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Show CHAPTER THREE: WIDENING HIS REACH It was in the fall of 1909 that John K spent so much time in assessing the hazards involved in bidding on the purebred ewes of Jim Piske (James F. Jensen). Mr. Jensen had purchased his flock of 400 ewes from choice herds in the eastern United States and had paid eighty dollars per head for them. It was an extremely high price for that time. He had been shot and killed during a quarrel, and the sale of his possessions was pending. John K could not ignore the urge to take a chance, and he ultimately decided that he must bid on those ewes, even if it would mean an increased mortgage for him. He had reasoned that if he were ever going to do more than work with a regular grade.herd of sheep it might be the right time to take advantage of a new challenge. So he submitted his bid of $11.25 per head, not daring to hope that it may be the 101 |