The Story of Our Beginning Early in 1897, Mr Brandt Van Blarcom of St. Louis, Missouri bred his bitch Effie II, a son of Champion Christopher and divided the resulting litter among his friends. Naturally each owner thought his puppy the best and to settle the question of superiority a match was arranged and held on New Year's Day, 1898.
The question was so momentous that the owners could not agree on any one man for judge, so a committee of three Messrs. Forsythe, Trendly, and Michel were chosen and they retired with the exhibits. After the due consideration they announced their decision giving Mr. John A. Long's "Belle of St. Louis" First and Mr. Parrish's "Society Bell" second. A suggestion that another match be held the following year led to the formation of the St. Louis Collie Club with Mr. William Mulhall as President, Mr. John A. Long was secretary, and Mr. Alfred Forsythe became treasurer. This club became a member of The American Kennel Club in 1900 and each subsequent year gave a show (except for 1909 &1910).
Late in 1910, the club renewed its efforts to popularize and improve the collie in this vicinity and in the next five shows the quality was so improved that the show held on April 15, 1915 was said to have the best collection of collies seen n the west!
