USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 34
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The sixth fair was held in September, 1861, and the seventh two or three years later. No reports of these are preserved. The war caused the people to lose interest, for a time, in the society, and it was finally considered dead.
EIGHTH ANNUAL FAIR.
In 1868 interest was revived in the society, and the eighth an- nual fair, begun September, 30, was in every respect a success. Nearly all the departments made a good showing, and the horses and cattle were especially fine in quality and numerous in quantity. The display of hogs and sheep was equally good, and there was an endless variety of unclassifiable articles in the ladies' department and art gallery. The races were interesting, even to a mule race, one mile dash, which was decided by the judges to be a dead heat. On Friday afternoon, after an exhibition of ladies' equestrianism, a portion of the amphitheatre gave way, supposedly on account of the instananeous rising of those there seated. A space of about twenty feet in length and eight or ten in width fell with a crash, precipitating those standing thereon to the ground below, a distance of ten or twelve feet. This accident caused the greatest confusion,
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every one rushing to the scene, anxious for the safety of their friends. After they were extricated from the rubbish, it was found that the injuries of the majority were but slight. Two persons had limbs broken, and several were bruised.
NINTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The fair of 1879 was held the five days beginning September 7, and came up to the expectations of all who considered the unfavor- able season. The spring had been very wet, and as a consequence not a very good exhibit was made [in the departments of farm and garden products. In the cattle and hog departments the display was good. A special feature this year was the baby show, on Thursday. About a dozen and a half were on exhibition. The interest on Friday centered in the trial of ladies' equestrianism, six ladies contending for the two prizes, which were awarded to Mrs. Myrta Dement and Miss Allen, sisters. The usual races came off at the close of each day's exhibition.
TENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
Equally successful was the fair of 1870, held during the five days beginning August 30. The entries in the horse and cattle depart- ments were unusually large, and floral and art halls presented a fine display. Farm and garden products were well represented, the season having been favorable. Friday was the gala day of this fair, the special attraction being a baloon ascension, to witness which 10,000 people assembled at the fair grounds. The aeronaut was a lady, who made a trip of about a half a mile and then de- scended, the whole occupying about ten minutes time. The races this year were unusually exciting, and the side shows and money- making devices were more numerous than ever before.
ELEVENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
A liberal list of premiums, double in value those of 1870, were offered for the fair held September 5-9, 1871, and to meet the in- creased expenditure the price of admission tickets was raised. This resulted in a small attendance, so that the fair was not a financial success. As an exhibition, this year's display was very good. In thoroughbred, matched and carriage horses, and in draft and farm horses, one might not see a finer collection in a life time. There was a falling off in the number of entries in the art gallery and in floral hall.
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RE-ORGANIZATION.
For financial and other reasons the society was re organized July 20, 1872, a new constitution was adopted, and the following officers were elected: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, George Warren; Secretary, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, William M. Dustin; Directors, Sorell Doten, Thomas Wendell, John A. Critchtield, George Noble, William Armstrong, Thomas Edes, G. W. Edgar, W. A. Mills, George D. Boyden, J. S. Randolph and M. Henrichsen.
TWELFTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The first fair of the re-organized association began October 1, and continued five days. The display of graded cattle, and draft and work horses was not large. In floral and art halls the exhibit was far above the average. As a whole, the fair was a success as an exhibition, but a failure financially. The attendance Thursday and Friday was reasonably good, but not up to the expectations of people generally, while scarcely a corporal's guard were witnesses of the show on Saturday. The occasion was a great political meet- ing at Mt. Pulaski, where General Logan spoke to some 15,000 people. For the ensuing year, the association chose as .President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, George Warren; Secretary, C. Murray Knapp; Treasurer, William M. Dustin; Directors, Joseph Bell, R. A. Talbot, George D. Boyden, M. Henrichsen, S. B. Evans, George W. Edgar, Thomas Edes, John A. Critchfield, Uriah Warren, Ed. Martin and Sorell Doten.
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The Logan County fair of 1873 was held during the five days beginning September 9, and although fairs were held the same week in McLean, Tazewell and Menard counties, in spite of unfavorable weather on the best day, there was a goodly attend- ance. The receipts were $3,500, enough to pay all premiums, but leaving the society a little short on miscellaneous expenses. The weather was fine on Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday was hot and dusty; Friday was rainy in the forenoon and threatening in the afternoon, thus spoiling the most profitable day of the week; Sat- urday was clear and cool. The exhibition was by far the best ever held on the grounds up to date. More good cattle were shown than ever before in the county, and the display of horses was very large, there being 269 entries.
