Scots in the North American West, 1790-1917
Author | : Ferenc Morton Szasz |
Publisher | : University of Oklahoma Press |
Total Pages | : 300 |
Release | : 2000 |
ISBN-10 | : 0806132531 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780806132532 |
Rating | : 4/5 (31 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: "Scots trappers dominated the fur trade, often proving more loyal to clan than to trading company or nation. Relying on centuries of experience raising livestock for British markets, Scottish investors and managers became highly visible in the post-Civil War western cattle industry with thriving outfits such as the Swan Land and Cattle Company in Wyoming. They introduced new breeds to western ranching, such as the Aberdeen Angus, that remain popular today. Similarly, Scots herders dominated the western sheep industry, running herds of over 100,000 animals. Andrew Little's sheep ranch in Idaho was so famous that a letter addressed simply "Andy Little, USA" found its intended recipient.