USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume One > Part 26
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lumps. Under these conditions, a larger number of entries contested than the year before. Prizes were more valuable, and a larger attendance was on hand to spur favorites to action.
"Good plowing under adverse conditions resulted. As on the prior match, factory representatives exhibited their plows after dinner. Awards in this class were also made. William Castles won the highest prize as the best plowman, a pair of silver-mounted bridles.
"Ladies were invited this year, and brought picnic lunches, and over 500 enjoyed the noonday meal in a beautiful grove near the field on which the match was held.
"Third Match, 1879 .- Place-William King farm. Date- September (no exact date known). Attendance-Over 600.
"Soil and weather conditions were ideal for good work. Larger entry lists and more valuable prizes were apparent. M. Fairweather won first prize in the walking plow contest. More interest was shown in the contests for riding plows.
"Fourth Match, 1880 .- Place-Eli Varley farm. Date- September 25. Attendance-850.
"Good plowing conditions prevailed, due to heavy rains a few days previous. Increasing interest in the match was ap- parent through larger attendance. Spirited contests in all events took place. John Thompson was awarded first prize in walking plow work; John Clow in sulky plowing.
"Fifth Match, 1881 .- Place -- Elias Myers. Date-September 15. Attendance-Over 1,000.
"An addition exhibit was featured this year-a colt show. Excellent animals were displayed and much interest aroused, which led to this department becoming one of the principal ones in the following years.
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"Interest in the match had spread to all parts of the town- ship, and the aims of the founders were being realized mani- fold. Over 15 riding plows were entered. John Aspel was winner of the walking plow contest. H. Westphal won the riding plow award.
"Sixth Match, 1882 .- Place- John Lumbard farm. Date- September 16. Attendance-Over 900.
"At this match, competition was opened to anyone in the United States, for the first time. The season had been very dry and it was hard plowing for the contestants. John Fair- weather won the walking plow event; George Royce the sulky plow.
"After the picnic dinner, which had become well established by this time, President James Patterson was presented with a gold headed cane, in token of the appreciation of his friends for his untiring efforts to advance farming methods.
"Seventh Match, 1883 .- Place-William King farm. Date- September 15. Attendance-Over 1,200.
"It was noted at this match that interest in the event was growing, outside of Wheatland Township, for many of those present were from adjoining townships, and from cities nearby, Aurora and Joliet. This match marked the change from the original idea as first developed, and showed that the event had taken on the nature of a great agricultural exhibit, of interest to outsiders as well as contestants and friends.
"The weather was hot and dry, and the fields were hard and packed, but good plowing resulted. Greatest interest was shown in the riding plow events, because farmers were realiz- ing that everything should be done to free themselves and their sons from the more arduous work of the farm. Riding plows were in the majority. Adam Stark won this event. Cyrus Stark won the walking plow contest.
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"Included in the exhibits were two potato digging machines, the first seen in the section.
"Aurora merchants were present in force and aided in mak- ing the event the greatest up to date.
"Eighth Match, 1884 .- This year, 'Uncle' James Patterson was abroad and did not return until October 1. As a result no match was held.
"Ninth Match, 1885 .- No records are to be found, although the match was held.
"Tenth Match, 1886 .- Place-Ralton Burkett farm. At- tendance-1,000.
"New attractions were introduced at this match, including a shooting gallery, and refreshment stands. A baseball game was played in the afternoon between Naperville and Wheat- land. Naperville won by the generous margin of 22-5. In the evening a grand open-air ball was held, for the first time.
"It can be seen that the match was becoming a much greater factor in the community life than simply a contest between plowmen. The social instincts of the section were being catered to, greatly to the benefit of the community. A division of classes was made this year. Class A, best plowing of any na- ture, won by Jacob Stark. Sulky plowing won by Matt. De- muth.
"Eleventh Match, 1887 .- Place-George Mather farm. No record of exact date or attendance.
"At this match, a valuable and most attractive department was added, the women's department. The Women's Fair, as it became, included exhibits of cooking, sewing, fancy needle- work, etc. Premiums were awarded and this department has become one of the most important of the match. It made pos- sible for the women of the farm, what their husbands and
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fathers were doing; development in their own department of farm life. John Demuth was the champion of this match.
"Twelfth Match, 1888 .- Place James Patterson farm. Date -September 22. Attendance, 2,500.
