Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-19
PROSPERITY FOR SHEEP OWNERS
How Times Have Changed in North
Mesterm IOMn of I.ate.

SAC CITY, Ia, Oct. s.-(Special)-A
northwestern Iowa farmer who voted
the wrong ticket in 1892 declared
after the Wilson bill began to tell
on the flock industry that he didn't
have the courage to look sheep in the face
He felt that the wool had been pulled over
his eyes pretty effectually. The effect of
democratic legislation on the industry is
still fresh in the memory of all, and partic-
ularly of those directly interested. 1t
didn't do a thing to the sheep growers.
One of them advised that the only way to
lessen the disaster was for the fiockmaster
to cut the throats of his sheep. This region
did not suffer so severely others more
largely concerned, but the sheep industry
of South Dakota, which was very promising
and had been demonstrated to be adapted
to the country, was hit hard.
How things have changed is shown in the
fact that some democratic papers are no
longer afraid to mention the sheep. The
Primghar Democrat of a recent date notes
the shipment by couple of local farmers
of their spring lambs of 1898 to Chicago.
"We consider this shipment Of such i'm
portance as to warrant more than passing
notice" say the Democrat and 1t proceeds
to tell why it o regards it. Last fall" 1t
chased the tail-enders of big flock of sheep
and each raised about 80 per cent of lambs. /"
For these lambs, 121 in number, the grow
ers received $375 per head. "The ewes
sheared $1.40 worth of wool per head and
are now worth 81 per head" In the opinion
OF the Democrat "the sheep business has
come to stay in this country and men should
remember that any good, healthy eve at
from $3.50 to 81 is the best investment they
can make" for it declares that with decent
care they will bring in $50 per cent profit
| to any farmer" How different from the
! time not long ago when the fockmaster was
advised to save himself cost and trouble by
| cutting the throats OF his sheep!
But it is not alone sheep that are valuable
| property for the farmer. The Primghal
! Democrat, the same authority heretofore
| quoted, prints this local item:
w. l.. Ross. western representative OF q
great live stock commission firm of Chicago
arrived here last night from the ranges
going away today. He came into Sioux
county with two big trainloads of feeding
! cattle and has placed them all there, buying
| 1900 bushels of corn at Is cents to feed
| them. In speaking with him concerning
prospects in the cattle and sheep line We
! find him very hopeful He said: 1T is the
best year for feeding sheep ana cattle we
have had in thirteen years. The stock is In
| fine shape and good flesh, and out here you
have the best corn crop in your history. The
man who knows how to feed win make a bis
thing. We will feed several thousand head
OF cattle. Cattle are high, being held at
cents on the range l shipped 1877 cars from
! Pierre last Saturday, and while the range
stock has not moved as freely as formerly Il
is now going out in trainloads, and not a cal
can be had after the goth Of this month
He told Williams Brothers OF some $500 fine
I yearling wethers. all black faces, out on the
! range, and they purchased them this morn
! ing by telegraph.
That's the sort OF calamity this region Il
! sunering from, as appears from democratic
news sources. Sheep at 15O per cent profit
| Range cattle at 81. The best year for feed
! ing in thirteen years, and the best crop il
| history TO feed!