Luana buffalo herd sold, 1905

BURGESS, HANSON, MCNEIL, NORTHEY, ROCKEFELLER

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/25/2010 at 15:40:42

Luana Buffaloes Sold

The Burgess & Hanson buffalo herd at Luana is no more, the heard of 20 having been disposed of last Saturday under the auctioneer's hammer by W.C. McNeil of Postville, the heard bringing $3125.00, or a trifle less than $160 per head. N. Northey, president of the Herrick refrigerator company, of Waterloo, bought the first pair offered at $375, the remaining eighteen head were joined to the assets of the Standard oil company, bing purchased by Frank Rockefeller, a brother of John D. Rockefeller, the oil king, for the sum of $2750.00. Both buyers were there in person, though Rockefeller was disguised under the nom de plume of "Robinson," we are told, until after the sale. The people of Luana were loath to see the buffalo sold, as to have that community known as the home of the second largest herd of buffalo in the United States was a distinction of which they were and of right ought to be proud. It brought an otherwise somewhat obscure way-station prominently to the fore, and has been a point of interest to thousands of travelers who have passed through there by rail, and few there were who had come from so far they knew not of Luana and the buffaloes, and while passing along peered through the car windows to get a glimpse of the heard. But this fame of the town has passed forever. As an investment the buffalo business was a losing one to Messrs. Burgess & Hanson, but they are entitled to a vote of thanks for the publicity they have given not only Luana, but northeastern Iowa as well.

~Postville Review, Dec 22, 1905