The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-15
THE LIVE STOCK MARKETS
CATTLE VALUES TOUCH THE LOWEST
POINT OF THE SEASON.
Hogs I'm Moderate Demand and About
Ten Cents Lower-sheep Quiet
Condition of Other Markets.

UNION sTOCRYARDS, INDIANAPOLIS, Dec.
Observation-Disclosures. $50; shipments small. The
combined receipts OF cattle this week Indicate
decrease OF about 1.2Oo compared with last
week and the same week year ago, and only
about 300 compared with the corresponding
week two years. ago. Thus far this year the re-
ceipts are $500 larger than the same period iast
year. and for the month thus far there Is an
increase OF nearly 200 compared with the same
period last year 1t is hardly necessary to re-
peat that the market this week, from the sellers
point OF view, has been the most unsatisfactory
OF the season. This condition was not the result
OF excessive supplies here, but certain otner
markets were glutted, which caused reaction IN
prices. and. of course. this naturally mad
weakening influence here. 1t not only
caused local houses TO be more particular
IN their selections, but 1t affected the de-
mand from outside sources considerably. An
other weakening factor was the small per-
centage OF strictly choice cattle in the arri-
vals OF course, 1t is generally understood that
at this season Of the year there is smaller re-
qu.rements for the cheaper grades, while thick
fas cattle Of fancy quality have the preference
TO supply the Christmas trade. The downward
movement In prices began early in the week.
especially in the steer department. and there was
hardly day that buyers did not make further
reductions. The good COW and heifer stock. on
account OF the small number marketed. did not
show much change until the latter part Of the
week. but finally all kinds were selling at the
lowest prices OF the AS usual under
such conditions. prices were very irregular and
II was. indeed. very difficult to make an esti-
mate of the market that conformed with the
ideas of all dealers, but at the close Of the week
At was generally conceded that fat steers had
lost from Sc soc and females from 1Oc to 25c
per 100 lbs compared with prices prevailing at the
close of last week In sympathy with the market
g for fat cattle, stockers and feeders also sold
weaker. but the best kinds were not great
deal lower. 1t is possible that the sharp de-
cline I'm values this week will cause a smaller
marketing in the near future, and in that event
there Is some hope for steadier tendency In the
market. but IL is hardly expected that there
will be any liberal demand for such cattle as
represent the bulk or the consignments at this
time. The highest prices paid this week were
$3.50 for steers S. for heifers and $420 for cows.
but there were comparatively few steers sold
above s. or heifers cows above 81. There were
not many fresh arrivals to-day. but few car
ried over from yesterday made the supply about
large expected at this time In the week.
usual Saturday there were no important
orders in the hands OF buyers. and II was more
or less difficult to consummate sales, but trans
actions were considered about steady compared
with yesterday. Quotations;