He at various times also had other stores in the valley. Dr. H. P. Scroggin acted for a time as manager for some of these stores, removing here from Rantoul, Illinois. Moran Brothers and Sharp were running the Bridgeport restaurant. Win. McCarter had the blacksmith shop. The lumber business of Bridgeport was opening up about 1900 by Carr & Neft" and this concern is still here. James Wolff, the watchmaker and jeweler, has since left. F. FI. Wilder handled harness, hardware, and shoe

another blacksmith shop in 1900. A real estate office was run by Dr. J. H. Long and H. M. Bullock, also a lawyer. Fred A. Wright of Scottsbluff and Omaha and Attorney Merriman, then both of Gering, ran cards in the first papers, offering legal service to the people of the young community. The first hardware stock here was that of Burke & Harpole, located where the W. L. Clawges barber shop and jewelry shop now are situated. This stock was later moved to Bayard where this firm has one of the largest business houses in that enterprising city. Mrs. F. H. Wilder also offered dressmaking service and Mrs. Haxby came within a year with a millinery store.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Business Changes In 1902 Ishmael and Zimmerman put in a stock of groceries, boots and shoes where the picture show now is located. This stock was sold in January, 1912, to W. H. Tracy and was later burned out. Mrs. Haxby and Myrtle Irwing offered a small stock of clothing and dress goods. J. A. Schwender's saloon had been started about this time south of the Valley Hotel. Fred Oilman of Redington was offering photographic service. The Bradford-Kennedy Lumber Co. put in the second lumber yard under the management of J. Trinnier. This later became the Bridgeport Lumber Company, an active concern after its twenty years of existence.