? about 1887 Cattle Market Report at K.C. Live Stock Market

[krobst]

Hello,
Doing some research about my Great-Grandfather. He homesteaded in Kansas in 1870 near Wichita and raised cattle in KS till the 1920's. I am trying to understand some terms etc. about the early market reports! ( I have been around livestock all my life in TN.)

I got a photocopy from the Spivey Dispatch newspaper dated 8-25-1887 where he lived nearby. Under the heading "Kansas City Grain and Live Stock Market August 19, 1887 is the Representative Cattle Sales.
(example)
15 native shipping steers Av. Wt. 1,313 Price. 4 25
35 native shipping steers Av. Wt. 1,322 Price. 3 87 1/2

1. What is the price received per steer on each group above?

In the same list these terms are used:
butcher steers Av. Wt. 1,114 Price. 3 15
feeding steers Av. Wt. 1,011 Price. 2 55
grass Texas steers Av. Wt. 993 Price. 2 65
grass Texas cows Av. Wt. 860 Price. 1 85
Colorado 1/2 bred steers Av. Wt. 889 Price. 2 10
Indiana steers Av. Wt. 1,084 Price. 2 85
"Indian" cows Av. Wt. 816 Price. 2.20

2. Can anyone explain the meaning of the different types of steers and cows?
[ Remember these are cattle delivered to Kansas City, MO and sold on site. ]

Thank you for any help or guidance ! KC

 

[Angus Cowman]

Hello,
Doing some research about my Great-Grandfather. He homesteaded in Kansas in 1870 near Wichita and raised cattle in KS till the 1920's. I am trying to understand some terms etc. about the early market reports! ( I have been around livestock all my life in TN.)

I got a photocopy from the Spivey Dispatch newspaper dated 8-25-1887 where he lived nearby. Under the heading "Kansas City Grain and Live Stock Market August 19, 1887 is the Representative Cattle Sales.
(example)
15 native shipping steers Av. Wt. 1,313 Price. 4 25 $55.80
35 native shipping steers Av. Wt. 1,322 Price. 3 87 1/2 $51.2275
1. What is the price received per steer on each group above?

In the same list these terms are used:
butcher steers Av. Wt. 1,114 Price. 3 15
feeding steers Av. Wt. 1,011 Price. 2 55
grass Texas steers Av. Wt. 993 Price. 2 65
grass Texas cows Av. Wt. 860 Price. 1 85
Colorado 1/2 bred steers Av. Wt. 889 Price. 2 10
Indiana steers Av. Wt. 1,084 Price. 2 85
"Indian" cows Av. Wt. 816 Price. 2.20

2. Can anyone explain the meaning of the different types of steers and cows?
[ Remember these are cattle delivered to Kansas City, MO and sold on site. ]

Thank you for any help or guidance ! KC

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

wouldn't it be the cents per pound? 2.20 would be 2.2, 2 and 2/10 or 2 and 1/5 cents per pound. There were money denominations less than a penny back then. That is why gas costs 2.499. The last 9 is 9/10 of a penny.

 

[krobst]

I had guessed cents./lb, but I have learned not to assume anything much anymore!

The market on Horses and Mules on the same day was:
Mules 15 - 151/2 hands $125-135
Plug horses $30-50
Work horses $85-125
Streeters $95-150
Draft horses, good $150-250
(I was trying to check if prices seemed relative, but I guess on that day's market a good plug horse was worth about what a 1,300# steer was worth also!!)

What's anyone opinion about the meaning of a native shipping steers, grass Texas steers, Colorado 1/2, Indian cows... as listed above in my original post?
KCR

 

[Angus Cowman]

cattle are usually listed as $ per cwt (100 weight) and 4.25cents per lb is the same as $4.25 per cwt

 

[Dave]

My uneducated guess whould be that a "grass Texas steer" would have been a steer driven up from Texas which needed some grass after the long drive.
Indian cows probably came from the "Indian Territory" which would have been a shorter drive. Same with Colorado cows. A native steer would be one from the local area and not have been down a long trail drive.
At least that is my guess at it.