"This match, held on the farm of the esteemed and loved president, marked by far the greatest event to date. Held as a gala event in honor of 'Uncle Jim,' the entire township and many visitors from afar were present.
"The ladies' department was most attractive and interesting.
"A grain show was formally added at this time, and re- sulted in many splendid exhibitions of grain in later years.
"A long list of prizes was awarded in all departments. Wm. Demuth won first prize in walking plows. John Haag was the winner in the sulky class.
"The baseball game, between DuPage and Naperville, was won by the latter by the score of 14-4.
"Thirteenth Match, 1889 .- Place-Leonard Wolf farm. Date-September 21. Attendance-Over 2,700.
"The most striking point about this match was the remark- able manner in which the ladies' department had grown. Truly wonderful exhibits, worthy of much larger fairs were on dis- play. The keenest of rivalry had developed between the house- wives, good natured, but sincere. It seemed that every home in the township was represented in the exhibits.
"The usual plowing events were conducted, and larger entry lists in all events were presented. George Johnson was first in the walking plow contest. Wallace Myers won the riding plow event.
"Fourteenth Match, 1890 .- Place-Daniel and James Pat- terson farm. No exact date can be learned. Attendance- Over 4,000.
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"The affair was billed this year as the 'Annual Plowing Match and Colt Show.' In spite of rather inclement weather, a great attendance greeted the contests. It was estimated that 'over 1,000 rigs and vehicles were hitched along the fences and around the barns.' Alvin Stark won the highest award in the riding plow class. Wm. Boughton was first in the walking plow event.
"Fifteenth Match, 1891 .- Place-Asa F. Mather farm. Date -September 19. Attendance-Over 4,000.
"Town and country met in one of the most successful match
"Town and country met in one of the most successful matches to this time Ladies from neighboring cities and towns were present in large numbers, to see the especially fine display in the ladies' department. Over 1,200 vehicles were counted on the grounds, many of them being from Aurora, Joliet, and neighboring communities. Jacob Stark was the champion of the riding plow class. Michael Faser winning the walking eevnt.
"Sixteenth Match, 1892 .- Place-James and Daniel Patter- son farm. Date-September 17. Attendance-Over 3,500.
"No mention is to be found of any especially noteworthy events in connection with this match, the usual contests, ex- hibits, and animal shows being held. John L. Haag won the walking plow award, no record is noted of a riding plow con- test this year.
"Seventeenth Match, 1893 .- This year, being the World's Fair in Chicago, Sage 'Uncle' James Patterson is said to have remarked, 'Well, you see it's this year; they are going to have a big time up there in Chicago. They will bring the best fruits of their labor from all parts of the world, and they are going to have a Midway where all the nations of the world will be represented. Besides I understand that Grover Cleveland will
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be there and he's worth going to see, for you all know he will never be the next President. I think it would be well to go see the Exposition and drop the match this year, for we all can learn a great deal there, more perhaps than if we held the match.' There was no match that year.
"Eighteenth Match, 1894 .- Place-W. D. Boughton farm. No exact date learned. Attendance-Over 3,000.
"After the lapse of a year during which no match was held, the affair was renewed with as great enthusiasm as previously. Large numbers of visitors, some from other states, were pres- ent. The customary events were held, and in addition, a new feature was introduced, a chicken show. By this time, the Wheatland Plowing Match had about all the features to be found in the average county fair, aside from the horse races. William Fairweather won the highest award given in gang plowing.
"Nineteenth Match, 1895 .- Place-Peter Lantz farm. Date -September 21. Attendance-5,000.
"Greatly increased entry lists in all departments greeted the judges at this match. More plowmen, more exhibits in the women's department, more in everything, and more attractive prizes were given. The records show that Alvin Stark won the Flying Premium, a beautiful silver cup, denoting the best all-round plowman.
"Twentieth Match, 1896 .- Place-Jacob Graber farm. Date -September 19. Attendance-Over 2,000.
"Cloudy weather, and much mud was the factor which greatly decreased the attendance at this match. While con- ditions were not the best, contestants strove as keenly for good furrows, and the judges had difficulty in deciding the winners in some cases. This year, a new contest was intro- duced, the 'model farms contest.' Judges made a personal sur-
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vey of the various farms entered, and graded on a scale of 100 points the conditions found there. Six farmers entered farms. No record is given as to the winner of the event. Wm. Fairweather won the Flying Premium, denoting best all-round ability.
