A business that has risen to a position of supreme importance within the short life of Bridgeport has been the auto business with its garages, tire and accessories, sales and repair shops.
Leslie Boodry put in the first garage in Bridgeport where the Buick garage is now located. W. H. Willis soon expanded his hardware and implement business so that he handles the Studebaker and Oakland cars. The Bridgeport Motor Company handling the Ford agency, built an attractive and substantial garage. Millet & Smith handle the Monarch tires. C. Clawges became distributor for the Patterson, Buick and Chevrolet.
C. A. Perkins for some time ran the Avery garage. Walter Clarke now has a garage and repair shop.
Commercial Club
Bridgeport's Commercial Club started its thriving career about a decade ago. In 1910 the officers of the Commercial Club were : President, J. L. Tout; vice president, R. H. Willis; secretarv. I. E. LeBlanc; board of managers, G J." Hunt. L. R. North. C. F. Clawges, J. M. Lynch, William H. Willis.
Committees on Membership: Tohn C. Burket. E. W. Fleming. L. R. North. City and County Improvements : C. F. Clawges.
D. C. Sharp, J. L. Miller. Irrigation and Water Supply: F. E. Williams. E. H. Farmer, J. F. Trinnier. Advertising: J. L. Johnson. Clyde Spanogle, W. H. Willis.
HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA
Good Roads: R. H. Willis, R. P. Scott, Rev. T. B. Burke. Conventions and Excursions: J. H. Steuteville, A. W. Atkins. J. H. Lynch.
In 1913 it had sixty-five active members. Through the efforts of President Mark Spanogle, thirty-four new members were taken into this community organization at one meeting in February. At that time the committees were given early announcements and this roster somewhat indicates the active workers in the earlier days of this commendable enterprise :