62 Lesue M. Scott
The early domestic animals were, as may be supposed, of "grade" stock. Although not blue-blooded, nor blue-ribboned, they were indispensable to pioneer life. The Willamette Valley proved itself a paradise for the domestic animals of the early settler*. There were, in the soil and in the vegeta- tion and in the air in the mild climate, elements that stimu- lated the growth and the increase of the bone and sinew. It may seem strange to say that even without infusion of "better blood" from elsewhere, there was remarkable improvement in size, strength, and form in the succeeding generations. Par- ticularly noticeable was this in horses.
The first domestic animals brought to Old Oregon appear to have been the hogs, which as already noted, arrived at Astoria in 1811, on Astor's Tonquin. The British, in 1824-25. began fur-trading and agricultural activities at Vancouver, on the Columbia, whence they expanded to French Prairie, on Willamette River, to Nisqually, at Puget Sound, and to Cow- litz Farms, on Cowlitz River. The British brought to Oregon cattle, sheep and hogs, which multiplied fast. But it was not until 1837 that any considerable supply of cattle was available. In that year, Ewing Young brought a herd from California. These were known as "Spanish cattle" and their blood re- mained in Oregon long; perhaps is flowing yet. They were hardy and vicious and made much trouble for the settlers. Many went wild and roamed the woods. With the arrival of American pioneers from the Middle West, beginning in the 40s, came the more docile breed of Shorthorn or Durham cattle. David M. Guthrie, of Polk County, pioneer of 1846, was probably the earliest to bring in high-bred Shorthorns. In 1847 John Wilson brought another fine herd from Illinois. Captain Bensen and J. C. Geer, Sr., also brought good cattle that year. The first large influx of cattle came across the plains in 1846. I am informed by Mr. George H. Himes that the first Shorthorn bull was driven north of Columbia River in 1857, by S. D. Ruddell, of Thurston County, Wash- ington.
Not until the early 70s were pure-bred cattle introduced in
