The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04
THELiVE STOCK MARKETS
MOST UNSATISFACTORY WEEK OF
THE SEASON In CATTLE TRADE.
Quotations Show Decline of % to 40
Cents-Hogs Ten Cents Higher Than
On Friday-Sheep Quiet.

UNION sTocKYARDs. INDIANAPOLIS. Oct
3.-Cattle-Receipts. 200; shipments, 100. The
marketing OF cattle this week has been Of smaller
volume, showing a decrease of about 500 COM
pared with last week, but an increase Of nearly
1000 the week year ago. and go
over the corresponding week two years ago. Thus
far this year the receipts are over $4,000 larger
than the period last year. and for the
month thus far there is gain Of over 200 com
pared with the same period year ago. This
has been a week Of trials and tribuations IN the
cattle market. The trade for some time past has
been well supplied with cattle OF ordinary
character. but Notwithstanding this. statesmen
have been reasonably successful in maintaining
prices in a good position. In fact, for a long
time 1t has been the general complaint among
buyers that fair to medium cattle were selling
higher here than in any other market. There
FORE the selling side was reluctant this week in
allowing values to seek their level with other
places. With mountaineering receipts in all mar
kets the week opened in very unsatisfactory
condition, and 1t evident that important
changes would take place. Early bids here. as
we'll as elsewhere. were so much below former
prices that sellers did not feel that they would
be justified in accepting them. and the result
was that many cattle of all kinds were carried
from day to day Buyers were not inclined
to change their views, and II was only after the
greatest difficulty that any part Of the supply
could be transferred The supplies. as usual for
some time past. were made up principally OF
cattle lacking quality finish and. OF course,
they were suffering most. The situation from
sellers standpoint gradually grew worse. and
finally the time when they had to accept
buyers terms to move the supply At first sales
represented decline of 10c TO 15c but as the
supply accumulated buyers reduced their bids.
and c1Qv IA mar W e.
ported anywhere from 25c to soc lower than the
close of last week. On that basis the offerings
began to move more freely. and large number
of cattle transferred on Thursday. The re-
ceipts on Friday were considerably smaller, and
the demand. account of there being considera-
bly, more country buyers on the market. was in
creased. AS a result there freer and more
liberal outlet for all kinds of cattle. and the
strictly thick-fat grades of proper quality and
finish sold to better advantage than they had on
preceding days of the week. Statesmen. however.
were largely responsible for the increased outlet
because they had become reconcied to accepting
the low prices, and owners who had cattle
here for several days were getting anxious to
have them sold. At the close of the week ex-
tremists quoted prices from 1Oc to SOC lower. &C.
cording to the quality, condition and weight Of
the cattle. Conservative estimates, however.
placed the decline for the week at Csc to 40c.
the lair 10 medium grades, OF course, showing
the greatest change. The greatest trouble this
week has been to find place for steers that had
to sell below $4.75 heifers below 1915, and cows
below $3.50. 1t uncommon for statesmen
to quote the steers that sold from 1918 to a. 25
the heifers from 50 to $3.50. and the from
S2.75 s3.25 fully Soc lower than the close of
last week. Steers that were good enough to sell
around S. and above heifers good enough to sell
around s4q425, and cows good enough to bring
s3.5013.75 were probably not to exceed Csc lower
in any case. Notwithstanding the wretched con-
dition of the market for other grades of cattle
there has been fair outlet for bulls, and they
did not suffer much change in prices. The calf
market was about Csc lower. The highest prices
paid this week were s525 for steers. $3.50 for
heifers, 1886 for cows. 81 for bulls. and $7.25 for
calves. Extra good feeders sold high SAG
40, but II required a very good sort to bring
| 1916, very decent kinds sold around $3.50. and
| stockers to medium feeders at S2,50G340.
| The receipts to-day were small. and as usual
at the close of the week. there was no important
| demand for any kind. The supply, however. was
not large and all that sold brought steady prices
! compared with the way equal kinds sold yester-
| day. The clearance for the week, doubt, was
pears to be in condition to handle normal re-
ceipts in the near future, but 1t is not advisable
for shippers to crowd the market again, and 1t is
| ments in quality and condition Quotations:
| Good 10 choice steers 1 350 lhs and nm