Chase county is one of the newer counties, having been organized in 1886. From the fact that it has only 18,2 miles of railroad and that it is not naturally adapted for farming, its population is but 2,559. The soil is mostly a dark, sandy loam and in many places very rich, though the climate is too dry for raising grain without the employment of artificial means. There are now over fifty miles of irrigations and farming is being carried on. The county is watered by Frenchman Rivers Spring River and Sand Creek. The level river bottoms are bordered by bluffs which are cut by many canons. These bluffs make good grazing, as well as sheltering places for the stock. Imperial is the county seat, with a population of 258. There are 921 school children in the county. Cherries, plums and peaches are successfully cultivated here, while corn, wheat, millet, cane and potatoes make up the principal farm produce. Land has increased one-fifth in value in the last few years.

      Cedar County has been greatly hindered in its growth by the various calamities which have befallen it since its organization in 1857. At first it was necessary to maintain a constant defense against the Indians, especially the tribe of Poncas at whose hands several murders are recorded. In 1864, at the time of the general stampede on account of an uprising of the Indians, the inhabitants of Cedar County built fortifications and prepared to defend themselves. Another setback to progress was that at first much of the land was held by non-residents and was not open for claim settlement. The Civil War and the grasshopper visitation were means of retarding the growth. In later years the flood of 1881 destroyed an immense amount of property, and in some instances the settlers were glad to escape with their lives. The valleys of the Antelope, Beaver and Bow Creek comprise nearly one-half the surface of Cedar County, and in some places these valleys are perfectly level for miles in extent. The soil is rich and is mostly of vegetable mold. An immense amount of chalk rock is found here which is used in some degree for building purposes. The 716 square miles of area are occupied by 12,467 people. Hartington, the county seat, has a population of 971. Land has doubled in value since 1897. The manufacturies consist of five flour and grist mills and three brick yards.

      L. J. HOILE, County Clerk, was born in Wood County, Ohio, June 7, 1869. He removed in 1892 to Wayne, Nebraska, where he engaged for six years in the lumber business as travelling manager and collector. He then went to Laurel, Nebraska as manager of a lumber yard and after a residence of four and a half years there was elected County Clerk. He gained his education at Prairie Depot, Ohio in the high school. In 1897 he married Miss Ella Pergellis and they have two children. Mr. Hoile received 231 out of 239 votes in his home town.

      M. T. WOODS, Clerk of the District Court, was born in Warren County, Illinois, January 22, 1872. Removed with his parents to Kansas in 1876, returned to Illinois in 1879, came to Butler County, Nebraska in 1882, to Holt County in 1884 and settled in Cedar County in 1895. He gained his education in the high school at Atkinson, Nebraska. In 1889 he married Miss Nellie Inez Patrick. He has held several offices such as justice of the Peace, Street Commissioner, City Clerk and Town Marshal.

     C. H. WHITNEY, County Attorney, was