P a g e 3 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r breds, but good, solid stock. Then he bought a Chestnut stallion, a pacer, which he called “Chief.” Chief, big and homely, was from the Dan Rice strain. He could pace a mile at the end of a halter in less than three minutes. Varney, also had about 30 mares of the same class as Farrell's, those which had stood the long trip to Montana harnessed to freight wagons or under saddles. He bought, to head his herd, a long barreled, short legged stallion which he named “John.” John was an Oregon horse. During the years that Varney had him he became famous as the sire of the fastest short distance running horses the west has ever known. The “Oregon horse” was a type entirely different from the Indian or Texas ponies which were so numerous over the old west. The Oregon horse was bigger, taller and heavier, a good all-purpose animal, dependable either under saddle or in harness. The Oregon horses were brought into this country from Oregon, where they had been developed by the early settlers as a particular strain. For many years they enjoyed a reputation not only in the west, but through the middle western states, where they were sold by the thousands even in the late nineties. Miles apart the herds of Farrell and of Varney wandered on the open range, the river dividing their territory, and with scarcely another animal in the region to become mixed with them. Each band was carefully guarded by its owner, or by some one in his employ. Year after year the two men stuck to horse raising and their herds increased. Either one of them would trade for a good horse at any time and before long both were recognized as the leading horsemen in that part of the state for they had good stock and had built up a reputation. Also, each of them had expanded into the cattle business. Their ranches adjoined and between them covered the best of the land in the Madison valley. Although the two men were fast friends, they became, as a matter of fact, a little jealous of each other as their success grew from year to year. Then, once again, they decided to enter partnership. In 1880 they got together one day at the old Eight Mile house and drew up a simple agreement that in the future they would pool issues. They founded the firm of Farrell & Varney, and the VF brand was established. Prior to that time Farrell had used TJF as his brand. The Varney horses were branded with a V. There were 700 horses in the two bands at the time of the consolidation. From that time on the combined herd grew apace and the horse industry in Montana took on new life. The men had similar ideas about breeding -- good sires and mares. The ranch prospered for many years. It accumulated much land and the annual income of the firm from livestock sales frequently reached $20,000 or more. Farrell & Varney sold horses to the government for army purposes for many years and won from army officers the commendation that the animals pur
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