OTHER MAKERS OF WESTERN CATTLE HISTORY 465 



constitution, very deep through the heart, with full 

 brisket; he was straight on the back to the tailroot, 

 with the exception of a deep cup or dimple in the 

 middle of his back to which many objected. When- 

 ever this was criticised, however, Mr. VanNatta al- 

 ways remarked, "Well, if the bull did not carry a 

 great load of meat on his back, he would not have 

 any dimple." His underline was also good, his 

 shoulders smooth, his head and horns masculine and 

 full of character, and his body a mass of flesh. He 

 was quick and active in his movements, and a sire 

 of valuable show and breeding stock. 



By this time the firm was carrying from 500 to 

 2,500 head of steers in the big pastures, and as the 

 Hereford grades began to be available it was found 

 that they gave splendid satisfaction as grazers. 



Fowler & VanNatta began showing Herefords in 

 the early '80 's, in a small way at first at the Lafay- 

 ette and Crawfordsville fairs in Indiana- In those 

 days all breeds competed and they had many a hard 

 fight with their Shorthorn antagonists, represented 

 by such careful fitters as J. H. Potts & Son, "Uncle" 

 Harvey Sodowsky, and their contemporaries. 

 Tregrehan was sent out at the head of the first herd, 

 and a few years later Fowler & VanNatta' began 

 making the rounds of the big circuit with cattle 

 largely the get of that bull. They were a party to 

 the famous "invasion" of Kentucky in 1886, show- 

 ing that year Fowler, Viola, Peeress, Miss Fowler 

 and Lassie — one of the most successful herds of 

 that day. 



