CHAPTER V. 



General Simson His important work Sam Wiley and Sultan General 

 Watson Bethune of Blebo His Eoses Barclay of Keavil Ke- 

 markable herd Heir of Englishman Sir John Gilmour Noted 

 stock Dispersion sale. 



GENERAL SIMSON of Pitcorthie, Fifeshire, was one of 

 the most remarkable men in Shorthorn annals. In 

 all probability he was breeding Shorthorns before 

 1789. Be that as it may, he hired bulls from 

 the Collings in 1789 and 1791. In 1806 he paid 

 Charles Colling 300 for the cow Mary. She was 

 by Favourite (252), out of Venus, the notable daughter 

 of Ben and Phoenix. At that time also he had the 

 courage to hire at 100 per season the bull North 

 Star (458), a full brother to the 1000 gs. Comet (155). 

 North Star was only a calf when he was hired, and 

 at the end of 1808 Robert Colling pressed the General 

 to return the bull, so that he might be used by Charles 

 Colling during season 1809. There must have been 

 some ambiguity in the terms of the hiring, as the 

 northerner kept the bull, and paid the 100 yearly. 

 North Star died in General Simson's possession when 

 five years old. Through the stock of Holla, a son of 

 North Star, Mr John Grey, of Millfield and Dilston, 



