1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair

Essex Hog Show

The Essex breed was declining in popularity by 1904. However, a good number these black, short-legged, rotund swine were shown in St. Louis. The entries came from Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska and Canada.  Mr. Featherstone, of Ontario, proved that his Essex were larger than those bred in the U.S.  He was convinced that increased size was necessary for the breed to survive. Since the Canadian Essex were larger, there were some differences of opinion as to what kind of animal should win.  However, by the end of the show, it appeared that the judge and the Canadians were thinking alike. The judge was E. N. Stout of McLean, Illinois. He thought that there was no problem with the larger hogs as long as there was no departure from Essex type.

Mr. Featherstone argued that the breeders in the United States had reduced the size of the breed by too much inbreeding and he maintained that the usefulness and popularity of the breed depended upon an increase in scale. Americans noted that Featherstone’s swine were certainly departures from the Essex size and to some extent the type that has been widespread in this country for twenty some years. One of America’s leading swine breeders, declared that the Canadian Essex were considerably different from the American Essex breed.

M. A. Miller and one of his Champion Essex Sows

The four Essex exhibitors were M. A. Miller of Belleville, Illinois, C. H. Murphy of Minnesota, Joseph Featherstone & son of Ontario, and H. W. Chazler of Nebraska

Winners

•  Aged Boars - King Edward sire Samson D. ; M. A. Miller

• Senior Yearling boar - Parker sire King Edward; M. A. Miller

• Junior Yearling Boars - Chief Bearer, sire Look Me Over; H. W. Chazler

• Junior Boar Pigs - Darkie, sire Minnesota Chief; C. H. Murphy

• Aged Sows - Pine Grove Topsy 2d, sire Paardeberg; Joseph Featherstone & Son

• Senior Yearling Sows - Lilian, sire Rolla Wells; M. A. Miller

• Junior Yearling Sows - White Rose, sire Wilson B.; M. A. Miller

• Senior Sow Pigs - Pine Grove Dydimus Maid 2d, sire Pine Grove Longfellow; Joseph Featherston & Son 

Groups and Champions

• Senior Champion Boar - H.W. Chazler

• Junior Champion Boar - M. A. Miller

• Grand Champion Boar - H. W. Chazler

• Senior Champion Sow - M. A. Miller

• Junior Champion Sow - Joseph Featherstone & Son

• Grand Champion Sow - M. A. Miller

• Get of Sire - Joseph Featherstone & son

• Produce of dam - M. A. Miller 

• Senior Herd - M. A. Miller

• Junior Herd - M. A. Miller

• Breeder’s Herd - M. A. Miller

Follow this link for more information on Premier Exhibitor M. A. Miller and his Essex hogs.

References: Breeder's Gazette

Photo from Breeder's Gazette.

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

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