USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
In February, 1908, the Mercer County Poultry and Corn Asso- ciation was organized at Viola, largely through the efforts of J. B. Bradford, who became secretary of the new organization. F. M. Taylor, of Aledo, was president, and C. P. Shaw, of Aledo, treasurer. The meeting at Viola established the organization on a firm basis and thereafter it became a power in the county for the improvement of poultry breeds and the corn crops. They paid particular attention to the selection of seed corn. The varieties upon which most care was bestowed were Yellow Dent, White Dent, the early varieties of sweet corn and popcorn. In addition to chickens the association paid particular attention to turkeys. At this time spraying was practiced more extensively throughout the county than ever before, and with excellent results. Paris green, kerosene emulsion and Bordeaux mix- ture were used on almost every farm. Animal diseases were better understood than ever before. Already the farmers had begun to comprehend the nature of hog cholera and their experience and the investigations of the department of agriculture combined to prevent, in a large measure, the wholesale destruction of hogs by that terrible disease as had prevailed in the past.
224
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
The fair of 1908 was fully up to the standard, and in many respects better. Among the exhibitors were the following: Duroc Jersey hogs by Ira H. Dodson; the same by E. M. Castle; the same by Bigelow & Son, of Aledo; the same by Clair Kiddoo. C. P. Peterson exhibited Chester Whites; Whitsitt Brothers exhibited Berkshires; Bridgford & Nesbitt entered twenty-five Poland China hogs; W. K. Tyler showed several pens of red hogs; George E. Close showed about a dozen Berkshires; F. E. Shearer showed several Chester Whites; D. S. Mayhew & Son exhibited Hampshires ; C. S. Goddard exhibited Poland Chinas, and L. R. Hyett, Duroc Jerseys. Excellent sheep were shown by J. S. Rader and A. C. Crandall. They were of the Cotswold and Leicester varieties mainly. Farm implements were shown by Christ Thede and Glidden-Strong Company, of Joy. The Aledo Brick and Tile Company made an exhibit of their prod- ucts. Poultry were entered by J. C. Rupert, John Babcock, Charles F. Schleuter and H. R. Morgan. The latter showed Partridge Wyandottes. Rupert exhibited Light Brahmas. There was probably a better exhibit of garden products than ever before. Among the products shown were muskmelons, peppers, pumpkins, squashes, cabbage, potatoes, beets, celery, etc. The attendance during Wednes- day, Thursday and Friday this year was 16,691. For the same days in 1907 the attendance was 15,323. Earl Dixon made a display of ponies; Roy Dellitt, mules; Lewis Dellitt, of all purpose horses ; H. E. Robbins, W. R. Collins and William Van Meter, road horses; J. C. Weihler, Lowell Harroun and J. C. Stewart furnished draft, Percheron and Belgian horses; W. R. Collins, Samuel Robbins and Albert Zwicker, Clydesdales and English Shire horses. Others to exhibit sheep were C. S. Hechlner, Wayland Brothers, R. B. Findley and R. M. Cooper & Son. The varieties shown were medium wool animals, South Downs, Shropshire Downs, Oxford Downs, Hamp- shire Downs, Cotswolds, Leicesters and other long-wooled animals. Wayland Brothers made an exhibit of goats-one of the first ever seen at the county fair. This year the fair association received from the state an appropriation of $1,180. From the sale of tickets at the gate there was realized $4,707.30. The total receipts from all sources were $10,343.92. There were 3,057 entries and the premiums paid aggregated $2,976.35. This year they paid off the shortage of $243.33 of the previous year. R. M. Cooper & Son of Alexis took the first premium on the best exhibit of ten ears of corn. Their exhibit scored 78.6 perfect. They secured the prize of the Christy corn cup; Roland Greer took the prize for shucking 161 bushels of corn in ten hours, on December 2, 1908. The poultry business had become very profit-
225
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
able and very extensive in this county under the efforts of the Poultry and Corn Association. Their exhibit was made in the opera house, there being over three hundred entries of corn, chickens, turkeys, etc.