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The following officers were elected: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, John Thomas; Secretary, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, W. M. Dustin; Directors, Harry Sisson, Sorell Doten, Walter Lawrence, George Boyden, H. L. Pierce, Thomas Kenyon, Thomas Edes, E. D. Blinn, J. A. Critchfield, Joseph Bell and James Keyes.
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The fair held September 7-11, 1874, was successful financially, as well as otherwise. It was the first time since the grounds were bought that the institution paid expenses. The weather was fine the entire week. The last two days were a little dusty, but not enough to incommode visitors. Thursday was the great day, and the attendance was between 5,000 and 6,000, the gate receipts being $1,570. On the closing day, too, there were not less than 2,500 on the grounds at one time. The total receipts were over $4,000. The horse show was better than for some years previous, and all the live-stock and poultry displays were good. Industrial and fine art halls were hardly up to the average. A saddle and bridle offered as premiums to the best boy riders under fifteen years of age brought out the most spirited contest ever seen, up to this time, on the association's grounds. There were twelve riders of va- rious sizes, mounted on good, bad and indifferent horses, and offer- ing curious contrasts in their manner and in their style of dress. Two or three were conspicuously neat, as if conscious that appear- ances go a long way with committees, while others rode in their shirt sleeves as if they had merely caught up Dobbin to go after the cows. The committee were a long time making their decision and the riding was frequently fast and furious, with imminent danger of collisions. Nelt Green received the first premium, though one of the smallest boys, and Tom Duff the second.
The officers chosen for 1874-'5 were: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, John Thomas; Secretary, A. B. Nicholson; Treas- urer, W. M. Dustin; Directors, Andrew Armstrong, John A. Critchfield, Sorell Doten, H. H. Sisson, George D. Boyden, Frank Gerard, L. L. Hatton, M. H. Beaver, H. L. Pierce, J. W. Wright, and Jacob Gehlbach.
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The week beginning Monday, August 23, 1875, was favored with fine weather, and the fair passed off pleasantly in every re- spect. Thursday, the principal day, there were over 5,000 people
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on the grounds, and the receipts were $2,600. The total receipts were 85,145.60, against 84,100 the previous year. Expenses were lighter than usual, so that the association made money. It closed this fair with a surplus of $570.25. A liberal premium list was offered, too. The best showing was made in horses. A num- ber of additional stalls were erected for these. The total entries in all departments amounted to 1,386. For the next year the follow- ing were elected: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, H. L. Pierce; Secretary, T. W. Kenyon; Treasurer, J. S. Randolph; Di- rectors, John Thomas, E. D. Blinn, J. W. Wright, Andrew Arm- strong, Jacob Gehlbach, M. H. Beaver, Sorell Doten, George D. Boyden, H. H. Sisson, Frank Gerard and John A. Critchfield.
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
The fair occupying the five days, August 21-25, 1876, was the most successful up to date held by the association. Fine weather prevailed throughout, and all the departments were unusually full. The races were unusually attractive, there being on hand a number of trotting and running horses with excellent records. The entries footed up-Horses, 410; trotting and running, 96; equestrian, 11; tournament, 17; fat men's race, 2; jacks and mules, 21; cattle, 101; hogs, 123; sheep, 53; poultry, 232; farm and garden, 68; farm and mechanical, 39; carriages, buggies, etc., 14; unenumerated, 14; manufactures, 31; domestic and factory fabrics, 77; needlework, 353; painting, etc., 132; flowers, birds, etc., 44; dairy products, etc., 37; canned and preserved fruits, 421; bread and cakes, 111; children's department, 345; botany and geology, 6; unenumerated, 31-total, 2,789, a much larger number than in any previous year. On Thursday there were 7,000 people on the grounds at one time. The receipts for the week were not much less than $6,000.
