The Monett times., 1922-02-17
AN OZARK ORGANIZA-
TATION FIVE YEARS OLD

Breeders Association originate t?
Some five years ago, J. w. McCanse,
Mt. Vernon, Mo-, and E. H. Thomas,
Aurora, Mo-, were brought together
on business, not pertaining to Short
horn cattle, at the home of Mr.. Nc
Canse. Both Mr.. McCanse and Mr.,
| Thomas are enthusiastic men for
purebred livestock, and during their
conversation they naturally discussed
Shorthorn cattle, as both men were
breeders. Before Mr. Thomas started
for home, it was agreed between them
that each of them would notify the
few breeders living in their county
near them-McCanse living in Lew
renee County and Thomas in Barry
County-that there would be meet
ing at Aurora, Mo-, June 3rd, 1916,
for the purpose of organizing Short
horn Association. My brother and |
received a notice a few days before
the meeting from Mr.. Thcmas, invit-
ing us to attend. We talked the
matter over and thought it would be
! good opportunity to advance the
Shorthorn fraternity.
When we arrived at Aurora, on the
morning of the third, we saw few
breeders on the streets, wondering if
anybody else was coming and just
how we would go about organizing.
About l p. M, we assembled in an
anti-room of the Bank of Aurora. Mr..
McCanse, being the oldest man at the
meeting. being a man determined
to accomplish whatever he undertook,
was selected temporary chairman,
and Clint Marbut, temporary secre-
tary. Both of us were elected to the
respective places for the coming year.
Marion Tate, Monett, Mo-, was elect
ed vice president. Mr.. McCanse was
president until his death, and after
his death a close friend of his, w. L..
Allen, of Mt. Vernon, Mo-, one of the
oldest breeders, if not the oldest, of
Shorthorn cattle in Southwest Mis-
souri,, was elected president. He still
retains this office, not by his choice
but by the choice of the breeders be-
cause of the unshakeable confidence
they have in him. Mr.. Tate, one of
the men whose advice is sought on
many of the questions of making
Southwest Missouri a better place to
live, still retains the office of vice
president, and the writer, for some
reason not known to him, is still
holding the office of secretary and
treasurer.
The fourteen breeders present, be-
came memebrs without any soliciting
as soon as the organization was far
enough along to receive members.
Just to refresh the memory of the old
membrs, and inform the new ones, |
will give you their names as they ap-
pear on my record, also post office
address:
J. w. McCanse, Mt. Vernon, Mo;
Marion Tate, Monett, Mo-; Clinton
Hillhouse, Aurora, Mo-; J. c. McCul-
lah, Aurora, Mo-; f. H. Thomas, Au-
rora, Mo-; Fred Thomas, Monett,
Mo-; V. H. Marbut, Monett, Mo-; W.
l.. Allen, Mt. Vernon, Mo-; V. H. Mar
but, Monett, Mo-; R. A. McCullahi
Marionville, Mo-; o. w. Hutchens,
Cassville, Mo-; A. J. Howard, Billings,
Mo-; D. R. Thomas, Monett, Mo-;
Clint Marbut, Verona, Mo.
A number of names were suggested
for the name of the association. AT
ter a discussion of the same, it was
noted that Southwest Missouri Short
horn Breeders Association" was the
most appropriate. 1t retained that
name until the annual meeting IN
January, 1921, when it was changed
to the Ozark Shorthorn Breeders
! Association, name more character
istic, Breeders living in adjoining
territory and joining states were ask
ing for membership and according tc
the constitution, | was not permitted
to receive them as members, for priol
to the changing of the name of the
association, and constitution, it read
Members must reside in Southwes'
Missouri"
venture the assertion that there
wasn't man in the little room where
the organization meeting was held
that could realize or comprehend the
magic growth or the wonderful goot
that there was in store for the or
ganization. Today we have breeders
members of the association, living
throughout the length and breadth Of
the Ozarks. l am glad to say tina
county and state names are brushed
aside, and if you are breeder d
Shorthorns and an honorable man
you are eligible to membership b!