This sale was held shortly after Armistice Day, after the War to End All Wars. Most of the dough boys hadn’t returned from France, but perhaps the wounded had. The proceeds of the lunch served that day went to the hospital at Fort Des Moines.

Notice the Clerk’s name. Suppose it was done as a dare? He name was Howard Calfee. O.S. Neal was a well-known kidder, which is certainly where his son (my Grandpa Kenneth) learned it. 

Was this when O.S. and Nellie Neal moved to town? O.S. was about 50 years old.

Their oldest son, Kenneth and Ruby Neal, lived on the farm west of Dexter, where cousin Vince and Audrey Wells live now. My dad Warren was born there in 1917, so his father Kenneth wasn’t drafted for the war.

This much livestock meant countless chores–feeding and watering, cleaning out stalls, repairing fences, etc. Here’s the sale bill:

PUBIC SALE

We will offer for Public Auction 1 block north and 3-4 miles West of the Dexter Hotel on Friday, February 7, 1919 – Commencing at 12 o’clock the following property.

314 Head Live Stock 314

35 Head Mules and Horses

Span of black mules, mare and horse coming 4 year old weight 2600 sound and a real pair. Span of brown mules, mare and horse coming 4 and 5 years old weight 2400, sound. Span of brown mules, mare and horse coming 3 weight 2400, a real pair, sound. Span of black horse mules coming 3 and 4, sound weight 2250. Span of black mare mules coming 3, sound. Span of black mules, horse and mare, coming 3, sound. Span of brown mules, mare and horse, coming 3 and 4 sound. Span of black horse mules coming 4 years old. Span of mules coming 5 and 6 years old. Span of bay mare mules coming 3, sound; span of weanling mare mules. These mules have all been worked. [No wonder barns were larger than farm houses.]

One bay gelding coming 4 year old weight 1400, sound. One bay mare 8 years old with foal to Massure’s Jack. [pure bred] One pair of standard bred road horses coming 6 years old, gelding coming 3; 1 weanling sorrel mare colt.

60 Head of Cattle

14 head of black heifers bred to Angus bull; 4 head of stock cows; 16 yearling steers; 13 head of cows to be fresh soon; 1 fresh cow [giving milk]; 20 head of calves.

200 head of Sheep

35 head of native ewes; 45 head of Western ewes to lamb in February; 25 head choice ewe lambs; 25 head late lambs; 1 buck. 68 head of ewes and ewe lambs.

Implements, Etc.

I box wagon; 1 rack wagon; 1 iron wheeled wagon; 1 buggy; Emerson gang plow; Sattley disc; 1 three section harrow; 1 Sattley corn planter nearly new; 120 rods of wire; 1 Deering corn binder; 1 Success manure spreader; 1 P. and O. two row plow; 1 Sattley surface cultivator; 2 Sattley riding cultivators; 1 feed grinder; De Laval cream separator; 1 corn sheller; 1 1-2 horse gas engine; 3 sets of work harness; 1 set of buggy harness; 1 set of single harness; 1 saddle; 10 doz. Rhode Island red hens; 2 doz. Plymouth Rock hens; 5 doz. Buff Orphington hens and some Buff Orpington cockerels; cook store and some house hold goods and other articles too numerous to mention.

Lunch to be served by the College Corner Red Cross Ladies, the proceeds of which go to the hospital at Fort Des Moines.

TERMS – Sums of $10.00 and under cash. On sums over $10.00 a credit of 10 months time will be given on approved notes bearing 8 per cent interest from date of sale. Discount of 1 per cent for cash on sums over $10.00. All property must be settled for before being removed from the premises.

O.S. NEAL & SONS – Duff & Spillers Aucts. – Fluffy-Ruffles Calfee Clerk