USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 52
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CLARKE COUNTY FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In the month of June, 1872, at a meeting of the citizens of Clarke County at the court-house in Osceola, the Clarke County Farmers' and Mechanics' Agricultural So- ciety was organized, and the following ar- ticles of incorporation were adopted:
ART. 1. The name of this society shall be the Cluke County Farmers' and Me- chanics' Agricultural Society. The gen eral nature of its business shall be to own and improve a tract of land, and to hold thereon exhibitions of stock and farmers' an I mechanics' products and other articles for the encouragement of agricultural and the mechameol arts. Its principal place of business shall be in Clarke County, in the State of lowa.
ART. Il. The commencement of this
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AGRICULTURAL
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society shall be from the first day of July, A. D. 1872, to continue for the term of twenty years.
ART. HI. The amount of capital stock shall be $2,500, with the privilege of in- creasing the same to $5,000, and it shall be paid upon the call of the Board of Direc- tors.
ART. IV. The private property of the stockholders of this society shall be exempt from the payment of the debts or liabilities of said society.
ART. V. The denomination and value of the shares of stock of said society shall be ten dollars cach, and they shall be trans- ferable upon the books of the society.
ART. VT. The names and places of resi- dence of the original incorporators of this society are as follows: John McDonough, J. F. Knotts, N. Porterfield, Casper Car- ter, D. Webster, Columbus Majors, W. Mayturn, John Lewis, J. M. Hall, Robert Jamison, O. P. Anderson and E. F. Riley, and their residence is in Clarke County, Iowa.
ART. VII. The general management of the affairs of the society shall be vested in a Board of Directors consisting of thirteen members, who shall be elected by the stockholders annually, upon the second day of the annual fair of the society at one o'clock P. M., and who shall hold their of- fice for one year, or until the successors and upon all questions voted npon by the stockholders, each share of stock shall en- title the holder thereof to one vote. Un- til the first election, the board of directors shall consist of the following named per- sons, to wit: D. Webster, Casper Carter, N. Porterfield, William Mayturn, Column- bus Majors. J. F. Knotts, G. W. Sohrt. W. ! C. Grogg, John Lewis, R. Jamison, J. M. Hall, William Ford and Joseph Daniel.
tary and treasurer, who shall be elected an- nually by the board of directors, and sha!l hold their offices until their successors are elected and qualified.
Akr. IX. The shares of stock of this i society shall be paid in cash upon the call of the Board of Directors, but the bonds of the Clarke County Agricultural Society which formerly cxisted in said county shall be taken in payment for stock at their face value without interest, provided the hold- ers of such bonds will take one share of stock and pay for it in cash for each bond so paid for stock.
Akr. X. The stockholders shall be ad- mitted at all times to the grounds of the society free of charge, and they shall be entitled to free admission for their families to all exhibitions of the society.
ART. Xl. When seventy-five shares of stock to be paid in coslt shall have been subscribed for, a call for the payment of the same shall be made by the Board of Direc- tors ; and when $500 in cash shall be paid for stock, the present Board of Directors shall call an election of directors by stock- holders, and the directors elected at such election shall enact by-laws to govern the further conduct of the society.
ART. XH. This constitution may be amended by a vote of a majority of all the directors at a regular meeting (to be pro- vided for by the by -laws), or at a called meet- shall be elected at the election of directors, : ing with twenty days of notice by publica-
tion of the nature of the proposed amend- ment to be made.
John McDonough was clected President : D. Webster, Vice-President ; E. F. Riley, Secretary, and George H. Cowks, Trea -- urer. Stock was not subscribed as liberal- ly as was expected, and during the year 18 ;? there was but Ste paid in on subscrip- tions. The society could not. therefore, commence operations, but John Mc- ART. VTHI. The officers of this society Donough and E. F. Riley, Presi lent and shall be a president, vice president, secre . Secretary. rented the fur-grounds, paying
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HISTORY OF CLARA COUNTY.
$75 therefor, got out premium lists, and on the 3d, 4th and 5th days of October 1872, Fers shall be by ballot.
held a fair, all being upon their own per- sonal responsibility, bat in the name of the society. This fair was not a hancial suc. cess, owing to unfavorable weather and the coolness of the people, caused by their dis- satisfaction with former fairs. The man- agers were able, however, to pay all expenses and 15 per cent. of premiums, and turned over to the society 819.86 in unclaimed premiums.
