USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 21
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were divided in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the parties, the Scotch claimants securing forty, which they removed to the fair grounds at Monmouth. Mr. Holloway kept his share and later sold them. This settlement stopped all litigation.
The fair of 1883 was made memorable by the number of novelties presented. There was a novelty running race of a mile and a half, the prize being $60. Three baseball clubs played during the con- tinuance of the fair. This year over one hundred and seventy sheep were exhibited, the largest number ever entered. About one hundred and fifty head of hogs were shown and nearly two hundred horses. Hereford cattle were shown by G. A. Sharer, A. L. Duncan and R. G. Ranny. M. M. and F. Jones of Seaton entered twenty-eight head of pedigreed Poland China hogs. The Bridgfords showed Polled Angus cattle-the first time that breed was ever exhibited at the county fair. There were shown this year excellent specimens of full-blooded Shorthorns, Jerseys, Herefords and Polled Angus. Jersey Red hogs were shown by Lemoine Duncan. Jersey cattle were shown by J. F. Troville and A. R. McDonald; forty-five car- riages and buggies of home manufacture were among the exhibits. R. H. Whitsitt, formerly of Preemption Township, but now of Mil- lersburg Township, exhibited about fifteen cattle. There was a larger attendance this year at the fair during the last three days than ever before. The receipts amounted to over forty-four hundred dollars. Soon after the fair J. H. Lafferty, of Norwood, sold fifty- one head of Durham cattle, several of which had been exhibited at the fair, for $10,930-an average of over two hundred and fourteen dollars each. This was one of the highest priced sales thus far con- ducted in the county.
The Shorthorn Breeders' Association of Mercer County was organized in the spring of 1884. At the second meeting at the Button House, Aledo, March 13, 1884, a constitution was adopted, to which the following first members appended their names : O. A. Bridgford, R. H. Whitsitt, J. H. Lafferty, C. W. Brigford, John Greenwood, A. P. Petrie, A. J. Streeter, W. F. Lafferty, Thomas L. Johnson and W. P. Collins. O. A. Bridgford was elected president; R. H. Whit- sitt, secretary; John Greenwood, treasurer. Price of membership was fixed at $1. It was resolved to hold an annual sale as near the 20th of May as practicable.
The fair of 1884 did not present any unusual or striking feature. It was a success throughout, but was characterized by no novelties or innovations except perhaps the bicycle race. This year Col. E. B.
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David of this county was vice president of the Illinois State Agri- cultural Society.
The fair of 1885 was likewise successful. The first annual sale of stock owned by the Mercer County Shorthorn Breeders' Asso- ciation took place at the fair grounds this year. Many buyers from abroad were present. Col. J. W. Judy was chief auctioneer. About eighty head of fine animals were disposed of at prices ranging from $200 down to $30. Generally farmers were averse to paying fancy prices, even for blooded stock. However, there were exceptions and here and there throughout the county were to be found animals equal, if not superior, to any others in the state or in the West.
The third annual meeting of the Mercer County Farmers' In- stitute was held in January; 1890. Papers on many leading farm subjects were read by the members. By this time Mercer County had become celebrated throughout the West for its pure-blooded horses, cattle, swine and sheep. The three or four leading nurseries of the county had made vast improvements in horticulture. All shipped stock as far west as Nebraska. There was a large demand from Missouri for the fruit trees of these nurseries. At the fair of 1890 the Women's Christian Temperance Union occupied a pavilion on the grounds. A novelty this year was a prize offered for the best oration by Mercer County children between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four years. The production was limited in length and was required to be of the young person's own composition. The points of merit taken into consideration by the judges were thought, composition and delivery. The first prize was a two years' scholar- ship in Wheaton College. The first prize was won by Lee D. Thomason. His subject was "Lincoln." This year the cattle exhibit was far superior to any of the previous years. There were shown Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Angus, Galloways, Red Polled and Holstein Friesian. The breeds of hogs represented were Poland Chinas, Berkshires, Duroc Jerseys and Chester Whites. Capt. O. A. Bridgford was called the pioneer Polled Angus cattle breeder of the county. Aberdeen Angus cattle were shown by Wilson & Burgett, of Keithsburg. A. P. Petrie, of New Windsor, showed Shorthorns. Mr. Bridgford lived near Joy and called his stock Oak Ridge herd. William Drury exhibited horses from his farm, known as Verdurette. The best exhibit of poultry was made by N. H. Clayton, of Viola. William Drury owned a large park, upon which he kept about forty head of deer. In December, 1890, several of them broke through the fence and escaped and were later shot by
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hunters in the forest. In the park were elk and formerly there were buffaloes. The park was not far from New Boston.
