It's not likely we'll see again a time when front-page obituary honors are accorded to a Poland-China boar, but when Longfellow Jr. passed to his reward as the result of his own folly during the summer of 1913, The Chariton Herald-Patriot of July 10 did just that.
That's a faded image of the great beast above, but the best I could do, lifted from the pages of a 1912 edition of The Iowa Homestead as Longfellow's star ascended.
Longfellow's owner was George W. Sefrit, who farmed northwest of Lucas in Otter Creek Township. Here's the story, published under the headline, "A Severe Loss."
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"Geo. W. Sefrit has lost his most valuable hog, death coming to Longfellow, Jr., Monday as the result of paralysis induced through fighting with another animal. The two hogs got together June 30th and proceeded to fight each other without delay, Longfellow Jr. receiving wounds which resulted in his death a week later despite all the efforts of Dr. C.E. Stewart to save him.
"He was four years old, was bought two years ago by Mr. Sefrit from Peter Mouw, of Orange City, and developed into the grandest Poland-China hog in the state under the handling of his new owner. Hog raisers and those posted in such matters pronounced him the best Poland-China boar in Iowa, if not in the United States, and his loss is a severe blow to them, as well as to Mr. Sefrit.
"The latter had refused $1,500 spot cash for the animal a few months ago, but refused to part with him at the price, preferring to keep him at the head of his excellent herd of brood sows. To such a judge of stock as George W. Sefrit, the loss is not irreparable, but it will be a long time before either Mr. Sefrit or any other hog man will have a hog which will excel Longfellow Jr. or surpass him in those qualities which made him the pride of the state among fanciers of the best in swine."
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A few years after Longfellow's passing, Mr. Sefrit --- aged 45 at the time of his loss --- sold out in Lucas County and moved his operation to a larger farm near Mount Ayr in Ringgold County. He died there on Jan. 14, 1957, having outlived his prize boar by 43 years.
George is buried in Mount Ayr's Rose Hill Cemetery. We have no idea where the remains of Longfellow repose.
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