A KNIGHT CF THE GOLDEN DAYS 213 



by the American buyer. She was accompanied by 

 nine head, nearly all of BOOTH extraction, and two 

 years later another importation of a like number 

 was made for New York Mills. 



Mr. SHELDON, who had acquired all of the Thorne- 

 dale Duchesses, scented danger to his speculation 

 in BATES cattle by this invasion of the BOOTHS; so 

 he resolved to make terms, offering to sell one-half 

 of the Geneva herd. GIBSON advised its purchase, 

 but Mr. CAMPBELL replied, "But you don't know the 

 price!" The answer was, "Never mind the price; 

 buy." The deal was closed, and the division made; 

 the Duchesses cost an average of $5,500 each, 

 and the Oxfords $2,800 each. A year later the 

 entire SHELDON herd was taken over at an agreed 

 price of $100,000 for about 50 head. The BOOTHS 

 were disposed of and some of them found their 

 way back to England. 



There were then no Duchesses living on either 

 side of the Atlantic descended direct from Mr. BATES' 

 herd without admixture of blood from other sources, 

 excepting those owned at New York Mills, so that 

 when, in 18T3, the time was deemed right for such 

 an event the entire herd was advertised for sale at 

 public auction. Shorthorn breeding at that date was 

 engaging the enthusiastic attention of large numbers 



