People here scarcely realize the deplorable condition which exists in our very door-yard with regard to the drought and the livestock industry. The Brown brothers, C. L. and C. A., recently returned from a trip down into Arizona and New Mexico and they observed conditions which have never been known before. Livestock, cattle and sheep, are dying by the thousands for lack of feed and water. Many cattle are being shot on the ranges and others die in transit when an effort is made to get them to market where they may be processed as canners. Messrs. Brown went south in connection with their certified spud seed operations and visited the territory around Phoenix, Tucson and as far east as El Paso.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Sperry and William Sperry and wife were here last week. They spent Tuesday night at the J. E. Nelson home and called on friends for a few hours Wednesday morning. The party had dinner Wednesday with Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Amick at McPhee and returned to their homes at Rifle and Grand Junction that afternoon. They were accompanied home by Weldon Sperry, who will visit the remainder of the summer with his father and grandparents.
Several boy scouts and their scoutmaster, Mr. Taylor, plan to leave Friday morning for a two-day camping trip up the river. Albert Farr, Norman Jones, George Thornton, Gene White, Byron Pyle and Billy Ratekin are among the group.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Thomas and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Starkey and son made up a party enjoying the fourth picnicking and fishing. They made a fine catch and had a fish fry supper and had fish to bring home.
Records of the local railroad station show that there has been somewhat of an increase in wool shipments this year over previous years. This year there have been 41 cars shipped, consisting of 1532 sacks and 481,000 pounds of wool, as compared to 422,000 pounds shipped last year, or 1,477 sacks. Sheepmen say that a large part of the increase is due to heavier wool, the fleeces carrying more oil than ordinary. The increased yield and a better price should result in increased bank accounts, if any, for the flock masters. But that remains to be seen.
Mrs. Jack Lysack of Durango visited in Dolores Tuesday and her father, R. C. Tucker, returned to Durango with her that evening to spend Wednesday with Mrs. Tucker there.
Mr. and Mrs. V. Bradfield and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Manners and children enjoyed Wednesday at Dunton hot springs.
Mr. and Mrs. George Berg arrived Tuesday evening from an extended trip to Denver and Spokane. They moved into their home Wednesday.
Shannon Livick
