A RANCHMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS 



article with the process by which I think the greatest 

 herd in the world was evolved. One thing, however, 

 is pathetic : the necessity which caused them to drop 

 the bull Druid out of their problem. It was heroic 

 to kill him on account of his dangerous temper, but 

 while Gov. Simpson had little to say about it I am 

 sure that it was the sorrow of his life, and from 

 Druid's comparatively small get his loss to the breed- 

 ing Hereford world can never be estimated and, I 

 am almost tempted to add, nor repaired. 



Another remark made by Gov. Simpson stuck. 

 A perfect bull was being examined. I said, "Gov- 

 ernor, do you mind going over this bull and pointing 

 out where, if anywhere, he is defective?" Again 

 he stood and looked for a long time; then, turning, 

 he said, "Son, this is for you. I don't want to 

 criticise another man's bull." Then he placed his 

 hand on the defect, and added, "But when I hear of 

 one absolutely perfect I am going just as far as he is 

 to see him." 



Among the stalwarts of those times was John 

 Sparks, originally from Georgetown, Tex., and after- 

 wards governor of Nevada, and, as I recall it, the 

 pioneer breeder of registered Herefords in the far 

 northwest. He was also a large breeder of stock 

 cattle, with ranges between Elko and Reno, Nev. 

 His herd was almost wiped out by a severe winter 

 in the '8o's. The friendship between Kirk Armour 

 and John Sparks was one of those rare intimacies 



[39] 



