Two of the hangers on about the S-Bar-E ranch were "Whitney Jim," and "Trapper Tom," and they built an independent cabin on a branch of Hat creek, where they could follow their own inclinations wittiout interference. Jim had an inclination, or propensity, for strong drink, and a pronounced aversion to cleanliness. In season he would gather a wagon box full of wild plums, take them to Fort Laramie, and come back amply provided with booze, which Tom would help him to consume. They had interesting times trying to put each other to bed, when in this maudlin state, both maintaining with the dignity of intoxication that the other was drunk.

Tom captured hundreds of beaver, and sold the pelts for one dollar each, which supplied all that was necessary during the winter periods. The pair originated farming into the northwestern corner of the state -- they raised gardens and potatoes usually sufficient for their needs.

The different branches of Hat creek and White river began to take on the euphoneous names of early days, such as "Dirty Jim Creek," "Sow-belly Creek," "Tom Creek," "War Bonnet Creek," and the like, and Coffee's ranch, after he had removed to Chadron and the kangaroo rats made merry around the place, was nick-named "Lickit ranch." While the place was abandoned part of the time, it was kept well provisioned. Sometimes those who were there for a day or two, left without washing the dishes, and one time, when some others had stopped and found the dirty plates, one complained and another said : "Why don't you 'lick it', if you don't like it." Thus originated the name that endures.