This ranch branched into mercantile business and had a post-office.

This location later became known as Nerud's corner, and the four corners were occupied by

different branches of business. A timely wag immortalized them in verse that ran as follows :

Nerud's corner,

Baxter Street,

Foster's restaurant,

And nothing to eat.

Joe Nerud had long since become the owner of a valuable place on Snake creek. He had the blacksmith's shop at the Corners in the early days.

Old Joe frequently comes to Scottsbluff to trade, but an indiscreet joker has made his visits less frequent than of yore. His country is naturally tributary to Scottsbluff, and his son, Young Joe, married one of the Scottsbluff's charming girls, Matilda Montz.

Old Joe was here a number of years ago, and at the time the bootlegger, Bill Bowen, was doing business. Like most old timers, Nerud likes a nip now and then, and if the weather is just right he may take two. Bill had the goods, and it just so happened that the chief of police was hot on his trail, and had him pulled for a "vag."

Bill was a pitiful object of humanity and Nerud's sympathies were aroused. He told the officers of the law that he would take Bill out to the ranch, if they would let him off. The humor of the situation was too great to be resisted, and he was put into the wagon alongside of Joe. and sent out to Snake creek.

I cannot say what brought about the transformation in Nerud's sentiment, but the fact is, that a day or two later, Bill Bowen arrived on the Burlington with a paid in advance passage from Angora, and he did not have a cent when he left Scottsbluff.