During the summer of 1873 the fair grounds of the old society, which were then owned by private parties, were offered at sheriff's sale, and Mr. McDonough male a special effort to obtain subscriptions of stock and raise sufficient funds to buy the grounds. His efforts were very successful, and the grounds were bid in by the socie- ty at $800, August 4. 1873. The requisite amount having thus been raised to enable the society to connnence operations. a meet- ing of the stockholders was called for July 19, 1873. At that meeting the following- named persons were chosen directors: N. Porterfield, John McDonough, Robert Jamison, L. B. Freeman, George W. Fouch, E. Robinson, H. C. Sigler, William Mayturn, William G. Evans, T. A. Morrow, A. G. Talbot, J. W. Danieland E. F. Riley. John McDonough was chosen President; George W. Fouch, Vice-President ; E. F. Riley, Secretary, and George H. Cowles, Treasurer.
August 16, 1873, at a special meeting of the board of directors, the following amendments were adopted :
ART. XIV. All votes by the stockhold.
ART. XV. The amount of capital stock of this society shall be $1,500, with the privilege of increasing the same to $2,500.
ART. XVI. The shares of stock of this society shall be paid in cash upon the sub- scription thereof, and ART. IX of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby re- pcaled.
ART. XVII. The directors of this soci- ety shall be elected at the regular meeting of the stockholleis on the second Monday of December of each year.
The annual fair for 1873 was held Sep- tomber 24, 25 and 26, 1873, and proved a success, both financially and as an exhibi- tion. The society was able to pay all premiums in full and all expenses, and had a surplus left to apply on improvements for which it had gone in debt. The present floral hall was built, and other improve- ments were made in the summer of 1873, and as the society had but slightly in- creased its stock, it was unable to pay in cash all its liabilities. At the regular an- nual meeting, December 8, 1873, the same directors and officers were continued in office, and John McDonough was chosen delegate to the State Convention of Agri- cultural Societies.
The fair for 1874 was fixed for Septom- ber 16. 17 and IS. All was in readiness, but the weather proved very unfavorable and the fair was postponed to October 6, 7, and S. when it went off successfully. But on- ing to necessary repairs of grounds and the building of additional shedding, etc., the suplus over premiums and expenses was
ART. All. Thearticlesof incorporation of this society shall be amendable only by ' not sufficient to pay of the indebteduess. a two-thirds vote of the stockholders pres -. At the ensuing annual meeting in Decon- ent, at a regular im cting to be held on the , ber the e directions were chosen : It. C. second Monday of December of each year. Sigler, James Brown, N. Porterfield. John Notice of amendments shall be published in MeDonough, Robert Jamison, T. A. Mor- some newspaper published within the coun- ro, Hugh Crawford, George W. Pouch, 1. P. Young, J. Y. Daniel. W. G. Evans, ty, for thirty day's previous to such meeting.
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John Lewisand E. F. Riley. The officers ! ed mounting to 837049. The annual elected were the same as in 1873. election of directors resulted as follows : N. Peterfield. H. C. Folger, William Kelley, S. 1. Larkins. L. M. Ohinstead. W. D. Irwin, John Diehl, C. F. Ayres, Robert Jamison. A. G. Talbott, J. Regan, Joseph Daniel and A. P. Young : C. T. AAyres was elected President ; W. G. Evans, Vice-President ; W. S. Richards, Secretary and George I.I. Cowles, Treasurer.
The fair in 1878 was held September 17, 18 and to, and was gratifying in every re- spect. But twelve directors were elected from this on, one from each township. Those chosen in December, 1878 were : T. B. O'Neal, HI. C. Folger, -A. P. Young, Samuel Larkins, D. Olmstead, D. W. Ir- win, \. Waggoner, J. MeDonough, S. Wyatt, J. Regan. J. IL. Collier and Casper Carter. C. T. Avres was chosen President; A. Waggoner, Vice-President : W. S. Richards, Secretary and George II. Cowles, Treasurer.
The seventh fair, September, 9, 10 and II. IS79, was memorable for the finest dis- play of stock yet seen in this county. The financial results were satisfactory. For the ensuing year the directors chosen were: T. B. B md, H. C. Folger, W. G. Evans, S. Larkins, D. Olmstead, Casper Carter, John McDonough, J. W. Hood, J. H. Coll- ier. William Ford, Joseph Daniels and E. Robinson. C. T. Ayres was chosen Pres dent : P. L. Fowler, Vice-President ; W. S. Richards, Secretary ; George H. Cowles, Treasurer.