The fairs of 1891 and 1892 possessed no striking features. They were almost exact duplicates of the fair of 1890. In February, 1891, about twenty poultry breeders of the county met at Aledo and organ- ized the Mercer County Poultry and Pet Stock Association. T. A. Vernon was chosen president; Edwin Carter, vice president; George T. Irwin, secretary, and Miss Bertha Pepper, treasurer. In after years this association did splendid work for the upbuilding of poul- try stock in this county.
In 1893 the grand stand and the amphitheater were moved to the south side of the park-a step that made a great improvement in the appearance of the grounds. The fair this year was not quite as good as usual. However, faster horses were present than ever before. The best time made was by Harry C., a pacer, 2:15. The horse Dan Wilson, owned by James Wilson, of Keithsburg, made a mile in 2:22 trotting. Previous to this year the record was 2:25. The attendance was comparatively small this year. The Clydesdales and Percherons exhibited surpassed any exhibit of those breeds ever shown here before. There was a mile trotting race, time 2:5034. In the half-mile running race the time was 5514. The entries num- bered 2,434. The total receipts were $5,691.13, less $35.40 on hand at the beginning of the year. J. T. Gilmore was president of the association this year. The premiums amounted to $3,335.
It was early in the 'gos that the fruit growers of the county began systematic spraying in order to get rid of insect and fungus pests. This was done under the direction of the State Agricultural Col- lege. It had the result of improving greatly the exhibits of fruit shown at the subsequent county fairs. The old idea of seeding down an orchard and of never cleaning it had gone forever. Now it was known that orchard trees required fertilization as well as any other growth in order to produce the highest standard of crops.
In June, 1894, Benjamin Whitsitt offered at public sale thirty- three full-blooded Shorthorn cattle. They sold at prices ranging from $25 to $120 each.
The fair of 1894 was better in many respects than ever before. The entries numbered 106 horses, 162 sheep, 49 swine, 110 poul- try, 61 farm products, 163 mechanic arts, 31 poultry, 18 dairy and kitchen, 813 flowers and plants, 118 fine arts, 100 textile fab- rics, 520 educational exhibits, 195 special, 10 speed. The premiums actually paid amounted to $3,158.75. The receipts amounted to $5,633.59, less $44.65 on hand at the beginning of the year. The
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cattle exhibits showed the following breeds: Shorthorns, Jerseys, Herefords, Polled Angus, Red Polled and Holsteins. The leading horse exhibits were Percherons, Clydesdales and English Shires. There were also exhibited a fine group of mules and ponies. The sheep exhibit included American Merinos, Cotswolds, Liecesters, South Downs, Shropshire Downs and Hampshire Downs. The swine shown included the following: Poland Chinas, Berkshires, Chester Whites and Duroc Jerseys. A specialty was made of public school exhibits. On Thursday 1,400 school children's tickets at a special price were sold. Among the exhibitors were the following: F. M. Irvin, Shropshires; Peter Balmer, Shropshires; E. H. Crandall, Long Wools; McCoy & Voris, Red Polled cattle; R. H. Whitsitt, Shorthorns; A. C. Bridgford, of Viola, Jerseys ; C. H. Bopes, Shrop- shires; William Volentine, twenty-eight head of Poland China hogs; Whitham & Croson, horses, cattle and sheep; William Scruble, Cleveland and Messenger horses; Trovillo Brothers, Jersey cattle; Carter Brothers, road horses; Albert Zwicker, Shire horses; W. R. Lemon, Clydesdales. Miss Evelyn Pinckney, of Viola, won the first prize as orator.
In January, 1895, the seventh annual meeting of the Farmers' Institute was held in the courthouse. Alvah Jay was president; W. L. Candor, secretary. Maj. J. M. Brock delivered the welcom- ing address. At this session the members discussed clover culture, sheep husbandry, the farms, "Garden and Berry Patch" (written by Mrs. Hammond), grapes, blackberries, raspberries, currants, goose- berries and strawberries. The subject of feeding oil meal was duly considered and it was concluded that ordinarily the expenses swal- lowed up the profits. Potato culture was also discussed. Perhaps the most interesting subject considered was intensive vs. extensive farming. This brought out several interesting speeches and many questions. As a whole the farmers were not yet ready for intensive farming, generally speaking.
