THE BIRTH OF A "BOOM." 399 



bell, Simon Beattie and M. H. Cochrane, and 

 such sympathizers in the West as the influen- 

 tial breeders already mentioned. He resolved, 

 therefore, to make terms with the New York 

 Mills management, and offered to sell Mr. 

 Campbell one-half of the Geneva herd. This 

 was in 1869. Mr. Gibson advised that the pur- 

 chase be jnade. Mr. Campbell replied: "But 

 you don't know the price." The imperturbable 

 Gibson rejoined: " Never mind that. Buy" 

 The price was a big one, and the herd was to 

 be divided by a process of alternate selection. 

 Sheldon secured first choice in the "toss up," 

 and picked 12th Duchess of Geneva. The se- 

 lection proceeded until Mr. Sheldon had, in ad- 

 dition to the 12th, the 4th Duchess of Geneva 

 and the 10th, 12th and 13th Duchesses of 

 Thorndale. Walcott & Campbell got the 6th, 

 8th and 13th Duchesses of Geneva and the 3d 

 and 9th Duchesses of Thorndale. Of the Ox- 

 fords Sheldon secured 6th Lady, 3d Maid, 2d 

 Countess and Gem of Oxford. Gibson took the 

 7th and 10th Ladys and 2d Maid. The entire 

 lot was gone over in the same fashion, and 

 the 4th Duke of Geneva, then at the head of 

 the herd, was retained in common. Further- 

 more, it was agreed that no Oxford or Duchess 

 female was to be sold by either party until the 

 other had the first option. The Duchesses had 