In December, 1908, forty-one head of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle were sold at Viola by the Collins and Gillis combination. The Farmers' Institute of December, 1908, was attended by many agri- culturists from all parts of the county. The following addresses were delivered: "Systematic Road Work in Township Road Improve- ment," by Clifford Older; "The Business End of Swine Farming," by William Dietrich; "Our Friends, the Birds," by Rev. William Mason; "Organic Matter and Soil Texture," by A. F. Gustafson; "Farm Gumption," by Rev. W. Mason; "The Housekeeper's Capi- tal," by Mrs. Jennie Barlow. She treated of two leading sub-topics : "Left Overs and What to do With Them," and "Little Things That Count in a Kitchen." As a whole, the session was instructive and progressive. W. H. Bissell was president.
The fair of 1909 was likewise very successful and conducted on an elaborate scale; 150 horses were entered in the racing depart- ment. The educational department was conducted by Supt. C. L. Gregory; the horticultural department by L. M. McConnell; the dairy and kitchen department by Mrs. William McManus; the farm products department by W. H. Bissell; the textile fabric department by Mrs. Lura Park; and the mechanical arts department by E. L. Drury. A fine herd of Shorthorn beef cattle exhibited by Stead & Shearer attracted much attention at this fair. This generally was pronounced the greatest fair ever given by the society. The racing far surpassed that of any previous year. The receipts were so great that all indebtedness was wiped out and many important improve- ments were made to the grounds. The total receipts amounted to $10,664.41 ; the entries numbered 2,725 and the premiums paid were $3,013.75. Wayland Brothers took forty premiums on hogs and sheep. They were paid $145.50 for their exhibits. Dodson & Son took eleven blue ribbons on Duroc Jersey hogs; Bridgford & Nesbitt took twelve blue ribbons and forty-four red ribbons on their exhibit of swine; Bigelow & Son took several blue and red ribbons. Walter Davison exhibited Poland China hogs and Mayhew & Son, twenty- two Hampshire hogs. W. H. Whitsitt made the best display of Chester Whites. Poultry were exhibited by Patrick O'Day, M. Parkman, E. L. Carnahan, G. F. Close, J. H. Fessnacht, F. M. Taylor, Mrs. Willard Ruse, H. R. Morgan, Mrs. John Ransden, William Woods and others. The varieties shown included Buff Orpingtons, White Leghorns, Houdans, Silver Spangled Ham-
226
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
burgs, Golden Polish and the usual Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Leghorns, etc. John Ruse took first premium on a bushel of Yellow Dent corn ; E. L. Woodhams received a prize of $20 for the best ten ears of Yellow Dent corn; Mrs. Mary Davis took first prize on pop- corn; R. M. Cooper & Son were awarded first prize on one bushel of seed corn; Walker Jones took the prize on corn exhibits.
In December, 1909, C. L. Gregory commenced instruction in a whole course in live-stock farming. He was the author of several works on scientific agriculture. It was at this time that Mr. Wood- hams, who was secretary of the Farmers' Institute, asked the county board to set aside twenty acres on the county farm to be used as an experiment plot for scientific agriculture. It was stated that the only expense to the county would be that of providing fertilizers. At this time there were in the county the following veterinary sur- geons : At Aledo, J. H. Hogan, W. W. Warnock; Seaton, W. J. Morgan; Joy, J. C. Brown; New Windsor, O. E. Bridgford; Reynolds, C. A. Kell; Alexis, J. A. Dilley and A. R. Rockwell.
In November, 1909, G. E. Aikins sold at public auction seventy Duroc Jersey hogs and other stock, a considerable portion of which were grade animals.