The eighth antul fair was well carried out, and please Falt concerned. There were five Lerds of short-hi ins and a herd of Jer- seys on exhibition. The horse department. was well represented with Normans. Cades and Habiblionions. Th . secretary re- poised that there hol been a man'sd im- president in stock since the date of the first jair. The annual meeting. held in
The debt of the society was somewhat increased during the summer of 1875, by the necessary repairs of the fair grounds. The fair of the following autumn was the best ever held in Clarke County up to this time, and was probably the best in South- western Towa, in 1875. The proceeds, with the annual appropriation of $200 from the State, enabled the society to pay all its debts. At the December meeting G. W. Fouch, W. G. Evans. A. P. Young, John Hood, John McDonough, A. Waggoner, P. L. Fowler, E. F. Riley, J. H. Collier, N. Porterfield, C. T. Ayres, Sacker Wyatt and W. G. Kennedy were chosen directors. An amendment to the Articles of Incorpor- ation was offered (to be voted on a year later, when it was unanimously adopted) providing that the stockholders should elect the officers, an I the litter be ex- ficio directors. By the invitation of the latter the stock-holders assisted at this meeting in choosing these officers for the year IS;6: George W. Fouch, President; WE. G. Evans, Vice President ; P. L. Fowler, Secretary, and W. G. Kennedy, Treas- urer.
The next fair was held September 2 ;. 28 and 29, 1876. The total receipts were S1.407.94. and after everything was settled up the society was found to be in debt $51. The premium list amounted to 8034.55. The officerselected in December were as follows: Directors, A. P. Young, Charles Apres, John Hood. Juba Lewis, William Keley, Sacker Wyatt, D. Olmstead, John Stein- son, W. G. Lvans, John MeD magh. Joseph Daniels, UL. C. Folger and W. N. Barnard ; President, A. P. Young: Vie - President, C. T. Ayres : Sendtary, I. D. Fowler: Treasurer, S. P. Ayres.
The fifth annual fair, held in is ;? was a financial success, and every department was well represented. Premium, were aword. December, Inda, resulted as follows: Di-
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
rectors N. Porterfield, William Maxturn, tary, C. O. Atkins: Treasurer. George H. William Kelley, S. Larkins, D. Olmstead. L. ' Cowles.
Robinson, John Bond, John McDonough, James Hood, Thomas Keeran, Williams Ford and Joseph Daniels. President, John Mc- Donough ; Vice-President, P. L. Fowler ; Secretary. J. O. McAuley; Treasurer, Geo. HI. Cowies.
The fair of ISSI was held September 13, 14, 15 and 16, and although all the days were rainy, the people turned out, determined to make the fair a success. It was hardly surpassed by the State fair in horses, cattle and hogs. The premiums were paid in full, and the society proclaimed free from debt. The annual election of officers re- sulted in the choice of the following: Directors, D. Perdue, William Mayturn, William Kelley, M. G. Prine, B. M. Rob- bins, John Lewis, J. W. Hood, Thomas Keeran, Abner Crew, D. Olmstead, W. B. Hl. Hutsinpiller and E. Robinson; Presi- dent, John Diehl; Vice- President, Jolm Bond; Secretary, O. P. Anderson ; Treas- urer, George H. Cowles.
The tenth fair was held August 29, 30 and 31, and September 1, 1882. The offi- cers elected in December following were : Directors, John Diehl, John McDonough, O. P. Anderson, P. II. McCartney, Henry Stivers, Thomas Keeran, C. T. Ayres, B. M. Rollins, C. Carter, William Mayturn and M. G. Prine : President, P. L. Fowler ; Vice-President, W. W. Williams; Secre-
The eleventh annual exhibition, Septem- i ber 25-28, 1883, was pronounced by the sec- retary, in his report, " the best ever held." The officers elected in December were: President, P. L. Fowler ; Vice-President, W. W. Williams; Secretary, C. O. Atkins ; Treasurer, George H. Cowles ; Directors, John Diehl, John McDonough, O. P. An- derson, P. H. McCartney, Henry Stivers, A. P. Young, C T. Ayres, T. B. O'Neal, C. Carter, William Mayturn, William S. Richards and Charles Armstrong.
The twelfth fair. September 9-12, 18$4, was a further improvement in every re- spect. The attendance was liberal, and the exhibition of stock was excellent. The directors and officers elected in December were the same as the year previous.
The thirteenth fair, in 1885 was a fine success. $500 was applied in the payment of indebtedness which had accumulated, leaving the society at present writing about $600 in debt. One more good fair wi !! wipe this out. The officers are : President, Casper Carter; Vice-President, W. W. Williams; Secretary, Charles H. Currier ; Treasurer, George H. Cowles ; Directors. Uriah Garris, P. L. Fowler, W. S. Richards, John Diehl, C. T. Avres, John McDonough, Thomas Keeran, O. P. Anderson, P. 13. McCartney, Henry Stivers, Charles Arm- strong and T. B. O'Neal.
