Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-17
SHEEP RAISING
MADE SUCCESS
First Try Cows, but Milking
Does Not Appeal to Them.

BOyINA, Tex, June 17.-From pa z
latial home in large city to a httiss
farmhouse in the Panhandle of Texas
from a life of social pleasures TO a,
quiet pastoral existence, from wealth in
big city to wealth on a large sheep
ranch, all in only six years, IS the story
in a nutshell of Miss Donna Gardner
and her sister, Mrs. Jeanette Hartwell
of Bovina, Farmer county, Texas, daugh-
tiers Of John T. Gardner, retired maiia-
facturer of Cincinnati, o.
Six years ago a friend of the Gardner
family came to west Texas and bought
an irrigated farm.
Having an urban soul, however, he
soon wearied of the quiet Of country
existence and sought a buyer.
Declaring they were tired of city life,
the Gardner sisters decided to purchase
the property, Notwithstanding the fact
that they had never been away from
paved street and knew nothing Of farm
ing.
With the equipment on hand, and 100
Jersey cows, together with a registered
male which they had imported from Eng
land, they went to work
Following the pillow. milking the cows
and feeding the hogs, however, did not
appeal TO them as much as they had
thought it would.
But they were imbued with the spirit
Of the great west and could not make
Up their minds TO return to city life.
So they disposed of their farm imple-
ments, bought 100 sheep as a nucleus
for a sheep ranch. and got husy-whica
is the real beginning Of the story.
With this cash in hand, and the pro-
ceeds of the farm. which they sold, con-
aidering it too small for sheep raising,
they bought a ten section ranch and sew
eral hundred fine sheep.
The property is a part Of the 100000
acres of land that were granted TO John
v Farwell by the state of Texas for
financing the construction of the state
capitol The ranch is known as the
KIT"
They now have $500 sheep pasturing
in Tom Green county and 5000 head OF
yearling breeding ewes under contract
TO be shipped from Arizona to their
ranch this month.
Only the best grade Of sheep is han
died and each years lambs bring high
prices, as do the muttons and the wool
During a recent visit to San Angelo,
the shepherdesses sold 100 head Of reg
istered Rambouillet ewes.
Miss Gardner, like the excellent sheep
woman she is, declined to state the price
received for the animals.
The labor problem doesn't worry these
sheepwOmen.
Miss Gardner speaks Spanish fuently
and employs only Mexican herders.
In addition to the big sheep ranch
which they operate, Miss Gardner and
Mrs. Hartwell have placed 200 acres in
cultivation.
The management of this end of the
business is under the supervision Of John
Hartwell, son Of Mrs. Hartwell, who is
4 widow.
Very naturally these efficient and en-
terprising women use only the most mod
ern equipment, including a big 75-horse-
power tractor.
Certainly I am in favor of women
voting" said Miss Gardner, when quyG~
toned on this subject.
They deserve equal rights with the
men and need suffrage TO improve living
conditions among women workers and
children.
Women won't be hurt by politics, but
may improve the order of things
MY sister and 1 paid over $1,000 in
taxes in Farmer county last year, but
regret to say that I did not pay my poll
tax.
Never again shall I neglect that i'm
portant item. sheep or no sheep