Phil Ward, Hal Agren, Milt Reiger, Dave Trego, and several others had gathered in Latigo for the awarding of the railroad bids. All were hopeful of winning a bid, but Reiger was confident that he would win the beef contract. When all was done Agren had won the bid for supplying the rail ties and Ward had won both the grading contract and the beef contract. Reiger was furious, claimed he had been cheated and something crooked had gone on with the bids. With parting threats, he allowed Trego to lead him from the room.