A breed that has made its mark in history, and whose handler’s made painstaking preparations for the Worlds Fair in 1904, was the great “white faced” cattle.

A line-up Mature Hereford Bulls

The competition in 1904 drew several herds with great hopes of winning at the Worlds Fair.  It even drew in John Sparks’ prize-winning herd. John was the Governor of the state of Nevada.  The great cattle show brought in many other fine herds and onlookers from all over as well.  

Prime Lad was a perfect example of what a Hereford bull should be in 1904.

In the aged bull Competition, Prime Lad, owned by W. S. Van Natta & Son of Fowler, IN took home $75.00 for the Grand Champion title.  He won the blue ribbon, followed by Bright Donald, owned by Gudgell & Simpson of Independence, MO. Both of these bulls were marvelous creatures.  Prime Lad had been handled for a couple of years prior to St. Louis with all hopes and expectations fulfilled.  The level-lined and neat-boned bull with massive, bulging muscles was said to be the pure picture of what it took to be a World’s Fair champion.

Bulging muscles are apparent in this 1904 photo of the bull’s rearview!

The two-year-old competition was dominated by Defender, owned by C.G. Comstock of Albany, MO.  At the time he was a young upcoming bull with great potential.  “Defender was growing in popularity as he has been strengthening in form,” was one of statements printed about this bull. He was also referred to as having “commanding presence, great width of top, and smoothness across his heavy and well finished hind quarters”.

The smoothness and shine of the cattle’s hair glistened in the sunlight.

In the aged cow division Lorna Doone, owned by W. S. Van Natta & Son of Fowler, IN. took her claim to fame.  She was said to have exemplified what a wide spread frame, and generous expansion of top-line that a champion cow should have.  Lorna Doone was said to “thus far be the winner of the year.”  By winning, she took $75.00 home as a prize.

At the end of the World’s Fair Cattle show it was noted that “the white-faces carried off four out of five first prizes, the fourth going to a Galloway.”

 The prize winners are as follows:

• Bulls 3 years and up- Prime Lad owned by W.S. Van Natta & Son of Fowler, IN Prize $75.00
• Bull  2 to 3 years-Defender owned by C.G. Comstock of Albany, MO             Prize $75.00
• Bulls 18 to 24 month’s-Onward owned by Jas. A. Funkhouser of Plattsburg, MO  Prize $75.00
• Bulls 12 to 18 month’s-Beau President owned by Gudgell & Simpson of Independence, MO  Prize $50.00   
• Bulls 6 to 12 month’s-Mapleton owned by Steward & Hutcheon of Bolckow, MO Prize $50.00
• Bulls under 6 month’s-Sagamore owned by Gudgell & Simpson of Independence, MO  Prize $50.00
• Cows 3 years an up-Lorna Doone owned by W.S. Van Natta & Son of Fowler, IN  Prize $75.00
• Heifer 2 to 3 years-Amelia owned by O. Harris of Harris. MO Prize $75.00
• Heifer 18 to 24 month’s-Arminta owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO Prize $75.00
• Heifer 12 to 18 month’s-Kathleen owned by Jas. A. Funkhouser of Plattsburg, MO  Prize $50.00
• Heifer 6 to 12 month’s-Miss Donald 8^th owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO       Prize $50.00
• Heifer under 6 month’s-Miss Donald 17^th owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO  Prize $50.00
• Bulls 2 or over; Cow 3 or over; Heifer 2 and under 3; Heifer 1 and under 2; Heifer under 1;  Bull-Fulfiller owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO Prize $125.00 
• Bull 2 and under; 2 heifers- 1 year and under 2; 2 heifers under 1 year;  Bull-Benjamin owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO Prize $75.00
• Bull 2 years and over; Cow 3 years and over; heifer 2 years and under 3; heifer 1 year and under 2; heifer under 1 year; Bull-Fulfiller owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO Prize $200.00
• Bull under 2 years; 2 heifers 1 year and under 2; 2 heifers under 1 year; Bull-Benjamin owned by O. Harris of Harris, MO Prize $200.00

References:  Breeder’s Gazette, Sept. 21, 1904, World’s Fair Bulletin, Nov. 1904