ...........................................$39 00
  And stamp for bond ................................  1 00
                                                      _____
                                                     $40 00
  William Reed's bill for assessing, five days' time $15 00
  Stamp  ...........................................   1 00
                                                      _____
                                                     $16 00
  Order drawn in favor of Thomas West for........... $25 00

The October election of 1867 brought the following named gentlemen into official position: W. H. Reed, Clerk; C. J. Niehardt, Treasurer; A. J. Wallingford, Sheriff; J. D. Maine, Probate Judge; J. H. Anderson, Surveyor. County Clerk Reed was also ex officio County Superintendent and School Examiner.

The motion passed at the meeting of the board October 21, ordering an election to be held November 16, 1867, to locate the county seat at once, stirred up the public feeling in both sections of the county. Camden had hoped to have been a prominent contestant for the county seat honors. Her citizens expected that the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company would make that town a point on its proposed line, and were led to believe that railroad influence would make it the county seat. But Camden was too far from the interior of the county to be a favorite point with the people in general, and it was found that the railroad officials had other designs in view adverse to the interests of that village. When this became clearly manifest, the principal citizens under the leadership of H. W.Parker united their fortunes with Seward in the county seat struggle, and supported all measures which might tend to advance its interests; the result of the November contest was easily foreseen, and the opponents of Seward naturally availed themselves of every obstacle that presented itself to the accomplishment of the purpose of their sectional enemies.

The Board of County Canvassers had declared Milford a village which had been laid out that year--the shire-town of the county.

The Commissioners at their meeting on the 2d day of December, 1867, after giving their attention to other business passed the following resolution: "That the tribunal transacting county business are required to give notice of the location of the county seat." We read further from the record that "Notice of the location of the county seat was given by posting up notices in the several precincts as required by the last meeting of the Commissioners on the 9th day of December, 1867," and signed "W. H.Reed, County Clerk." Those who read the history of Seward County, today, cannot conceive the intensity of the public mind at this date, and the present quiet and flourishing state of Seward County, has left no evidence of the bitter animosities of the past. On the 14th of December of this year, the Board of Commissioners met again, and by no means in feeling of harmony. Commissioner Imlay having been re-elected in 1866, and Thompson in 1867, the board stood as it did at the organization of the county. The excitement prevailing was now at its height, just before the opening of the session, Commissioner Imlay was placed under arrest by the Sheriff, and taken from the room. The other Commissioners with the Clerk continued with the usual routine of business. The Clerk laid before the board the poll books and papers returned from the several precincts, and during their examination, Commissioner Imlay returned and resumed his seat. A further examination of the returns proved that those from Camden gave the number of votes cast in figures, and not in writing as required by provision of the statutes. Immediate advantage was taken of this technicality of the law, and the returns of Camden Precinct thrown out, and the election declared illegal. The board immediately proceeded to call another to be held the first Tuesday in February,. 1868. Commissioner Thompson filed a protest to this action of the majority, on the ground that the Board of Commissioners had no authority to set aside the decision of the Board of Canvassers, and the matter was permitted to rest for a time. On the 2d of January, 1868, the board again met in session. It instructed and authorized its chairman to employ an attorney for the county, and Commissioner Imlay moved that the minutes of the session held December 2, 1867, be amended by striking out the resolution, giving notice of the location of the county seat, declaring that no such resolution was ever passed by the board. Commissioner Imlay emphatically affirmed that the resolution did pass, but the amendment was carried.

At this point, Commissioner Imlay introduced the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Charges and specifications have been preferred, and handed to the Board of Commissioners against the County Clerk of Seward County, for maladministration in office; therefore.

Resolved, That the Chairman of this board issue a summons requiring W. H. Reed, County Clerk of Seward County, State of Nebraska, to be and appear before the Board of Commissioners of said county at the house of Lewis Moffitt, in said county on the 14th day of January, 1868, at 10 o'clock A.M., then and there to show cause why he should not be removed from office.

This resolution passed the board unanimously, and it adjourned to meet at the house of Lewis Moffitt, in Seward, January 14, 1868, to try the articles of impeachment against the County Clerk. No further record of the action of the board is found against the Clerk, and in October, 1868, we find him still acting as Clerk of the Board at Milford.

It is to be regretted that the official records are not more complete, and that a period of several months in this most exciting and important part of the history of the county are unwritten.

