. 64 Leslie M. Scott
son brought to Oregon across the plains a large flock, assisted by David P. Thompson, both of whom later were famous in the Pacific Northwest. Other early breeders of pure-bred sheep were J. L. Parrish, T. L. Davidson, and Ralph C. Geer. Early in 1860 R. J. Jones and S. B. Rockwell imported pure- bred American and French merinos from Addison County, Vermont. I am indebted to Governor Withycombe for the following copy of a bill of sale for some of these sheep: "March 31, 1860. We have this day sold to Joseph Holman and J. L. Parrish, one French merino buck, $500; four breeding ewes at $275, $1100; two young ewes (not in lamb), $100; total $1700. Received pajrment in cash and notes. (Signed) R. J. Jones, S. B. Rockwell."
It may be added that first-class live stock was present in sheep considerably earlier than in cattle or hogs, or horses, also that Oregon has long been a leading wool state and that its combing wools have been excelled by none in the world.
VII.
In the foregoing, the advent of pure-bred cattle in 1870-71 has been noted. About the same time W. S. Ladd and S. G. Reed imported from England prize-winner Berkshire and Essex swine. Two years before, Thomas Cross, of Salem, had also imported some high-bred Berkshires. It may be noted that the Berkshire family was common in Oregon for ten or fifteen years before these additions. As early as 1856 this kind of swine was here. The earliest hogs of the set- tlers were brought by Hudson's Bay Company, and old pio- neers have many recollections of the troublesome beasts. No fences would hold the hardy animals ; they wandered wherever their fancies took them and started many neighborhood enmi- ties; out of this family of porkers developed the celebrated "razor back" — a vigorous specimen that frequently went wild in the forests and imitated its boar ancestors.
These "razor-backs" were too busy to let fat grow on their bones. They were always on the move and were rooters of
