Simpson also bought a number of lots in block 18 for a hundred and fifty-seven dollars, which gives some idea of the value of real estate in those days in a new country and new town. Thomas Farmer was also a purchaser of lots on that eventful day. The conclusion of that day's transactions. I should say, "Land office business," was the sale to Henry W. Wiemer of lot 11, block 12 for twenty dollars.

Later in the year, in November and December, other sales were made in Chappell, but the business of the town did not grow. There was no activity and the sales were in the way of a speculation. Tim McCluskey built the little building in which he ran the first store in Chappel. He also had a postoffice established and became the first postmaster of Chappell. Mr. O'Neil was one of the first men to handle real estate in the town and county and though fifteen years passed after the establishment of the station at Chappell, there was little or no town of consequence.

At Sidney there was some activity in real estate. A few people were beginning to come into the prairie country and locate preemption claims and timber claims which did not require

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

much pretense of residence. Joe C. Johnson came to Sidney in 1882 with ranching in view; he was from Missouri and kept thinking he might go back but with another man worked together selling land, though really looking for something for himself. The other man was a surveyor and had work near Lodgepole. When they were through there they decided to come on to the Chappell locality and drove down the valley. They arrived quite late and the only place to stay in Chappell was a shack near the station.