A HISTORY OF SHORTHORNS IN KANSAS 113 



was dispersed. Most of the cattle sold locally at 

 a low price to people who did not realize their 

 value. Several good herds in central Kansas, 

 however, descend from the Rutledge herd. 



Herds of Minor Importance. During the 

 years covered by the preceding sketches many 

 herds were founded over the state that were of 

 considerable importance locally. Only a few 

 of these herds left any impress on the cattle of 

 this time yet they are well worthy of mention. It 

 has been possible to obtain data on many of these 

 breeding establishments while probably many 

 others equally worthy of recognition are omitted. 

 These herds are grouped largely by counties and 

 localities rather than according to the period of 

 time in which they existed. 



J. Clarence Norton of Allen county was one 

 of the earlier breeders. Mr. Norton was a bril- 

 liant man who was very much given to accepting 

 statements as positive facts and coming to con- 

 clusions without thorough investigation. One of 

 his hobbies to which he gave much publicity 

 was that cattle would thrive as well or better 

 without salt as with it. He was a frequent 

 contributor to the farm press and a very willing 

 speaker at farmers' institutes. His Shorthorn 

 herd, which was maintained for a good many 

 years, was of medium quality and of local im- 

 portance only. 



Of somewhat more recent origin than the 



