USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 60
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1
CHAPTER XVIII.
1
AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Hardin county comprises 576 square miles, or a total of 367,640 acres of land, but a small portion of which is unfit for cultivation.
The first ground broke was by Green- barry Hazzin, in what is now Union town- ship, in the fall of 1849. In the spring of 1850, Samuel Smith, Sr., Samuel Smith, Jr., Alexander Smith, T. N. Hauser, and Jacob Miller each broke a small quantity of land and planted some corn and vegetables. It has, therefore, been a little less than a third of a century since the first crop was raised in the county. Many are the changes that have since been made. A whole county then in a wild state; to-day nearly every acre of tillable land under a high state of cultivation. The unimproved land that now exists in the county is held by specu- lators, who are holding it for a rise in its market value.
Hardin county is now regarded as one of the best agricultural counties in the State, its soil being suitable for the culti- vation of all the different cereals raised in the northwest, while in fruit, every year shows an increase over the previous one. No estimate has been made on statistics gathered, of the number of acres of land under cultivation, and the amount produced, since 1875. This gave the amount raised in 1874. In that year there were 128,831 acres of improved land, of which 38,454 acres were in spring wheat, yielding 497,- 251 bushels; corn, 41,304 acres, yielding 1,379,960 bushels; rye, 147 acres, yielding 2,445 bushels; oats, 10,982 acres, yielding 356,945 bushels; barley, 1,785 acres, yield- ing 29,646 bushels; buckwheat, 104 acres, yielding 1,689 bushels; flax, 414 acres, yielding 3,069 bushels; sorghum, 204 acres, yielding 19,774 gallons of syrup There
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489
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
were 1789 acres of blue grass for pasture; 5,216 acres of tame grass; 135 acres of hungarian grass. There were 5,078 tons of tame hay, and 20,766 tons of prairie hay. Of potatoes there were 976 acres, yielding 75,410 bushels. Of onions, turnips, beets, peas and beans there were 8,683 bushels. There were 18,106 acres of natural timber and 961 acres of planted timber. There were of bearing apple trees, 13,115; pears, 26; plums, 2,391; cherries, 2,513; number fruit trees not bearing, 68,728. There has been a large increase over the foregoing amounts since 1874. Since that time some four or five townships have been settled, and thousands of acres of improved land have added to the sum total.
The table of statistics (pp. 490-3) will be of interest as showing the resources of the county at the present time, and will be of interest in the future as showing improve- ments that will doubtless yet be made.
HARDIN COUNTY AGRICULURAL SOCIETY.
George Mossman, one of the early set- tlers of Pleasant township, was a firm be- liever in agricultural societies, and that the influence exerted by such societies would be highly beneficial. Believing this, in 1856, he several times endeavored to secure a meeting at Eldora, or some central point, for the purpose of effecting an organiza- tion. Finally, he drew up a paper, read- ing somewhat as follows:
."We, the undersigned, citizens of Har- din county, hereby agree that, unless pre- vented by sickness, storm or some other unforeseen calamity, we will meet at the court house in Eldora, on the -- day of January (date not remembered), for the
purpose of organizing a county agricul- tural society."
This paper was signed by quite a num- ber of the leading citizens of the county, and had the desired effect, for on the day specified in the call some two or three hundred met at the court house and organ- ized the meeting by electing A. M. Mul- ford, of Providence township, President.
After full and free discussion, an organ- ization was effected by electing George Mossman, President, and J. F. Simonds, Secretary. Mr. Mossman endeavored to decline the proffered honor, but the meet- ing, believing that he had done so much towards the organization of the society, insisted on his acceptance.
The first fair was held at Eldora, in the court house, and was a very slim affair, in comparison with those now held. L. W. Southard had the only apples on exhibition, and, of course, took the premium.
No farther exhibitions were held until 1865, when fairs were held at Steamboat Rock in 1865, 1866 and 1867.
THE REORGANIZED SOCIETY.
For several years no fair had been held. A few of the leading citizens of the county then determined to reorganize, and to that end a meeting was called, which convened at Eldora, March 22, 1872, and elected the following officers:
President-William J. Moir, Eldora.
Vice-President-T. I. McChesney, Ellis.
Secretary-Samuel W. Pyle, Hardin.