Twenty-first Match, 1897 .- Place-David Fry Farm. Date- September 18. Attendance-5,000.
"Fair weather prevailed at this match, contrasted with rain and mud the last year. Larger crowds than ever were present, with the usual compliment of city people.
"The dining hall, conducted in the interests of the associa- tion, and started at some prior match not to be learned, did a great business on 'fifty-cent meals for a quarter.'
"Alvin Stark took sweepstakes again. It is worth note that this same year Mr. Stark won first premium at the Iowa State Fair in gang, riding and walking plow contests, and received a special silver medal for work with a walking plow. Wheat- land was turning out the world's best plowmen, it seemed.
"(Editor's Note-The foregoing information, of the first twenty years history of the Wheatland Plowing Match, was taken from a booklet published in 1898, by an unknown author, but supposed to have been a Joliet newspaper man. Following data was secured by personal investigation, chiefly from the files of the Aurora Beacon-News.)
Twenty-second Match, 1898 .- Place-Ernest Kinley farm. Date-September 17. Attendance-4,000.
"At this match, Cyrus Stark won first place in the sweep- stakes event. A souvenir booklet, commemorating the first twenty years of the plowing match had been prepared by Jol- iet interests and was circulated among the crowd. After thirty years have passed, many copies of this booklet still are to be found, carefully kept as the record of the events held at the various matches.
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Twenty-third Match, 1899 .- Place-William Stark form. Date-Saturday, September 16. Attendance-Over 3,000.
"Healy Alexander won the flying championship this year, open to winners of classes of prior years. Little is to be learned of any especial features of this match.
Twenty-fourth Match, 1900 .- Place-William Stark farm. Date-Saturday, September 16. Attendance-5,000.
"Cyrus Stark was winner of the championship event, from a large entry list. The Ladies' Fair this year was especially noteworthy.
Twenty-fifth Match, 1901 .- Place-Asa Mather farm. Date-Saturday, September 14. Attendance-8,000.
"The day opened brightly, and one of the greatest crowds up to this time gathered. About 11 o'clock a heavy rain fell, and the judges were not able to make their decisions until the following Monday. All events were completed. William Fair- weather was the champion plowman this year.
"The death of President Mckinley which occurred the pre- vious day, as a result of the bullet of an assassin, was the sub- ject of discussion of all.
Twenty-sixth Match, 1902 .- Place - Daniel Lantz farm. Date-Saturday, September 20. Attendance-6,000.
"James Patterson, who had now been in charge of most of the affairs of the Match in one capacity or another, lamented the fact that not enough boys were entering the events set aside for them. He asked that special efforts be made to have a larger number entered the next year.
"Cyrus Stark defeated last year's winner, William Fair- weather, for the title event, and he was to be a winner many times in the future years.
Twenty-seventh Match, 1903 .- Place-Daniel Lantz farm. Date-Saturday, September 19. Attendance-6,000.
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"Cyrus Stark, winner of the 1902 match, again repeated his splendid work and defeated William Fairweather for the title of champion plowman, winning a silver cup thereby. Alvin Stark, a brother, was third.
"Col. John Lambert, wealthy and prominent iron and steel man from Joliet, was present at this match and made the state- ment that Wheatland farmers present would some time see farm land in the township sell for $300.00 per acre. The state- ment was considered preposterous. Good land was sold for one-third of the figure he gave-less at times, and owners never expected that within 25 years from the time of the statement, land would sell for more than his prophesied figure. Col. Lam- bert purchased at auction a prize winning cake baked by eleven year old Mabel Iehl, paying $50.00 for it. A baseball game, be- tween Ft. Sheridan soldiers and the Wheatland Athletes was won by the vistors, 8-1.
Twenty-eighth Match, 1904 .- Place - Mrs. Abner Royce farm. Date-Saturday, September 17. Attendance-5,000.
"Fearful of the well established prowess of Cyrus Stark, no one appeared to challenge him in the sweepstake class. He plowed his alloted section, and was declared champion, winning a silver cup again. Interest was drawn to earliest models of the "horseless buggy" a few being seen at the match.
Twenty-ninth Match, 1905 .- Place-Leonard Wolf farm. Date-Saturday, September 16. Attendance-4,000.
