FOOTING GAINED IN MIDDLE WEST 343 



and took first and second prizes on all I had in their 

 class, amounting to $265. George West took first 

 prize on yearling bull and heifer, being two calves I 

 sold him last year, owned at Kinmundy, 111. There 

 were brought into the ring of sweepstakes herds five 

 herds, all Shorthorns except my own. I took second 

 prize. The Illinois fair was all and more than I had 

 anticipated. The premiums, being equal for all 

 breeds of cattle, gave satisfaction to all breeders. 

 The drouth and location were decidedly against the 

 fair ; but everything that could be done on the part 

 of the officers and superintendents of the different 

 departments was done for all exhibitors, and we all 

 enjoyed it, and felt well satisfied. 



"The next was the St. Louis Fair — ^the fair of all 

 fairs. I took all that was offered on Herefords at 

 this fair. The show of Herefords, Aldemeys, and 

 Ayrshires was so much above expectations, that they 

 gave them all additional premiums. I have but one 

 suggestion to make in regard to this fair, viz., that 

 they take pattern from Illinois in giving equal prem- 

 iums to all breeds of cattle, and also build one hun- 

 dred more cattle stalls, and then their fair would 

 seem perfect. 



"As this was my first trip west, to attend the Illi- 

 nois and St. Louis fairs, I must say I was very hap- 

 pily disappointed at both fairs; they have got the 

 right men in the right place, and everything moves 

 like clock-work. And another thing, when one meets 

 there such men as J. H. Pickrell, Edward Hes and 

 Stephen Dunlap of Illinois, Shrophire of Kentucky 

 and Col. King of Minnesota, it is of no use to look 

 for more obliging and gentlemanly men, or better 

 breeders. I wish here to express my heartfelt 

 thanks to the president, directors and managers of 

 the Illinois and St. Louis fairs, for their kindness 