Treasurer-Samuel R. Edgington, Eldora. Directors-
Perry Hughes, Jackson Township. Job Stout, Pleasant Township. Gordon Spencer, Eldora Township. George McMillan, Ellis Township. J. F. Simonds, Hardin Township.
490
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1882.
TOWNSHIPS.
EXEMPT.
Number acres.
Average value.
Assessed value.
Assessed value.
Equalized value.
Etna
21,548
$6 88
$148,386
$1,843
$4,750
Hardin
31,470
6 50
204,491
1,446
7,425
Alden
33,614
5 05
169,958
3,899
Buckeye
22,627
5 31
120,334
3,775
Ellis
22,322
5 13
114, 441
4,274
Jackson
22,059
6 07
134,023
724
5,000
Cla
22,686
5 28
129,775
37
800
Eldora
19, 533
7 54
147,370
715
4,275
Pleasant
21,171
6 57
139,274
7,642
$6,322
1,525
Tipton
22,191
6 12
135, 975
12,093
3,650
Sherman
22,882
4 20
95,214
939
4,562
Concord
22,805
10 58
240,302
9,426
Grant.
22,375
5 00
113, 072
3,275
Providence
21,789
6 61
143, 837
3,145
8,282
Union
22,205
6 48
143,981
.8,897
INCORPORATE TOWNS.
Ackley
80
9 55
764
79,674
79,674
Iowa Falls
1,135
10 84
12,306
73,231
80, 554
Alden
202
22 18
4,583
32, 828
32,828
25
Steamboat Rock
106
43 66
4,628
19,285
21,213
Eldora
2,111
13 87
29,283
107,606
96,845
Union
27,807
31,978
354,911
$6 41
$379,253
$2,231,997
$377,912
$64,943
1
LANDS.
LOTS.
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
491
Abstract of Assessments-Continued.
CATTLE.
HORSES.
TOWNSHIPS.
Number.
Average value.
Assessed value.
Equalized value.
Num- ber.
Average value.
Assessed value.
Equalized value.
Etna
1,186
$8 58
$10,178
$10,687
505
$28 54
$14,415
$14,415
Hardin
2,327
8 15
18,980
20,878
634
26 90
17,055
17,055
Alden
1,564
8 88
13, 894
13, 894
411
26 00
10,680
11,214
Buckeye
1,184
9 10
10,764
10,764
249
31 94
7,944
7,150
Ellis
1,284
7 90
10,142
11,663
417
22 90
9,615
11, 538
Jackson
1,484
8 22
12,198
13, 418
395
27 14
10,720
10,720
Clay
1,268
9 00
11,439
11, 439
424
22 20
9,416
11,770
Eldora
1,330
8 78
11,677
11,677
544
27 73
15, 085
15, 839
Pleasant.
1,502
9 27
13,930
13, 930
530
27 50
14,575
14,575
Tipton
1,059
8 30
8,779
9,657
447
23 82
10,650
12, 247
Sherman
621
~ 8 80
5, 522
5, 522
296
25 37
7,482
8,230
Concord
595
9 95
5,925
5,333
318
28 08
8,929
8, 483
Grant.
1,088
8 88
9,669
9,669
374
26 48
9,902
10,397
Providence
2,526
9 12
23,044
23,044
657
30 63
19,370
18,402
Union
1,888
8 50
16,225
17,036
523
32 40
16,965
15,608
INCORPORATE TOWNS.
Ackley
183
10 97
2,008
2,008
187
28 37
5, 305
5,570
Iowa Falls
190
9 08
1,726
2,071
278
25 70
7,147
8,364
Alden
120
10 33
1,240
1,302
82
25 12
2,060
2,410
Steamboat Rock
145
12 17
1,765
1,589
83
23 00
1,910
2,388
Eldora!
289
9 60
2,775
3,122
321
32 20
10,355
10,355
Union
81
8 58
695
869
107
27 52
2,945
3,239
21,914
$8 74
7,782
$27 31
$192,575
$199,572
$212, 525
$219,969
G
492
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Abstract of Assessments-Continued.
MULES.
SHEEP.
TOWNSHIPS.
Num- ber.
Average Assessed value.
Equal'd value.
Num- ber. .
Average Assessed value.
Equal'd value.
Etna
13
$23 46
$305
$412
135
$1 00
$135
Hardin
30
33 33
1,000
1,000
64
1 25
80
Alden.
