On they came, from Belgium and New Hampshire, from Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia, from the Chicago fire, from the territories: Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, the Dakotas.
All the way they brawled, about Indians, about border lines, about slavery, about who was the bigger imbecile. And then they fought County Seat Wars in most of the 3,000 new counties. A thousand of those remaining ended up in south central Nebraska, scrapping about Harlan County and which still-imagined town should hold the seat of government.

Quirky, Irreverent, Honest, and Unexpected
"Thank you for sharing, Marilyn. This was so brave." -Bob Eckstein, New Yorker cartoonist

"This is beautiful, Marilyn. I wish I could give you a hug." -Rivkah Sass, Executive Director, Sacramento Public Library

"Marilyn, you're a pistol. I'm thrilled to know you. Just related to my husband how masterfully you take us down a fascinating path and drop us off at a totally unexpected destination. I must say, lady, you are one of my favorite authors." -Johnnye Gerhardt, Board of Directors, the Nebraska Film Association
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