Part 7

In the issue of The Breeder's Gazette, May 24, 1905, is the following statement: "In literature, art, professional life, or politics, a man with a record of achievements equal to that of the late Benjamin Franklin Harris would deservedly have numerous biographers. Many a man has been made the subject of bulky biography who might not measure up to him on any score. This is not because the most inviting and interesting personalities are found outside the farmer's calling, but largely because until recent years agriculture as a vocation has not been adequately appreciated by the public. It has not been sufficiently dignified to become the source of life histories. Other professions have furnished the candidates for the Plutarchs, and contributed the heroes and heroines famous in fiction. Farming has been drawn on principally for Philistines. Its great men, its geniuses, its Harrises, have been overlooked by almost all writers worthy of putting their useful lives into books."

(Cont. on page 47.)

Record of the Best Hundred Head of Cattle Ever Fattened in One Lot in the United States.

STOCKMEN, ATTENTION

Who Can Beat This Record?

Weight of 100 head of Cattle, fatted by B. F. Harris, of Champaign County, Illinois:

No. Cattle Weight

2 4718 2 4782 2 4340 2 4580 2 4582 2 4730 2 4764 2 4738 2 4880 2 4756 2 5150 2 4624 2 4582 2 5364 2 4828 2 5378 2 4864 2 4640 2 4694 2 4610 2 4776 2 4488 2 4572 2 4988 2 4634 2 4458 2 4920 2 4828 2 4702 2 4852 2 4464 2 4900 2 4634 2 4764 1 2690 2 4650 2 4806 2 4505 1 2548 2 4830 2 4762 2 4706 2 4854 2 4746 2 4700 2 4546 1 2516 2 4648 2 4724 2 4720 2 4732 1 2646

Average price sale, 7 cents

These cattle were weighed by Dr. Johns, President of State Agricultural Society.

Twelve of the large cattle out of 100 head, weighed May 23d, 1856, which was during the time of fattening:

Black 2424 Red 2340 Pied 2640 M. Red 2264 Ch. Roan 2522 B. Red 2574 S. Roan 2330 C. Red 2340 S. White 2360 P. Red 2486 Long White 2496 M. Red 2540

Same cattle weighed July 18, 1856:

Black 2526 Red 2480 Pied 2730 M. Red 2424 Ch. Roan 2654 B. Red 2646 S. Roan 2470 C. Red 2490 S. White 2430 P. Red 2630 L. White 2600 M. Red 2564

Same cattle weighed February 12th, 1857:

Black 2720 Red 2780 Pied 2990 M. Red 2640 Ch. Roan 2810 B. Red 2910 S. Roan 2680 C. Red 2770 S. White 2605 P. Red 2840 L. White 2810 M. Red 2880

Average, 2786¼ lbs.

Average age, 4 years

Weighed by B. F. Harris; sold for 8 cents per lb.

Largest steer in Illinois, weight 3524, 7 years old, raised by John Rising, fed by H. H. Harris.

Average weight of the 100 head, 2377 lbs.

* * * * *

The foregoing is a correct statement of a famous cattle sale which occurred in the City of Chicago, month of March, 1856.

The herd comprised 100 head of the finest and heaviest cattle ever raised and fattened in one lot by one man in the State of Illinois, or in the United States of America, or elsewhere, so far as the records go to show. These cattle were raised from 1 and 2-year-old steers on my farm in Champaign County, Illinois, and fattened for the market in the years of 1855 and '56, their average age, at that time, being 4 years. They were weighed on my farm by Dr. Johns, of Decatur, Illinois, President State Agricultural Society. Said weights were witnessed by a large number of representative men from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, to the number of five hundred, among whom were many professional cattle raisers and dealers, all of whom bore willing testimony to the average weight of the cattle, which was 2,377 lbs. per head. Out of this lot of 100 cattle, 12 head of the finest steers were selected and fed until the following February. They then showed an average weight of 2,786¼ lbs., and were sold to Messrs. Cliborn and Alby, of Chicago, at 8 cents per lb. The weight master kept a record of each draft as the cattle were weighed--one and two in a draft. A copy of said weights is herewith attached for the inspection of the general public; also copy of average gain at different periods.

On the 22d of February, 1857, the 12 steers sold to Cliborn and Alby, appropriately decorated with tri-colored ribbon, preceded by a band of music, were led through the principal streets of Chicago, followed by 100 butchers, mounted and uniformed. After this unique procession, the cattle were slaughtered by said Cliborn, and Alby, for the city markets, some of the beef selling as high as 50 cents per lb. Small packages of it were sent to customers in various parts of the United States, and even Europe, and sold, in some cases, as high as $1.00 per lb. These orders were given by these parties simply that they might say they had eaten of this famous premium beef.

B. F. Harris.

Tom Candy Ponting.

August 26, 1824-