There was a new freighting company in Nebraska City. Ajax Overland, owned by Trace Bovard, seemed to be gradually drawing a noose around the neck of the freighting business, reaching out to absorb all the other companies, trying to buy them out, trying to force them out. Bovard had a plan. He could underbid contracts and overpay teamsters until his was the only company left. Then he could make the money back quickly by cutting wages and raising prices when there was no competition.