OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 213 



A RARE OLD WORTHY OF THE BRITISH AUCTION BLOCK 



83. "The Nestor" of the notable fraternity which centered in 

 the Tees valley of the 18th and early 19th centuries was the 

 redoubtable William Wetherell. No one knew more of the 

 original bovine divinities, no one entered more fully into the 

 confidence of the early directors of Durham destinies, and no 

 one had more abiding faith or courage in the future of the red, 

 white and roan. Three times did natural or economic exigen- 

 cies deprive Mr. Wetherell of the rewards of his labor, and 

 four times with undiminished courage did he build up a Short- 

 horn herd. His stimulus was first received in 1810 at the Ketton 

 dispersal, while Barmpton's first public vendue, eight years later, 

 offered him the opportunity for his initial purchases. 



At Aldro, Mr. Wetherell developed a wellspring of com- 

 mercial interests and optimism accessible to all the members 

 of that early bovine brotherhood. His herdsman, John Ward, 

 was a master of showyard wizardry, despite the severe competi- 

 tion. Wetherell himself was an auctioneer of nation wide 

 repute and served at many a notable offering. In 1847 he 

 closed out Barclay's (80) second Ury herd and was extremely 

 popular with many another of the Shorthorn worthies. He was 

 a constant and liberal buyer, never hesitating to push prices 

 to the top. Bad luck never discouraged him and he met with 

 truest bravery the almost instantaneous loss of twenty-four cows 

 from pleuro-pneumonia. At another time he was forced to sacri- 

 fice the best bull he ever possessed as a result of developing a 

 dangerous temper. 



At his dispersion he spoke trenchantly of "auld acquaentance," 

 and the old blue bullock-van that had transported the "Cumber- 



