The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-04-04
Our Sheep ana Shepherds Abroad.

who with Others honorably mentioned, in
the winter Of 1860, conceived and carried
into execution the bold and hazardous
adventure Of opening q market in the
Pacific states tor our speciality the
American Merino- will be read with in
terest. That the project was a success
and appreciated by the wool growers on
the western slope of the Rocky Mountains
in the rich valleys Of the Columbia, the
Willamette, and the Umpqua, appears
from the following which we find in the
Oregon Ag,7cultur5s and PlotVman Of Feb
ruary 1st:
Amongst the many men who have taken
lively interest in the development Of
wool-growing as a permanent pursuit in
Oregon, there is perhaps no name which
is yet entitled to place before that of s.
B. Rockwell Of the firm OF Jones &
Rockwell, of Addison county, Vermont,
dealers in fine wooled sheep and stock
horses. The first named gentleman, r.
j. JONES' occupies high position as Il
successful breeder of Merino sheep, among
the many men of excellent qualifications
in that respect which the State of Ver-
mont has produced and brought to notice
during the past thirty years, or rather the
many men whose labors and skill have
brought their State into notice in that
ime.-We understand, when both parties
were here IN 1860, that Mr. Jones was
the breeding partner of the firm, and Mr..
Rockwell was the business or selling part
ner-a position which Mr.. r. S tact as "A
business man, and talents as a writer,
eminently qualify him for.
1t is by the use of his talents, as a
writer, that he becomes entitled to the
credit of being the first to really and
practically engage the shepherds of Ore
gon in entering upon a career of lasting
improvement to their hocks. We had the
Merino here before Mr.. Rockwell's arri-
val, but such efforts as had been made to
bring them into notice, were either too
feeble and spasmodic, or on too small
scale to prove of any general and lasting
utility.
True, Mr.. Rock well did not escape the
fate of pioneers generally. He sowed his
letters through the newspapers all over
the land-aS ancient story tells us Cumus
"sowed the Dragons teeth" and the
same result followed" armed men sprang
up" as the resulting crop. For awhile
there was several pieces Of steel (pens}
t,I ,I. 1
Introducing But others, with just as
sharp weapons came to his aid and the
strife finally ceased, leaving something
less than Atty head of Jones & Rockwell
sheep in the hands Of various patties in
Oregon, in different localities Of the State,
and about So 900 in notes or money 1--WE
have not the means by Us TO give the exact
SUN, and write from memory of Mr.. r.
own statement in the Oregon Farmer in
the hands Of Mr.. Rockw or his agent.
In speaking of the opposition he met with
in his enterprise, in letter bearing date
OF May 18th, 1864, to friend who,
though not personally known to him, had
lent him aud in the paper war, he says:
II met with some wonlrous abuse, but
it matters not SO long As such gentlemen
as yourself, Rev. Mr. Roberts, and others
have taken bold stand for me and the
blood- have introduced into the State.
| perilled my life in the attempt (came
near being shi -wrecked) have returned
broken down physically, and fear,
hopeless invalid but l believe Oregon
will yet honor my sacrifices and my mem
ory,"
There is not much likelihood that the
future historian OF Oregon will fail to no.
tice the name Of 5. b. Rockwell--he was
''the right man in the right place." and
at the right time, for the wool growing
interests of Oregon. His very able letter
published in last number and again in this
(by request Of new subscribers), is proof
that he preserves his interest in the sub
jcct Of wool raising mere We advise all
who are in any way interested in the sub
ject TO read that letter carefully, if they
have not already done SO. Made up from
the statistics collected by the government,
1t is as reliable as guide for future op-
Grafton, as statistics can be.
We are are much obliged to Mr.. X.
for his hearty endorsement of the advice
given to the young men Of Oregon, in
number twenty-five of the Agricutnrist,
backing it up with the advice given by
such honorable and weighty arguments as
the history Of Stephen Atwood's steadi-
ness Of purpose, and VIM. r. Sanford's
wealth and character as sheep breeder
furnish. These illustrations-and the
history of sheep breeding in the United
States can furnish many such-gives
point to words uttered by Judge Boise to
the young men Of Oregon in his address
to The State Agricultural Society in
1862 lie said:
"Moderate talent, directed on a single
pursuit, can accomplish great results, and
earn name for its possessor which will
excite the envy Of more glittering, but
more tickle genius. Go to
your farm, your workshop and your mer-
, chandise, and make that the stage on
which you play your part in the great
drama Of lite All these are ways that
go up TO the temple of fame, and he will
leave his name the highest who does the