June 1926 Sheep and Wool News

As I was searching through the first 11 days of June 1926 newspapers it was sparse for information on the sheep industry.  My search terms were both sheep and wool. This is what was found:

Several newspapers mentioned that sheep were held longer than usual on their winter pastures and now just headed to the north to spend the summer in the plateau country. The spring downpours were beneficial to the livestock owners. The sheepman delayed moving flocks northward to take advantage of the abundant feed in the valley and thus giving the mountain pastures more growing season which the forest service officials said would greatly increase the quantity of grass for the summer. 

It was interesting to note that, “the dates on which the driveways are used are regulated to meet the requirements of feed, lambing and shearing. The forest service has charge of the regulation of the movements of sheep, and the driveways are so located as to size and direction as to provide feed for ‘carrying’ the great bands of sheep as they make their month-long trips.”  (Arizona Republic June 7, 1926)

A few people who were in the sheep business were mentioned.  Some of that information just stated that they were visiting in Flagstaff getting ready to move their sheep to the north country. One sheepman, A.T. Kesslar, had sold his sheep. The other sheepmen mentioned were Carlos Costillo, J. C. Kaler, T.E. and R.R. Pollock, Harry Henderson, John Hennessy, Harlow Yeager, Colin Campbell and George Wilbur.  Incorporation of the Wallaha Sheep Company by the Pollock’s was undertaken this month.  In the research I have undertaken of the sheep industry in Arizona, Costillo and Kaler were unknown names to me. Those two men will need to be further researched.

There were wool shipments from Holbrook to Boston. Queen Creek reported that 18 carloads of sheep shipped in May.  It did not report where the sheep were sent. One particular article mentioned the 27 carloads of sheep passed through Prescott in route to Williams and summer grazing grounds. The sheep came from Calipatria, California and were owned by the Daggs Sheep Company.  Six thousand sheep also belonging to the Daggs were being held in Kirkland and would need to be shipped to Del Rio for the summer.

As to wool prices at the beginning of June, the newspaper articles stated that they were no higher (from what, I could not find an answer) but demand was slowly broadening. West wool was being shipped when buyers and growers agreed on prices. Consignments were increasing as growers were unwilling to accept current bids, preferring to take a chance that later the market would make advancements. Wool from foreign markets was going straight to mills as mills had reported an improved demand for goods. By the 11th of June, wool trading had increased but there was no significant change in wool price from buyers.

Several of the newspapers during the first eleven days of the month advertisements for wool clothing, especially wool bathing suits for both men and women. One also mentioned that the six passenger Studebaker with deep wide cushions durably upholstered in genuine wool and wool carpet.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more!

Flag Wool and Fiber Festival 2026

This year’s festival took place at the Fort Tuthill County Park. Previous years the event was held at the Pioneer Museum and most vendors set up in the grass at the school. But this year at the county park, I believe was a great location and all the time I walked around looking at the many vendors and food trucks I heard nothing but good things about the festival. Let me elaborate on that. Many visitors stated that they liked the flatness of the terrain instead of workshops and food vendors located up an uneven incline. Many could not navigate the uneven incline or steps.

This year vendors could be located inside a building where they didn’t have to fight the wind. Two areas were set up for vendors outside. Workshops were under trees and/or tent coverings as were demonstrations. There were camels and llamas and of course sheep. So enjoy a few pictures of the festival.

Auza’s Sheep Company

I don’t know how many times I have taken this journey, but it is always fun, educational and worth the time to travel to the Auza’s Sheep Company. From my house to their office driving through the Phoenix metropolitan traffic can be a challenge but worth it once I arrived.

The day started at the Auza’s seeing the new Great Pyrenees puppies. I had never seen the puppies before and could have spent the day with them. They are so adorable and friendly but watch when they are out with the sheep. A different story if you mess with their sheep! But these little guys have some training to go through first.

After leaving the puppies we drove to see the lambs which are also adorable and so cute.  I could take them home with me! Several were close to the road and came to visit. These lambs were being bottled feed.

Mama’s with older babies were in the adjacent field.

Our last stop was the shearing operation. This is organized chaos. Lambs crying for their mamas which are being sheared, ewes wanting to get ahead or see what the line hold up is, men pushing the ewes along the line for the next available shearer, the shearing, the gathering of the wool and putting it in the machine to be pressed down until the bag is about 400 pounds!

The last step after shearing is the vaccination process and the camp is broken down and moved to the next location. But the men will stop first for their lunch before shearing all afternoon.

As soon as I can upload a couple of videos I will put on another post. For now enjoy. I hope to see you back for my next post.

Research

If you have sent requests for information about a sheep owner rest assured I am working on trying to answer your questions. I hope to post this Friday about Eldon Thude and Whitten and I’ll check for other requests too.

With Christmas and everything I got behind in my research but that should change now!

Just please be patient.

Thank you!

The sheep finally appeared!

The last of the sheep events at Friendship Village, Tempe took place a few weeks ago. The last event was without the lambs as they could not be brought by the FFA students. But sheep were still present.

The event location was changed from an enclosed patio space to the “circle.” Four, approximately 125 pound, eight-month old sheep belonging to Tony Lucas were brought by the village for everyone who wanted to come by and see them. Tony also talked about being on the trail with the sheep.

The stars of the show!
The event would not have been complete without Ann and her lambs visiting the sheep!
Sheep camp and trailing items.
Friendship Village residents!
Just fooling around at the end of the day!

I wish to thank Friendship Village for their interest in the Arizona Sheep Industry and allowing me to be a part of a great events!

The Last Sheep Drive

Based on the movie “Morning Star” by Francis Line, a resident of Friendship Village, Diane Delaney, did a series of pictures depicting the story. It really wasn’t the last sheep drive as the movie was done in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s but it was the only time this trail – The Heber-Reno trail or any trail in Arizona- has been documented. A book and an article in the National Geographic (1952) were also written by Mr. Line.

April 16, leaving the Salt River Valley near Tempe, Herder Rosalio Lucero and cook, Pablo, led 1,547 sheep, 2 dogs, several donkeys, and a horse on a 52-day trek to their summer range in the White Mountains.

April 19, reaching the Salt River, it was difficult to herd the sheep and other animals across the narrow bridge, but crossing the swift river was not an alternative.

The cholla and other cactus of Tonto National Forest took a toll on the sheep and animals. Spines had to be removed from faces, bodies, and feet almost constantly.

After three days of thirst the sheep stampeded down the slope when they smelt the water in Tonto Creek. A moment of temporary tranquility.

Days were spent traversing the rocky and wooded Sierra Ancha Range, making it difficult to see the herd amongst the pine and other vegetation.

The final barrier – the 7,300 foot Mogollon Rim – was reached, and total chaos ensued. It was everyone for himself – they jumped, fell, climbed, slid, pushed, stopped, and jumped again for hours. That evening all made it to the top.

June 6, and all 1,547 sheep made the trek to their summer pasture at White Mountain Ranch. In fall they will retrace their migration route back to the Salt River Valley.

How Diane made her artwork.

More pictures of the artwork as done by the residents of Friendship Village will be posted in the next couple of days. I want to congradulate all that participated in the event. It was a good week even though we did have to cancel a couple of events due to weather and family issues.