LEBANON STOCK YARDS

The Lebanon stock yards were built on the Burlington Railroad and were the scene of much activity every Saturday. Farmers delivered their livestock for sale here or for shipments to eastern markets. Buyers were available that day. The yards set a record in 1906 when more hog shipments were originated here than at any other yard on the Burlington Railroad.>

A railroad pass was furnished, by the railroad, to the river markets of St. Joseph, Mo., Kansas City, Mo., and occasionally to Chicago, 111., for each carload of stock. Many a farmer or farmer's son enjoyed his outing to the markets for a first-time-away-from-home, although some stockmen went often and kept their suitcases packed. To others it was only an annual event.

Two of the local buyers were B. Lehn and Bill Redfeldt. The stock yards, an important part of our economy, began to lose business with improving truck transportation and the starting of local sale barns, one of the first being at Bartley. This was followed by packers moving their plants west, away from the river terminals, nearer the source of their product.

Today many cattle are purchased directly on the farm and moved to the plant the day of slaughter, thus partly eliminating the need for a large central market, of which the Lebanon Stock Yard played so important a part.