Alexander had a store in the Lone Pine country where we used to go seventeen miles for mail.

But I believe L. D. Livingston had the first store. It was running as early as June, 1886, the grout house being built the previous year. Lightning struck this grout house and cracked the walls soon after it was built and the family thereafter lived in the log house and used the new house for mercantile and postoffice and for the merry parties of the olden time.

Charley Wurdig opened a store in Freeport as early as 1887 and perhaps at an earlier date. Will Clampitt had a store in Big Horn the same year.

Dooley & Logan built the large store building in Ashford soon after and here was carried one of the most complete lines of merchandise in the county. In later years this building was torn down by John E. Logan and removed to Gering. The hall over this store was used for several years as a gathering place and for parties of all kinds. Around Ashford were gathered in those early years a jolly set of young folks: the Logans, the Dooleys, the Schoolevs, the Eckersons, the Smiths, Newt Sperry and others. W. W. White, C. T. Gilpin and some others were a little more solemn and looked upon the future with more serious mien.

For some time Luft & Enderly conducted a store at Ashford. Enderly Brothers had a store at Harrisburg for years and one of the present merchants of Harrisburg was associated therein. J. M. Wilson, familiarly known as "Doc." because he was first a druggist, was in the Enderly-Harrisburg store which he later acquired. While he served the county in various capacities and Mrs. Wilson the government as postmistress for many years they have always kept the main store of the town and at times fed the hungry traveller most excellent meals.