The fair of 1895 was excellent in nearly every particular. Grain, fruit and vegetables were never better. There was greater interest, if possible, in the live stock exhibits than ever before. Black Polled Angus cattle was shown this year. There were 201 entries of hogs and 92 of sheep; 63 hogs were of five breeds. Shropshires, Cots- wolds, Lincolns, Oxfords, Leicesters and Merinos were shown by Frank Irvin, Charles Bopes, Fred Volentine, Samuel Huffman, James Rader, Samuel Batson, Peter Balmer and George Bell. Mules were shown by M. S. Fisher and W. D. Hammond. Polled Aber- deen cattle were shown by Laon McWhorter. M. F. Sterling ex-
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hibited Poland China, and E. H. Small, of Norwood, a fine group of Duroc Jersey hogs. The Alpha Nursery made an excellent ex- hibit of nursery stock. However, the apples, grapes and small fruit shown were not up to the standard. Horticulture seemed to be deteriorating from year to year. On the other hand, live stock and corn growing were increasing and improving rapidly. The rac- ing this year was unusually good, there being several special events- one a trot, which was won by Joseph D, a local animal which made the mile in 2:21.
In September, 1896, C. H. Thornhill, of Duncan Township, had a large public sale of registered Poland China hogs. T. W. Davis' orchard in New Boston Township was famous throughout Western Illinois at this time. It was by far the best in the county. It com- prised about forty acres and in 1895, 1,000 bushels of apples were marketed therefrom. A few years before as high as 3,000 bushels were gathered in one year. The same year he also marketed fifty bushels of pears.
At the fair in 1896 there were 3,035 entries, of which 72 were cattle, 121 horses, 82 hogs, 45 sheep, 207 poultry and 1,061 dairy. Better horses were shown this year than ever before. The poultry exhibit was excellent. There was shown here for the first time a sample of the United States cream separator, which was carefully studied by all the dairy owners of the county. At this fair Albert Zwicker of Preemption exhibited twelve Shire horses. This was his third year with this breed of animals. A feature of this fair was a Roman hippodrome race. C. E. Bentley exhibited Percherons; Fred Crosby, Barred Plymouth Rocks; M. B. Kennedy, Chester Whites; B. F. Townsley, Jersey cattle; Laon McWhorter, Polled Angus cattle; Logan Duff, Shorthorns. The paid premiums amounted to $3,493.
At the fair in 1897 several novelties were introduced. There was a special running race and free-for-all pace, a running half-mile race and repeat and a mile running race for local horses. There were a total of 2,929 entries. The premiums amounted to $3,598.75. The expenses of this year amounted to $1,700 more than the receipts. The swine exhibit was the largest in the history of the fair-Berk- shires by Elmer Swallow and W. R. Lemon; Chester Whites by Frank Wilson, Oren Phillips and M. B. Kennedy.
The fair of 1898 did not possess any especially striking features. It was called the forty-fifth annual fair of Mercer County. The receipts amounted to $4,300. The school exhibit this year was un- usually good.
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The fair of 1899 was about up to the standard. Floral hall was grander than ever before. T. H. Croson exhibited five pens of Shropshires. Albert Zwicker exhibited his fine herd of Shire horses. Scott Kiddoo showed Leicester sheep; L. C. Dennison entered Jer- sey Red hogs. At this time there were more herds of fine sheep than ever before in the county. They were owned by C. A. Bopes, Fred Volentine, A. C. Bridgford, William Kiddoo, Charles Bentley, T. H. Croson and others. O. M. Phillips, of Hamlet, exhibited a small but excellent group of Ohio improved Chester White hogs. Robert Holloway exhibited several of the best Clydesdale horses ever shown in the county. There were a total of 2,581 entries and the paid premiums amounted to $2,961. The receipts aggregated $4,831.20, less $32.74 on hand at the beginning of the year. At the conclusion of the fair much of the fine stock was offered at public sale.
In December, 1899, the Farmers' Institute met at Viola. There was a special day set apart for women's proceedings, on which occa- sion there were discussed the following subjects : Bread of all kinds, butter, early potatoes, apples, cakes and other questions of domestic science. Mrs. T. A. Vernon was president of the domestic science association at this time.