"By winning the championship title for more than three years in succession, Cyrus Stark was declared 'World's Cham- pion Plowman'. He had won the Gen. Andrew Welch cup for the past three years, and repeated this year. He was also given a gold medal, with the title inscribed upon it. An ideal day made conditions splendid for both the plowmen and the large crowd, who enjoyed themselves as Wheatland Match visitors
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usually did. The chicken dinner, and ladies' department proved great attractions.
Thirtieth Match, 1906 .- Place Wm. Stark farm. Date- Saturday, September 15. Attendance-7,000.
"Interest of the great crowd was divided between the skilled plowmen, and an innovation to the match, a great steam drawn gang plow, which turned ten furrows at a time. It was likened to a Mississippi River steamer, plowing up waves, as it went down the field.
"Cyrus Stark had no competition in the sweepstakes class, and won another gold medal, as champion plowman of the world. Plainfield trounced the Wheatland ball team by a score of 16-8.
Thirty-first Match, 1907 .- "Eating chicken, talking politics, enjoying baseball, watching the plowing match, visiting the ladies' exhibits, discussing crops," a journalist gives as the or- der of importance of the events at the match this year.
"The Wheatland Match had now become the political forum and jousting grounds for the northern section of the state, especially when local or state politics were boiling. All candi- dates and important office holders from near-by counties were on hand at each match. Col. Ira C. Copley, of Aurora, Col. John Lambert of Joliet, and many others greeted friends at this match.
"The most notable event of the day, however, was the de- throning of the champion, Cyrus Stark, by William Fair- weather, who, like Stark, was to see many more championships in future matches.
Thirty-second Match, 1908 .- Place-A. E. Hafenrichter farm. Date-Saturday, September 19. Attendance-5,000.
"Mrs. Adam Clow, head of the dining table department, and her associates, fed 3,500 at the chicken dinner at noon. Many
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of the people from Aurora and Joliet came on board the Joliet, Plainfield and Aurora Electric cars, which stopped not far from the farm.
"For the first time, pickpockets from the city were in evi- dence, many losses being discovered on the grounds, or on the electric cars.
"Thomas Quantock defeated William Fairweather in the sweepstakes event.
Thirty-third Match, 1909 .- Place-John Lumbard farm. Date-Saturday, September 18. Attendance-6,000.
"The automobile had now become a factor, it being noted that over 200 were to be seen at this match.
"William Fairweather was the winner of the championship event, defeating several former champions. Alvin Stark was disqualified, because his horses became unmanageable, having been frightened by the sight and noise of automobiles arriving for the match.
"A gasoline motor drawn gang plow was on exhibition at the Match and attracted much attention.
"Chief of Police Michaels of Aurora was present for the first time, and enjoyed the chicken dinner greatly. No mention is made of pickpockets, as last year, it being concluded that the chief was there for a purpose other than eating a fine chicken dinner.
Thirty-fourth Match, 1910 .- Place-F. M. Culver farm. Date-Saturday, September 17. Attendance-5,000.
"William Fairweather again won the title of world's Cham- pion as the result of winning the championship class. He was awarded the gold medal offered to the championship event win- ner. In the prize winners class, Frank Boardman, won.
"Col. I. C. Copley, among many other politicians, was pres- ent, to visit his especial friend, Uncle Jim Patterson a staunch supporter of his efforts at all times.
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Thirty-fifth Match, 1911 .- Place-A. E. Hafenrichter farm. Date-Saturday, September 23. Attendance-7,500.
" "The largest crowd I ever saw at the Wheatland Match,' was Uncle James Patterson's declaration. Over 500 automo- biles were counted around the farm. (In the same issue of the paper which carries the story of this match was an account of preparations for the first Ocean to Ocean airplane race, with several planes entered.)
"William Fairweather added to his lengthy list of champion- ships by winning world's title.
"High tractor plows, turning 10 furrows at a time, were demonstrated, to the great interest of the crowd.
Thirty-sixth Match, 1912 .- Place-John Wolf farm. Date -Monday, September 23. Attendance-3,000.
"The only match in the entire fifty years to be rained out, this one was held Monday, having been postponed from the date set, that of the previous Saturday. The crowd was much reduced from this cause.
"The events were conducted as usual, and William Fair- weather won the title event, for the sixth time. He was close- ly pushed by Waldo Thomas, a plowman from Big Rock, who was to be the first man outside Wheatland ever to win the match, a few years later.