The most novel feature of this fair was a tournament, in imita- tion of those held in medieval times. Of seventeen who entered twelve participated, besides Dr. Maull, of Middletown, who directed. The knights were not masked, but displayed a variety of costumes in which various colored velvets were slashed with crimson or yel- low, and eccentric hats bore plumes of black, purple, yellow, or red. All were well mounted, though, as might have been ex- pected, on horses of widely different sizes and colors. The Doctor marched them by company front, by platoons, in two ranks, in four ranks, etc., for a few minutes and then produced a book and called the roll after the following fashion: Richmond (Vance Cun-
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ningham), Douglass (Jeff Leavitt), Lohengrin (James Keys), Sir Launcelot (Miles Mannon), Malcolm Graeme (Charles Gerard), The Nameless Knight (John W. Keys), The Knight of the Garter (George Warren, Jr.), Red Rose Knight (S. H. Mannon), Richard of the Lion Heart (James Cannon), Leopold (Hugh Binns), The Black Knight (William Theobald), Sir Arthur (E. Groves).
At equal intervals around the exterior of the arena seven posts had been planted, to which were nailed cross beams projecting in- wardly. From the inner end of each beam a wire depended, on the lower end of which was hung a ring about two and a half inches in diameter. The feat to be accomplished was to bear off the rings on the point of a spear while riding at a gallop. Three trials were allowed each knight. When at the command of the Doctor the first stout man-at-arms put his lance in rest and rushed amain at the rings, popular expectation was aroused to a high pitch, and there were cries of " Yah," "Yalı," from the crowd at each success- ful or unsuccessful effort to carry off a ring. The initiatory gallop was rewarded with four rings, which was regarded as quite satis- factory, but the next knight scored three, the one who followed him two, and finally the number dwindled to one. The crowd had been good natured enough hitherto, but now, apparently feeling that there was a limit to human endurance, and that a line must be drawn somewhere, chose to draw it on one ring, and the crestfallen knight went back to his station accompanied by a storm of derisive hoots and cries of " Take him ont." Thus the contest went on with varying success until each knight had had his three tilts, when Sir Launcelot (Miles Mannon), having taken sixteen rings, was ad- judged the victor.
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
In spite of unfavorable weather, the fair of 1877, held August 19-24, more than paid expenses. The total receipts were $5,800. The exhibition was considered good. The tournament feature was repeated this year, though with less preparation, and with but six competitors.
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
From August 26 to the 30th, 1878, was held a fair which was pronounced by many to be the best of the series. Fine weather, judicious advertising and good management contributed to this de- sirable result. The authorities excluded all games of chance, shooting galleries and dance houses, one of the direct results be-
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ing a material decrease in the floating population of thieves and dead beats who gather in their harvest at fairs. The total receipts were about $5,500, which permitted a respectable balance on the favorable side of the ledger. The entries footed up 3,761, exclu- sive of several hundred which were made by merchants and others for display, and for which no premiums were offered. The in- crease was principally in floral hall where the exhibit was much better than any previous year. The entries by classes were: Horses, 419; equestrian, 18; madi-gras, 54; mules, 14; cattle, 80; hogs, 136; sheep, 80; poultry, 116; mechanical, 152; farm and gar- den, 301; ladies' department, 773; fruit trees, flowers, etc., 920; musical instruments, etc., 40; painting, etc., 233; unenumerated, 20; children's department, 415.
NINETEENTH ANNUAL FAIR.
An equal degree of improvement was made by the fair held Angust 25-29, 1879. The same policy of excluding gambling in- stitutions and other objectionable features was maintained. Good weather brought a large attendance. The total entries numbered 4,447, the largest, up to that time, ever recorded by the associa- tion. Entries by classes were: Dairy, saccharine, etc., 518; fruits, trees and flowers, 1, 157; musical instruments, pictures, etc., 278; textile fabrics, 670; children's department, 514; unenumerated, 30; horses, 436; equestrianism, 16; mules, etc., 21; cattle, 119; hogs, 157; sheep, 134; poultry, 227; mechanical arts, 93; mardi-gras, 72; unenumerated, 5. The event of the week, for excitement, was a mule race, there being three entries. The carnival was also an amusing feature. Apparently all the phenomenally poor horses and mules, ramshackle vehicles and old clothes in the county had been gathered up for the occasion. One of the companies was headed by an old woman in a white cap, driving a horse whose every bone stood out as if ready to break the skin drawn so tersely over it. The vehicle was a revolving hogshead marked " tobacco," while aloft was carried a banner bearing the legend "On to Rich- mond; express A. D. 1779." The intention was to show the old Virginian method of marketing the tobacco crop. Two fioats mounted on miserable wagons carried bands, disguised horribly and making discordant noises. One wagon hore a cook-stove with an old woman getting dinner; another carried a calf tricked out in a buffalo robe until hardly recognizable. There were figures on
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stilts, Indians, Chinamen, negroes, etc., a nondescript rabble that greatly amused the crowd.
