About 1870, the Coad Brothers took possession of the old Stage station, "Scotts Bluffs," and put in a herd of cows. This they developed to colossal proportions. The younger Coads still have the ranch north of Cheyenne at which Mark M. Coad was killed a few years ago by a Mexican. At the early date, however, the principal ranch was just a little west of the present site of Melbeta, and their range took in all of the south part of the North Platte valley, from Court House rock to and including Mitchell valley. The partners were J. F. and Mark M. Coad. They had 10,000 cattle and their brands best known were FF-Bar and C-12. The "Wisconsin Ranch" previously operated by Coad, near Julesburg, was for caring for bull herds and was the scene of bloody Indian conflicts.

From Perry Braziel, who "met up" with "Shanghai" Pierce at Coffeyville, and drifted up the Texas Trail in 1880, and who went to work for the Coads in 1882, and who still lives in the splendid country south of Henry, and from R. C. Campbell and from other old timers, I have been able to get a fairly accurate description of the old buildings at the Scotts Bluff Station, which became the Coad ranch house.

It faced the south, and was 20 by 50 feet, its walls were thirty inches thick and the sod were eight or ten inches in thickness. It had red cedar cross logs and ridge poles, and poles and dirt were used for the roof. A row of posts through the center supported the center ridge log. The building contained two rooms, the smaller being about 12 by 20, was used for the kitchen. A large sod fireplace added cheer to the larger room.