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, JouHn Warp, 
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 Barctay’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- 
