JUDGING LIVE STOCK. (59 



first importation consisted of five bulls and seventeen cows, 

 and was eminently satisfactory to Mr. Corning. Mr. Sotham 

 was soon sent back for more and purchased an entire ship- 

 load of bulls, cows and heifers; the vessel, however, encoun- 

 tered rough weather, the hatches were closed and all the 

 cattle were suffocated. Mr. Corning was in politics, and as 

 the Shorthorn interests were all powerful in New York, he 

 found it to his interests to relinquish interest in the Here- 

 fords, which he sold to Mr. Sotham. Mr. Sotham was limited 

 in means, and was actively opposed by certain Shorthorn men 

 who hoped to profit by the speculation in the Shorthorns. 

 He succeeded, however, in making other importations in 1852- 

 1853, and again in 1861-1862. As before mentioned, he was 

 limited in means, and could not force his stock into public 

 notice as he desired. The Civil War delayed further impor- 

 tations, and the overwhelming ascendancy of the Shorthorn 

 interests practically nullified Mr. Sotham's earnest efforts; 

 and it was not until the 70s that they were brought into gen- 

 eral notice. 



Chief credit for this is justly due to T. L. Miller. Mr. 

 Miller was born a country boy; in early life he worked in a 

 butcher shop, and in later life removed to Chicago and en- 

 gaged in the insurance business. He was quite successful 

 and amassed considerable means; and having decided in 1871 

 to go into agricultural pursuits, he began to establish a 

 herd on his large farm at Beecher, Illinois. He knew noth- 

 ing of the various breeds, but had known Mr. Sotham and 

 his work, and he was further influenced in favor of the Here- 

 fords by his farm manager, Mr. Win. Powell. After due 

 investigation he decided to enter on Hereford breeding, and 

 began in 1872 by purchasing a few cattle. He followed this 

 up by liberal purchases in various states, until he had 

 acquired quite a large herd. Mr. Miller possessed abundant 

 means, was shrewd and energetic, and a born fighter. He 

 threw himself into the Hereford cause with all abandon, 

 exhibited at the leading shows, whether allowed to enter in 

 the competition or not, and practically forced, by using all 

 his influence, the various shows to provide prizes for the 

 Hereford cattle, or to allow them to enter in breed competi- 

 tion. He early found himself face to face with the same 

 problem that had limited Sotham's operation, viz.: the over- 

 whelming preference of farmers for the Shorthorns. He 

 solved this by seeking an outlet on the ranges for his stock; 