In January, 1900, O. H. Drury sold at public auction twenty head of trotting and pacing horses. The fair of 1900 was a record breaker. It was good in every department. Many of the depart- ments were better than ever before. The total receipts amounted to $4,858.90. The entries numbered 2,395. In 1900 the leading fine stock breeders of the county were as follows: Cattle, thoroughbred, G. E. Aikins, Aledo; O. A. Bridgford, Joy; T. E. Cabeen, Josh Cabeen, W. L. Candor, L. N. Ditto & Son, Seaton ; L. Mcwhorter, Aledo; R. G. Ranney, Little York; G. E. Thornton, Millersburg; Benjamin Whitsitt & Sons, Preemption; cattle feeders and stockers, A. J. Clark, Keithsburg; cattle and sheep, C. A. Bopes, Hamlet; William Kiddoo & Son, Joy; chickens, Mrs. T. W. Davis. Keiths- burg; J. C. Murdock, Ada M. Nesbitt, Aledo; W. J. Rowley, W. J. Palmer, Seaton; A. L. Woodhams, New Windsor; horses, Thomas F. Greer, Aledo; A. M. Higgins & Sons, North Henderson; George M. Houser, Millersburg; J. M. Lord, Marston; McIntire Brothers, Reynolds; L. B. Morey, W. A. Van Meter, Aledo; Jonas Peterson, New Windsor; W. S. Van Tuyle, Millersburg; Albert Zwicker & Sons, Preemption; hogs, S. F. Burrows, Buffalo Prairie; L. C. Dennison, Norwood; J. M. Nesbitt, Aledo; O. N. Phillips, Ham- let; horses and cattle, E. M. Castle, Buffalo Prairie; horse buyer, H. B. Eshbach, Aledo; horses and ponies, Bridgford & Reed Broth-
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ers, W. W. Egbert, Millersburg; horses, cattle and sheep, C. E. Bentley, Aledo; jacks and mules, Fisher Brothers, Pomeroy; sheep, T. H. Croson, Aledo; stock buyers and shippers, H. F. Greenwell, Aledo; Reed & Shingledecker, Aledo and Joy.
At the fair of 1900 Belgian horses were shown by J. C. Spivey, who lived near New Windsor.
At this time Mercer County led America in breeding pure- blooded Angus cattle. During 1901 about six hundred head worth $20,000 were shipped out of this county. O. A. Bridgford began with this breed in 1882. Other herds of the same breed were started by Laon McWhorter, Candor Brothers, R. B. and Josh Cabeen, C. A. Bopes and G. E. Thornton. Shipments of these ani- mals were made to Ohio, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Mon- tana, Nebraska, Colorado and the Dakotas. One animal-a 2-year- old bull-sold for $1,750.
At the Farmers' Institute, held at Woodman Hall in New Wind- sor, in December, 1901, the following subjects were considered : "Education," by C. L. Gregory; "The Weather," by Prof. J. C. Burns; "Some Wastes in Apple Growing," by J. T. Galbraith; "Peaches," by H. Bigelow, Aledo; "Breeding Corn for Quality," by Dr. Cyril G. Hopkins, Urbana; "Special vs. General Farming," by B. F. Wyman; and "How to Make $100 Acre Land Pay Inter- est," by Henry Wallace, of Des Moines.
The Farmers' Institute of the Tenth Congressional District con- vened at Aledo in January, 1901. Connected with it was the meeting of the domestic science association of the county. Mayor M. G. Reynolds delivered the welcoming address, which was replied to by A. L. Woodhams, president of the county institute. The meet- ing was given into the hands of the domestic science association, with Mrs. T. A. Vernon presiding. The following papers were read: "Domestic Help," by Mrs. W. A. Lorimer; "Partnership in Farming." by Mrs. Jennie Barlow; "Ways and Means by Which a Farmer's Wife Can Assist on the Farm," by Mrs. Mary McHard; "Foods and Nutrition," by Mrs. Barbara E. Page.
The fair of 1902 was excellent in nearly all respects. Several novelties were introduced to draw crowds. There was a hippo- drome race, baseball games, shows, swings, etc. The school exhibit was unusually fine. The exhibit of draft horses was never surpassed. More canned fruit and vegetables were exhibited at this fair than ever before. Floral hall was made by the ladies superior to that of any other fair. The entries numbered only 1,661 and the pre- miums paid amounted to only $2,255. Though the fair was smaller,
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yet it was better probably than ever before. At the Farmers' Insti- tute in December, 1902, Judge Church made the opening address. Papers were read as follows: "Corn Breeding," by Fred Duncan, of Ohio Grove; "Silos and Ensilage," by F. M. Parsons; "The Farmer's Son at the University and the Boy at the University," by Prof. F. R. Crane, and "How to Keep Children on the Farm," by E. N. Cobb.
The fiftieth county fair was held in 1903. All departments were well represented, but the fair possessed no particularly striking feature. The children's department was perhaps the most important. After the fair a large combination sale of forty-six Angus cattle was held by Capt. O. A. Bridgford, W. L. Candor, E. M. Castle, C. G. Ditto and Reed Brothers. All animals were registered.
At the Farmers' Institute held in Joy, January, 1904, papers were read as follows: "Farm Machinery," by E. N. Cobb; "Feeding and Breeding Beef Cattle," by Ira Cottingham and others. The subject of hogs for profit was discussed at this session; also clover culture. The fair of 1904 was one of the best held in recent years. The vegetable display was better than ever before. They had shown greater interest in the selection of good seed than ever before. par- ticularly of corn. There were twenty-three entries of field corn. As a whole the fair was a success.