The expenses this year were very heavy, and the annual report of the secretary showed the society to be $9.92 behind-not a very large debt. It was decided to place the unsold stock on the mar- ket, as only a portion of the $20,000 allowed by the constitution had been taken. The officers elected were: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, Joseph Bell; Secretary, A. B. Nicholson; Assistant Secretary, A. Denny; Treasurer, Simon Rock; Direct- ors, A. Armstrong, E. D. Blinn, J. Wilmot, L. Rosenthal, F. Gerard, M. A. Beaver, M. Spitly, John Thomas, H. H. Sisson, H. L. Pierce and Thomas Wendle.
TWENTIETH FAIR.
A drouth prevailed in the months of July and August, 1880, which caused the farmers to hesitate about bringing out their stock, and hence the fair held August 23-27 was not up to the average.
The attendance was not so good. The receipts were about $4,- 500, and the society was obliged to scale down their premiums for the first time in their history. The officers elected for 1881 were: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-President, Joseph Bell; Secretary; W. H. Derby; Treasurer, H. L. Pierce; Directors, A. Armstrong, J. T. Foster, Elias Buckles and S. Linn Beidler, F. Gerard, A. B. Nicholson, William Wendle, Martin Spitly, M. H. Beaver, John Thomas and H. H. Sisson.
TWENTY-FIRST FAIR.
The fair of 1881, August 22-26, was the most disastrous of any of late years. The drouth and heat up to the last moment, and then untimely rains, affected both the exhibition and the attend- ance, and the receipts were little more than half what they should have been. Premiums were scaled again.
At the annual meeting held January 14 following, the follow- ing officers were chosen: President, Joseph Ream; Vice-Presi- dent, H. L. Pierce; Secretary, T. H. Stokes; Treasurer, A. B. Nicholson; Directors, A. Armstrong, William D. Duff, M. H. Beaver, S. Doten, William Wendle, John Thomas, Henry Ahrens, John Mourer, John A. Critchfield, B. P. Andrews and Lewis Rosenthal.
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TWENTY-SECOND FAIR.
The next fair, August 28 to September 1, 1882, was one of the most successful fairs in late years. This was due to the good weather, and also to the introduction of two special features-a re- union of former residents of Logan County, and a reunion of old Soldiers, under the auspices of the Second Cavalry. The former registered to the number of forty or more, while many old resi- dents were present who did not report. No meeting or special ex- ercises were held, but all wore white badges bearing these words: "First Reunion of Former Residents of Logan County, Fair Grounds, Lincoln, Illinois, August 31, 1882. Should auld ac- quaintance be forgot?"
At the soldiers' reunion there were nearly forty members of the Second Illinois Cavalry present, and they formed a permanent regimental association. Officers were elected for the ensuing year. The One Hundred and Sixth Infantry also took steps toward or- ganization with a view to a reunion in 1883. Several hundred ex-soldiers, members of other regiments, were also present. Ad- dresses were delivered by Major M. Wemple, of Mt. Pulaski; Captain J. H. Rowell, of Bloomington, and General John A. Mc- Clernand, of Springfield.
TWENTY-THIRD FAIR.
This was one of the most successful of the series. Good weather brought a fine array of exhibits, and a very large attendance. The receipts were over $6,000, enabling the association to apply about $1,000 toward the liquidation of old indebtedness.
In the spring of 1883 the agricultural and driving park associa- tions were consolidated, and these directors chosen: T. W. Kenyon, A. B. Nicholson, M. H. Beaver, Fred Dittus, Adolph Dittus, Adolph Rimmerman, T. H. Stokes, W. D. Duff, Silas Rosenthal, A. Rothschild, S. Doten, B. P. Andrews, E. D. Blinn, William Wendle, W. H. Traner and R. B. Latham. These directors chose A. B. Nicholson as President; R. B. Latham, Vice-Presi- dent; E. H. Stokes, Secretary; Silas Rosenthal, Secretary of the speed ring, and B. P. Andrews, Treasurer.
