Xebraska, believing that the town would some time become the western terminus for a railroad.

"In the spring of 1856 Mr. Clarke became the steamboat agent at Bellevue and from dealing in a small way in provisions he soon branched out into a general merchandise business. In 1862 he took a contract to furnish the government with corn and oats at Fort Kearney, on the south side of the Platte river, about two miles east of the present city of Kearney.

"Later he contracted to furnish large quantities of hay, corn and wood for the army. When this contract was completed in 1864, he entered into the freight business, buying general merchandise and miners' supplies and freighting them to Denver.

"In 1864 and 1865 Mr. Clarke made an unsuccessful attempt to locate the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific railroad at Bellevue and spent a great deal of money in making surveys and in sounding the Missouri. In 1867, Mr. Clarke began surveying for railroads from Bellevue to ( (maha and Sioux City to Lincoln. He completed the survey from Omaha to Lincoln and secured the right of way for a part of the line. The first ten miles of the line was built and is now operated by the Burlington.

"Mr. Clarke became engaged in the building of railroads and highway bridges in 1870. The last bridge he built was at Camp Clarke.

"The Clarke Centennial Pony Letter Express was established by Mr. Clarke in 1876, operating between Sidnev and mining points in the Black Hills. He also established postoffices in the mining towns. A wholesale store at Deadwood was likewise operated by Mr. Clarke.