The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-02-26

war, and the Shorthorn industry made
commendable growth, it was during
the two decades from 1865 to 1885
that it made its most rapid expansion.
The fame of these cattle has been CO.
existent with agricultural progress. In
the early period of their history in the
United States, Shorthorns made great
est development in the states of Ken
lucky and Ohio, but they were carried
westward with the tide of immigra-
ton, and the Mississippi coun-
try became dotted with centers of
Shorthorn blood and consequent bo-
vine improvement and enhancement in
value. Missouri received its full share
of this improvement and enlarged
trade. During this period the growth
of the breed was phenomenal and
herds were started in many counties
of the state.
The space of this bulletin will not adj
nit of detailed enumeration of these
herds, hence only a general account
of some of the more important ones
will be given.
Just here l think it proper to mar
rate an incident that shows that Short
horns were pretty widely distributed
over the state at an early date and
that also shows their influence on the
common cattle of the country. In 1852
Nave and McCord, extensive grocers
of St. Joseph, were also outfitters and
freighters in the overland trade to
California. With a wagon train sent
over that year, band of cattle were
taken and with them 4 roam Short
horn bull. In order to save this bull
from the extra travel incident to be-
ing driven with the loose cattle he
was led behind 4 wagon. On arrival
at the end Of his journey of 1000
miles he was sold to 4 ranchman near
Marysville, Cal, and for many years
thereafter the great improvement he
made in the cattle o. that community
was noticeable So far as is knowr
he was the first Shorthorn bull taken
across to the Pacific coast. As ex-
plorcrs in new countries point the way
| for future settlers, so this bull might
/ be said to have "blazed the trail TO
the western coast for other Short
horns.
| Pike County, a PIOneer-Among The
counties that eXerted a strong intlu-
ence in the early period of Shorthorn
history of Missouri was Pike. One of
the earliest breeders of this county,
mentioned casually elsewhere in this
bulletin, was H. P V. Block. The exact
date when he began breeding Short
horns has not been ascertained, but it
was probably as early as 1856, since
/ Volume VI of the HerdboOk, issued in
1863, contains pcdigrees of cattle bred
| by him, and some Of these were calv-
ed in 1858. His herd was large and
locally of considerable influence.
| Another herd established in this
country a few years later became very
strong and exerted a decided influence
on The herds and shows not only Of the
state, but of surrounding states. This
herd was started by Mr.. J. H. Kissing
er by purchase Of the two COWS, Beau
! ty and Dove Sd at the Illinois State
Fair of 1867. Beauty seemed appro-
priately named, as she became fine
show COW. In 1868 Mr.. Kissinger
| bought from the herd of J. H. Spears,
Talula, ILL.,, and in 1869 several COWS
from J. H. PiCkrell. In 1871 he sold
one of these COWS to Thos. S. Page Of
California for 81 500. Large additions
to the herd were made from 1870 to
1872, including the noted show COW,
Jessie Hopewell, bought from the sale
of Edward lies, Springfield, H., at
$500.
In June, 1873, he sold so head at
auction on his home farm near Cla;ks-
vile at an average of $500. At a sale
held later an average Of $40 was
made, one COW going to T. w. Garrard
of Missouri at S2,O50. The first sire
of especial merit used by Mr.. Kissing
err was the Primula bull, Kissinger's
Breastplate 17476, which he bought in
Kentucky. Later. in public sale that
averaged Mr.. kissinger $606 on Al
head, this bull was transferred to Ed
ward lies for $4,000. Another good
sire and prize winner, General Grant
1925, shown by Daniel Mcmillan for
five years without defeat. About this
time Cruickshank ShorthoI'ns began
their wonderful career in the United
States, and Mr.. Kissipger was quick
to recognize their merit and to forsee
their popularity.
Mr.. Kissinger assisted in organizing
a country fair that was held in Ash
ley, Pike county, in 1865. At this fair
he exhibited the champion bullock that