The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on January 6, 1905.
Birds Score High
Many Fine Specimens are Exhibited
Event Was a Big Success
Fourth Annual Show of Luverne Poultry Association Came to an End Saturday—Majority of Purses Won by Luverne Exhibitors—List of the Prize Winners
The fourth annual show of the Luverne Poultry association passed into history Saturday evening. It will not be remembered as a big financial success, but from every other view point it was all that could be desired and the members are one and all well pleased with the event. No less satisfaction, according to expressions heard from all who were present, is felt by the exhibitors from abroad, and it is this fact which adds to the satisfaction of members of the association as well as to the success of the show.
As was confidently expected Luverne exhibitors carried off a large majority of the prizes, winning four of the six silver cups and the silver water pitcher as special prizes. In addition to these the Luverne exhibitors won practically three-fourths of all the other prizes awarded. The fact that the judge who scored the birds and awarded the prizes is no less a personage than F. H. Shellabarger, of West Liberty, Ia., who is everywhere acknowledged to be one of the “two best” poultry judges in the United States, adds greatly to the value of the prizes. He is an acknowledged authority in the poultry world and his scoring is accepted in any state in the union. Birds are purchased everywhere without question on his scoring, which stands as the highest possible guarantee. He has the reputation of being the hardest “cutter” in the field and a bird that will score a certain number of points under him is pretty likely to pass muster in any show in the country. For this reason the show was worth a great deal to exhibitors, and those whose birds won prizes have the assurance that they have genuine prize winners.
The winners of the silver cups indicate the winners of the largest number of prizes, as the cups were awarded on that basis. The local exhibitors who won these trophies are as follows: Mrs. W. A. Shelhamer, association cup for ten highest scoring birds in White Wyandottes, and also silver water pitcher donated by Hawes & Houg for the best pen of White Wyandottes; Mrs. M. Swedberg, association cup for the best pen of Silver Wyandottes; N. R. Reynolds, association cup for the best pen of White Plymouth Rocks; S. K. Chapin, association cup for the best cock, cockerel, hen, pullet and pen in the Asiatic class. The other cups offered went to E. C. Brooks, of Beaver Creek, who won the cup donated by F. C. Wittenberg to the exhibitor making the largest number of entries, and to M. W. Baldwin of Sioux City, who won the association cup offered for the best pen of Barred Plymouth Rocks. In addition to the cups N. R. Reynolds won the three special ribbon prizes offered by the American White Plymouth Rock club for the best cockerel, pullet and pen shown by a member, and Mrs. W. A. Shelhamer the four special ribbon prizes offered by the National White Wyandotte club for the best cock, cockerel, hen and pullet shown by a member.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
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