At the fall election of 1868, Mr. J. L. Bandy succeeded H. W. Parker as Commissioner. At a meeting of the Board held December 8, 1868, the Clerk was authorized to tax the costs of the action against himself by the Commissioners for his removal to the county.

In January, 1869, a meeting of the board was called to effect the annual settlement with the County Treasurer. Deputy County Treasurer D. C. McKillip presented the report, and the total amount collected was $600. Cash in treasury, $330.

At the session of April 6, 1869, Hon. Thomas Graham was appointed County Superintendent of Schools, and, on the 22d of the same month, Judge Maine was notified by the County Clerk to hold his office at Milford, the county seat. The Judge did not heed the notice, and continued his office at his residence at Oak Grove Precinct. D. C. McKillip was also appointed County Attorney, and authorized to procure the necessary books for the District and Probate Courts of the county.

The following August, the Commissioners received a proposition from the Midland Pacific Company to build a road through Seward County.

Attorney McKillip was instructed to draft a proposition to be offered to the company, and did so. In it the county proposed to give $50,000 to the company if they would complete their proposed road to the west side of the Big Blue River, within one year. A special election was called for the 20th of September, 1869, for the people to vote on the bond proposition.

Upon the appointed day the election took place, and the proposition was favored by a majority of fifty-two (52). The company accepted the proposition, but never complied with its terms, and the project failed.

At the October election of 1869, Hon. Thomas Graham was elected County Clerk; E. L. Clark, Treasurer; W. H. Tuttle, Sheriff; H. Wortendyke, Probate Judge; G. B. France, Superintendent of Schools; J. M. Evans, Coroner, and J. H. Anderson, Surveyor, while Commissioner Imlay was re-elected.

In March, 1870, the first number of the Nebraska Atlas was issued. This was the pioneer newspaper of the county, and was made the official paper. During this month, a petition was presented to the Board of Commissioners for the incorporation of the town of Seward, and an order incorporating the town and creating a Board of Trustees was passed.

William Hourberg had succeeded W. J. Thompson as Commissioner, and Commissioner Bendy had become Chairman of the Board.

A new agitation of the county seat question was about to commence, and Seward was destined to triumph in the near future.

The Commissioners met September 5, 1871, and ordered a new election to relocate the county seat by a majority vote, despite the protest of the Chairman and the County Attorney, who also gave notice of an appeal from the decision of the Board. Notwithstanding the excitement and strong opposition, the election took place on the 10th day of October, as ordered by the Board, and Seward having a majority of all the votes cast, was officially declared the county seat, and on the 21st day of October, 1871, the Sheriff had removed the records, papers and other county property to Seward. J. R. Paul made the county a proposition to give the use of his building as a court house, and also for the office of the Clerk and Treasurer, which was accepted. O. T. B. Williams offered his office for the use of the Probate Courts, which was also accepted.

At the general election for county officers for 1871, the following were the successful candidates:

Thomas Graham, Clerk; M. A. McPherson, Treasurer; J. W. McCabe, Sheriff; J. W. Shields, Probate Judge; George B. France, Superintendent of Public Instruction; J. M. Evans, Coroner, J. H. Anderson, Surveyor. Francis M. Elsworth had also succeeded D. C. McKillip as Attorney for the county.

A new proposition had been made to the Midland Pacific Railroad Company to extend their road to Seward. The people voted to give the company a bonus of $100,000, and Seward Precinct voted an additional sum of $25,000 to aid the project. The railroad company accepted this proposition, and, by its terms, agreed to have their road completed and cars running to Seward March 1, 1873. This time they fulfilled their agreement, and the first train from Nebraska City and Lincoln made its appearance on the specified day.

A suit at law was commenced by Abram Courtright (deceased) against the County Commissioners and Trustees having the custody of the bonds, enjoining them from delivering them to the Railroad Company, and, after considerable litigation, the District Court decreed that the bonds should be delivered and paid, which put an end to the dispute.

A suit had also been instituted, bringing the county seat question before the courts, and was also finally decided in favor of Seward. The many vexatious dissensions of the past were now at an end, and the prosperity of the county assured. In canvassing the county for the general election of 1871 on the county seat contest, Seward had pledged itself to build a court house for the present use of the county. Messrs. Cloyde & Harris had agreed to deed Block 35, in Cloyde's Addition to Seward, to the county as the site of the court house. Mr. Harris afterward refused to deed this property, and offered the Commissioners Block 41 in Harris, Moffitt's & Robert's Addition. The proposition was accepted, and it became the site of the court house, which was erected shortly after, as also that of the county jail and Sheriff's residence.