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RAILROADS.
RAILROADS.
APID development of a new country is only possi- ble through a system of railroads, affording speedy,regular, safe and economical transpor- tation. To fully open up a district like Illinois, Indiana or Kentucky, a whole generation was required. Now, by the aid of railroads, the vast Territory of Dakota has within five years received a half a million of in- habitants, and is ready to be converted into two new States- Dakota and Pembina-stars Nos. 39 and 40 in our Federal con- stellation. By the same agency Asia, Aus- tralia, South America and Africa are being rapidly civilized and developed. In short. the known world is being wonderfully enlarged. Bat for the iron horse, Atrica must remain the "dark continent" for countless generations. In view of present developments, it is to be the land of promise for emigrants in the twentieth century.
CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY.
The iron horse was slow in reaching Southern lowa. For nearly twenty years after its first settlement, Clarke County communicated with the outside world only
by stage lines. These ran daily each way, cast and west, for about ten years before ISÓS. The first stage lines, established in 1855, ran tri-weekly. In 1868 the Burling- ton & Missouri River Railroad, in which the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company had already acquired a con- trolling interest, was built west through this county. No stock was taken by the county or by townships, but individuals who desired to assist the enterprise took stock to the amount of $30,005. The owners of perhaps three-fourths of this amount sold the same to speculators before it reached par, and consequently at loss. It has for many years been above par, however, and those who yet hold the stock find that they made a good investment. Of course, the building of this road was highly beneficial to the county, giving every one an opportu- nity to sell for better prices and buy for cheaper; in other words, taking them nearer to the Past. This greatly enhanced the value of land and other property, and increased the population. Clarke County was thenceforth connected with the re- mainder of the world by rapid transit and communication.
This railroad curves in two places in the county, but its general course is westward, across Jackson, O crola, Ward and Murray townships. There are but the three sta-
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
tions -- Woodbarn, in Jackson Township : Osceola, in Orccola Township, and Murray. in Troy Township. The total length of the road within the limits of the county is ; 26,498 miles.
The Burlington company has become known as one of the wealthiest and best- managed corporations in the world. Its capital stock is $; 1,942,246.51 ; bonded debt, $71.360.000.Số : per mile, $10,108.01 : length of track, over 5,000 miles; stations, 325 ; locomotives, 454; passenger cars, 292 ; freight cars, 16,477 : passengers carried an- nually, 3,477,755: tons of freight carried, 5,586, 140 : passenger income, 84.384.257.89: freight carnings, $12,343.113.51 ; operating , expenses, §8,820,305.83 ; taxes, $448,540.96 ; ' interest on debt, $4,309,954.71 ; dividend, $5,550,480.
DES MOINES, OSCEOLA & SOUTHERN.
This is a local enterprise, having been projected by Osceola parties, and pushed by them to completion. The people of Osceola and Clarke County fecla justifiable pride in the road, therefore, although it has latterly been under a cloud financially. I to widen the gauge to standard, and ex. The first to suggest a narrow-gauge railroad from Osccola to Des Moines was B. L. Harding, then of the former place, but now a resident of the capital. The company was organized at Osccola in isSo, with Mr. Harding as President, and Henry Stivers as Vice-President ail Superintendent. The project was not allowed to drag, as is often
the case after the first enthusiasm, has oozed ' stations in Clarke County -Jamison, in the out, but the preliminary work was entered upon with vigor. Of course, Eastern as- sistance was invoked, and successfully. " four and one-half miles south of Oracle, Osceola Township voted a subsidy of five per cent .. payable in two equal annual in- stallments, alter the completion of the road. and Fremont voted a two-and-one- half-per- cent. tax on the same terms.
The actual work & construction was be- gun in the spring of 1881, and completed to Des Moines in the summer of 1882. President Harding removed to Des Moines about this time, continuing his relation to the company. During the same year, 1882, the road was built south from Osceola, and in 1884 it was completed through Decatur County to Cainesville, Missouri, the present terminus, making a total length of 116 miles. The cost was over a $1,055,003, be- sides the subsidies voted by townships along the line.
Although the road proved a convenience to the communities it passes through, still there was not enough business to support it, and i April, 1885, it passed into the hands of a receiver, E. R. Mason, who yet holds the position. Mr. Harding was president up to this time, and Mr. Stivers continued as vice-president and superintendent until the appointment of the receiver. A suit is now pendling to foreclose the mortgage on the road. A committee of the bond-holders has been organized to purchase the whole property, and if this is donc, it is proposed tend the line to the Missouri River.
