Cyrus Trumbulle Cured Jim Purdy's Cattle

Growing up near Cass City and Gagetown I often heard my parents and the generation before them speak of "Jim Purdy's Round Barn" as a local marvel. It was never referred to as the octogon bank; always round. Here's a family tale that take takes place in the barn. –David Trumbull (2008)

The tale of how Cyrus Trumble cured Jim Purdy's herd of T.B. when the state said it was impossible. The state would give $10 per cow to take them and destroy them. They gave Mr. Purdy 30 days after they were condemned and before they would have to be destroyed. During that month Cyrus practically lived in the barn. This happened just before the depression, around 1926 to 1928, most likely 1928.

After he cured the cattle the state offered Cyrus a job as a meat inspector. He said that he would do it but if he said a cow could not be passed it must not be passed, but the state said no, sometimes we have to make exceptions, so he refused the job.

Cyrus Trumble was always serious. His nickname was Philo. He was a horse doctor but he could not read and, therefore, tasted the medicines to tell what was what. He bought his drugs at Wood's Drugs in Cass City, Mich.

Source: Kenneth Schenk, husband of Maybell Schenk niece of Cyrus Trumble (as related to David Trumbull, November 24, 1983)