Scott purchased the town site for Lincoln Land Company. J. L. Miller who had been farming below the town, quit about that time and came into town. The next year Miller went in with Gaines in the Miller cv- Gaines store. Will Gaines bought the interest of J. A. Gaines shortly after this time and in 1902 Miller bought out Will Gaines. This first general store up to about six years ago was run as J. L. Miller. Mr. Crown later took over the grocery part of the store. The clothing stock became that of Miller & Harshman and the furniture stock put in as Miller & Hopkins and these activities with the opera house have made Mr. Miller not only dean of the business men of Bridgeport, but a leader at all times. The first house in town was either that of Mr. 1 laker or Mrs. Martha Smith.

Crrv Government

The city of Bridgeport, of course, dated back only some twenty years. It was the desire of the compiler of this section to include a complete roster of all of those who had sacrificed their personal convenience and time to the arduous duties of a "City Dad," but unfortunately the city- clerk's records prior to 1911 were not turned over to the present clerk and were misplaced at the time they were wanted, so we are able to record only those who had served in the past decade.

In 1911 the town board was composed of Messrs. Clyde Spanogle, Frank H. Putman, Ray C. Neumann, Mike Beerline, and Mr. May. W. 11. Willis was citv clerk, and was followed in 1912 by C. G. Perry, who held this post until he resigned in 1917 to enter service in the World War. W. 11. Willis resumed the office and held it until the election of R.