Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-06-28
BIGGEST SHEEP
DEAL OF YEAR
Oscar Stephens Disposes Of His En-.
tire Band to the Custer Land 4
Sheep Company.
SELLS 10000 HEAD At $2.4o HEAD
includes This Years Lambs, and Mr..
Stephens Keeps the WooI-His
Big Cattle Holdings.

The biggest sheep deal made in
Montana this year was closed up last
week, when Oscar Stephens sold TO
the Custer Land & Sheep company his
entire band, numbering 10000 head
of sheep and lambs. The price paid
was $40 per head, including this
years lambs, and Mr.. Stephens gets
the wool, so that the sheep really
bring him somewhere in the neighbor-
hood of 81 per head, allowing for the
lambs.
Why He Sold.
Mr.. Stephesn thus retires from the
wool growing business in Fergus coun-
ty, in which he has been engaged
since 1882. His object in selling was
simply to take advantage of the ia
vorable terms offered. The present
year has been an exceptionally good
one, and Mr.. Stephens gets the full
benefit of it, both as regards the high
price of wool and the increase in the
flocks. What the situation will be in
another year no one can say, and he
turns all his holdings into money.
Should the outlook be as favorable
later on as it is now, it is generally
believed Mr.. Stephens will again en-
gage in the business.
Gives Ranges a Rest.
Another advantage that Mr. Steph-
ems gains from this retirement which,
it is generally believed, will be but
temporary, is that his ranges will be
given a chance to improve. He is the
third largest land owner in Fergus
county, having an even $4,000 acres
to his credit.
Large Cattle Owner.
Mr.. Stephens is the largest individ-
ual owner Of cattle in the Judith ba.
sin at present, having anywhere from
10000 to $4,000 head of stock, and
he, with all other we'll informed stock
men, look for profitable times ahead
in this business. For the present, he
will devote all of his time to cattle in
terests, and if he does as we'll with
them, when the conditions are favor
able, as he has with his sheep, he
will take a fortune out of the bust
ness.
Is a Pioneer sheep Man.
AS before stated, Mr.. Stephens is
a pioneer in the sheep business in
this county. He started in 1882 with
a band of less than 1000 head, op'
Grating the Red Barn ranch. His bus.
mess has gradually extended until
now he owns outright $4,000 acres OF
land, an immense herd Of cattle, and
has other interests. This is not the
first time that he has sold out his
sheep holdings, and later on resumed
operations with the woolies on advan'
tageous terms, and history Is expected
to repeat itself in this particular case
Sheep to Leave Fergus.
The buyers of the Stephens band
will trail the sheep to the company's
ranges in Yellowstone and Rosebud
counties as soon as practicable. Mes.
srs. T. G. Power, Alex Johnson and
Paul Mccormick, who comprise the
Custer company, are well pleased with
their purchase, which was negotiated
for them by M. F. Trask.
Wool Coming In.
Wool is still pouring into the local
warehouse by rail and team, and is
being rapidly baled out. Teams are
coming into town from all the Sec
tions not reached by the railroad, and
the merchants are beginning to ex'
perience the rush season, as nearly
every wagon that comes in with wool
goes out with supplies for the sheep
camps. Some of these purchases are
very heavy, and altogether this end ol
the business is expected to reach con
siderably larger proportions than ev
er before, as several outfits are pur
chasing their supplies here this sea
son for the first time.
The wool received at the warehouse
continues to meet all expectations.
Losses Of Lambs.
Some losses of lambs are reported
as a result of the cold rains during
the latter part of last week. followed
by snow storm. In the Harlowtol
district. it is said that about 500 heat
were lost. The Sage Creek Sheer
company is reported to have sustained
loss of about $1,000.
Market Still Firm.
While no sales have been recorded
here during the past week, the marke
is still firm, the wool being held a
ABOUT tne same prices tHdC preNdllel
during the furry several weeks ago
when much of the wool was contract
ed for on the sleeps back.
Will Have Wool Market.
The unsold clips that have arrived
here or will come later aggregat,
close to one million pounds. So ia
as known, they are as follows: Osca
Stephens, 100000 pounds; Brool;
Bros, $4,000; John Hauck, $4,000
Mons Teigen, 100000; Samuel Phil
lips, $4,000; B. Leiper. 100000; Free
France, $4,000; Mr.. Leslie, 10000
Mr.. Douglas, 10000, Mr.. Leach, 10000
Jos. Gallagher, $4,000; Mr.. Peters: u
900; Holland Bros. 10000; JOhl
Roach, $4,000; Ben Bean, $4,000; MI
Mr.. Anderson, 10000; Mr.. Rigner. u
600; Ole Vinger. $4,000; David Fore
man, $4,000; A. Jackman, 10000; Mrs
Edwards, $4,000; ]. NJ. Croft, 1900
A. E. Hodges, 10000; Peter McCor
nell. 10000: John Ross, $4,000; Georg
Letchner. 10000; w. B. Peck, 10000
Zeno Balm. 10000: B. c. White. 40
600: w. B Shields. $4,000; c.
Clary, 10000; Mauland Bros, 30,00'