DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, if you want to talk about a breed that put Texas beef on the map, you're gonna want to pull over and listen close, because Sweetwater has a story worth hearing. Back in 1922, a group of ranchers in Nolan County sat down and got serious.
They organized the Sweetwater Hereford Breeders Association and Auction Sale, and from day one, they meant business. That organization is considered Texas' third oldest group formed to promote the Hereford breed. Third oldest.
In all of Texas. That's not a small thing. First officers were Walter L.
Boothe as president, G.E. Bradford and J.D. Dulaney as vice presidents, and E.P.
Neblett as secretary. Four names worth remembering. The Texas Hereford Association stepped in to help those local breeders in their early sales, and on March 1, 1922, they held their very first sale.
Now here's where the story gets a little something extra. Those sales started out as semi-annual events. Twice a year, ranchers would gather, cattle would move, and Sweetwater would do what Sweetwater does.
Over time, the sales became annual, and the association, now known as the Sweetwater Area Hereford Association, kept right on going. Kept on going long enough to reach a golden anniversary. December 4, 1972, they held the Golden Anniversary Sale, and some of the consignors that day came from the very families of the original organizers.
Fifty years on, and the same bloodlines, human ones, were still showing up. That, friend, is what you call roots.
What the marker says
Organized 1922, the Sweetwater Hereford Breeders Association and Auction Sale (now Sweetwater Area Hereford Association) is considered Texas' third oldest group formed to promote this fine beef breed. First Officers: Walter L. Boothe, president; G.E. Bradford and J.D. Dulaney, vice presidents; E.P. Neblett, secretary. The Texas Hereford Association assisted local breeders in early sales. First sale was held March 1, 1922. Then semi-annual events, sales are now held annually. Some consignors to the Golden Anniversary Sale, December 4, 1972, are from families of the organizers. (1972)