Aberdeen Angus, which were commonly referred to as “doddies,” were on display in twelve judging classes.  Some of these classes contained as many as thirty entries. The much anticipated Angus exhibit far exceeded the expectations of fair goers.  Even though some dishonesty had managed to creep into larger cattle shows of the day, this “Scalawag” stuff was said to be absent from the exhibit in St. Louis. The responsibility of judging the cattle was given to Professor C. F. Curtiss of Ames, Iowa.  The quality of Angus was so strong that the it took the judge a long time to sort out the winners.

Professor C.F. Curtiss examines Western Star

Western Star was the winner of the aged bull class.  This bull had been purchased by W. A. McHenry a year prior to the fair with the specific purpose of winning his class at St. Louis.  He was said to have possessed a balance and was not too large nor small.

Prince Ito 2d, the winner of the two-year old class, was described as having buttocks that would “raise a man’s estimation of round steak.”  Blackbird Ito was the winner of the senior yearling class.  He, like Prince Ito 2d, was sired by Prince Ito.  He was noted as being a “wonder of bulk and sappiness.”  This bull was also described as having a body that was evenly distributed between the shoulder and the hindquarter.

 Vala’s Rosegay was awarded the top honors from the junior yearling bull class.  This was a difficult decision for the judge due to Vala Rosegay’s head and neck lacking somewhat in masculinity.  Top honors in the senior bull calves went to Choice Goods, despite the fact that various observers considered his shoulders to be too prominent.  Choice Goods was observed to have excellent blockiness, sappiness, buttocks, and flesh characteristics, all of which led to him winning the class.

Showing muscular Angus bulls

Glenfoil Rose was the winner of the senior yearling heifer class.  Her “long hips, neat setting of the tail, and ample arch of fore-rib” allowed her to overcome a slight dip in her back to wrestle the top prize away from her 21 competitors.    

 The winner of the two-year-old heifer class was Blackbird 26^th, who like Blackbird 24^th was sired by Black Monarch of Emerson.  Blackbird 26^th was noted for having beautiful character, being thick in her flesh and smooth along the back, and finely finished.  These characteristics allowed her to edge out the remaining 21 competitors.

Blackbird 26th was champion two-year-old heifer

Aberdeen Angus First Prize Winners

• Aged Bulls- Western Star; W.A. McHenry; Denison, Ia; $75

• Two-Year Olds- Prince Ito 2d; C.J. Martin; Churdan, Ia; $75

• Senior Yearlings- Blackbird Ito; W.B. Seely; Mt. Pleasant, Ia; $75

• Junior Yearlings- Vala’s Rosegay; C.H. Gardner; Blandinsville, Ill; $50

• Senior Bull Calves- Choice Goods; W.A. McHenry; Denison, Ia; $50

• Junior Bull Calves- Early Hill Magic; Otto G. Callahan; Helena, Ky; $50

• Aged Cows- Blackbird 24^th; C.J. Martin; Churdan, Ia; $75

• Senior Yearlings (heifers)- Glenfoil Rose; E.T. Davis; Iowa City, Ia; $75

• Junior Yearlings (heifers)- Zara 26^th; M.P. & S.E. Lantz; Carlock, Ill; $75

• Senior Heifer Calves- Eileen Lass; A.C. Binnie; Alta, Ia; $50

• Junior Heifer Calves- Winnie of Meadowbrook; D. Bradfute & Son; Cedarville, Oh; $50

 References: Breeder’s Gazette, September 21, 1904

Photos from Breeder's Gazette and Irwin Collection

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