14
THE BATTALION.
vehicles, and the sounds of the busy factories and shops.
The contrast in climate from Sunny Texas to that of the
Windy City, with the ground covered with snow and the
thermometer standing at zero F., was not altogether pleasant.
It was, nevertheless, only a short time until we arrived at
the hoteh and, after attending to necessary business, we lost
no time in going into the stock show grounds. The arrival
was just in time to see the college students in competition for
the beautiful trophy, symbolic of a steer.
The weather in the meantime was becoming uncomfor
table, and it came to pass that it was only a short while until
we were forced to retire for the evening and seek warm
quarters. After toasting our feet for some time and eating
an invigorating supper we made a hasty inspection of the
stock, thus learning where each class could be found.
The Fat Stock Show was conceded by the most able
judges as being the best and most complete show of its kind
ever held in America. The cattle department was repre
sented by something over 1100 head of the best specimens of
the various breeds. There were probably about one half that
number of horses, principally of the draft type, and about an
equal number of sheep and swine.
On account of the magnitude of the show, it was impos
sible for each one to make a thorough study of the various
classes, types and breeds, so the subject was divided as fol
lows, in order that a conservative and concise report might
be made before the Agricultural Society to those who did not
see the exposition ; as follows: Moser, horses; Hanna, cat-