The fair of 1910 was about equal to that of 1909. It fell short in some departments but surpassed in others. As a whole, it was about the same. Shorthorn cattle were exhibited by Nelson Stead and Robert Failon; Herefords by N. J. Hiltabrand; Polled Angus by E. G. Thornton & Son and L. McWhorter; Jerseys by C. H. Armstrong and Orr Calhoun; mules by J. W. Dellitt and L. H. Kirch. The sheep exhibits were Cotswolds and Leicesters by A. C. Crandall and Frank Rader; South, Shropshire, Oxford and Hamp- shire Downs by Frank Shearer, R. B. Findley and W. H. Hunt. The hog exhibits were as follows: Poland Chinas by Cox & Hollinrake, Elijah Storey, Bridgford & Nesbitt; Berkshires by G. E. Close; Chester Whites by Guy E. Smith, Frank Little and Oren Phillips; Duroc Jerseys by E. Crabs, H. Bigelow & Son, Ira Dodson & Son and N. F. Morrow; Hampshires by John Mayhew and J. B. Cooper. The entries numbered 3,371. The total receipts were $10,123.53. The state appropriation amounted to $1,222.82. A large line of automobiles were exhibited at this fair. There were 114 entries for the trots and paces alone.
The Illinois Creamery Company started operations in Aledo in 1910. In eight months they did a business of $50,000, marketing 90,000 pounds of butter, which sold at an average of 30 cents a
227
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
pound. In addition, they sold $6,000 worth of cream separators and helped place in the county $20,000 worth of dairy cows.
In February, 1911, Cox & Hollinrake, of Keithsburg, sold a large number of full-blood Poland China hogs at auction. Dodson & Son sold 100 of the famous red hogs, which totaled $5,060.75. In December Warnocks' sale of dairy cows took place at the fair grounds. They were Jerseys, Guernseys and Holsteins. They were guaranteed to be tubercular tested animals.
The fair of 1911 was equally successful with those of the two previous years. Many new cattle pens and a new pavilion were erected for this fair. There was a better grade of corn shown than ever before. Premiums for the corn exhibits were increased to $225 cash. There were single ear exhibits, the first prize being $10, then on down to $8, $6, $4 and $2. The sheep exhibit was excellent, there being Shropshires, Hampshires, Leicesters and the various Downs. Tamworth hogs were exhibited by C. H. Finch. Three animals were shown, weighing on an average of 600 pounds each. When sold they yielded the owner $113.52. At this fair for the first time the assembled multitudes witnessed the flights of an aeroplane by Mr. Nelson. Other amusements were baseball, motorcycle races, automobile exhibits and the usual games. The cattle pavilion was full to overflowing. The cattle displayed were unusually fine, there being shown Shorthorns, Angus, Galloways, Herefords, Polled Dur- hams, Jerseys and Holsteins. The hog exhibits were fully up to the standard and embraced the usual breeds. The poultry show was better than ever, there being represented fifteen different varieties. Horses were shown by J. W. Dellitt, J. B. Vance, Albert Zwicker, the Hamlet Horse Company and J. J. Smith & Son. The Hamlet Horse Company exhibited several splendid Belgian animals. It was noticed that the cattle exhibit was larger than ever before. The fair authorities were obliged to secure a tent in order to properly display the cattle entered. The school department exhibit was fully up to the standard. The dairy products were even better than any previous year. There were shown specimens of the destructive work of various insects, fungi, rusts, blights, galls, scales, smut, worms, bugs, thistles, weeds, etc. The police department at this fair was better than ever and the order was therefore correspondingly good. The aeroplane did not arrive until Thursday of the fair week. Mr. Nelson made several flights, circling one day westward over the farms and back to the grounds, lighting without accident. On the next day he took a southerly course at a height of about three hun- dred feet and again returned without accident. Ira Dodson & Son
228
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
showed Duroc Jerseys. Wayland Brothers took ten blue and ten red ribbons on sheep and other animals. Gid Jackson showed Duroc Jerseys, as did Bigelow & Son. Frank E. Shearer entered Shropshire sheep; J. M. Bay, Shorthorn cattle; George Close, Berkshire hogs; R. E. Calhoun, Jersey cattle; McWhorter & Son, Aberdeen Angus cattle; Thornton & Son, the same. This was the greatest live stock exhibition ever held in the county. The paid attendance was as follows: Wednesday, 3,662; Thursday, 7,754; Friday, 9,503; Satur- day, 2,498; total, 23,417. The total receipts amounted to $12,763.76. The best time made at the races was in the free-for-all pace, when 2:11 15 was made. Floral hall was better than ever before. It was more elaborate, had a better classification, was made more beautiful by the ladies and was enjoyed to the utmost by the immense audience every day. At one shipment in August, 1911, five Indiana silos were received here under orders from W. H. Dunlap, Orr Calhoun, W. C. Egbert, Nelson Stead and A. J. Scranton. By this time silos were to be seen numerously in all parts of the county. More road and hackney horses were shown at this fair than ever before. The display of apples was unusually good, owing to the excellence of the local crop.
