192 AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN 



Baron Victor the first Scotch-bred calf dropped 

 at the farm was put through the initial sale, 

 and the scramble for her did not cease until "Uncle 

 SAMMY" STEINMETZ, a thrifty Missouri breeder, nod- 

 ded his head for "another five" after the $1,000 

 corner had been turned. It must be remembered 

 that this was in the days when nothing save BATES- 

 bred cattle were supposed to be worth four figures. 

 The sale, therefore, of this choice heifer at such a 

 figure marked the virtual beginning of a demand 

 for Aberdeenshire blood that has not yet run its 

 course. 



The readers of these notes will not be taxed 

 with a presentation of details as to the assembling 

 of the great herd to be seen in the Linwood pastures 

 from, say, 1883 to 1890. Expense was not spared 

 in the purchase of the best material with which 

 AMOS GRUICKSHANK could be induced to part. The 

 choice of the American imports from Sittyton were re- 

 served for Linwood's option. The genius of the great 

 Scotchman himself was invoked in the selection of 

 young bulls and heifers likely to advance the cause 

 of the GRUICKSHANK stamp in the United States. 

 WILLIAM DUTHIE alone, Mr. GRUICKSHANK'S closest 

 adviser and contemporary in his declining years, had 

 the pick of a bull ahead of Linwood. Lot after lot 



