The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-30
A CATTLE PLAGUE.
Two Thousand Head of Cattle to be Killed
NJ

at Chicago.
CHICAGO, Sept 25.-Messrs. Pearson and
McChesney, of the Live Stock Commission
which has been investigating pleuro-pneu-
Elonia in this city for the past three
or four days, had consultation yesterday
forenoon with officials of the Stock Yaid;
Company and it was learned ,.iat the con
clusiOn reached was that all the beef which
should pass a proper inspection and be pro.
nOunced To be not diseased, might be sold.
The Live Stock Commissioners intimate
that they fully expect that within a week
the quarantine against Chicago beef will be
declared off by the States of Iowa and Wis.
cOnsin. Pearson said in answer to a
question as TO what would be done with
the cattle: 1--WE intend to have every one
of them slaughtered, and we will make a
separate inspection of the lungs of
each of the animals. Those whose organs
show signs of pIeuro will be burned, but
the others will be sold for beef for whatever
is bid for them."
At the conference between members of
the Live Stock Commission and officials of
the Stock Yards Company, MI. Pearson
said to the stock representatives that the
commissioners had decided to kill all the
cattle now in the Phoenix and Shufeldt dis
tilieries-over =, 900 head-and that OH post
mOTtem examination all diseased cattle
would be creRated and all healthy cattle
Sold to the highest bidder. President Sher-
man, of the Stock Yards Company, replied
that millions of dollars would be lost to the
packing interest of Chicago if the report
went out to the world that beef from the
Infected distilleries, whether healthy or not,
was being shipped from Chicago.
Dir. Pearson then informed the gentle
men that the State only had S49, 900 with
which to compensate the owners of healthy
cattle, and that if none of the healthy beef
was utilized the State would be at an eX-
peuse OF at least double that amount He
then suggested TO the stock yards men that
they buy up the healthy beef and help the
Commissioners out of their dilemma. lie
said the Commission would, of course, ex-
hauSt the appropriation already in hand.
No decisive answer 10 the proposition Was
given.
DR.. Salmon said he had been in tele-
graphic communication with United States
Commissioner COlman, of the Department
Of Agriculture, who had authorized a con-
tinuance OF the quarantine at the expense
OF the National Government until it should
be decided what disposition to make of the
carcaseS. He was also authorized to double
the quarantine force now existing, which
would cost the Government about SS7 per
lay. The quarantine force would then
consist of tWenty-nine deputieS-two dur
ing the day and four during the night at
zach OF the four distilleries, and FIVE at the
Harvey farm. The Commissioner decided
h. detail the extra force.
Excepting 400 head of cattle owned by
The Fairbanks Canning Company, of which
Nelson Morris is president, the majority of
tie 200 animals under quarantine belong
to men depending on their two or three
COWS for a living. When the news Of the
extension of the quarantine reached them
last night they were thoroughly aroused.
They say the Stale will be obliged to de-
stroy all the beef, and as only healthy cat
tie will be appraised, the quarantine eX-
tension is conspiracy TO spread the disease
as far as possible among the quarantined
eattie before the slaughter takes place.