During the steer show of the World’s Fair, there were only a few classes that were filled. It was claimed that September was not a good time to have a fat cattle show. The steer show was a disappointment to the World’s Fair Department of Livestock. They felt that they had advertised the show very well.  Although the show was often referred to as a steer show, either steers or spayed heifers could be exhibited.  Nearly all entries were steers however.

 The grade “White-faced” Hereford steer (Little Joe) made a big impression on the crowd at the fair.  It was noted that J. H. & J. L. Van Meter, A. R. Haven and the Egger Hereford Cattle Company of Missouri provided the purebred Hereford entries.  There were classes for both purebred and grade steers.

Grade Hereford Little Joe named Grand Champion from S. L. Brock Macon Co., MO

There was also a good number of “top-notch” Angus in St. Louis. The judges for both Hereford and Angus steers were Thomas Clark and C.A. Stannard.

 It was said that H. J. Sconce of Illinois and Wm. Smiley of Iowa supplied most of the pure-bred Shorthorn steers. Shorthorn steers were judged by I. M. Forbes.

 Mr. Fluck presented the best steer, Fluck’s Expectation, champion of the breed and grand champion of the pure-bred steer of the show.

 It was stated that Polled Durhams were judged by Captain John Welch. The Polled Durhams were shown by Fletcher S. Hines, Malott Park, Indiana and Oscar Hadley, Plainfield, Indiana. The steers were a “thick-meated lot, and showed much quality and capacity to use of feed to advantage.”

Snowball, Champion over all breeds for steer under 6 months of age. Bred and shown by Mrs. C. S. Cross, Emporia, KS Robert Rodak is restoring the Cross house in Emporia , KS ( Lyon County).  The house was built by Emporia's first Mayor, H. C. Cross.   His website  is www.thecrosshouse.org. The steer  was from Sunnyslope Farms in Emporia, Kansas which had been owned by C. S. Cross, a champion Hereford breeder.  The caption says that the steer was shown by Mrs. C. S. Cross but obviously this is not MRS. Cross.  Robert is sure that this is NOT C. S. Cross either because C. S. had committed suicide in 1898 following a bank failure.    If anyone knows the identity of this man in the photo , we would be interested in posting it here. Its very possible that this is Sunnyslope's herdsman, but that is only a guess.    (Robert notes that Mrs. K. W. Cross is the same as Mrs. C. S. Cross, as is Mrs. Cross, mentioned below under Hereford steer winners)

Listings of the first place winnings of each breed ranked by age.

 Shorthorns

•  2 years old – 1^st  & 2^nd  H.J. Sconce of Sidell, Illinois on John J. Sullivan and  Snowflake

•  18 months and under 24- 1st and 2nd to Sconce on White Hampton  and Charles 1st

•   6months and under 12- 1st Sconce on White Mareng

Hereford

•  2 years- 1st H.J. Fluck of Goodenow, Illinois on Fluck’s Proxy

•  18 months and under 24- 1st Fluck on Fluck’s Epectation’s

•  Yearlings – 1st Mrs. K.W. Cross of Emporia, Kansas on Lydos

•  Under 12 months-  1st Mrs. Cross on Progress

•  Under 6 months- 1st Mrs. Cross on Snowball

 Aberdeen- Angus

•  2 years-1st Lantz on Mumford

•  18 months and under 24 months- 1st Bradfute & Son on Deuce of Meadow Brook

•  Yearlings- 1st  Lantz on Plunkit

•  6 months and under 12 – 1st Martin on Baronet

•  Under 6 months – 1st  H. M. Sterns on Bob of Spring Creek

Galloways

•  2 years- 1st Swigart on Glenn Rosa’s King

•  Yearlings- 1st Swigart on Swigart’s Champion

•  6 months and under 12- 1st Swigart on Teddy

•  Under 6 months- 1st Swigart on Spot

 Polled Durhams

•  2 years – 1st Fletcher S.  Hines of Malott Park, Illinois on Rose Knight

•  18 months and under 24- 1st Hines on Village Knight

•  Yearling – 1st Oscar Hadley of Plainfield, Indiana on Buttonward  Dick

•  6 months and under 12- 1st Hines on Ruby’s Knight

 Red Polls

•   2 years- 1st Crowder and Sons of Bethany, Illinois on Fame

•   18 months and under 24- 1st Crowder and Sons on Superior

•   Yearlings- 1st Crowder and Sons on Abe

•   6 months and under 12 – 1st Andrew Bros. of Cedarville, Ohio on Democrat

•   Under 6 months – 1st Crowder and  Sons on Best Fellow

 Champions

•   Champion steer of Shorthorns was John L. Sullivan was a “prime smooth blocky type with extra forecast.”

•   Champion Steer of Herefords was Fluck’s Expectation

•   Champion Steer of Aberdeen Angus was Deuce of Meadow Brook

•   Champion Steer of Galloways was Glenn Rosa’s King

•   Champion Steer of Polled Durhams was Village Knight

•   Champion Steer of Red Poll steers was Fame.

Grand Champion Purebred steer was Fluck’s Expectation (Hereford).  Reserve Champion was Bradfute’s Deuce of Meadow Brook (Angus). Selecting the steer champions were judges Curtiss, Clark and Forbes.

Grand Champion Grade Steer went to S. L. Brock’s grade Hereford Little Joe.

Reference: Breeder’s Gazette, September 21, 1904.

Photos from Breeders Gazette and Report of the Kansas World's Fair Commission.

This page was designed by JaNetta Fowler and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin. 

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