Wednesday

Humorous Picture of the Day

On my Google Page, I get a daily Fun Picture of the Day, This was on a few days ago, and I thought I would share it.

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Kasey thought she might like to sleep with her dogs. She has a fun Mom, but not that fun. She slept in her own bed!

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About the old picture I posted - Rollie thinks they are coyotes, and they probably are. I did a little research on early Nebraska coyote and wolf hunts, and found this interesting article:

Wolf Bounties in Nebraska

"The large number of claims coming into the [Nebraska] State Auditor's office for bounties on wolves and coyotes has led that official to make an investigation," said the New York Times on January 20, 1902, "and he has arrived at the conclusion that the farmers and ranchers in the western part of the State have gone into the business of breeding these animals for the bounty market. In one instance it was found that one farmer had raised more than 100 wolves last Summer from several animals he had trapped and penned up for that purpose.

"Other cases were unearthed where from fifty to sixty of these animals had been reared. In October and November they were killed and their scalps presented for redemption at the office of the County Clerk of each county. The State law authorized the County Clerk to pay $3 from the county fund for each coyote or wolf scalp presented, and he certifies the fact of payment to the Auditor, who pays $1 additional, making $4 for each wolf or coyote. The State Auditor declares that this pays better than hog raising, and naturally the farmers have turned their attention to this industry.

"The law was passed years ago when the wolf and coyote were the great foes of the cattle and sheep men. In the last ten years $150,000 has been paid by the State alone as bounty. The Legislature of 1899 appropriated $60,000 for the purpose, and of this amount $43,000 was immediately demanded by holders of old claims. The remaining $15,000 was gone within six months, and when the last Legislature appropriated $15,000 it was at once swallowed up by holders of old claims.

"There are now on file with the Auditor claims aggregating $25,000, and by the end of next year this figure will be doubled. These figures indicate that instead of being killed off, the wolves are increasing. The explanation is now simple."

--------------------When I think of a rancher or farmer in Nebraska in the early 1900's, I see an honest, upstanding and hard working man. I guess the "good old days" is a myth. Men were dishonest, greedy and corrupt back then too!

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Our art group meeting was great today. Judi rearranged our displays so we can display the little trading cards that some of us are working on. Judi has done several. I have only done one so far, but have another started.