In January, 1905, the C., B. & Q. Railroad began sending out special trains over its lines, carrying agricultural lecturers and experts to hold meetings for the instruction of the farmers. At every desig- nated stoppingplace large audiences of agriculturists gathered to hear what the experts had to say. A special train arrived at Aledo, January 21, 1905. The meeting was held in the opera house and hundreds of people listened to the experts. W. H. Manss, industrial commissioner of the road, gave an outline of the work and results which were ex- pected to be accomplished through these excursions and lectures. He stated that the railroad was directly interested in the prosperity of the farmers and was willing to make sacrifices in order to advance agricultural interests. The fair of 1905 was the best, as a whole, in the history of the association. The exhibits were rather better than ever before. There were more fast horses entered and better racing than at any previous fair. The paid admissions to the grounds numbered 9,441, and to the amphitheater, 1,901. The weather was excellent and all enjoyed the displays. The entrance fee was raised to 30 cents and the total receipts amounted to $7,701. The best time made was in the free-for-all race, 2:12. There were 2,785 entries.
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In the spring of 1906 the local branch of the Corn Belt Beef Producers' Association was formed in this county. The farmers met in the courthouse and prepared to form local branches in other parts of the county. A. L. Ames was president of the association. Several hundred of the most prominent cattle feeders of the county were present. George E. Thornton was chosen president of the new organ- ization and M. F. Morrow, vice president; A. C. Bridgford, secre- tary and treasurer.
At the fair of 1906 the corn contest was perhaps the most exciting event. Ten premiums were offered for Yellow Dent and White Indian, each exhibit to consist of ten ears. Among the other novel- ties were a balloon ascension and high dive by experts, three days' races and the usual shows and swings. The cattle and poultry exhibits were better than ever before. The prizes for the public school exhibits brought out a large display from all parts of the county. The floral hall was never more beautiful than on this occasion. The usual stock exhibitors were present with their herds. After the fair there were large combination sales of Aberdeen Angus cattle by C. A. Bopes, G. E. Thornton, G. E. Aikins, J. E. Reed and S. Lee. This was one of the most successful fairs ever held. Within five years the old debt had been almost wholly extinguished and many new pens, stalls and buildings had been constructed on the grounds. Over sixty-five hundred dollars had been spent within a few years on building improvements. There were 2,555 entries this year and the receipts amounted to $7,328.62, less $37.65 on hand at the beginning of the year.
A large sale of Duroc Jersey hogs was held by E. M. Castle & Son soon after the fair. Grant Marquis also at a public sale sold forty-five excellent Shorthorn cattle. Bridgford & Nesbitt held a public sale of about fifty Poland China hogs. The Mercer County Driving Association was organized here at this time.
The fifty-fourth annual fair in 1907 was as successful as usual. The cattle, horse and hog exhibits were unusually excellent. The poultry exhibit was never better. There were exhibited as one of the novelties the collection of trophies, medals, cups, etc., that had been won by T. A. Marshall, of Keithsburg, the champion wing shot of the world. The Davenports' high wire performances were also here. As the season was dry and dusty the road leading from Aledo to the fair grounds was covered with green hay to keep down the dust. The races were excellent, the best time being 2:1414 at pacing. Floral hall was never finer than on this occasion. It was filled with an interesting display and at all times was crowded with
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spectators. The school exhibit was better than ever before, almost every country and village school in the county being represented by specimens of work done by the children. Dairy products were better than usual. The county now had many creameries, and study had led to more perfect methods and cleaner and purer products. Not- withstanding the room for live stock had been increased, the authorities were compelled to turn away live stock that applied for entrance. G. W. Felton exhibited Aberdeen Angus cattle and Frank Townsley, Jerseys, and J. M. Nesbitt, Poland China hogs. A herd of eleven head of Galloway cattle was shown and attracted much attention. W. D. Emerson, secretary of the association, was given credit for the splendid success of this and many other previous fairs. It was due to his judgment, intelligence and energy, it was stated, that the fair had become one of the most important in the state. In the free-for-all pace a purse of $300 was offered and the best time made was 2:1312. However, owing to bad weather the crowd was not as large as expected and the receipts were not sufficient to pay expenses. The society ran a little behind this year. The total receipts amounted to $8,454.27. This was $243.33 less than the expenses. The society spent on the speed ring alone $2,140 and on improvements, $956. At this time the King log drag was attracting much attention through- out this county.
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