Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-04-27
THE LIVE STOCK TRADE.

For the past two years there has ex-
listed a depressed state and market in
the live stock trade which has caused
general disaster throughout the range
country, in connection with heavy
losses from overstocked ranges and
severe winters. The outlook for the
present year is not very bright now, but
indications of better prices and a
greater demand for beef cattle seems to
exist in the mind of eastern dealers,
During the past month the writer has
visited nearly all the principal stock
shipping points in Oregon, Idaho, Ne
vada. Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and
Nebraska, besides interviewing the
commission dealers at Omaha and
Chicago stock yards. The meeting of
stock men at Denver and Cheyenne the
past week were largely attended by par
ties from Texas to Montana, who were
present for the express purpose of
arriving at basis for the value of stock
cattle, for investment and to feed for
market. 1t was generally conceded
that there were more cattle in sight and
for sale than had been figured on, and
that stock cattle would range fully as
low as the past year in most sections,
with slightly increased demand and
possible advance of 81 head. In some
districts sales will be made at lower
prices than last years average for stock
cattle. In fact for the latter there is alb
solutely no demand whatever from
Texas to the northwest For beef
cattle this summer and fall opinions
differ-one or two Chicago houses
stating that choice grass cattle in July
will bring from ST to $l.50 per hundred
pounds more than last year, while
others place the advance at an average
OF about 80 cents. That there is to be
an advance in values during the next
two or three years no one disputes.
The trade in Idaho shows some indi-
cations of revival. The local markets
between Portland and Butte have alb
sorbed portion of the fed cattle and
prices have been quite reasonable
During the past thirty days Montana
buyers have been making some pur-
chases of one and two year old steers
along the Oregon Short Line. Mr.. Con
Kohrs, the we'll known stockman of
Deer Lodge, Montana, has bought of
Henry Erwin and others in the Payette
valley about $500 steers, and we are in
formed Mr.. Kohrs will probably pur-
chase from 1000 to 5000 head and pos
sibly more. The prices offered were
$40 and SIG for ones and twos but
sales have been made principally at Sl1
and SIT. Some little inquiry was made
at Cheyenne and Denver for ones, twos
and in one or two cases for threes for
shipment to Wyoming, Montana, Kan
sas and Nebraska. Sales of Texas
steers were reported at Denver of about
10000 head, to Wyoming and Montana
companies. Texas dealers on the new
Denver, Texas and TT. Worth railroad
were asking from 81 to 81 higher than
last year for Panhandle cattle bnt be-
yond the dead line or quarantine limits,
the low prices OF last year still exist.
Idaho was represented at the Cheyenne
and Denver meetings by Hosea East
man, of Boise city, Henry Erwin, of Pay
ette and w. G. b. Allen, of Shoshone,
and these gentlemen took pains to ex-
plain the advantages of this country and
to cordially invite large number of
investors and buyers to come and visit
the Gem of the Mountains" Colonies
and settlers are turning this way for
homes, and stock buyers may be ex.
pected for cattle, horses and sheep dur
ing the season.