USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 22
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Ist. We would respectfully recommend that the building be double plastered and painted inside and out.
2d. We would recommend that the accompanying contract be adopted and approved.
3d. We would recommend that to meet the first payment the county hire of the school fund five hundred dollars.
4th We would recommend that the clerk of the board of supervisors be authorized to issue to the contractor warrants for
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
the several sums due on said . contract as they became due, drawing on the several funds as set forth in the contract.
WM. PALMER, WM. HASLAM, E. D. WOODBRIDGE.
The third recommendation being amended so that instead of hiring "five hundred dollars school fund," the clerk to issue ten county warrants in sums of $50 each.
The yeas and nays were called on adoption, and resulted as follows: yeas 11, all the members present voting in the affirmative the contract and report were adopted.
J. H. Powers filed his bond June 7th 1865, for faithful perform- ance of contract for building, which was approved.
The building erected in pursuance of the above contract was made to answer the purpose of a court house until Friday, March 26th 1880, at 9 o'clock on which night the building, was discovered to be on fire. It was completely destroyed by the flames, and in consequence of the county being thus left without a court house the unsuccessful attempt to remove the county seat to Nashua, detailed elsewhere, ensued. Steps looking to the erection of a new court house were soon taken, resulting eventually in the erection of the present commodious and handsome brick structure with the smaller brick building attached.
At the April meeting of the board of supervisors, 1880 the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, that the chairman of the board of supervisors be authorized and instructed to secure plans and probable cost of a suitable court house, with the understanding, that the architect furnishing the plans that shall be finally adopted by the county, shall receive a reasonable compensation for his services as an architect and that the chairman shall be restricted to an expense not exceeding $50 in making said inquiry and furnishing plans.
In June, 1881, the citizens of New" Hampton proposed to the board of supervisors to complete a court house, the architects estimate of the cost of which was $10,342, on condition that the county appropriate $,5000 toward building the same and that the board make an informal selection of the plan proposed, there being others plans presented to the board. The plans for a court house
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
approved by the board at the June session, were those of Louis Brown, an architect of New Hampton.
At the November term; 1880, the board adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, by the board of supervisors of Chickasaw county, Iowa, that; whereas New Hampton having pledged five thousand dollars towards the erection of a court house as near the site of the old court house in New Hampton as may be, and having given a bond for the payment of the full amonnt, the same is hereby accepted, and we order that five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be appropriated for the purpose of finishing said court house, and no contract will be let unless the contractor will accept the bond of New Hampton at its face.
At the January session, 1881, the plan and bid of Louis Brown, for $10,000, was accepted and Mr. Brown appeared and duly entered into a contract with the county. The structure was completed during the summer. and was ready for occupancy in the early autumn of 1882.
CHICKASAW COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The first agricultural society in Chickasaw county was organized at Jacksonville in September, 1857. A constitution was adopted and election of officers held at the hotel, then kept by Hazard Green. The following officers were elected: Hazard Green, presi- dent; John Bird, vice-president; J. H. Powers, secretary; Hiram Bailey, treasurer. There was also an executive committee for each township, as follows: S. W. Byers, Washington; J. H. Dickens, Obispo; Thomas Staples, Stapleton; Fred Padden, Fred- ericksburg; Hiram Bailey, Richland; Daniel York, Dayton; A. G. Harris, Deerfield; William Tucker, Chickasaw; John Bird, Brad- ford. A fair was held at New Hampton in 1858, under the auspices of this organization, J. H. Powers delivering the address.
The first regular organization of an agricultural society in Chick- asaw county, in pursuance of the state law upon the subject, will be found to be detailed below, as taken from the records of the society :
The records of the society show, that "at a large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Chickasaw county, held at New Hamp- ton on the 14th day of April, A. D. 1860, the propriety of organiz- ing an agricultural society was thoroughly discussed and agreed upon, and the 28th day of April, following was designated as the
1
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
time, and New Hampton the place, at which such organization should be effected."
At the time specified, a large number of the county's best farmers, mechanics and business men, met and adopted a preamble and constitution. The following is the preamble:
"WHEREAS, It is deemed expedient that an agricultural society should be organized in Chickasaw county, in such manner as to become a body corporate under general law of the state of Iowa. relating to the creation of corporations: Therefore, It is resolved, this 28th day of April, one thousand, eight hundred and sixty, that Hiram Bailey, Jas. E. Yaunce, R. H. Way, William Tucker, Patrick Galligan, Gideon Gardner, J. A. Rice, T. P. Vokes, M. B. Taylor, with their present and future associates and successors, are hereby constituted a body corporate, to continue twenty years, under the following constitution:"
Article 1st, recites: "This Association shall be styled the 'Chick- asaw county Agricultural Society ;' its object shall be the improve- ment of agriculture, horticulture, mechanics, arts, rural and domestic economy."
