Here was the vagrant river and the desert land, and here now is the green oasis of thousands of homes.

The blossom which I now lay upon his bier, is but poor tribute and only one ; of the mamhe has made to bloom, but I am glad that while he lived I also gave him flowers, and never failed to render him true homage for the service he has rendered to all our Scotts Bluff country.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

GERING -- FIRST OF MANY THINGS

The town of Gering was dreamed about by Oscar Gardner and a few others as early as 1886, but it was not until March 7, 1887, that the town really came into existence. The first thing was a post office, and Oscar W. Gardner

First Cabin, Gering, 1886

was the first postmaster. Gardner was also the first notary public.

In April, Martin Bristol made the first fixtures for this office.

The town was named Gering in honor of Martin Gering. This man with Gardner under the name of Gering & Gardner put in the pioneer store of the town. It confined its mercantile activities to implements and hardware.

F. A. Garlock (now of Harrison) and T. S. Franklin put in the second store, which was a general merchandise establishment.

The third business enterprise in the town was a newspaper started and still conducted by A. B. Wood. Volume one, number one, of the Gering Courier was issued April 27, 1887. Mr. Wood brought the first chair to Gering. He