At the corn and poultry show great interest was shown this year. In order to make it successful the citizens of Aledo subscribed several hundred dollars to help in defraying the expenses. One hundred and thirty boys and girls entered the corn judging contest. There was a three days' course and students came from all parts of the county. The course was conducted by C. L. Gregory, A. L. Duncan and Robert L. Watson. The poultry show at the same time was elaborate and good. The Mercer County Experiment Station this year had seven acres in alfalfa. The oat field on the station farm yielded sixty-three bushels to the acre. The manager used cement posts and wire fencing this year.
In January, 1912, the following sales of fine stock took place in the county: Chester Whites by B. N. Gilmore; Duroc Jerseys by Dodson & Son and H. Bigelow & Son; Poland Chinas by J. M. Nesbitt. The state food inspectors visited the county twice this year. Edward R. Petrie was elected superintendent of the agricultural society in November, 1911 ; W. D. Emerson, secretary; Joseph Boyd, treasurer. There was considerable hog cholera throughout the county during the fall of 1911. Experts were called in and every effort was made to check the disease, and, in a measure, the effort succeeded. The fair of 1911 gave total receipts from all sources of $14,743.03. Of this sum $1,244 came from the state appropriation. In December,
229
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
1911, the creamery at Aledo became known as the Western Illinois Creamery, under the management of L. E. Ballard.
In January, 1912, Gideon Jackson had a special sale of thirty- five head of Duroc Jersey hogs. About the same time E. M. Castle & Son sold the same number at Reynolds. Later J. L. Moseley, near Mannon, sold sixty head of Poland Chinas. W. E. Huffman of Joy sold forty-one head of Chester Whites; Ira Dodson & Son of Joy sold forty-seven head of Duroc Jerseys ; F. M. Martin and R. M. Noble sold hogs, cattle and horses. Other sales were by M. E. Vance & Son, C. E. Yarrington, S. Lee, J. M. Nesbitt, J. F. Cox & Son and others.
The fair of 1912 was fully up to the recent standard. There were many new houses, pens, sheds, barns, etc., built. The corn and grain show was unusually excellent. There were fourteen races- trotting, pacing and running. Children were admitted free on Wed- nesday. On that day occurred the baby show. The best looking baby was paid $15; the fattest boy baby, $10; the fattest girl baby, $10, and the best natured baby, $10. It was designed to have old bachelors act as judges, but apparently there was not an old bachelor on the ground. There were twenty babies entered in the contest. The prize for the best looking baby went to Catherine Emma Smith, daughter of Alfred T. and Anna C. Smith, of Aledo. There were 114 entries in the fast horse races. Shropshire sheep were exhibited by H. C. Haverfield, B. L. Warwick and J. W. Kesler. The dis- play of cattle, horses and hogs was fully up to the standard, the usual breeds being shown. On Thursday 13,000 persons in round numbers paid admission. This broke all previous records by about two thousand. It was noted that within the grounds about twelve hundred automobiles were lined up in the places set apart for their occupation. There were eighteen heats trotted in the afternoon of Thursday. The best time made was 2:121/4 in the free-for-all pace. The seed corn exhibited was sold at auction at the close of the fair, to the highest bidders, and was purchased in small lots, and was thus scattered throughout the county. The total number of entries was 3,511; total receipts, $13,682.61, less $141.98 on hand at the beginning of the year.