9
25 55
230
288
1 00
9
Buckeye.
7
17 85
125
219
25
92
23
Ellis
16
21 00
337
505
33
1 00
32
Jackson
14
26 43
370
462
44
1 00
44
Clay
7
31 43
220
220
175
1 00
175
Eldora
16
29 70
475
523
Pleasant
28
38 00
1,065
906
146
1 00
146
Tipton
12
27 50
330
380
38
1 00
38
Sherman
5
33 00
165
165
89
1 00
89
Concord
28
33 25
931
931
13
1 00
13
Grant
40
32 25
1,290
1,290
364
1 00
364
Providence
42
37 50
1,575
1,418
486
88
432
Union
40
30 40
1,215
1,275
113
1 00
113
INCORPORATE TOWNS.
Ackley.
11
35 00
385
347
Iowa Falls
8
27 50
220
253
5
1 00
5
Alden.
4
35 00
140
126
Steamboat Rock
12
32 50
390
390
150
77
115
Eldora
11
36 82
405
365
Union
8
33 12
265
265
361
$31 68
1,889
$0 98.6
$11,438
$11, 740
$1,813
$1,889
value.
value.
15
493
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Abstract of Assessments-Continued.
SWINE.
VEHICLES.
OTHER TAXABLE PROPERTY
TOWNSHIPS.
TOTAL.
Num- ber.
Average value.
Assessed value.
Equal'd value.
Num- ber.
Average value.
Assessed value.
Equal'd value.
Average value.
Etna.
1,321
$1 06
$1,406
121
$12 97
$1,570
$5,930
$33,939
Hardin
1,953
1 95
3,810
143
17 62
2,520
4,913
48,358
Alden
1,138
1 23
1,403
139
14 03
1,950
760
28,926
Buckeye
880
1 21
1,069
17
20 18
343
435
20,703
Ellis
1,239
1 10
1,357
123
13 05
1,605
1,348
24,436
Jackson
1,322
1 00
1,322
97
15 00
1,460
5,372
31,486
Clay
1,391
1 04
1,445
73
15 82
1,155
380
24,230
Eldora
1,662
1 07
1,773
112
15 85
1,775
1,375
32,160
Pleasant
1,581
1 02
1,606
150
15 57
2,336
5,295
38,953
Tipton
1,026
1 00
1,026
168
17 52
2,943
19,507
43,273
Sherman
700
1 00
700
88
13 23
1,170
6,322
21,450
Concord
732
1 14
841
156
12 93
2,018
1,069
19,726
Grant
848
1 16
986
135
15 85
2,130
.930
25,271
Providence
2,825
1 05
3,251
267
16 45
4,403
17,955
70,030
Union
2,593
1 05
2,708
241
17 34
4,180
19,030
60,436
INCORPORATE TOWNS.
Ackley
10
90
9
100
15 83
1,583
29,151
38,441
Iowa Falls.
104
1 29
135
195
16 53
3,223
73,559
86,015
Alden
26
90
24
48
21 45
1,030
22,240
26,734
Steambo't Rock
47
90
43
68
17 85
1,215
13, 505
18,943
Eldora
284
1 04
295
223
22 22
4,755
72,615
91,200
Union
41
1 14
48
70
22 00
1,540
18, 535
24,028
21,723
$1 12
2,734
$16 42
$44,904
$44,904
$320,226
$808,738
$6,193
$25,257
$37,154
9
494
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
The following constitution was adopted:
Constitution.
ARTICLE 1. This association shall be known as the Hardin County Agricultural Society.
ART. 2. The officers of this society shall con- sist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and nine directors, who shall constitute a board for the transaction of busi- ness, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum.
ART. 3. Any person may become a member of this society by paying the Treasurer annu- ally the sum of $1; which sum shall entitle said person to a vote at all meetings of the society, and entitles said person to an annual pass to the fair of said society for self and wife.
- ART. 4. The society shall hold an annual fair between the 1st of September and the last of November, at which premiums may be awarded to articles of merit in the various de- partments of agriculture; horticulture, man- ufactories, mechanics and domestic economy,
ART. 5. Competitors for premiums must be members of the society .
ART. 6. All articles offered for premiums must be owned by the persons offering the same, or by members of their families.
