Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-08-10
SALE OF STEPHENS CATTLE.
First Shipment From Fergus County
Received in Bad Condition.

First Shipment From Fergus County
Received in Bad Condition.
Thursday witnessed the opening of
the western range season for 1904.
There was a few scattering lunches
on Monday, about thirteen car loads
OF Wibeaux and Stacy's cattle, which
sold at S3.75, $685. and $500. but to-
days receipts consisted of nearly L.
900 cattle made up Of the Oscar
stephens cattle, who had nearly half
the number, and which were sold by
Rappal Bros. a. Co, the remaining
cattle belonging to C. ]. Hysham and
S. II. Hardin & Co. The first men
toned cattle belonging to Oscar
Stephens were in rather poor condi-
ton, as they had been trailed over
a hundred miles before loading as
well as delayed two days in fording
the Yellowstone river. The river
was over a foot above its usual lev
el and 1t required two days time TO
get the cattle across. during which
IS hours the cattle did considerable
ginning and milling. which natural
ly reduced their weight as well as
selling quality, say Rappal Bros. G.
Co., of Chicago. in a special letter
To the Argus under date of August
9. and they advise as follows:
The Stephens cattle were intended
for Mondays market of this week,
but owing to the delay in crossing
the river, and "a hours wait TO learn
Of the chances there would be to put
them on the market owing TO the
butchers strike. delayed their arriv-
al until today. AS a natural conse-
quence of these various delays and
rough usage en- route. the cattle were
placed on the market in such an
unfavorable condition that prices re-
allied were not up TO usual standard
Of what they would have sold for had
conditions been normal. We sold Mr..
Stephens cattle at the following
prices: IL steers averaging l,233
pounds. at 81; 9S steers averaging
LIS pounds, at $40: 93 tail end
steers averaging 1850 pounds, at 49,
%; 40 cows averaging $50 pounds.
at So. and As cows averaging 800
pounds, at So. The Hysham Texas
and natives we're in excellent beef
condition and sold at $500 for the
Texans. average 1880 and $500 for
the natives average a trifie over 1900
pounds. The Hardin cattle were ev-
en- in better shape than the Hysham
cattle, both lunches in fact almost
being equal to a load of corn fed
steers. these latter cattle were some
what light. but they were enough bet
ter To command a l5c premium sell
inng at s+.75.
Live mutton trade was generally
active, and daily supplies were read
lily absorbed at steady prices. While
natives enjoyed considerable popular.
ity. westerns were on the best re-
quest. and wen thin lambs met with
a vigorous demand. Swift was the
most active buyer, taking a lot of
stock for shipment to New England
points. Choice western sheep went
at SALE TO si.65, and best range lambs
at $685..
"Mr. Stephens is generally consid.
cred TO be the largest individual cat
tie. sheep and land owner in the state
of Montana. all the result of his OWN
brains and efforts and his views are
worthy OF consideration. He says
that he is starting his cattle a month
earlier than usual this year for the
reason that he realizes that there
will be probably 10000 TO 100000
more cattle marketed the coming sea
son from the range than were sent
in during the fall of 1903, and he
wisely figures that the early markets
are going TO be the best. We have
advanced the same opinion in our re-
CEN predictions TO you and we are
satisfied you will see the same veri-
fed before the middle of the season.
THE corn prospects look very fiat
tering al present and are going to
be the n factor for determining
values of 30 days hence. If the corn
crop prove a success as 1t promises.
il will eliminate the one disturbing
factor for causing a decline of prices,
inasmuch as IL will make a market
for the lighter weight steers which
under opposite conditions would have
TO 20 as canners and in this way
help out the general average of val
ues by reducing the amount Of steers
to go direct 10 the packers"