The mail was brought up from Ogalalla ; in fact, all of the hauling was done from there as the Keith county bridge near Ogalalla gave a much better way than fording in crossing the North Platte river.

About seven miles northeast of Lewellen, on the present site of Lutherville, a postoffice was started by Mr. Ramsey, about 1887, called Ramsey postoffice. The mail also came from Ogalalla. This postoffice was moved to the John Mevich home on Blue Creek in 1890.

Up the creek about ten miles, a branch postoffice was established in 1891, at a settlement composed of Levi Prouty, Mary Flock, P. S. Peterson, Hans Madison, John Twiford, A. S. Kingery, John Lamberty, Davis Bros., Gus and Paul Rentzch. Jake Miller, Jim L'sher, Dave Sleezer, Tom Snel! and possibly other families. This postoffice was called Hutchinson and was located at John Lamberty's house. He was the first mail carrier, bringing the mail from Ramsey twice a week.

In 1893, the Ramsey postoffice was discon-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

tinued and Lewellen postoffice was moved to the present site of Lewellen into Robert Graf's store. He was appointed postmaster at that time.

The village of Lewellen began with that little store and postoffice. A bridge across the North Platte river at this point in 1891 had its effect on this village. A few settlers had gathered there, a small school started and in 1890 a frame building, which is still standing was built. This was used about fifteen years when it was decided that a larger building was needed. It was sold in 1908. but it was three