TWENTY-FOURTH FAIR.
The officers for 1884 were: A. B. Nicholson, President; T. H. Stokes, Secretary; B. P. Andrews, Treasurer.
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The fair held August 25-29, 1884, was favored with good weather and was considered a success. A special feature. was "children's day," when school children were admitted free. Be- tween 3,000 and 4,000 attended. A parade of the children brought out 751 in line. Prizes were given the school making the best showing.
TWENTY-FIFTH FAIR .;
The twenty-fifth fair, held. September 7-11, 1885, opened with very unfavorable weather. Monday was cloudy and threatening up to about 4 P. M., when matters grew worse and a steady rain be- gan. It was a cold, persistent rain, with the wind in the southeast, and people shook their heads and wondered if it would last three or four days. The discouraging patter continued all night, but on Tuesday morning the downpour ceased, and by 10 o'clock the wind had changed and the sky began to clear. Thus the fair was in rather a backward condition at the close of the second day. Wednesday was also rainy and cold, but Thursday and Friday, the two principal days, were favored with pleasant skies and air. The exhibition of horses and cattle each day was remarkably good, and most of the other departments made a respectable showing. In spite of the rain, the receipts were $5,500, which paid all bills. Visitors generally agreed that this was the best fair ever given in Logan County.
THE ATLANTA UNION CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
was organized in 1860 and incorporated by special act of the Legis- lature in 1861. A. N. Dills, A. C. Barnes, Joseph Bell, Isom S. Atchison, G. N. Bryson, Ezra T. Kenyon, J. E. Hoblit, Alex. Downey, P. R. Marquart, J. A. Pitts, A. J. Ludlam and Ellis Dillon acting for the society were the.incorporators.
This organization was the outgrowth of the enterprise and prog- ress exhibited by this community. They early saw the advan- tages arising from breeding a high grade of stock and cultivating the more productive and improved varieties of grain and fruit, fand wisely thought an agricultural society one of the best means to promote this end.
From its inception the idea that this was to be a union fair has been kept prominently in view and its stockholders and patrons are distributed in the four counties of Logan, McLean, De Witt and Tazewell. In this is found one of the elements of its phenomenal
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strength. While nearly all similar societies are limited in their organization to one county this points with pride to the fact that four of the finest agricultural 'counties of the great State of Illinois equally unite in its support. Among its 184 stockholders are found many of their most progressive and enterprising farmers, stock-raisers and business men.
The grounds are located on a beautiful tract of land of thirty- five acres adjoining the city of Atlanta on the south, one-half mile from the city square. Centrally located, it has always commanded the united support of its first patrons. Few societies in the State can boast of finer grounds because few have been in continued op- eration for twenty-six years. During these many years groves of native and evergreen trees have been carefully cultivated and now groups of beautiful shade trees are scattered over the grounds. An abundance of water is obtained from wells. Their buildings are convenient, commodious and handsome. Long lines of roomy stalls for horses and cattle; a large number of comfortable pens for hogs and sheep; a substantial machinery hall; an extensive dining hall; a large semi-circular covered amphitheater, capable of seating several thousand persons; a tasty and ornamental band stand and an elegant new floral hall for the exhibition of farm and garden products, fruits, canned goods, fancy work, art displays, etc., all attest that the directors carefully study the interest of exhibitors and visitors alike. A circular race-track, facing the amphitheater, is laid out in the east part of the grounds. Since its organization twenty-six years ago this society has annually held a fair, with the exception of the year 1862, when the civil war absorbed every interest. The time for holding its meetings has usually been in September and is now fixed by by-law to begin on the first Tues- day in that month and continue four days.
It must not for a moment be supposed that it has all been clear sailing and that their meetings have been a series of uninterrupted successes. Like all similar organizations, it has had its ups and downs, its bright and gloomy sides. But it has been especially fortunate in having a set of warm supporters who were neither willing to give up its life nor sacrifice its honor. While many of the cotemporary societies have been compelled to succumb and die and others to sacrifice their honor by prorating their premiums this one has succeeded in riding every storm and always paid its debts dollar for dollar. At one time its debts amounted to $2,700 and the directors were compelled to pledge their private obliga-
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tions to secure them, yet by careful and economical management everything was cleared and to-day it stands free of debt with a surplus of $1,500 in the treasury.
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