The larger concerns had visions as broad as the western horizon, but the smaller men had a more correct interpretation of the trend of the times. Westward the tide of empire was wending and it soon moved into western Nebraska, driving before it the Big Stampede. The men of lesser means mingled with the grangers, and stuck to the land. Many are still to be found, grizzled pioneers, and the vanguard of the present land of activity and progress.

CHAPTER NIN

CREIGHTON EXPANDS -- SNODGRASS AND McSHANE -- McINTOSH FOUNDS

"THE CIRCLE ARROW" -- SIMPSON ORGANIZES THE

BAY STATE COMPANY

Two or three years after Creighton located on the Laramie Plains, he built a ranch on Horse creek. It was in 1875 before he built the "Pumpkin Creek Ranch," which became the home ranch of the Bay State Company. Creighton's Point, in the north part of Banner county, became the permanent name of the outpost of Wildcat Mountain.

A few miles down the Laramie river from Creighton's ranch on the Laramie Plains, John Bratt, in 1867, built the second ranch located in Wyoming. This location antedated the activities of Bratt at North Platte, but a short time.

The Circle Arrow ranch, which is on Lodgepole creek a few miles east of Kimball, was established by J. J. Mcintosh in 1872. Griffin & Harken bought it and later sold it to John Sparks, who had the ranch on lower Horse creek. This was one of the ranches acquired by the Bay State Land & Cattle Company.