Titus County sale barn's new owner striving to up market numbers

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Tony Stone (left) strives to be available to buyers and sellers when they want to talk about the cattle trade. Above, Stone talks with a seller picking up his check. -Staff photo by Montgommery

February 6, 2003 -- When a portion of the sale barn in Mount Pleasant burned last year, cattle producers in and around the town pondered on where to take their cattle. Depending on where they lived, the nearest sale options were Texarkana, Winnsboro, Paris, Longview or Sulphur Springs.

But in September, anticipation grew as producers knew something was going on when the burned portions, the office area and the cafe were torn down.

Producers also began to realize that the barn had a new name and a new owner - Stone Livestock Commission, Tony Stone - sole proprietor.

On Oct. 15, five weeks after the initial work began, the barn held its first sale.

"We were driving in the last nails while people were driving in to unload their cattle. I was a nervous wreck," Stone said.

Stone, of Winnsboro, has been involved in the cattle business most of his life. He, along with his son, Scott, will manage the barn with added help from Gary Dobson.

"I've been around cattle for 40-plus years," Stone cited, "I know cattle and I know people. Our motto is to treat people right and they will return. I am willing to go the extra mile if that is what needs to be done. And I always have time to talk. That has been one of the biggest complaints so far from customers; wanting to know if I had time to talk. Now, I might not have a lot of time before the sale but if you hang around or call me, I will do what I can. I believe in the Golden Rule."

With the hazards of running a sale barn (the cattleman was knocked to the ground at the Jan. 28 sale by a gate that was hit by a speeding cow), Stone begins each sale day with prayer in the office.

"Anybody who would like to join us are more than welcome," Stone said. "I know that accidents happen but we do ask God to watch over us. So far, except for today, everything has been great."

The amount of livestock entering the barn has been increasing with each sale, as Stone continues to stress treating people right.

"We just need to get everyones' confidence back," he replied.

Knowing that due to past circumstances, buyers have gone elsewhere to market their cattle. "The cattle (numbers) were just not here," Stone said. "I have been told that as soon as our (cattle) numbers get to 800, then the buyers will be back."

On sale days, cattle are "set in" by Verdo Flowers, a well-know auctioneer who also works sales in Texarkana and Bossier City, among others.

The barn, located on Highway 67 in Mount Pleasant, is one of the oldest barns in Texas. Sale days are Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.