ART. 7. A list of the articles for which pre- miums are to be awarded by the society, must be published in a newspaper of the county, or in hand bills at least three months previous to the day of exhibition.
ART. 8. Awarding committees of three per- sons each shall be annually appointed by the directors of the society, for judging the different classes of articles offered in competition, and for awarding premiums for the same, which committees must comply with the by-laws reg- ulating the statements to be furnished in regard to products, culture, etc.
'ART. 9. Competitors for premiums on crops sliall be required to have the ground and its produce accurately measured by at least two
disinterested persons, whose statement shall be properly verified.
ART. 10. Premiums on grain and grass crops shall not be awarded for less than one acre, and on root crops not less than one-fourth of an acre, the produce to be weighed or measured accord- ing to the usual standards.
ART. 11. The President and Secretary shall have power to call special meetings of the Board of Directors of the society when neces- sary; which board, when convened, may pass such by-laws for the regulation of the affairs of the society as may seem desirable.
ART. 12. This constitution may be amended or altered at any annual meeting of the society by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the society present; provided, also, that the consti- tution may be altered or amended by two-thirds of the members voting upon the amendments or alterations after one month's publication of such alterations or amendments.
ART. 13. The annual meeting of this society shall be held at our county seat, on the second Wednesday in December.
A meeting of directors was held June 3, 1872, at Eldora, when arrangements were made for the forthcoming fair.
J. F. Simonds, T. I. McChesney, B. E. Deyo, and G. Spencer were appointed a committee on premium list.
J. F. Simonds and S. W. Pyle were appointed a committee on entries.
The price of admission was placed at 25 cents for adults, and 10 cents for chil- dren under fifteen years of age.
On motion, the following persons were appointed to the various offices:
Superintendent of Fair Grounds-Job Stout and B. E. Deyo.
Chief of Police-Jonathan Edgington.
Superintendent of Gates-T. I. McChesney. Superintendent of Tickets-George McMillen. Chief Marshal-John Slaton.
495
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Superintendents and committees were also appointed for the various departments of the fair
On motion of S. R. Edgington, the fol- lowing resolution was adopted by the Board:
Resolved, That W. J. Moir, Perry Hughes and Job Stout be appointed a committee of the Board of Directors of the Hardin county Agri- cultural Society, to purchase fair grounds for said society, under these instructions: 1. Said committee are to purchase the lot known as the Penn land, if it can be purchased for $20 per acre, and a suitable half mile track can be made on it. 2. The 40 acre lot known as the Web- ster land, if it can be had for $25 per acre, pay- able in three payments. And in consideration of the subscription list of the citizens of Eldora, amounting to $700, being turned over to said society, this board hereby permanently locatc said fair ground in accordance with instructions here given, and said board agree to erect a suita- ble fence, provide a suitable trotting track of one-half mile in length, and keep the same in good repair; and should said society abandon it as a fair ground, or desire to sell the same, then the citizens of Eldora who pay their subscription, shall become joint owners equal to the amount invested. .
On motion, it was decided to hold the fair on the 18th, 19th and 20th of Septem- ber, 1872.
On motion, a premium of $25 was to be awarded to the paper publishing the best report of the fair, reward to be made at annual meeting of the Board.
The fair was held according to appoint- ment and proved a success, financially and otherwise.
At the annual meeting held Tuesday, October 1, 1872, the Treasurer read his report, showing the receipts from the fair to have been $1,957.17; disbursements, $1,9-0.19.
The Board of Directors was increased from nine to thirteen, and the following named officers were elected:
President-William J. Moir, Eldora.
Vicc- President-T. I. McChesney.
Secretary-J. F. Simonds.
Treasurer-S. R. Edgington.
Directors-
Job Stout, Pleasant Township.
Perry Hughes, Jackson Township.
Gardner Spencer, Eldora Township.
George McMillen, Ellis 'Township.
S. F Lathrop, Clay Township. Eleazer Andrews, Providence Township.
George Whitney, Union Township.
A Leiser, Etna Township.
H. Alvord, Buckeye Township.
The Board of Directors held a meeting February 18, 1873, and decided to hold the second annual fair on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of September following, at the fair grounds near Eldora.
