in life; of the latter of which, however, it has fortunately 
had but few. The first year of its existence was but little 
more than an experiment. The following years showed 
that it was firmly established, and had become an institution 
of the land, and a refuge for all dairymen and factorymen 
who would seek its shelter, for its portals were ever wide 
open to the oppressed of both these branches of business. 
In the year 1876 or 1877 a strong effort was made by 
several of the Chicago dealers to break down the board, 
but they signally failed. Dr. Tefft, the honored president, 
counseled the factorymen not to yield to the importunate 
demands to send goods on commission, but rather club 
together and start one of their number out as a salesman, 
with instructions to visit St. Louis and other cities, and sell 
their products there. But before the plan could be put into 
