HORSES ALWAYS HAVE TO EAT

It was 1893. A financial panic gripped the country — all roads led to the great Columbia Exposition in Chicago—the country traveled on bicycles and four-legged horsepower.

Just out of Washington University, William H. Danforth was seeking to launch his career in some St. Louis business. "Get into a business that fills a need for lots of people — something they need all year round and in both good and bad times," his father advised. Two church associates, George Robinson and William Andrews, suggested horse and mule feed. What could be more necessary? Feed stores dotted every corner, the way gas stations do today. Other than hay, only two kinds of horse and mule feed were known, corn and oats. Oats were costly, and every year thousands of horses died from colic caused by bad corn. The two men convinced young Danforth to join them in the manufacture of feed, and the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company was formed in 1894 with a capital investment of $12,000.

"Cheaper than oats and safer than corn" was the slogan of their new product, which they mixed with shovels on the floor of a back room. The feed was then put into 175-pound sacks, which were sewn shut by hand. Although Danforth began as bookkeeper, he soon demonstrated his ability as a salesman. He traveled by boat, train and horseback through neighboring states, both buying ingredients and selling feed.

Ralston Purina Company was born, and William H. Danforth was on his way toward becoming its leader.