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Show 1 mm h 1 (iMt 1 UI r. , - htHisoa W Sr - jW Herd sheep? filin' riiitmt tv $ a oXiJl y ' $mjh$ $! wising . citv lights J-4G?Xi - . ( $97 1 Pagf One r,5ftt!T' cast shadow v The bright city lights have cast a dark shadow over the sheep business. e herders are dying or The retiring. Younger men dont want the isolation, the loneliness and the hard u'ork for $300 a month. Major Problem Finding men to tend their flocks is one of the industry's major problems, according to Marcellus Palmer, executive secretary, Utah Wool Growers Assn. Sheep men have gone to imported labor from Fiance, Spain and, more recently, Peru as a possible solution. But there are still problems with immigration quotas, opposition from labor organizations and with finding steady men familiar with the sheep business Whose psychological outlook suits them to the job. Business Decline In fact, the problem is so severe that its one of the chief reasons the sheep business is declining four percent a year, he said. A man with a herd on winter desert range is responsible for an $80,900 to $90,000 investment So many things can happen. If a man knows the dangers, from sickness, weathef, predators, he can try to prevent problems. Getting Easier The inconveniences of sheepherding arent such that a man cant learn to live with them. And its not as rough as "it used to be. Years ago, a man might not see his boss for a month. Now the boss can get to him at least once a week. A sheep wagon used to be nothing more than two or three thicknesses of canvas stretched over some wooden wagon bows. To keep the potatoes from freezing, you kept them wrapped in a sheep pelt in a box. Now the wagons are insulated so theyre not such a bad place to live. Poor Concept Most people have absolutely no concept of what has to be done to keep the food and fiber supply on its way to us. Children dont understand the or cow-mil-k sheep-worelationship. It isnt really such a bad idea for a mother to take her children out to see a sheep camp. By the time that childs grown, there might not be that many around." old-tim- Fred Kispaud, 12, might quit sheepherding this winter to spend time in town. coyotes, moon , rSS? kr ' By Judy Rollins Assistant Womens Editor it. Its the only life hes ever known. But things could be different this winter. Hes thinking of moving to town, collecting Social Security and leaving the cold and the loneliness to someone else. His home is a sheep wagon in an aspen grove high in the mountains close to Price. His companions three horses, his dog, Blackie, a whining squirmy new puppy too young to work or for a name and ; sheep. Not a drop of rain this summer. Not one drop. The cbws get the best country. There isnt even water for my horses. Oh, mais, mais, mais, he said with a sweep of his arm at the land. His speech, his mannerisms hinted at early years spent growing up in France before sailing to America with one brother to join another in Utah. We thought the whole country was full of gold . 1,200 wmmm ' V v ' ' v - there now? s cS Some .just come to see what its like at a sheep camp; what hes like. He talks mostly of the land and his work. ..Its rougli .country over there. Again, he punctuated his words with a sweep of his arm. Its straight down with ledges. Across the mountain, its better. These young sheep wont all stay together. They scatter. Theres food. They just have to keep going to find it. I haven't seen much game tliis summer. One old fella told me they saw a bear over around some houses near Miller Creek. He must have Ixcn looking for food. Theres danger for him being alone if theres an accident, pneumonia this spring because lie couldnt stay dry with all the rain, rough terrain with his horse slipping and falling on him. I was pretty lucky last week. My horse got into some yellowjackets. They were stinging him all over. I was just lucky he didn't t'uck me off. The worst thing this summer was the heat. Sticks propped the windows open for ventilation. He leaves the door open inviting flies and bees in. Didnt even get a breeze at night. It was too hot to keep food for very long. Thats why I had to have supplies so often. I just tell them what 1 want ar.i they bring it." Lifes easier than it used to be. When it's time to more camp, they bring a pickup and haul the wagon to a new location. When I was younger and stronger, it would take a team of horses or mules. They brought me a cow once. Id never milked a cow hi my life. And I didnt want tc start. It hadnt been milked for two or three days. I told my boss to buy an orphan calf. I gave the calf to the cow. It worked so well they got me another calf." Trips to town are rare. Sometimes a trip to town means time spent in the hospital after an - r Sliceplierding is only life Fml has known since coming to Utah in 1911. t ' s'J ) ; ' ": The food was good and the nurses were nice. But I couldnt sleep. It was too noisy. 1 might try town this winter. This is die only work Ive ever had, but Im getting a little old. Bfia ' MBiiii It SpItA when we came over in 1914. We thought we could just fill up our pockets and go home. Hes never been back. His two brothers died here. His camp is comfortable. A saddle hangs from one tree to keep moisture out Chaps hang on another. The wood pile is just outside his door. Inside, theres a place for everything. A camp lantern gives light after sundown. A pan of dough rises covered on his bunk while he talks. Hell bake later. His employer brings groceries, a few magazines every two or three days and checks up on him. He might need something. He hit his thumb with a hammer and had to be taken to Price to see a doctor once this summer. Eut he doesnt get his as often as hed business from the bank mail like. Visitors use the company cup for coffee. Sugar is spooned from a quart jar. Paper towels are the napkins. How early does he get up each morning? Early enough. Where's his television set? I lost it. Hows the reception on his transistor radio? It works pretty good. Whats for dinner? Maybe Ill boil some potatoes and make a salad. Or maybe a stew. I havent cooked many roasis this summer. Its been too hot. I cook pretty good. Im the best cook in this house. Meals are prepared on a sheepherders stove inside or in a Dutch oven over the fire outkide. Summer means lots of visitors. Yesteniay, someone brought him homemade soup and some peaches. .How much are they paying for peaches down Fred Rispaud, 72, may be one of the PRICE last of a vanishing breed. Hes herded sheep in the mountains of Utah and Colorado for 56 years. This is a funny life Even when youre used to ' ol w &$? M vPV t 'A 1 - -- ? ram? L o W H' ) v 'I |