The Mercer County short course in agriculture took place in December, 1912. The contests were on corn judging, hog judging, dairy cattle judging, beef cattle judging, alfalfa and conservation. At that time the Mercer County Breeders and Feeders' Association was organized at Aledo, with W. B. Cooke, of Hamlet, president; H. McWhorter, secretary-treasurer. The object was the improve- Vol. I-15
230
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
ment of live stock. Connected with it was the Mercer County Domestic Science Association, also the Poultry and Corn Associa- tion. All united in making the session memorable and valuable. During 1912 Mercer County farmers, from July, 1910, bought sixty new silos. During three months in the spring of 1912 Mr. Winders, of Aledo, paid the farmers $18,000 for eggs.
At the first field meeting of the Mercer County Experiment Sta- tion, seventy-five farmers were present to learn how to grow alfalfa.
In the corn show of December, 1912, the first prize of $10 for the best ten ears of Reed's Yellow Dent corn was awarded to Jones Brothers, of Seaton. They were expert growers of corn. The next year there were many large sales of full-blood animals throughout the county. J. M. Bay, of Sunny Slope Farm, sold a herd of Short- horns at an average price of $150 each. The highest price obtained was $295. J. F. Cox & Son, of Keithsburg, sold a herd of large type Poland China hogs at auction. J. L. Moseley also sold at public auction a herd of the large bred type of Poland Chinas.
In 1913 C. A. Campbell, superintendent of the local experiment station, reported forty-two bushels of wheat to the acre. This was much higher than was grown in the county and about three times higher than the average grown in the state. Cox & Hollinrake, of Keithsburg, sold many of the large type Poland China hogs at public auction. In 1913 the large crops of alfalfa grown on the experiment station near Aledo attracted the attention of farmers throughout the county. At the first cutting the yield was two tons to the acre; at the second cutting, one and a half tons, and at the third cutting, about one and a half tons. The total was a little over five tons to the acre for the season. With hay at $12 a ton, farmers realized that alfalfa could be grown in this county with great profit.
The sixtieth annual fair was held in September, 1913. The so- ciety planned the program on an extensive scale and carried it out with success. The Tom Marshall trophies of cups, medals. etc .. were on exhibition. He had already given this outfit to the Chicago Athletic Association, but it was secured for exhibition here. The total collection was valued at $50,000. At this fair the authorities took special pains to secure better order than had prevailed on other occasions. They were instructed particularly to look out for pick- pockets and crooks of all descriptions. A feature which helped advertise the fair was a motordrome race against time. Many fast horses were entered and better arrangements for meals for the people were made. The fair was recognized as an annual clearing house for the agricultural products and ideas of the county. As never
231
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
before scientific agriculture was practiced throughout the county and was recognized as the most profitable course to pursue. Another feature of the fair was an educated horse. The grounds were put in splendid condition and the fair was called in the advertisements the "Diamond Jubilee Fair," being the sixtieth (less two) thus far held in the county. Ten small shows were advertised, besides games of every description. The purses offered for the races were as fol- lows: On Wednesday, $500 for the 2:30 trot; $500 for the 2:12 pace ; $500 for the 2:25 pace, and $75 for the 41/2-furlong dash. On Thursday, $500 for the 2:16 trot; $500 for the 2:15 pace; $600 for the free-for-all trot; $300 for the four-year-old and under pace; $100 for the derby mile run, and $35 for the mule team wagon race of a half mile. On Friday, $500 for the 2:20 pace; $600 for the free-for-all pace; $500 for the 2:22 trot, and $75 for the five-furlong dash.
