USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 34
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For many years after the first settlement of the Connecticut Valley by the English, the staple crops there produced were wheat and Indian corn. The latter staple was easily cultivated, produced generous crops, and from the Indians the settlers learned how to fashion it into many
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FARM CROPS.
toothsome articles of diet. To "rye and Indian " bread New England theology and education and industry are deeply indebted. To these staple crops additions were made from time to time. Rye and oats and barley and flax, peas and beans and pumpkins, all were early introduced and furnished profitable crops. But few potatoes were raised until near the end of the eighteenth century. Spanish potatoes were in use by some; it is stated that Amherst people were compelled to call on Pelham residents to learn from them how to raise potatoes and turnips. A little tobacco was raised in the earlier years, but it did not gain prominence as a crop until a comparatively recent time. Considerable broom-corn was raised and the product manufactured into brooms and brushes by local industry.
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Doubtless there were many interesting facts and incidents connected with agricultural pursuits in Amherst in the olden time. They were unchronicled, and from lack of accurate data must remain so. It was not until societies for the promotion of agriculture were establised that records were kept of the farmers' doings. The first agricultural society in Western Massachusetts was organized at Pittsfield in 1810. It was incorporated the following year, under the name of "The Berkshire Agricultural Society, for the promotion of Agriculture and Manufactures." Three years later, the General Court passed the following special act, under date of June II :
" An act to incorporate the Hampshire Agricultural Society :- Be it enacted, etc .---
Sect. I. That Robert Cutler, Calvin Merrill, Rufus Cowls, Samuel F. Dick- inson, Hezekiah W. Strong, Enos Baker, John Strong, Elijah Boltwood, Simeon Strong, Giles C. Kellogg, Horace Merrill, Charles Phelps and Isaac Abercrombie, their associates and successors, be, and they are hereby made a Corporation, by the name of the Hampshire Agricultural Society, for the purpose of promoting Agriculture; and for this purpose shall have the same powers and privileges, and be subject to the like duties and restrictions, as the other incorporated Agricultural Societies in this Commonwealth ; and the Corporation may hold and possess real estate. not exceeding the value of five thousand dollars, and the annual income of its personal estate shall not exceed the value of three thousand dollars.
Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That any Justice of the Peace for the county of Hampshire is hereby authorized to issue a warrant, directed to one of the members above-named. requiring him to notify and warn the first meeting of said Society, to be held in Amherst, in said County, at such convenient time and place in said town as may be appointed in said warrant, to organize the said Society, by electing the necessary officers, and forming rules and regulations for the government of the society."
Neither town or county records contain any mention of this society. There is nothing to show that it was ever organized or existed in anything che than name. The charter is of interest as showing that Amherst men we're fully abreast of the times in agricultural as well as educational matters. It is interesting to note that among the names of the incorporators are those
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
of two men who were connected with the organization of Amherst Academy in 1812. In 1818, the " Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Agricultural Society " was organized and incorporated, representing with distinguished success for many years the agricultural interests of the large territory embraced in the limits of old Hampshire county. Amherst men took part in its organization and Amherst farmers were among its strongest sup- porters. The old "Three Counties " society has a long and honorable history, in which its members living in Amherst take just pride. During the decade beginning in 1840, great interest was awakened throughout the state in matters pertaining to agricultural education and scientific agricul- ture. President Edward Hitchcock was a leader in this movement, and Amherst naturally became a center of intelligence and activity in connec- tion with it. The interest in agricultural matters thus aroused took practical shape, in 1846, in the holding of Amherst's first cattle-show.