About this time, a proposition was submitted to the people to bond the county in the sum of $25,000, to construct bridges on the principal highways throughout the county. They could not see how their interests were to be benefited, and voted against it, and it was consequently lost. The Commissioners, however, took the matter into their own hands, and had the bridges constructed without consulting public opinion, which proved somewhat expensive, and caused the inauguration of a new board. In 1872, the Legislature passed an act forming Seward County into a Representative District by itself, and Hon. W. J. Thompson, of Beaver Crossing, was elected the first Representative, refusing to serve, and resigning immediately after. A special election was called January 7, 1873, to elect his successor, and Hon. D. C. McKillip was the successful contestant. He served during the unexpired term, and was again re-elected in 1874. It was during this year that Commissioner Samuel Manley, who had succeeded Commissioner Imlay, found something wrong in the Treasury Department of the county, and brought it to the attention of the Board. Mr. Manley was a superior financier, and determined to bring the matter to light; the result was the deposition of the Treasurer and the appointment of the Deputy as Acting Treasurer of the county. The Treasurer was away from home during the investigation, and on his return, was arrested on a charge of embezzlement. The October election of 1873 gave the county the following officials: Hon. Thomas Graham, Clerk; W. B. Thorp, Treasurer; J. D. Niehardt, Sheriff; H. Wortendyke, Probate Judge; George B. France, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Leland Walker, M. D., Coroner; J. V. Ainsworth, Surveyor; M. Dunnigan, Commissioner.

Judge Wortendyke resigned his office February 7, 1874, and Judge O. T. B. Williams was appointed to fill the vacancy, and elected at the October election to fill the unexpired term. Lieut. Gov. E. C. Carns and Luke Auger were elected as Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, held at Lincoln in May, 1875; and at the adoption of the new constitution, at October election of this year, Seward County became a Senatorial District and also entitled to two Representatives. This election also brought into office: Hon. Thomas Graham, Clerk; W. B. Thorp, Treasurer; J. D. Niehardt, Sheriff; O. T. B. Williams, Probate Judge; J. D. Messenger, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Leland Walker, M. D., Coroner; J. V. Ainsworth, Surveyor; Willis G. Hazelwood, Commissioner.

Very little has occurred to disturb the peace and quiet of political circles up to the present time, with the exception of the building of the Lincoln & Northwestern Railroad, which may be related briefly.

On the 29th of April, 1879, an order was passed by the Board of Commissioners, submitting the following proposition to the people of Seward County: "Shall Seward County, in the State of Nebraska, for the purpose of aiding the construction of a line of railroad, commencing at a point on the east or south line of said county, running thence to a point within one-half mile of the town of Milford, thence northwest along the valley of the Blue River, via the city of Seward, to the north line of said county, issue and give to the Lincoln & Northwestern Railroad Company or the Blue Valley & Northwestern Railroad Company, $36,000 of its county bonds, with interest coupons dated July 1, 1879, bearing interest at eight per cent per annum, principal to become due and payable in twenty years from the date of said bonds, etc.? The whole amount of said bonds to be issued and donated to either of said railroad companies upon the following conditions, and none other; That one of the aforesaid railroad companies shall construct and complete a line of railroad from some point on the east line or south line of Seward County to a point within a half-mile of the town of Milford, thence northwest along the Blue Valley, via the city of Seward, to the north line of Seward County; to be completed and have both freight and passenger trains running to the city of Seward by the 1st day of December, 1879." It was also ordered that a special election be called, to be hold on June 3, 1879. At this election, the aforesaid bonds were favored by a large majority, and six of the several precincts of the county together voted to issue additional bonds to the sum of $39,000, making a total amount of $75,000. The Lincoln & Northwestern Railroad Company constructed the proposed railroad, and completed it to Seward December 1, 1879, and to the north line of the county January 1, 1880. A Trustee was appointed by the Commissioners, and the bonds forthwith delivered to him. A suit was immediately instituted, in which Mr. Claudius Jones, of Seward, was nominal plaintiff, asking that a temporary injunction be issued restraining the Trustee from delivering the bonds to the railroad company. This injunction the District Court sustained and made perpetual, and decided that the bonds were illegal and void, and further ordered them to be destroyed. An appeal was taken by the railroad company and the matter is still pending in the Supreme Court.