"The International Harvester Company exhibited a forty horse power Mogul tractor at this match, along with the sev- eral other makes.
"Uncle James Patterson, 'the sage of Wheatland', as he had come to be known, was present as usual, aged 76, but ac- tive and interested in the events and aiding in conducting them, as he had done for the past 35 years.
Thirty-seventh Match, 1913 .- Place-Fred Westphal farm. Date-Thursday, September 18. Attendance-5,000.
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"Two especial events marked this match-a change from a Saturday date to a mid-week date, a custom long in usage, and the remarkable sentiment noted in favor of tractors over horses. It was freely declared that this match saw the end of the supremacy of horsedrawn plows and the ascendancy of tractors. In fact, so strong was the sentiment that the officers placed tractor plowing events on the program soon afterward.
"It is worthy of note, also, that with this decided trend away from horses, which were the sole power when the Match started, the Match was to see the last of its founder and faith- ful friend, beloved James Patterson-'Uncle Jim' to all Wheat- land and thousands more. While he was not well, he was pres- ent, in his nephew's touring car, and had his usual sage re- marks about current events, politics, and the conduct of the match, which had been his life's greatest interest.
"Frank Boardman, 21 year old son of Representative George Boardman, startled all by defeating the six-time cham- pion, William Fairweather, for the world's championship title.
"Wheatland defeated Plainfield 3-1, in a hotly contested baseball game.
Thirty-eighth Match, 1914 .- Place-James Findley farm. Date-Thursday, September 17. Attendance-8,000.
"Uncle James Patterson, beloved of all in Wheatland, has been gathered to his last resting place only a few months prior to the holding of this Match. For 37 years, his kindly and stim- ulating influence had been a pillar of strength to the Match. It was with a saddened step that the attendants of the Match following their favorite plowmen, for one who had been their best friend was not beside them. However, his worthy efforts to stimulate better farming methods and a more enjoyable soc- ial life in Wheatland had borne fruits far above his knowledge. A man who had never married, he left as his monument a far
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better community in every way than had existed when he came to it. It was his greatest life work.
"The match was marked by the first triumph of an outsider -Waldo Thomas of Big Rock, taking sweepstakes from the Wheatland plowmen. Contestants from Wheatland had striven for prizes at Big Rock, and vice versa, but this marked the first time the ranks were broken. No Wheatland man had won at Big Rock and Thomas was the first to take the honor there.
Thirty-ninth Match, 1915 .- Place-W. D. Patterson farm. Date-September 23. Attendance-Over 5,000.
"Two especially interesting events set this match out from others-the fact that Waldo Thomas repeated his winning of sweepstakes from the Wheatland plowmen, and the coming of the gasoline tractor into the fields for the first time. Thomas made a wonderful exhibition of the art. He shared attention of the crowd with several gasoline tractors, which were for the first time entered in competition. Prior to this, they had been exhibited but no class was arranged for them.
"The usual splendid chicken dinner, arranged by the ladies, drew great crowds of people to the dining tent.
Fortieth Match, 1916 .- Place-Harvey Brothers farm. Date -September 21. Attendance-12,000.
"Again Waldo Thomas from Big Rock carried off the world's honors as the best plowman, at this match.
"A record breaking crowd greeted the contestants, and the dining tent was swamped by the hungry horde.
"William Fairweather, holder of the title for six years prior to his retirement from competition, was appealed to, to enter the match again next year, and regain the honors for Wheat- land. He would not consent.
Forty-first Match, 1917 .- Place-Pritchard Stewart. Date September 28. Attendance-12,000.
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"Waldo Thomas did not compete this year. Ben Davis was winner of the sweepstakes, after a re-judging of the field, fol- lowing protests of the judges decisions. While unfortunate, these protests served to emphasize that no favoritism was ever to be permitted, and all work was to be judged on its merits.
Forty-second Match, 1918 .- "America was engaged in a war which called to the colors all the youth of the nation. Wheatland was giving of all her resources to aid in this war. The match was given up, for the third time in its history.
Forty-third Match, 1919 .- Place-John Clow farm. Date- September 11. Attendance-14,000.
"Tractor plowing held the limelight, for the first time at the match. Ben Davis, winner of the 1917 match, forsook horse power for tractor power and won in this event.
"The Ladies Fair, as it had become known, was most attrac- tive. City people bid eagerly for delicious pies, cakes, and choice hand worked articles.
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