Old Camp Clarke wanted it to come that way, but Gardner planned to have it brought from Redington, then considered a better and quicker way. The carrier from Sidney to Camp Clarke frequently carried it on to the river post-office, nnd at least once lost it on the prairie where it lay until his return trip. Kimball put in a bid to get a route established across country from there, and occasionally a pouch of mail was brought in from that point by a freighter. This confusion and often delays continued until October.

L. D. Livingston's had established a postoffice at their home on Pumpkin creek about seven miles east of wildcat mountain. They secured mail from Redington. In Banner county there were several stores opened and these brought mail out -- for those who gave them orders -- from Kimball, Sidney or Potter, as the case might be.

In October, 1887, the postoffice at Ashford was established and Wm. Ashford was appointed postmaster. Then a Star route was put on from Kimball to Gering, which took in Ashford as an intermediate point, and dropped mail for Livingston, at the latter point. From that time Gering had quite a regular mail service.

Jones M. Clapp was the first carrier on this route into Gering. The route is still in service, although the method of travel has changed from the broncho buck board to the automobile; and the rough trail of the first year- has changed to the fine state and federal aid scenic highway.