 The new town was eventually called "Niobrara", an Omaha word for "running water".On June 29, 1857, a steam sawmill was brought to Niobrara from St. Louis by the steamer "Omaha" and was immediately put into operation sawing lumber for the building of the new town.In spite of early hardships, the new town continued to grow, and the 1881 population was reported to be about 500.