WILLIAM H. SCHULTZ
October 21. 1858-March 4, 1912
Another pioneer citizen who helped develop Laurel was William H. Schultz, who built a stockyard, office and scale house in the east part town close to the Central railway in 1887. This Laurel Junction was a shipping point for farmers and cattleman for 25 years. He bought cattle, hogs, and sheep the year round.
In those days cattle were driven to the stockyards, the herded into pens, inspected, and ready for shipment. Sometimes farmers who lived close to town drove their hogs to the yards as well. Hogs were not such good travelers as steers and caused many problems. Most of the hogs were hauled to town in lumber wagons. A standard size wagon box could hold from 5 to 6 (200 lb.) hogs, in one trip. Many times after a hard rain the dirt streets would become axle deep and stay that way until the streets dried up or froze, leaving deep ruts.
Whenever this would happen, and the roads became muddy or soft in the spring, the wagons would sink almost hub deep. We have been told there was a well and tank to water the horses after a long hard haul.
William was a hustler in buying stock, and always paid top prices. Cattle bringing $6.00 per cut was a big price in those days. By 1895 he had a good business and he had the confidence of the farmers. He drove a team of pacers to buy his livestock in the country.
Sometimes, another livestock buyer by the name of John Vancise of Baxter met at the same farm. The race would be on to get to the next farm first. We are sure the pacers had the advantage.
He still was the stockyard dealer in 1911 and passed away in 1912. When trucks came into use, the rail company dismantled the yard and scales.
In those days cattle were driven to the stockyards, the herded into pens, inspected, and ready for shipment. Sometimes farmers who lived close to town drove their hogs to the yards as well. Hogs were not such good travelers as steers and caused many problems. Most of the hogs were hauled to town in lumber wagons. A standard size wagon box could hold from 5 to 6 (200 lb.) hogs, in one trip. Many times after a hard rain the dirt streets would become axle deep and stay that way until the streets dried up or froze, leaving deep ruts.
Whenever this would happen, and the roads became muddy or soft in the spring, the wagons would sink almost hub deep. We have been told there was a well and tank to water the horses after a long hard haul.
William was a hustler in buying stock, and always paid top prices. Cattle bringing $6.00 per cut was a big price in those days. By 1895 he had a good business and he had the confidence of the farmers. He drove a team of pacers to buy his livestock in the country.
Sometimes, another livestock buyer by the name of John Vancise of Baxter met at the same farm. The race would be on to get to the next farm first. We are sure the pacers had the advantage.
He still was the stockyard dealer in 1911 and passed away in 1912. When trucks came into use, the rail company dismantled the yard and scales.
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