The repair shops have been from the start located at Osceola, and give employ- ment to about forty men. There are seven locomotives on the line, and a freight and passenger train are run cach way daily. The road crosses Fremont, Osceola, Knox and Green Bay townships, and has four 'center of Fremont Township, seven miles north of Osceola; O-ccola; Phillipsburg; in Knox Township, and Leslie, seven and one-half miles south of Osceola, in Knox Township. The road has 22.1 miles in Clarke County, which is assessed at 81,200 a mile.
MISCELLANEOUS.
MISCELLANEOUS,
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES.
HJE surface of the coun- ty derives its char- acter chicfly from the great water-shed which enters its bor- ders a little south of the northwest commer, and passes out about five miles north of the southeast corner. This elevated tract or plateau of prairie im- presses its features distinctly upon the topography of the adjacent territory for some distance, as there are leading from it on either side broad prairie tracts resembling it very closely in appearance and character. Thus the general surface is high, rolling, or undulating prairie, with a soil of a dark sandy loam, yielding in profusion all kinds of cereals usually grown in this latitude. It has no large streams, but is well watered by several small creeks, among which are Chariton River, Whitebreast, Bee, and Long Creeks in the central and southern portion, and South Squaw, North Squaw, Brush, and Offer Creeks in the east and northeast portions. On the west and north- west are Seven Mile Creek and South River. These streams afford at all seasons
of the year, abundant water for stock, but none of them are reliable for mill purposes. There are innumerable smaller streams in- terspersed throughout the county, having their sources in springs. The water courses of about two-thirds of its surface are tributary to the Mississippi. The re mainder flow to the Missouri. Good well water is usually obtained at a depth of about twenty fect.
TIMBER.
Timber is found along nearly all the principal streams. The best-timbered por- tions of the county are the southeast and southwest townships, but all the townships have more or less timber. Troy, Madison, Washington, and Ward, the four northwest township, have the least timber. The tim- ber is oak, walaut, hickory, soft maple, clm, Fun, hackberry, and cottonwood. ITazel prevails in many places, and as usual, where it grows the soil is especially adapted to wheat. The timber is of fair quality, and although not abundant, there is a sufficient quantity for ordinary pur- poses. Since the completion of the rail- road large quantities of pine lumber have been used here for fencing and building purposes. Panuers are paying some atten-
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
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tion to the planting of groves, especially on the larger prairies.
COAL.
The great coal measures, two to six feet in thickness, must underlie the entire county, and as one of the best coal regions in the State is in Lucas County, just cast, it is not surprising that the people of Clarke County have an abiding faith that coal will yet be mined within its limits. One attempt only has been made to develop this wealth. The Osceola Coal Company was organized in 1876, with J. B. Dague as President ; J. O. McAuley, Secretary ; and George Grassel, Treasurer. The capi- tal stock was in shares of Și,ooo. A ten per cent. assessment was made and a shaft sunk, 4 x 6 feet, to the depth of 220 feet, at Woodburn. At this point they came to a lake of water. Water rose to within fifty feet of the top. They pumped a week, but without lowering it any, and then abandoned it.
BUILDING STONE.
Superior stone is found in various parts of the county, in Ward Township alone there being a dozen or more quarries in operation. The principal ones are three miles northwest of Osccola. It is said that the hard lime rock here taken out is superior to that at Des Moines. Some 300 car loads have been shipped to Creston, to help build the brick blocks of that prosper- ous city.
BRICK.
Fair brick is made at Osceola, Murray, Woodburn and Jamison. That at Jamison is claimed to be the best.
TILE DRAINING.
no doubt the advantages of tile draining will soon be perceived. It the farmers could see how extensively and profitably tile is used even on the sandy hillsides of Michigan, they would hesitate no longer.
COUNTY FINANCES.
The financial affairs of Clarke County have been faithfully and honestly administered. Enterprise has impelled the expenditure of thousands of dollars for school-houses. bridges, railways and other purposes; yet every dollar of county obligation has been paid at maturity, and no county debt weighs down upon the people. The county poor- farm is a valuable property, managed in a model manner. and practically self-support- ing. The county taxation is nominal, sim- ply enough to keep up current expenses. Homesteaders should bear the fact in mind that here in Clarke County will be found all the conveniences of the older sections with- out their burdens of debt and taxes. Rail- road and telegraph lines leading to the great points of the compass, churches, school-houses, mills, good roads and bridges, a busy, intelligent and prosperous people, enterprising villages and towns, all here, in a locality not known on the map of thirty years ago.
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