The officers were to consist of a president, vice-president, secre- tary, treasurer, and one director from each township in the county, they together, or eight of their number, constituting a quorum for the transaction of business
"Article 3d. The regular annual meeting of this society shall be held at the time of the annual fair, which shall be fixed by the board of directors, and shall take place during the month of Sep- tember or October, in each year; at which time the officers shall be chosen, by ballot, and shall serve one year, and until their suc- cessors are elected and qualified."
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Other articles follow, prescribing the duties of the officers, etc .; "the principal place of business shall be at the county seat, and no capital is required, other than the sums contributed annually by the members, the amount received from the state, and the proceeds of annual exhibitions, which can only be in- vested in the grounds and fixtures, necessary to accommodate the society, or other legitimate objects thereof.
Provisions were made for the holding of annual fairs, at such times and place as shall be designated by the board of directors. Other regulations were prescribed; provision for membership and the amount members shall pay were made, as also the conditions
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
for forfeiture of membership. The matters of establishing prem- ium lists, agreeing upon the rules governing the fairs, limiting competition and awarding committees, were also attended to. The board was authorized to enact such by-laws and rules, not inconsistent with the constitution, as may be deemed necessary for the good of the society, and the final article provided that "this constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of the majority of the members present, and voting at any regular meeting."
"Thus nine persons have associated themselves as a body cor- porate, to continue twenty years, under the laws of the state of Iowa, thereby giving legal existence to the 'Chickasaw county Agricultural Society.' Fifty other persons attached their names to the constitution, thereby becoming members and share-holders in said society."
The following officers were then elected: Hiram Bailey, presi- dent; J. A. Rice, vice-president; M. B. Taylor, secretary; E. W. Davis, treasurer. One director from each of the twelve townships was also elected.
At a meeting of the directors, held on the 4th day of June, 1860, it was agreed to hold the first annual fair on the 27th and 28th days of September following, and a premium list was pub- lished in the New Hampton Courier and the Cedar Valley News, the latter paper being printed at Bradford. This list was pub- lished several weeks, and every effort was made to ensure the suc- cess of the undertaking. The society having no grounds, the directors advertised for sealed proposals for holding the fair, from the several localities in the county, which being presented at the time specified in the advertisement, the directors accepted, the proposals from the citizens of New Hampton, and located the grounds at that place for the first exhibition.
The exhibition, in the various departments, was much better than had been expected, especially in the vegetable and fine art departments. There were in all 239 entries. The entries for com- petition in field crops were accompanied with written statements of the mode of culture, etc.,, (agreeably to the requirements of the society), and also samples of grain. Below is the statement of the corn crop, and the result.
"'Method of raising corn, presented at the first annual fair of
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
the Chickasaw county Agricultural Society, by J. P. Bailey:' I plowed the ground (grove land, and never plowed before), about five inches deep, aud planted about the 15th day of May, three and one-third by three and two-thirds feet apart; four to six grains in hill; cultivated with double-shovel plow twice each way, and hoed twice thoroughly. Seed, Ohio Yellow Dent. Yield 272 bushels of ears per acre, thoroughly packed, and heaped as long as it would lay on. Grain and land measured by C. A. Stuart. J. P. BAILEY."
Mr. Hazzard Green, "one of the most scientific farmers of our county," delivered an address on the afternoon of the second day; "it was highly interesting and instructive."
The second annual fair was held at New Hampton, 2d, 3d, and 4th, 1861. The weather was cold and rainy; "consequently the fair was not a very good one, and yet it was not a failure."
It was judged best not to hold a fair in 1862, "for various rea- sons, the greatest of which was the call for volunteers for the union army, which was being so nobly responded to by the 'ranks,' of our industrial classes, that no time could be well given to the holding of a fair."
The third annual fair was held at New Hampton, October 6th and 7th, 1863. "The occasion drew together a large number of our citizens, on the second day, and an interest was manifested beyond what the society had expected. We have no grounds and no debt."
