A PEEIOD OF PROPOUND DEPRESSION 361 



standing and popularity were such that he was 

 elected to the state senate as a Democrat, although 

 the district was strongly Republican. He served in 

 the state senate in 1888 and 1890, and his influence, 

 admittedly great in Iowa, was thrown strongly in 

 favor of Percheron horses. He counselled farmers 

 to hold their good mares and to buy more while 

 they were cheap. He practiced this himself and 

 bought E. A. Noble's entire stud of 26 head in 1897. 

 His best colts, on which he won many premiums at 

 the Iowa State Fair in the '80 's and '90 's, were 

 descended from his foundation mares bought of M. 

 W. Dunham Oct. 23, 1882. Itala 1436 was the most 

 profitable. She was struck by lightning when about 

 4 years old and blinded for life, but raised 10 colts 

 of record between 1884 and 1897, and proved to be 

 the most profitable mare he ever owned. The best 

 sire ever owned by Mr. Bamett was Champagne 2312 

 (1117), a bay grandson of Coco 2d (714), bought 

 from M. "W. Dunham in 1883 by the Warren County 

 Breeders' Association, in which Mr. Bamett was a 

 leader. This horse continued in use well into the 

 '90 's and left some very good stock. Mr. Bamett 's 

 influence was at all times for careful, constructive 

 breeding, and he gave much needed support to Per- 

 cheron interests during depressed times. 



William Sprole was one of the most substantial 

 farmers and cattle breeders near Traer, la. He 

 began Percheron-breeding in 1886 by selecting a pair 

 of the best mares obtainable at Oaklawn. He gave 

 $3,000 for the pair. One was a daughter of Brilliant 



