John Kelly has developed his holdings until he has an empire of land -- a domain that keeps him busy -- but not too busy to put in part of his time at his home on Avenue A, near 21st street, Scottsbluff, looking after his young orchard.

John Weast and family went on to Montana ; the Livingstons to Colorado ; and we know not what became of Harvey Ransier, Will Clampitt, the Calahans, and others, who in the first years went heavily after the timber supplies about Big Horn. The Brays who bought and accumulated cattle have yet a representative in the county, Ben F. Bray. In east Big Horn came the Wyatts and J. B. Hankinson, and in west Big Horn settled Judge Walters and John Nail. The Dicks came and went away soon. The Walters are gone, Nail is gone, Hankinson is dead, and the Wyatts moved into the Harrisburg neighborhood where the children still reside.

The first fire in Banner county-- outside of prairie fires -- was when E. M. Cowen's residence at Freeport burned to the ground with all its contents. This occurred in June, 1887. The folks had little to subsist upon until the return of Mr. Cowen from Sidney. There were numerous fish in the creek and they were easy to catch. This was the main source of provender for a few days. .

The first funeral was that of Mary Rose at Livingston June 25, 1887. Dicky Brown had lost two" children who had been buried near Wright's ranch at a date prior to the coming of the grangers. Mary Rose was twenty-two years of age, and lived with the Livingstons, and often visited for several days with Mrs. S. T. Robb at the head of the creek, where the Bay State ranch was located.