Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-15
LIVE STOCK REVIEW.
Full Returns of Transactions at Lib
erty Stock Yards.
BOTTOM OUT OF CATTLE MARKETS.
Light Supply and Lower Prices for Sheep,
Lambs and Hogs.
WORST MARKET FOR MANY YEARS
BOTTOM OUT OF CATTLE MARKETS.
WORST MARKET FOR MANY YEARS
OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DISPATCH, I
THURSDAY, March IA, 1889.

THURSDAY, March IA, 1859.
With returns for the week all in it ap-
pears that through cattle receipts are $3.50
head more than last week, and local re-
ceipts so head more. By looking over the
records of the past six months it is discovered
that through receipts of cattle this week are
the largest. 1t seems as though bottom is clear
out of cattle markets.
An old-time stockman said to-day: 81 have
not known cattle sell as low since 1861 as they
have sold this week. We thought last week
we were certainly down to hard pan, but we
fnd there is still lower depth, and if we have
another tumble next week trade will 60 to the
dogs"
In response to the query, ''how low did cat
tie 60 in 1851" it was answered: 'In that year
1 bought prime L,4Oo-pound cattle from an
Ohio farmer for 215 cents per pound, and nice
bunch of stockers weighing 500 TO 900 pounds,
at SO head. From that day to this have
never known cattle sell as low as they did this
week at the Liberty yards"
Fancy War Prices.
A retired cattle dealer tells that year or
two after 1861 when the Republic was deep in
the business of putting down a frst-class re-
beIlion, he paid S4O0 for three steers to farmer
near Burgettstown, the total weight of which
was less than 5000 pounds. The farmer was
very particular to have his pay in legal tender,
and by no means anxious to sell. Anotherlarge
dealer remembers sales of cattle by the car load
at Hesr's Island at IL cents, and quick sales at
this price much quicker than this weeks sales
at 35% to 4 cents. In those good old days OF
yore hides brought II cents, against AZ to
cents now, and tallow "a, against 30 cents at
Even as late as 1884, nc was paid for 200 to
800 pound cattle by Diamond Market butchers.
A receipted bill of that date was shown to the
2ezO bounds. amount SI94 20. The price of ten
derloins and roasts manage to hold up to old
rates Notwithstanding the drop in cattle. A
leading dealer gives as the reason why butch
ers are obliged to keep up prices of meat that
rough stuff, which comprises the greater part
of the beef, can hardly be given away. Against
the high prices of choice parts stands the rough
meat, which sells these times as low as 219c.
and hides and tallow, which do not bring half
what they did few years ago.
Said this dealer: American people want the
best Of everything, and butchers cannot well
reduce prices of porter house steaks when they
are forced to sell boiling pieces for almostnoth-
ing"
Sheep and Lambs.
The supply for the week past is slight de-
cline from the previous week. But the demand
has not been equal to the supply, and prices are
of fully l5c from rates of last week. Common
and light lambs are far beyond wants of trade,
and cannot be sold except at big sacrifice. The
range of markets for this class is S1994c.
Holders are simply at the mercy of buyers, and
shippers are advised to hold back this grade of
stock until there Is an improvement IN Jne
markets Those who brought stock to the
front this week wish they hadn't.
Hogs.
With supplies nearly 5000 head below last
week, markets have been weak and dropping.
The range of prices to-day is IS to IS 10, fig
ure fully 20c below Mondays prices.
A leading pork packer reports that he has
been abIe to do better in Chicago than at
Liberty all this season. AT Buffalo and Pitt
burg it Is claimed that prices have been rela-
lively above prices both West and East. This
week has brought prices here down to their
true level. Following is report of weeks
transactions at Liberty stockyards:
RECEIPTs.