Albert Knell Mitchell, whose life spanned the era from the 19th century free range to the age of the airborne cowman, was the recipient of the first National Golden Spur Award. The Tequesquite Ranch, founded in 1896, became a partnership between Mitchell and his father, T.E. Mitchell, who brought the first registered Herefords to New Mexico that year. In addition to assuming management of the Bell Ranch in 1933, Mitchell applied his talent, imagination and business acumen to all facets of agriculture and livestock production.