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.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

JOHN ADAMS JOINS REDINGTON IN FIRST RANCH OF THE PANHANDLE- THE RUSTLERS -- ORIGIN OF RANCHES ON CEDAR CREEK-- SMITH'S FORK OR RUSH CREEK -- VANTASSEL'S TIE CONTRACT

In 1874, John M. Adams, allured by the big profits then apparent in the cattle business, the Indian depredations having practically ceased, came to Sidney, and formed a partnership with H. V. Redington, under the name of Adams, Redington & Company, at the ranch near the junction of "Gonneville" creek and Lorren's fork, about a mile south of the present location of Redington. Their range included the lower Pumpkin creek country and Lawrence fork. Adams in a recent letter tells of it, and emphasizes the name "Lorren's fork," explaining its original significance. "Lorren's," of French derivation, indicates robbers, and the rocks about the head of this stream were once the rendezvous of a band of robbers, who preyed upon the unprotected stragglers along the Overland. Adams, Redington & Company ran 4,000 to 6,000 cattle, and their principal and best known brand was H-Bar.