How to Remedy a Sheep Killer?

In the year 1877 there was a case in the court in Perth wherein one neighbour sued another for the recovery of the value of nine sheep killed by his neighbour’s dog. As was the case whenever a court convened at Perth all the village and township lads used to sit in the hotel sitting room and discuss the merits of each case that was to come up.

The dog and sheep case received its fair share of attention. While the case was under discussion in one hotel Mr. Paddy Burns came in. After Paddy had got his bearings one of the crowd turned to Paddy and said: “Paddy, if one of your neighbor’s dogs killed nine of your sheep, what would you feel like doing?”

To understand Paddy’s repartee, it should be told that the conversation occurred in September, while a great Orange funeral procession had taken place in Montreal in July.

“Well,” said Paddy. “I would tie an Orange sash on him and ship him to Montreal.” The crowd was a “mixed one” religiously, but every man to the room laughed heartily.

Middleville Museum

Trophy donated by the T. Eaton Co. awarded to Alex Bowes for his prize-winning sheep.

Richard Christy —My Grandfather could really tell a story! It amazes me however how many of them turned out to be true or, at least had a modicum of truth behind years of embellishment as a result of retelling both by himself and and others. A few years ago a distant relative sought me out to relate one I hadn’t heard. It was likely during the 1920s when someone had the audacity to steal the Ram of the farm sheep herd. Grandpa went into the house and immediately swore my Grandmother to secrecy. I can almost hear him! “Now Annie, not a word to anyone! A few months later an acquaintance dropped in and several minutes into the conversation asked ‘Dick did you ever find out who stole your Ram?” Grandpa didn’t miss a beat and retorted “yes, just now”! My informant had no information as to any retribution that followed but, I suspect it didn’t reach the courts. I am not even sure the story is true but is certainly representative!

An important and multifunctional institution in Canada, the Orange Order provided significant mutual aid. Financial support was provided to members during times of illness or unemployment, and, upon a member’s death, the Order often alleviated the financial burden on widows and orphans by covering funeral costs and defraying burial fees.

photos-Middleville Lamb Fair, Lanark County 1927

Did You Know?

Sheep make different vocalizations to communicate different emotions.

Like cows, sheep know how to self-medicate themselves. Whenever they feel bad, the sheep know exactly what plant to eat to cure the ache.

Sheep are closer to Alf than I thought 🙂 They don`t have nine, but four compartments in their stomach!

Their tails are actually long. Short after birth the farmers dock them, as docking is considered to improve the health and wellbeing of sheep and lambs – greatly reduces fly strike, facilitates shearing, makes it easier to observe the ewe’s udder and detect potential problems.

The world to them is bright and shiny – sheep see in color and see 360 degrees.

They can’t roll over by themselves, if you ever see a sheep lying on its back, help it get up. (Just like me)

Sheep also value the concept of personal space. The flight distance depends on the situation and on the tameness or wildness of the sheep.

A long, long time ago sheep were believed to be sacred animals. Ancient Egyptians used to mummify them. Take that, cow and cat 🙂

Speaking of ancient cultures, another one also held sheep in reverence. Sumerians – they are thought to have developed the first form of writing, so, obviously, what they believed matters – immortalized sheep in their religion, in the form of gods.

While on the out-of-this-world topic: sheep represent righteousness, sincerity, gentleness, and compassion. That is according to the Chinese zodiac, where they are one of the 12 animals included

This is a photo from Archives Lanark. You have to admit that you would not want to mess with this woman by the looks of her- But the “Mercy Me” comment went to Lanark County Genealogical member Sheila Patterson Blada— She said: “Karakul lamb trim on her wrists. A poor 3 day lamb killed for that. Perhaps she hit it with that 20 pound book” I am pleased to say that Fran Rathwell identified the woman in the photo is Susannah Griffith wife of John Crampton of Innisville.

This brown cloth jacket is trimmed with a narrow roll of black Persian lamb along the front edges and on the standing collar. With it may be worn a separate little cape of the fur, with a high storm collar. Muffs, rather small and rounded in wool, velvet, sealskin and Persian lamb, were used by women throughout the period, becoming a little larger in the 1890s when fur such as sable or chinchilla might be used.