1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair

The Jackstock show at the 1904 St. Louis World’s included classes for both jacks and jennets. There were twenty-seven different sections making it one of the more popular displays at the fair.

A large class of Jacks in the Livestock Forum.

The most famous display of jacks came from Missouri's  Limestone Valley Farm of  L. M. Monsees and Sons.  Mr. Monsees and Sons had been stock breeders for a quarter of a century and had shipped high-grade jacks to almost every state at that time.

Their winning ways continued at the World's Fair where they won the major prizes.  They  brought their Missouri-bred grand champion jack, Orphan Boy.  Orphan Boy, became more universally recognized  when he was placed first in all  classes he was entered in at the World’s Fair.

Orphan Boy shown by Lewis Monsees	1904 Medal by Monsees' Limestone Valley Farm

First prize winners were:

• Jack-Four years old or over: Orphan Boy; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees, Smithton, MO

• Jack-Three years and under four: Emerson Pride; Exhibitor L. W. Emerson, Green, MO.

• Jack- Two years and under three: Mikado; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees, Smithton, MO

• Jack- One years and under two: Mike; Exhibitor J. M. Terry, Cynthiana, KY

• Jack-Under one year: Limestone Cap; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees

• Four animals of either sex- Any age, get of one sire: Limstone Mammoth; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees

• Two animals of either sex- Any age, produce of one Jennet: Mattle; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees

• Jack and four Jennets- Three years old or over: Orphan Boy; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees

• Jacks and four Jennets- Under three years old: Limestone Headlight; Exhibitor L. M. Monsees

• Jack and four Jennets- All three years old or over, bred by exhibitor: Limestone Duplex; Exhibitor Limestone Valley Farm, Smithton, MO.

Orphan Boy became one of the most "famous" animals shown at the World's Fair over the next several years.  Limestone Valley used Orphan Boy as a herd sire and Mr. Monsees described him thusly:

Orphan Boy 696 (10743)

The undefeated and grand champion show jack of the world.  In 1903, he was first in class and champion at the Missouri State Fair. In 1904 at the great St. Louis World' Fair, he won first in class for best jack four years and older, first at head of herd for jack and four jennets;  so also won senior champion and grand champion over all ages, winning a total of $1,500  besides several diplomas and medals. Orphan boy 696 is without a question one of the greatest breeding jacks living... He can show more colts with 34 - 35-inch ears from tip to tip than any jack I ever saw, and with size and individual quality in perfection.  His colts all have plenty of vim, style and action.  Orphan Boy 696 was bred by Col. W. P. Hayes, Bloomfield, Kentucky...  He is a Black Jack, white, or nearly white points; 15 3/4 hands high and in fair flesh weighs 1,100 pounds.

Orphan Boy's sire was Mark by Tarkington's Napoleon. His dam was W. B. Cecil's jennet by Giant.

Orphan Boy was not only well-known among jack and mule breeders, but he eventually became the logo for a tobacco company.  Thanks to Louise Drescher for sharing this scan of one of her postcards.

References: 

• World’s Fair Bulletin; “Awards in the Live Stock Department.”, World’s Fair, St. Louis, October 1904.

• The Breeders Gazette. August 31, 1904.

• Limestone Valley sales Catalog.

This page was designed by Cara Borneman and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin. 

Limestone Valley ad shared by John Bush.

Medal from Irwin Collection.

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