Another feature advertised was the daylight fireworks. The fair opened September 16th with the largest array of exhibits ever shown in Northwestern Illinois. The swine exhibit was far better than ever before. The horses and cattle were about equal to the best previous shows. The exhibits were greater in number and the ar- rangement was better. The draft-horse exhibit fell off a little in excellence. T. B. Danielson, of Preemption, showed ten road horses ; Robert Marus, of Viola, road horses ; J. M. Brown and W. A. Nes- bitt, same; George D. Reed, Clydesdales; Roy E. Vance, of Alexis, showed jacks and colts; Jones Brothers, of Seaton, exhibited Shet- land ponies; Earl Dixon, who owned the largest pony farm in the county, exhibited twenty-four from a herd of 200; A. L. Whan showed Percherons; Albert Bonynge also showed Percherons; Del- litt & Son, of Duncan, exhibited Percherons and mules; A. J. Marky showed Belgian horses; C. W. Bridgford exhibited several French draft horses; R. H. Whitsitt showed a Percheron horse weighing 2,200 pounds. In a small tent on the grounds were two young buf- faloes, a cross between a buffalo cow and an Aberdeen bull.
The poultry show was even better than ever before. Jones Brothers. of Seaton, exhibited Orpingtons; Bert Keilman, Rhode Island Reds; Mrs. J. M. Strong, of Keithsburg, White Plymouth Rocks; Percy Crabbs, White Plymouth Rocks; Mrs. D. A. Brown, Buff and Bronze turkeys and Leghorns; H. R. Morgan, Partridge Wyandottes; Thomson Sisters and J. H. Fassnacht, Rose and Single Combed Rhode Island Reds; Ed Valentine, white turkeys. There were other poultry exhibits. The cattle show was one of unusual excellence. G. E. Thornton & Son, of Millersburg, showed Aber- deen Angus cattle; J. M. Bay, Shorthorns; W. C. Egbert, a herd of
232
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
Jersey cattle. These were but a few of the many fine cattle exhibits. Those to exhibit swine were the following: Guy Smith showed twenty-five Chester Whites; G. W. Winters, Duroc Jerseys; Bige- low & Son, Duroc Jerseys; Wayland Brothers, Berkshires and Ches- ter Whites ; J. B. Cooper, Hampshires; John Mayhew, Hampshires. Racing was postponed Wednesday on account of rain. At this fair was Samuel Braucht, of Humboldt, Kansas, aged ninety-two years, one of only three men present who had attended the first fair in the county at Millersburg in 1853. C. W. McCreight was the other one who had attended the first fair. Mr. McCreight said the grounds at the first fair were enclosed with a brush fence. He was eighty- five years old at this time. Isaac N. Bassett was the third person who was present at the fairs of 1853 and 1913. What is told here concerning the first fair of 1853 comes mainly from his excellent recollections. He is now eighty-nine years old. Among the sheep exhibitors were H. C. Haverfield, Bistline & Kistler and Bruce Warwick. Jones Brothers, of Seaton, won the first prize for an exhibit of fifty ears of corn. They also took the first and third prizes for the ten ear exhibit. They had 160 acres in corn this year. The daylight fireworks made the hit of the fair, it was stated. The works exploding in part showed spread out the Stars and Stripes and other interesting objects. The motordrome race was done by E. A. Bachus and was called dare-devil by the local newspapers. Ralph Thede made an excellent exhibit of farm machinery; Noonan Brothers showed an excellent line of vehicles of various kinds. The fair as a whole was unusually successful and satisfactory. The total receipts amounted to $10,064.84. Thus they were not as large by a consider- able sum as those of previous years, but the falling off was occasioned by the rains which prevented the usual attendance. However, the society came through the show with good success. The total entries were 4,224 and paid premiums amounted to $4,286.25; the total receipts, including the state appropriation, were $12,375.72.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.