North Morrow and Gilliam Counties - TURN OF THE CENTURY SHEEP RANCHING

I recently obtained a copy of "Settlers of Cecil, North Morrow and Gilliam Counties", by Audrey Ellen Wilson, Watermelon Memories, Portland Oregon, 1993, a collection of newspaper clippings from 1900 through 1904. Following are some of the late 1900 and early 1901 entries about sheep raising. It  would seem as though everyone in the industry was either a "sheep king" or the most prominent or finest something or other:
     W. W. Wilson, of Castle Rock, twenty miles up the Columbia River from Arlington, reports that Ed Bartholomew moved his band of sheep into that country for range and he has increased from one band to two bands. Mr Wilson thinks the expansion is due to the McKinley administration. 2 November 1900.
     William Penland, the Sheep King of Morrow County has sold to Arthur Minor, F. F. Hynd and Oscar Minor his big Blue Mountain stock ranch, consisting of 40,000 acres of deeded land and 20,000 head of sheep the land is located south of Heppner, and the total consideration is $120,000. It has all been accumulated from a small start 20 years ago. Mr. Penland retains a one-fourth interest in the property in the property and has bought Arthur Minor's ranch of 3000 acres at the head of Butter Creek, with its 4,000 head of sheep. 9 November 1900.

     Charles McAllister of Croy just returned from the Antelope country where he went searching for sheep. He reports that it is difficult to find any sheep for sale. He made an offer of $3.25 per head for yearling wethers to a prominent sheep man and was turned down. He has a band of 650 head on his ranch at Rock Creek which he considers the finest in the state, some of them weighing as much as 135 pounds. It is his intention to take these lambs to Montana for spring range, preparatory to putting them up for sale. He was offered early in the fall $12 per head for the pick of them. 14 December 1900.
     Mr. Schoolcroft of Willows, was in Arlington last week in pursuit of hobos who helped themselves to what they could find in his sheep camp. 11January 1901.
     It Would Take All the Dogs of the Country to Herd One Band of Cotswold and Shropshire Sheep. D. W. Ralston returned from Portland Wednesday where he delivered sheep purchased in Yamhill county. The sheep raised there are a different variety from those which are ranged in Eastern Oregon and for mutton they are unexcelled. "Eastern Oregon sheep are the best wool producers, they do not have have mutton quality the coarse-wooled sheep do." The Cotswold and Shropshire are coarse wool sheep, and are the principal sheep raised in the valley. This class of sheep is not run in Eastern Oregon because of the fact that they are great travelers and could not be handled in large bands as are run in this country. It would take more dogs than we could get. 11 January 1901.
     George Earhart, of Lone Rock, a  prominent sheep man says the he has not yet sold last year's clip of wool, and it is his opinion that at this time he will not be able to dispose of it before the next clip comes. Condition of sheep, he says, is very good. They returned from the mountains in the pink of it. 22 February 1901.
     Multiple Entries: R. F. Hynds and Ed Dam, two prominent sheepment of Heppner, attended the wool growers convention in Pendleton.....Sheep shearers are coming into the country preparatory to taking up their labors which will soon be on hand. It is probable that in a week or two a good many of the sheep men will be fleecing their flocks.....D. W. Ralston shipped a band of sheep Sunday to Portland.....Charles McAllister went up to Pendleton Monday to be in attendance at the Woolgrowers convention.....R. M. Johnson Finds Scab. Stock inspector for Gilliam county was in the Ferry Canyon country last week inspecting sheep reported to be in a scabby condition. One band was found in which a small number were affected.....A. Smythe & Son, Gilliam County's most prominent sheep men are reported as having sold 500 head of yearling sheep at $4.75 per head. The sale was made at the Chicago stock yards. 3 March 1901.
     Wm. Smith of Hay Creek, owner of one of the finest sheep ranches in Gilliam county, has begun lambing. 22 March, 1901.
     Charles McAllister of Croy is expecting a visit from a Umatilla sheep man to look at his fine bunch of yearling rams and if all goes well he will sell a band of 600. The deal should accommodate from $6000 to $8000.  22 March 1901.
     Charles Cunningham of Pilot Rock accompanied Mr. McAllister to his Rock Creek ranch to see sheep. 12 April, 1901.
     A shipment of 1800 head of yearling sheep left Arlington Tuesday for the Seattle market, being bought of A. Smythe by Frye and Bruhn Monday. Men who know say it is the finest band of mutton sheep ever put on the market in this section. They brought $2.25 a head. 9 April 1901.
     The first wool clip of the season was that of Thomas Seigel of Willow Creek to The Dalles Scouring Mills which brought 8 1/2 cents. The clip consisted of forty-five sacks of slightly inferior quality. Mr. Smith got an offer of 9 1/2 cents for the big clip of A. Smythe and Son but declined. 19 April 1901.
                                                                                                                                          Roger Doherty