On motion, the following resolution was unanimously adopted at this meeting:
Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Society be instructed to have prepared and sell life mem- bership tickets for the-sum of $5, which shall entitle the holder to vote at all meetings of the Society, and to admission of himself and family to all exhibitions of the Society for all time to come, and shall entitle the holder to make all entries by him desired, and shall enable the holder to drive his team inside the fair grounds, but said ticket shall not be transferable; Pro- vided said life membership is purchased on or before the 26th day of August, 1873; and notice of the right to purchase said life membership tickets shall be published in the premium list, with the rules and regulations.
After adopting rules and regulations the following appointments were made:
Superintendent of Grounds-B. E. Deyo. Superintendent of Tickets-T. I. McChesney. Superintendent of Gates-J. L. Patterson.
496
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
The Executive Committee was empow- ered to borrow $500 to fence grounds and erect stalls.
J. F. Simonds resigned the position of Secretary, and at a meeting of the Board, held September 27, 1873, J. M. Scott was appointed to.fill the vacancy.
The fair was held at the time appointed, but the receipts were not sufficient to free the Society from debt.
At a meeting of the Board, held in Sep- tember, the Treasurer was authorized to sell life membership tickets to an amount equal to the debt of the Society.
The third annual meeting was held at Eldora, February 10, 1874. The following named officers were then elected:
President-William J. Moir, Eldora.
Vice-President-James Underwood, Clay.
Secretary-J. M. Scott, Eldora.
Treasurer-s. R. Edgington, Eldora. 1 Directors-
S. F. Lathrop, Clay Township.
Eleazer Andrews, Providence Township.
A. Leiser, Erna Township.
B. F. Bear, Jackson Township.
George McMillen, Ellis Township. George Whitney, Union Township.
J. H. Carleton, Hardin Township. Charles Strothers, Pleasant Township. S. B. Sayer, Grundy county.
The following resolution, offered by Dr. J. E. King, was adopted:
Resolved, That the society appoint a commit- tee whose duty it will be to compile statistics of fruit in Hardin county; varieties that are hardy and fruit well; the result of cultivation, kind of soil, exposure and frontage to the sun, etc.
On motion of Mr. Corbett, it was re- solved that said committee be requested to report upon the growth and best varieties of forest trees.
The President appointed as said com- mittee, J. E. King, Levi Hampton, J. Mc- Carthy, George Whitney, B. F. Reed, and C. F. Clarkson.
The Board of Directors held a meeting March 4, 1874, and selected September 22, 23 and 24 as the days for holding the third annual fair.
The following committees were then appointed:
Superintendent of Grounds-W. J. Moir. Superintendent of Gates-J. Q. Patterson. Chief Marshal-James Underwood.
Superintendent of Tickets-J. M. Scott.
In June, 1874, several of the buildings were destroyed by a tornado that passed over this section of the county. This necessitated a called meeting of the Board to take action in reference to rebuilding.
The fourth annual meeting was held February 9, 1875, at Eldora. The Treas- urer made his report, showing receipts and disbursements since last annual report. The total receipts were $1,388.76, and dis- bursements $1,397.39. The Society was found to be in debt $23.63, which was voluntarily paid by E. R. Brown and S. F. Lathrop. The following named persons were then elected to the offices named: President-T. I. McChesney, Ellis.
Vice-President-M. Underwood, Eldora. Secretary-J. M. Scott, Eldora.
Treasurer-Deroy Ellsworth. Directors-
Samuel Martin, Eldora.
George Whiting, Union.
S. F. Lathrop, Clay.
R. Link, Jackson.
R. Kennedy, Ellis.
S. Lundy, Providence.
J. H. Carleton, Hardin.
A. Lieser, Etna. F. A. Moore, Grant.
497
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
The fourth annual fair was held in Sep- tember, 1875. The receipts, including a loan from Hardin County Bank of $396, and from State $200, was $1,527.77. Disbursements, $1,518,
The fifth annual meeting was held at the court house in Eldora, February 8, 1876. The indebtedness of the Society at this time was $470.
The following officers were elected:
President-J. Q. Patterson.
Vice-President-Thomas Sheldon.
Secretary-W. W. Moir.
Treasurer -- Deroy Ellsworth.
Directors-
S. F. Lathrop, Clay.
J. Dowd, Jackson.
E. Estabrook, Eldora.
Fred. Boody, Pleasant.
George McMillen, Ellis. William Wildman, Providence.