In the autumn of 1846, meetings were held in the town, at which committees were appointed to make arrangements for a cattle-show. These committees prosecuted their work with diligence ; the show was held on the common, Nov. 12, and was pronounced by a spectator " one of the greatest, if not the greatest, display of cattle ever exhibited in Hampshire county." The exhibits included neat stock, horses, swine and sheep; there were 144 yoke of cattle and 40 horses. Over one hundred persons sat down at table at the dinner which was prepared and served at the Amherst house. Hon. Edward Dickinson presided, with President Hitch- cock on his right and Rev. Professor Warner on his left ; divinity, science and law bestowed their blessings on the enterprise. A committee was appointed, consisting of one member from each school district in the town, to make necessary arrangements for the organization of a town agricultural society. The second cattle-show was held in 1847. It was described by the Express as a " mass meeting of the farmers." By the middle of the forenoon of the day appointed the common was covered with men and animals. There was a large display of cattle. An exhibition of fruits and vegetables was made in Sweetser's hall : there, also, the ladies presided at tables where articles were sold for charitable purposes. North Amherst provided a band, which " discoursed sweet music at different times through- out the day." At the cattle-show held in IS48, premiums were first awarded. The committee of arrangements had no money, but they distributed patent right deeds on inventions of Major Joseph Colton, of a nominal value of $to,ooo, but in actual value problematical. The cattle- show of 1849 was held Oct. 31. It surpassed in many features anything of similar nature that had taken place in Hampshire county east of the Connecticut river. The display of cattle was larger than ever before pre-
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EAST HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
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sented at a similar show in Massachusetts. There were exhibited 260 pairs of working cattle, including 69 yoke from Leverett and 52 yoke from South Amherst. Over 200 persons were present at the dinner, which was served at the Amherst house. After the dinner, Hon. Myron Lawrence of Belchertown delivered an address in favor of railroads. It was determined to organize an agricultural society. On motion of Alfred Baker, it was voted that the farmers of the eastern part of Hampshire County form a society for the promotion of agriculture, and, as a preliminary step, a subscription paper was passed to raise the necessary funds. Over $300 was subscribed at the time. The statement was made that the town of Amherst was pledged to raise $500 of the $1,000 necessary to secure a charter from the state, if other towns in the neighborhood would make up the remainder.
In April, 1850, the following act was passed by the General Court :
" An Act to incorporate the East Hampshire Agricultural Society :.-
Alfred Baker, Edward Dickinson, Luke Sweetzer, their associates and suc- cessors, are hereby made a corporation, by the name of the East Hampshire Agricultural Society, for the encouragement of agriculture and the mechanic arts, by premiums and other means, in the town of Amherst, in the county of Hamp- shire, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the duties, liabilities and restrictions, set forth in the forty-second and forty-fourth chapters of the Revised Statutes, and all subsequent acts concerning agricultural societies: and said corporation may hold and manage real estate, not exceeding in value the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and personal estate not exceeding the same sum, for the purposes aforesaid."
This act was approved by the governor, May 1. The following act was passed by the General Court in May, 1851 :
" An Act concerning the East Hampshire Agricultural Society :
The East Hampshire Agricultural Society, in the county of Hampshire, shall after the passing of this act, be called and known by the name of the Hampshire Agricultural Society.
Sect. 2. The said society shall be entitled on the same terms as other incor- porated agricultural societies, to receive annually, out of the treasury of the Com- monwealth, such sums as any other agricultural society may receive, under the provisions of chapter forty-two of the Revised Statutes, notwithstanding the restriction of section seven of that chapter."
When the act of incorporation was passed in 1850, the incorporators did not possess, in that capacity, property to the amount of $3,000, which was necessary in order to secure an annual bounty of $600 from the state. Measures were at once instituted to raise a permanent fund sufficiently large to secure this state bounty. These measures were successful, and in 1851 the treasurer reported a permanent fund, securely invested and bearing interest, amounting to $3, 150. The society was organized under
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
the charter, Aug. 20, 1850. Alfred Baker was elected president and James W. Boyden secretary and treasurer. The Massachusetts Agricultural society donated to the Hampshire society, in 1850, a pair of North Devon · cattle. The society voted at its first meeting, " that ladies be admitted to seats on cattle-show day." The society held its first fair and cattle-show, after organization, on the common, Oct. 30, 1850. It was a gala occasion for the residents in Amherst and adjoining towns. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon. Soon after sunrise the common was dotted with oyster-booths, auction-stands, gingerbread and cider-carts and all the side-shows which in olden time were considered a necessary adjunct of the cattle-show and which in some places still survive. Long before noon the common was crowded with men, women, children, cattle and horses. A procession was formed and, headed by the Amherst Artillery company, marched to the First church building, where an address was delivered by Professor Fowler. There were many ladies present on this occasion.
The society grew and prospered. At the cattle-show in 1851, 500 cattle were exhibited, 390 working oxen, 123 horses, 600 specimens of poultry. Of the working oxen, 202 came from Belchertown, decorated with flags and attached to a spacious car which was occupied by ISI persons, including the Belchertown brass band. During the year, the society had gained 300 life members and its total membership was 640. Its officers were : President, Alfred Baker ; vice-presidents, Luke Sweetser, