USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 61
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Allow me to congratulate you and all our citizens for the parts taken and the manner each has fulfilled his mission in the culmination of the most successful fair ever held in this part of the country. * * M. KINGMAN, Assistant Secretary.
The Treasurer read his report, which is as follows :
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the President and Directors of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association:
GENTLEMEN-Below find a statement of the receipts and disbursements from September, 1874, to March 1, 1875:
RECEIPTS.
Amount received from the Dubuque County Agricultural Society $ 256 17
Amount received from subscriptions paid. 9,334 20
Amount received from booths, restaurants and other privileges. 2,128 00
Amount received from entry fees and stall rents. 1,836 70
Amount received from sale of tickets at gate and amphitheater. 9,863 60
Amount received from bills receivable. 3,757 46
Amount received from State appropriation. 200 00
Total
$27,376 13
DISBURSEMENTS.
Amount paid on premiums and purses .. $7,762 00
Amount paid for erection of amphitheater. 4,085 26
Amount paid for art hall. 3,798 45
Amount paid for other buildings, sheds and labor ..
7,489 86
Amount paid for expenses incident to conducting fair in 1874. 3,022 92
Balance on hand (cash, $742.64; notes, $475)
1,217 64
Total Your obedient servant, V. J. WILLIAMS, Treasurer. $27,376 13
At this meeting, it was intimated that Messrs. Stout & Peabody, who owned the fair grounds subject to the lease, intended erecting a hotel on the grounds,
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
and that the Fair Association would be required to take this at cost, together with all other improvements the lessors saw fit to make, and, if they wished to have the grounds without these costly improvements, the Association must decide soon and prepare for paying for the same. While many believed that the lease would not bear any such construction as that claimed, still they wished to avoid anything like a conflict with the owners of the ground, and, no one wish- ing to see a hotel erected, they thought they might as well settle the matter by purchasing the grounds at once and thereby secure the benefits of all the improvements the Association had made, which would otherwise revert to the owners of the ground at the termination of the lease, to wit, September, 1876, only one year and a half thence.
The Chairman called upon gentlemen to express their views on the subject of purchasing the grounds.
V. J. Williams stated that the old Directors had given time, attention and money, all they were able, and now they were ready and willing to aid in purchas- ing the grounds, as they had confidence in future results, but he wished the people to become generally interested; that is better than for a few men to own it. Some improvements are needed, and, if all will take hold of it-own a share each-all that is necessary can be accomplished and the Association made a success. He was willing to contribute his share. The grounds ought to be bought now, as, unless they are, Messrs. Stout & Peabody will erect a hotel on them, which the Association does not need.
Mr. Peabody was willing to take stock and work for the interest of the Association.
George B. Burch said he had put money in this Association and had enough confidence in its success to put more.
Messrs. Cooper, Wormood and Woodworth said they were in the same fix as Mr. Burch.
Charley Dean said his mite was ready.
Tom Connolly said he was ready to contribute all he could possibly afford toward purchasing the grounds.
George Wilde said the results of last year's operations showed that a little effort on the part of each would secure the purchase. He was willing to be one of twenty to purchase the grounds. (Applause.)
Judge D. S. Wilson said he was not one of the solid men, but agreed with others in estimating the fair and its great benefits to Dubuque. He knew the people in the adjoining counties expressed the highest opinion of the last fair and hoped for its continuance. He was willing to do his share.
After lengthy remarks by Col. Thomas and S. M. Langworthy, who were quite enthusiastic in favor of prompt action to secure the grounds, Mr. Robison, from the chair, stated that at the time the grounds were bought, Messrs. Stout and Peabody were appointed a committee to ascertain on what terms the grounds could be had. They purchased the grounds, as that was the only way they could be had, and so reported. They have about $16,000 locked up in these grounds and wish to get interest on it. If the pur- chase is not made soon, they will erect a hotel on them that will cost from $6,000 to $7,000, which amount will have to be paid in addition to what the grounds can now be bought for, and the question must be decided within a few days.
Mr. Langworthy suggested that if the Association had a lease of the grounds, the owners could not, legally, erect a hotel on them.
.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
The Chairman said the Association only leased the grounds for fair purposes in September of each year, and the owners have a right to make any improve- ments they see fit. The lease expires in September, 1876. The Chairman asked if subscriptions should be called for at once.
V. J. Williams suggested that parties outside be allowed to subscribe.
William Coates suggested that another meeting be called.
Mr. Clarke moved that the meeting be canvassed for subscriptions. Adopted. Mr. Coates asked what the terms were on which the grounds were offered for sale, and what the prospect of realizing the amount.
Mr. Robison explained the terms of sale. He also stated that about $7,000 was realized from the last fair; that there was thirty acres of ground on the hill that could be sold ; that the additional improvements necessary, interest, and cost of running the next fair will amount to about $15,000.
James Cushing wished to know the financial standing of the Association. The Secretary read from the Treasurer's report in reply.
The Chairman also stated that the old Directors had, from their own pockets, paid all the indebtedness of the last fair, including the premiums, which he considered as a loan to the Association.
After considerable discussion, it was decided to canvass the meeting for subscriptions for stock, and, also, that the new Directors to be elected should give the citizens not present a chance to contribute.
The Chairman called for subscriptions, and twelve men and firms subscribed $2,000 or forty shares.
The election of Directors then occurred, resulting as follows: D. N. Cooley, A. A. Cooper, George B. Burch, Peter Kiene, Jr., Thomas Connolly, M. S. Robison, W. H. Peabody, Charles B. Dean, W. W. Wormood, W. R. Clarke, W. W. Woodworth, H. C. Darrah, A. H. Peaslee, George Wilde, H. Wheeler, J. R. Waller, H. S. Hetherington, M. M. Walker, Louis Heeb, C. S. Burt, J. B. Moreland, Patrick Clark, L. M. Okey and John T. Stoneman.
The new Board promptly organized by the election of the following officers: President, D. N. Cooley ; Vice President, A. A. Cooper; Secretary, N. C. Rider; Treasurer, V. J. Williams. The Superintendents of Departments, Standing Committees and Marshals were also appointed at the same time.
At the following meeting, the newly elected Secretary, Mr. Ryder, sent in his declination of the office, and Mr. M. S. Robison was elected to fill the vacancy.
At a regular meeting, held March 30, 1875, a committee of eight was appointed to canvass the city for stock subscriptions, and the following names comprised the committee : Messrs. Burch, Williams, Wilde, Waller, Cooper, Hetherington, Ryder and Robison. This committee went to work vigorously, and in a very few days the amount required to make the purchase and the nec- essary improvements of the grounds was secured.
On April 10, Messrs. Burch, Williams and Robison were appointed a committee to settle and arrange with Messrs. Stout & Peabody for purchase of the grounds, to fix terms of payment, etc., and at the next meeting, held April 27, the committee reported the purchase effected, and terms satisfac- tory.
On May 22, the committee reported further that they found the grounds and improvements would cost the Association $17,296.43. The report was adopted, and it was ordered that an order be drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Messrs. Stout & Peabody, for $9,296.43, and that two notes of $4,000 each,
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
one due February 1, 1876, and one due July 1, 1876, be given, payable to Messrs. Stout & Peabody, for the balance of the purchase money. Thus the purchase was completed, and the Association owned their property, subject to the $8,000 incumbrance, which was amply provided for by the amount of sub- scription notes held by the Association. It was further ordered that the parties furnishing funds to close up the business of the previous year, be re-imbursed, with interest, and orders be drawn for the several amounts.
On June 8, the expediency of erecting a power hall, in which to exhibit machinery in motion, was discussed, and Messrs. Burch, Cooper and Dean were appointed a committee to secure plans and estimates, to be reported at a future meeting; also the street-railway extension to the fair grounds was agitated, and Messrs. Peabody, Walker and Peaslee appointed a committee to work up that project, and at the next subsequent meeting, held July 6, the com- mittee was clothed with full power to push the horse-railway project to comple- tion.
At the same meeting, the committee on power hall reported, and it was voted to build power hall, at a cost not to exceed $2,500. The committee was discharged and the Secretary instructed to advertise for bids. Suffice it to say, that both the power hall and the street railway were completed in time for the September meeting.
For this fall meeting very extensive preparations were made, embracing lib- eral premiums on all exhibits of farm products, stock of all kinds, with a pro- gramme for speed such as was seldom seen west of the Mississippi, north of St. Louis. While no expense was spared in the matter of advertising and the scat- tering of posters throughout the Northwest, these, together with the fine grounds and ample accommodations the Association was known to possess, altogether drew an unusual number of exhibitors, a very fine field of fast horses and an immense crowd of visitors. In fact, everything that money, labor and brains could accomplish was done, and the fair opened splendidly in all respects, and progressed very satisfactorily during Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and until noon Thursday, when the business houses generally closed and the manufac- tories suspended operations to allow the employes to attend the exhibition. When the large excursions from all directions were arriving at about noon, Thursday, Sept. 10, it commenced raining, gently at first, but steadily increasing until the rain came down in torrents, flooding the grounds and causing the crowd to seek shelter in the various halls, offices, and especially in the spacious amphitheater, which thoroughly protected the occupants, there being but very little wind, notwithstanding the heavy rainfall and vivid light- ning.
The principal event of the afternoon was the famous trot in the thunder- storm, the like of which never occurred before and probably never will again. There were fourteen entries in the three-minute race, thirteen of which responded as starters, and among the lot that prince of ringers, Lothair, navigated by that unmitigated fraud, Bill McGuiggan, the performances of which -horse and man-here and elsewhere are of national, and, as far as the man is concerned, of unenviable notoriety. To return to the storm, the trot and the fair in general, the whole presented one of the strangest scenes ever witnessed ; the events of that afternoon are about incredible, and only those who actually saw and shared in them could at all appreciate the situation.
The crowd, having gotten inside the inclosure and being generally well pro- tected from the rain, were at first not disposed to escape, and were enjoying the
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
sport, the horses and drivers apparently being the only ones suffering, and they were unanimously for going ahead and trotting it out, and trot it out they did.
Between 4 and 5 P. M., the sport was brought to a close by Mckellar, alias McGuiggan, letting Lothair, alias Small Hopes, loose and distancing the field, which was worse than rain, thunder and lightning all combined, to the other twelve fellows in the race. This episode actually diverted the attention of the crowd from the storm raging to the deep mutterings and louder explo- sions such as are only heard among that class of persons interested in such sport, and a very minute and exact report of which would not look well in print.
When the time arrived to disperse and collect friends preparatory to leav- ing, it was found impossible to get back and forth from the amphitheater or from the art or power halls to the gate, there being a swift-flowing current of water over a foot deep flowing around the old Alf. Richmond track, cutting off all approach to the gates except by fording this stream. The country lads and lasses were bound to make for home by wagon or train, and many of them plunged in, few of whom got safely over without stumbling headlong in the stream. Outside the gate until near sundown, the roads were all under water and sidewalks floating away, while the street railway was so washed and the culverts so damaged that no cars were run that evening, and persons had to get home or to the trains as best they could.
Such was the nature of the grounds where the horses and other stock were sheltered, that they did not materially suffer from the flood, while the admira- bly constructed halls and other buildings sheltered most of the visitors. Sur- prising as it may seem, there was no excitement, no panic, no accident, and no one got angry or seemed out of humor. On the other hand, there were so many ludicrous scenes and incidents that most of the crowd were actually happy.
An excellent sketch of the scene was made by Dubuque's home artist, Mr. Alexander Simplot, and published in the Day's Doings, of New York, which number had an extensive circulation in the Northwest, and was an excellent advertisement for the Association. Were it not for extending this paper to an unreasonable length, it would be interesting to state the style of the driver of Lothair and his debut at Dubuque. How he inquired for the "clark of the fair," and, when he found the "clark," saying that he had a green horse that he would like to show, provided he could "git a chance in;" and wanting to know what it cost for a chance, and whether he, the "clark," would not trust him till after he could see if he couldn't win something; in this way putting on the Hoosier style and pretending to be green and having a green horse, and entering the 3:20, 3:00 and 2:50 classes ; and then trotting in the thunder- storm, in mud and water, away down in the "thirties," and distancing the field, then lighting out in the night for further conquests, which he made at Kansas City and Omaha within a few days thereafter.
After this experience, almost any other association would at least have suspended operations for the season, but not so with Dubuque. It was found that the rain had actually improved the track, and Friday's races were called and trotted, and the whole programme was fully carried out. All premiums and purses were paid in full, and exhibitors were well satisfied, the horse- men also, with the exception before stated.
By reference to the Annual Report of the Secretary at the meeting in December, that the sum of $34,187.13 was received during the year, which, of
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
course, included the amount actually collected on subscription or stock notes ($16,776.44), of which $9,890 was received at the main gate and amphitheater, and the remainder from the other sources of revenue during the fair.
The foregoing closes the eventful year of 1875.
The annual election resulted in returning the old Directors, mainly, and the first meeting of the new Board elected the old officers, and voted to hold the next fair commencing the first Monday in September, 1876. The ques- tion of protecting the grounds from overflow, such as occurred at the last Sep- tember fair, was the most important matter the Association had to consider, and was of vital importance. Those owning property southeast of the fair grounds were opposed to running the water in that direction, and claimed that it should run through the fair grounds and into Faulhapper's Lake. While this matter was under consideration, the memorable flood of July 4 and 5 occurred, which so damaged the horse-barns that it was found necessary to rebuild them entire. With the aid of the city and county, a sewer was constructed through the grounds to the lake, at a cost of over $2,000, which gives ample protection against overflow.
The Association, this season (1876), erected 100 barns for speed horses, large and substantial, and, probably, the best west of the Mississippi, north of St. Louis. The Association also built 100 other barns, with shingle roofs, for class or farm horses.
The Association suffered a severe loss in the death of George Wilde, Esq., a Director and one of its ablest and warmest supporters, which event occurred in August, 1876.
This being "centennial year," extra efforts were put forth to make the fair one of more than ordinary importance, and very liberal premiums and purses were offered in all classes and all departments, and, with the extensive improvements in accommodations, it was hoped that the fair would be a success. Again were the expectations doomed to disappointment, on account of unfavorable weather, for, while there was no flood, there was rain almost every day during fair week, and the result of the year's work was that the Association had increased its indebtedness considerably over what it was previously, which resulted from three main causes, namely : First, the construction of the new barns, which was absolutely unavoidable; secondly, the unwise purchase of twenty acres of land on the northwest of the grounds, at a cost of $300 per acre, which was fully double its value; thirdly, the unfavorable weather fair week. These three causes, occurring in 1876, account for the present indebtedness of the Association.
At the annual meeting in December, 1876, there was no important change in the directory, and the Board, at its meeting for the election of officers for the ensuing year, chose the following; President, A. A. Cooper; Vice Presi- dent, H. L. Stout; Secretary, M. S. Robison ; Treasurer, V. J. Williams. Mr. Cooper declining to serve, H. L. Stout was elected in his stead.
The Association gave two meetings as usual, in June and September, but made no money, and thus failed to reduce the indebtedness, although the weather was all that could be desired. The show of horses, cattle, hogs, poultry, and farm products generally, was fair; but there seemed to be a lack of interest on the part of the people in the city as well as the country, which told very decidedly on the gate receipts.
There was nothing of special note occurred during the year.
1878 .- There was again no important change in the management at the annual meeting in December. The Board, at its first meeting, elected the
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
following for the year : President, H. L. Stout; Vice President, Geo. B. Burch ; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington ; Treasurer, V. J. Williams.
The Board thus organized made the usual appointments of committees and Superintendents, and the next important move was the joining of the Great Western Circuit, which embraced Minneapolis, Kansas City, Quincy and Dubuque. The principal object of this combination was to secure the patron- age of a class of horsemen that had never attended meetings west of the Mis- sissippi.