The fourth annual fair was held at New Hampton, under many disadvantages, September 20th and 21st, 1864. Whole number of entries, 278; number of members, eighty; amount of premiums awarded, $110; received for sale of tickets at door of exhibition, $16.45.
The fifth annual fair came off as advertised, September 20th and 21st, 1875. Many causes contributed to decrease the interest, "among which may be mentioned the fact that the society failed to pay all the premiums awarded at the previous year's fair, and this single instance was a great drawback. Whole number of entries, 221; receipts from memberships, $72; receipts at door of hall,, $15.50.
At the close of this fair a meeting of members was held at the school house in New Hampton, and after the election, the follow-
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
ing resolution was offered by Buel Sherman and unanimously adopted:
"Resolved, That we raise one thousand dollars by subscription, for the purpose of purchasing and improving permanent fair grounds for the benefit of the Chickasaw county Agricultural Society, and that each director of the society be authorized to solicit and collect subscriptions for such purpose."
"'On motion it was resolved that the directors solicit subscrip- tions in their respective townships in amounts from five dollars to twenty-five dollars. Any individual paying five dollars to be entitled to a certificate of membership for six years; ten dollars to constitute a membership for thirteen years, and twenty-five dol- lars to constitute a life membership."
At the meeting of the board of directors January, 3d, 1866, a committee of three was appointed to confer with the citizens of New Hampton, and to ascertain the amount they would pay toward grounds for the society, on condition that the grounds be fitted up in good condition by the society, for permanent fair grounds. This committee, which consisted of Buel Sherman, Charles McCullow and Hiram Bailey, was instructed to report the result of their conference at the next meeting of the board.
At the next meeting, held February 6th, 1866, Mr. Sherman reported that no conference had been held, and requested that the committee be discharged, and that a committee consisting of three residents of New Hampton, be appointed in its stead. The request was granted, and Gideon Gardner, Charles McCullow and Harri- son Gurley were appointed as the new committee, and requested to act promptly and report to the secretary at as early a day as practicable.
July 7th, 1866, Charles P. Ridenour and wife of Ulster county, New York, executed a warranty deed of the northeast quarter, northeast quarter of the southeast quarter, section 7-95-12-to the Chickasaw county Agricultural Society.
The sixth annual fair took place September 19th, 20th and 21st, 1866. "It was not a great success, yet it was very far from being a failure." Receipts for yearly memberships, $63; at door of hall, $17.
January 9th, 1867, Elizabeth and M. M. Utley, of Chickasaw
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
county, executed a warranty deed to a certain tract of land, known and described as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 8-95- 12; thence east sixteen rods; thence south forty rods; thence west sixteen rods; thence north forty rods to place of beginning; containing four acres of land, to the Chickasaw county Agricul- tural Society.
September 11th, 1867, Dr. H. M. Mixer, president of the society, published in the New Hampton Courier an address to the farmers of Chickasaw county.
The seventh annual fair occurred September 25th, 26th and 27th, 1867, and was in all respects a success.
The following notice the secretary caused to be published in the New Hampton Courier and the Nashua Post, January 11th, 1868:
"A vote of the board of supervisors at a former session placed $400 to the credit of the Chickasaw county Agricultural Society conditioned upon the raising, by the society, of a like amount. Their success has been commensurate with the zeal with which they have prosecuted the work. They have raised, not $400, but $600, and the board of supervisors have just returned over to us the sum of $400, as per previous resolution. During the coming year this money is to be expended in fencing and improving your fair grounds. The manner in which it shall be expended concerns intimately every member of the society. The board of directors, in view of the interests at stake, have decided upon calling a special meeting of the society, to be held at New Hampton on Friday, January 24th, 1868, at 1 o'clock P. M. It is hoped that every number of the society, and all who desire to become such, will interest themselves in the matter, and be present. By order of the board.
L. J. YOUNG, Secretary."
- At the special meeting in pursuance of the above call, a motion to fence the fair grounds was carried unanimously.
In pursuance of a motion by L. H. Weller, a building committee was appointed consisting of H. M. Mixer, I. H. Minkler and M. Burgit, and the executive committee was instructed to make such improvements, on the fair grounds, as the finances of. the society will warrant, after the completion of the fence.
The total cost of material, fencing, and putting the grounds in condition for the eighth annual fair, was $1,238.65. "Add to this
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
$180 for grounds, and we have a total cost of $1,418.65, the actual cost of the grounds as they are now, September 30th, 1858."
The eighth annual fair was held September 23d, 24th, and 25th, 1868. About 2,000 people were in attendance.
At an adjourned meeting February 10th, 1869, measures were . taken to secure the erection of a hall on the grounds, and the ex- ecutive committee was empowered to borrow funds, not exceeding $100, for this purpose. The premium list for the fair of 1869 was published in pamphlet form, by "Andy Felt, of the Nashua Post," without expense to the society. A floral hall, 16x33 feet, was erected in time for this fair.
The ninth annual fair was held October 6th, 7th and 8th, 1869. "A very good display of animals and articles in almost every class. Buel Sherman took the lead in short-horns or Durhams. E. R. Shankland, of Dubuque, exhibited about forty varieties of apples. The exhibition of his fruit alone was worth thousand of dollars to Chickasaw county, and it is to be hoped that our farmers will take more interest in fruit raising hereafter; for this exhibition plainly shows what can be done in this line."
"Considerable interest is manifested among those having machinery on exhibition, and large crowds gathered around them to witness the trials given the different kinds of machinery."
At a meeting of the society June 14th, 1870, "by a vote, the society opens the doors to the whole world, to compete for the premiums offered; and the citizens of the adjoining counties are especially invited to participate with us."
Premiums were offered for the best and fastest trotters; also to the best base ball club.
The tenth annual fair occurred September 7th, 8th, 9th, and -
10th. Three hundred and eighteen entries were made. D. W. Adams, of Waukon who exhibited sixty-eight varieties of apples, delivered the address, on the subject, "Fruit." The fair was finan- cially a success, the total receipts being $289.80. "The best of feeling prevailed during the whole fair, and every person went home feeling proud, that so good an institution as an agricultural society, was fully and firmly established in Chickasaw county."
At the January meeting, 1871, a former motion was thus modi-
:
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
fied: "that Chickasaw county open her doors to competition to all counties in Iowa, which extend the like courtesy to her."
September 19th, 20th and 21st, 1871, were the days on which the eleventh annual fair was held. Over 400 entries were made. The exhibition of stock was good, showing improvements over former years.
The twelfth annual fair, held September 17th, 18th and 19th, 1872, "was considered a success." There were more than 400 en- tries, and the exhibits in all departments was good.
In June, 1883, the fee for life memberships was reduced to ten dollars each.
The thirteen annual fair was held September 10th, 11th and 12th, 1873, and was in every way successful.
By a constitutional amendment, at the January meeting, 1874, the time for holding the annual fair was fixed upon the last Wed- nesday, Thursday and Friday in September of each year. Other amendments were also made.
Stormy weather interfered greatly with the success of the four- teenth annual fair, held September 23d and 24th, 1874, there being no fair on the last day.
The record book of the society contains no account of any of the annual fairs since that of 1874, but it is apparent, from the minutes of the meetings, that fairs have been held regularly each year, with varying success, but in the main satisfactorily, showing continued improvement in stock raising and in all departments of husbandry. The fair of 1882 was in every respect highly success- ful, and in addition to the other attractions, was characterized by a grand soldiers' reunion, which took place on the last day. Gov. Buren R. Sherman delivered the address to the soldiers, and Rev. C. A. Marshall the annual address. At the March meeting of the society, 1881, it was announced that the time for which the Chick- asaw county Agricultural Society was incorporated, had expired, by reason of limitation, whereupon articles of re-incorporation were immediately proposed and adopted, providing for a continu- ance of the society for a period of ninety-nine years. At the fol- lowing December meeting "the society as re-incorporated adopt and be governed by the rules and regulations as laid down for the government of the former association of this society."
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
The officers of the society from year to year, have been as fol- lows:
1860.
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Hiram Bailey, president; J. A. Rice, vice-president; M. B. Taylor, secretary; E. W. Davis, treasurer. One director for each township has also been elected each year.
1861.
Hiram Bailey, president; A. H. Strong, vice-president; M. B. Taylor, secretary; E. W. Davis, treasurer.
1862.
Hiram Bailey, president; J. E. Shepard, vice-president; H. Gurley, secretary, A. D. Kinne, treasurer.
1863.
Same as in former year, with the substitution of E. W. Davis instead of Kinne as treasurer.
1864.
Buel Sherman, president; C. D. Johnson, vice-president; B. E. Morton, secretary; J. H. Powers, treasurer.
1865.
R. B. Schoonover, president; George McCaughey, vice-presi- dent; L. J. Young, secretary; Charles McCullow, treasurer.
1866.
Same as in former year.
1867.
Dr. H. M. Mixer, president; E. W. Davis, vice-president; L. J. Young, secretary; Charles McCullow, treasurer.
1868.
H. M. Mixer, president; Hiram Bailey, vice-president; secretary and treasurer as before.
1869.
Same as in 1868.
1870.
Buel Sherman, president; J. U. Mixer, vice-president; secretary and treasurer as before.
1871.
J. U. Mixer, president; Buel Sherman, vice-president; secretary and treasurer as before.
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242
HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
1872.
George McCaughey, president; J. U. Mixer, vice-president; sec- retary and treasurer as before.
1873.
O. O. Poppleton, president; George McCaughey vice-president; secretary and treasurer as before.
1874.
J. F. McCallum, president; Dr. W. S. Pitts, vice-president; sec- 1875.
retary and treasurer as before.
1875.
F. D. Bosworth, president; Cornelius Carr, vice-president; J. C. Johnson, secretary; John McLaren, treasurer. 1876. .
H. M. Mixer, president; William Tucker, vice-president; J. C. Johnson, secretary; W. E. Beach, treasurer.
1877.
H. M. Mixer, president; J. F. Babcock, vice-president; J. C. Johnson, secretary; W. E. Beach, treasurer.
1878.
Same as in 1877.
1879.
Same as before.
1880.
J. F. Babcock, president; John Dayton, vice-president; G. A. Hamilton, secretary; H. Gurley, treasurer.
1881.
J. Kenyon, president; H. M. Mixer, vice-president; G. A. Hamil- ton, secretarv; H. Gurley, treasurer.
1882.
Same as in 1881.
1883.
F. Markle, president; M. J. Peck, vice-president; S. J. Kenyon, secretary: J. A. Ryon, treasurer.
The following is a list of the life members of the society:
Arnold, Geo. B. Mixer, H. M.
Burgit, M. Bosworth, F. D.
Moloney, M. Mixer, J. U.
Babcock, James F. McLaren, John
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
Benedict, J. H. Bailey, Hiram Bigelow, A. E. Bailey, H. H. Babcock, A. W.
Cady, Walter . Clough, Cornelius Churchill, L. M. Carr, Cornelius
McMullen, F. A. McHugh. John
Mullen, Chris.
Minkler, I. H.
Mabie, Charles
Morsch, F.
Mapes, C. R.
Nicholas, P.
Olmstead, E. N.
Dixon, G. L. Dane, Frank
Pierce, R. P.
Davidson, John Dana, O.
Pepper, Dan.
Dixon, John
Peck, M. J.
Davison, L. B.
Paulson, J. A.
Dayton, John
Piehn, Fred.
Edington, P. A.
Poppleton, O. O.
Edwards, W. R.
Row, Samuel
Fitch, H. L.
Reich, John
Stafford, W. D.
Simmons, J. J.
Sheldon, R. O.
Shaver, Hiram
Gardner, I. K.
Snyder, J. W.
Gillette, M. N.
Siminick, Fred.
Green, John A. Gardner, Gideon Gurney, J. H. Hurd, W. E.
Schulte, T. H. Sherman, Buel Silsbee, N. S.
Herrick, J. D.
Hockspier, J.
Iverson, Thomas Jack, David Johnson, J. C. Jackson, D. A. Judge, Myron
Smith, L. M. Sherman, O. B. Swennumson, S. Scheutz, John
Sewell, Joseph Stapher, C. H.
Cottrell, J. D. Colt, Wm. I. Carleton, J. R:
Martin, Seth McCaughey, Geo. Mitchell, J. W. Markle, Fred.
Stebbins, J. B. Sewell, Edson
Foley, John Fitch, E. S. Gurley, H. Gilliland, J. M.
Powers, J. H.
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HISTORY OF CHICKASAW COUNTY.
Kepler, Hugh Kress, John
Shortley, Robert
Sheffield, E. P.
Kreiger, John
Tucker, Wm.
Kenyon, J. R.
Tisdale, G. J.
Kenyon, S. J.
Utley, M. M.
Knight, A.
Wight, A. H.
Linderman, W. H.
Warner, C. J.
Larson, Andrew
Watts, Isaac
Lilge, Charles
Warriner, C.
Lynch, J. M.
Wheeler, C. A.
Mapes, H. W.
Young, James
Meyer, John
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