Archive Of Seven Letters ... 2 From The Matador Ranch, 2 From The National Live Stock Association, One From The North-Western Horseman And Stockman, One From The Hash-Knife Ranch, And One From The Culley & Martin Company Along With One 1902 National Live Stock Bulletin

Publication: 1899-1909,

A collection of 7 letters and one bulletin. It appears that this archive came from the home/office of C.M. O'Donel of the Bell Ranch in New Mexico as 4 of the letters are addressed to him and the remaining letters/bulletin are from the National Live Stock Association, of which O'Donel was a member. Items include: Letter from the National Live Stock Association, dated December 12, 1902, typed on the association's letterhead and signed by C.F. Martin, Secretary. The letter announces the upcoming 6th Annual Convention of the Association that is to be held on January 13, 1903. The proposed merging of all packing houses is to be discussed at the convention, which would be a calamity and according to the letter, "would mean that not only the price of live stock, but the finished product as well, will be absolutely controlled by one man, destroying all competition for the producer and consumer. Letter from The Matador Land and Cattle Company, Limited, dated November 11, 1905, typed on the company's letterhead, addressed to C.M. O'Donel of the Bell Ranch in San Miguel County, New Mexico, and signed by Murdo MacKenzie, manager of The Matador Land and Cattle Company, Limited. Charles M. O'Donel arrived at the Bell Ranch on June 2, 1898 as general manager, succeeding Arthur J. Tisdall who had died 2 months earlier. Shortly after O'Donel operated the ranch primarily as a cow and calf ranch, with the priority of continually improving the quality of the herd. A cursory letter informing O'Donel, who managed the ranch from 1898 to 1933, that a cask of 20 gallons of Scotch Whisky is being shipped to him. Letter from The Matador Land and Cattle Company, Limited, dated December 21, 1909, typed on the company's letterhead, addressed to C.M. O'Donel of the Bell Ranch in San Miguel County, New Mexico, and signed by Murdo MacKenzie, manager of The Matador Land and Cattle Company, Limited. A letter thanking O'Donel for his sympathy after the killing of his David "Dode" Mackenzie. Dode was the son of millionaire "cattle king" and former president of the National Livestock Association, Murdo MacKenzie, one of the wealthiest cattlemen in the country at the time. The shooting took place in LeBeau, S.D., on Dec. 11, 1909. Dode was shot by "Bud" Stephenson, who was a former employee of the Matador ranch, which MacKenzie managed and his father owned. The letter thanks he and his wife for their kindness. National Live Stock Association Bulletin No. 40, dated December 20, 1902. Bulletin offers information about Foot and Mouth Disease to include treatment and methods of suppression and prevention. Letter from the National Live Stock Association, dated December 11, 1902, typed on the association's letterhead and signed by C.F. Martin, Secretary. Letter requesting that all members of the association immediately contact the Congress of their districts, urging them to vote favorably for the H.R. Resolution 14, 488 ... the Anti Shoddy Bill and for H.R. Resolution 14,643, which would provide for a classified census of live stock. Hand-written letter from F.A. Sterling of the E.C. Sterling & Sons Hash-Knife Ranch in Seymour, Texas, to C.M. O'Donel of the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, dated June 8, 1906. Letter informing O'Donel that he's been in contact with J.G. Imbodin, internationally known cattle feeder, of Decatur, Illinois. Further he tells O'Donel of his intentions to dispose of feed in calves and yearlings in the next Autumn. Mentions that by that time he'll have about 1000 dehorned steers and heifer calves and 500 yearlings and twos to sell. After a portion are sold with "Scott's sale," he'd like to possibly sell the balance in a sale with O'Donel's cattle. Hand-written letter from John H. Culley (?) of The Culley & Martin Co., Wagon Mound, New Mexico to C.M. O'Donel of the Bell Ranch in New Mexico, dated July 12, 1904. Letter request help in designing a larger corral for separating and dipping cattle, along with a small illustration of how he'd like the corral to appear. The letter goes on to invite O'Donel, who's been feeling under-the-weather, to come and visit. Signed JHC (?) Letter from The North-Western Horseman and Stockman (A Monthly Journal for Horsemen and Stockmen of the Northwest), Minneapolis, Minnesota, dated December 7, 1899, typed on the journal's letterhead and signed by R.F. Jones, editor and manager. Letter is addressed to Geo. Ertel & Co., manufacturers of incubators and brooders, and located in Quincy, Illinois. Letter is recommending that the George Ertel & Company consider advertising their incubators with them. All documents in near fine condition.

Inventory Number: 52648