DREAMS COME TRUE 29 



DEWITT SMITH of Sangamon Co., 111., then, as now, 

 a man of commanding presence, influence and char- 

 acter, was President of this Association at the time, 

 and JOHN CLAY Treasurer. The writer was then a 

 young man looking particularly after cattle matters 

 for the newly-born "Breeder's Gazette." This was 

 in 1885. A new Secretary for the Association was 

 wanted. DEWITT SMITH alone, I think, of all the 

 members of a committee charged with making a 

 selection, thought he knew me fairly well at that 

 time, and assumed the responsibility all unbeknown 

 to myself of having me elected to that position. 

 I always had an idea that JOHN CLAY was not spe- 

 cially enthusiastic over the incident at the moment; 

 but he was fond of SMITH as well as of DEWITT'S 

 brother, the major, a well-known character in north- 

 western ranching circles in the early days and 

 stood, therefore, for the action taken. This proved, 

 I may say in passing, the beginning of a personal 

 friendship which I am happy to say has not to this 

 day been impaired. CLAY was, as a matter of fact, 

 the vital force of this old-time National organization, 

 raising single-handed all of the funds with which 

 SMITH, MAJOR TOWERS, TOM STURGIS, JUDGE CAREY and 

 their colleagues waged the long fight which was really 

 the beginning of the upbuilding of the National 