A. F. Wood, Union.
George Pattee, Etna. Peter S. Gray, Hardin.
At a Director's meeting, held March 10, 1876, the fifth annual fair was set for Sep- tember 27th, 28th and 29th, 1876. The following named officers were then ap- pointed :
Superintendent of Grounds-W. J. Moir.
Superintendent of Gates-N. M. Fouts.
Chief Marshal -- S. R. Edgington.
Superintendent of Tickets-M. E. Wood.
No report of the Treasurer for the fifth annual fair appears upon the record.
The sixth annual meeting was held De- cember 13, 1876, at which time the officers for 1877 were elected:
President-J. Q. Patterson. Vice-President-William Wildman. Secretary-W. W. Moir. Treasurer-Deroy Ellsworth.
Directors- S. F. Lathrop, Clay.
C. W. Strothers, Pleasant. Henry Bliss, Jackson. S. W. Pyle, Hardin. George McMillen, Ellis. Irvin Mills, Grant.
A. Lieser, Etna. George Whitney, Union.
A. M. Mulford, Providence.
The Board of Directors met and selected September 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th as the days on which the sixth annual fair should be held. The following appointments were made:
Chief Marshal-A. E. Webb.
Superintendent of Grounds-W. J. Moir. Superintendent of Tickets-S. F. Lathrop. Superintendent of Gates-N. W. Fouts.
A meeting of citizens, with directors and members of the society, was held March 24, 1877, to take into consideration the purchase of new grounds. This meeting was adjourned till April 4, when several reports were made, but no action taken save to appoint committees to secure sub- scriptions for the different pieces of ground offered
The Board of Directors met April 11, and voted to accept either the Ellsworth or Metcalf land, having the largest sub- scription, which must not be less than $900. Again, on the 20th of April, the Board met. It was resolved at this meeting to purchase the Metcalf land, on certain con- ditions.
On the first of June another meeting of Directors was held. Deroy Ellsworth ten- dered his resignation as Treasurer, which was accepted, and the following resolution passed :
Resolved, That a vote of thanks he tendered Mr. Ellsworth for past services as Treasurer of the Hardin County Agricultural Society.
498
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
A. M. Bowdle was appointed Treasurer to fill the vacancy .
In reference to new grounds, the follow- ing resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That it is the will of the Board of Directors to change the location of the fair ground from its present location to the grounds known as the Metcalf grounds, and that A. M. Bowdle and S. F. Lathrop be a committee to sur- vey the Metcalf land and to transact all the busi- ness necessary to effect the change, under the following instructions: 1. To sell the old fair grounds for at least $20 per acre; then to pay not more than $60 per acre for the Metcalf lands, and to require Mr. Metcalf to take the subscription of $905 as part pay for the new grounds, and to make as good and liberal terms as possible with the said Metcalf for the pay- ment of the balance of the purchase money ; said committee are further instructed to have a sur- vey made of the said Metcalf lands, and to de- termine, before purchasing, what amount of land will be necessary for the use of the society; said committee to make a report of their doings in the premises; and we do hereby authorize the Presi- dent and Secretary to execute and receive all deeds, notes and mortgages, etc., in the name and on behalf of the Society, necessary to effect the sale and purchase.
The President and Secretary were also authorized to execute a lease to the Driv- ing Park Association, for the use of the grounds when not needed by the Society.
Deroy Ellsworth, W. J. Moir and E. K. Brown were appointed a committee to make the necessary improvements on the new grounds, when purchased.
The report of the Treasurer for 1877 is not recorded. The fair was not a success financially .
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held October 17, 1877, A. M. Bowdle was authorized to make such arrangements as
he deemed best in relation to unpaid pre- miums.
On motion, the President and Secretary were empowered to execute to A. M. Bow- dle and D. V. Ellsworth a ground lease for the amphi-theater building; said lease to be for a consideration of $50 per year; the lease to expire when the Society shall pay to them the cost of the building, without interest.
The seventh annual meeting was held in the Clerk's office, in the court house, De- cember 12, 1877. The following named officers were elected:
President -- A. M. Bowdle.
Vice-President-R. Lynk.
Secretary-C. E. Albrook.
Treasurer-J. D. Newcomer.
Directors-
John Rathborn, Clay.
C. W. Strother, Pleasant.
S. W. Pyle, Hardin.
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