expired with its issue of November 9, 1888, after the presidential election result became known.

The next newspaper enterprise in this section was the Independent Union, in which A. F. Snyder, for the period from April, 1891, to February 18, 1892, espoused the cause of the farmers alliance movement, then suspended and went to Cheyenne. In the fall of 1893, the Nebraska Homestead made its advent at Gering, Wm. A. Hale being the publisher, and selling it to Wagner brothers, Harry and Frank, in 1895. They in turn sold to George E. Mark in May, 1896. That gentleman was not a practical newspaper man, but he was adaptable and successful, and has been steadily in the harness since that time, except for a brief period during which he sold the plant to E. F. Moon, but bought it back again in June, 1900. When the Burlington railroad reached the North Platte valley and passed by on the other side, Mr. Mark moved his plant to Mitchell in April, 1901, changing the name to the Mitchell Index, which is conducted by him at this time and is one of the most stable institutions in the valley.

The Burlington railroad marked also the beginning of much additional newspaper history. E. T. Westervelt founded the Scottsbluff Republican and E. F. Moon the Scottsbluff Herald. The former is still conducted by him with ability and profit. The Herald is still likewise in existence as one side of the Star- Herald name, of which more later.