1887 and 1888 witnessed the last round-ups in Nebraska, where I assisted in driving the Circle-Block cattle across the state line into Wyoming. In 1888 a considerable party of North river folks had gone to Sidney to make final proof on pre-emptions, crossing the river at Clarke's bridge. A number, including Jimmy Moore, (not the Pony Express rider,) were from Minatare. They had been together on the trip, and were a trifle the worse for wear, when they stopped at W'ellsville overnight on their return.

The driver, Ed. Eastman, had charge of a pony of whiskey, which, he alleged, was for a neighbor, and he had just reason to fear its safety. He hid it under "Extract" Smith's bed, which was not exercising the best of judgment.

"Extract" Smith was custodian of the old sod saloon, and the first part of his monicker obtained of his consecration to the cause of absorbing lemon extract.

It is needless to say that Ed.'s strategy did nut avail, and early in the evening a number

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

of the party, including Jimmy, found way to the pony. After several visits into the inner sanctuary of the sod cabin, Jimmy startled his friends by emerging in the open, hugging the pony in his arms, and declaring himself the reincarnation of the Pony Express rider, and that in the hereafter he would carry the pony as a penance" for the pony's previous experience in carrying him. Only a part of this voluntary acceptance of Karmic law, came to his friends in the crude classics of mortals, and much was derived by inference and deduction.