Col. King, of Minneapolis, and D. L. Hall, of Kansas City, were the prime movers in this enterprise, and these gentlemen came to Dubuque and laid their plans before the Board, and it was thought advisable to go into the arrangement and bear our proportion of the expense, which, it was evident from the start, would be heavy, as it was proposed to secure Rarus, Great Eastern, Lula and other horses of national reputation, and that something more than the ordinary purses would have to be offered in order to secure them.
It was further proposed that free transportation be provided from Chicago throughout the circuit to all horses entered through the circuit. Advertising was done without stint, and the Secretaries and Managers traveled from the Mississippi to Hartford, Conn., following the horses and horsemen through the Great Eastern Circuit, from Cleveland to Hartford, and succeeded in turning them westward, and by this means the best fields of horses and the most noted horsemen in the land were secured for these meetings.
There was an incredulous spirit, however, prevailing in this region, many not believing that such horses as Rarus, Lula, Great Eastern, Little Fred, Bonesetter and other noted ones were coming to Dubuque, and stayed away, fear- ing disappointment.
However, they came in large crowds, and, with the exception of the per- formance of Rarus, they were well satisfied. All the horses that were adver- tised were here, and some of the contests were the most spirited ever witnessed in the United States. Especially grand was the stallion race, in which four better horses never started in one race, namely, Indianapolis, Scott's Thomas, Bonesetter and Woodford Mambrino.
In this race, seven heats were trotted, and all for blood, Woodford Mam- brino winning the race, taking the last three heats.
The fair was so eclipsed by the attractions of the speed-ring that compar- atively few took the trouble to look at the excellent cattle, farm horses, hogs, sheep, implements, machinery and the best collection of original oil and water- color paintings ever exhibited at any fair in the Northwest.
It should have been stated before that there was a June meeting, with a fine field of good horses entered, but the weather was bad and caused a loss of $1,000. This was about made up at the fall meeting, and the year's opera- tions left the Association about where it stood at the beginning of the year, financially.
The lack of interest in regard to the common exhibits at the average fair, as clearly shown at this September Fair, 1878, set the Directors to thinking whether or not the Association could afford to offer and pay from $4,000 to $5,000 annually; for exhibits that did not either interest the masses or draw revenue at the gate, and, after carefully considering the matter, it was decided that in 1879 no money premiums be offered except for speed.
At the annual meeting in December, 1878, the large debt, a, portion of which was then due, had to be provided for. Various expedients were
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
proposed looking to the extinguishment of the debt, while an influential minority favored selling out the property for the amount of indebtedness upon it, and it seemed for some weeks as if that would be the final termination of the matter. After several meetings of the stockholders and friends of the institution, it was decided to make another appeal to the friends of the Association, and ask them to subscribe to a loan . of $3,000, secured by a second mortgage on the property. Notes bearing 10 per cent interest, in different denominations, from $20 to $80, were prepared, running for three years, and these were readily taken by citizens. The amount thus raised and the $10,000 loan of Mau- rice Brown, running five years, comprises the whole indebtedness of the insti- tution.
At the annual meeting of stockholders last referred to, there was no change 'in the directory worthy of note. The officers elected by the Board for the year were as follows: President, George B. Burch; Vice President, A. A. Cooper ; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington ; Treasurer, V. J. Williams.
As before stated, the policy of giving no money premiums was adopted. A catalogue providing for diplomas for the best exhibits was prepared and published, and as good an exhibition as the society had any right to expect was had.
The horse department was fair throughout, and in some of the classes the horses entered were superior, and some excellent contests were exhibited, but a repetition of September rainy weather came, which struck the "show" just in time to spoil the " big day," when everybody was prepared to attend the fair, the stores and manufactories nearly all having closed for that purpose, and the city was thronged with visitors from abroad.
Without further dwelling on the weather, let it suffice that, with economy, the Association was spared any increased indebtedness, which was a surprise to almost every one, after Thursday's failure.
The annual meeting of stockholders December, 1879, amended the arti- cles of incorporation, reducing the directory to nine instead of twenty-four members, the reduction to be gradual, that is, instead of electing eight they elected but three, and no vacancy caused by death, resignation or from any other cause shall be filled until the whole number comprising the Board shall be reduced to below nine.
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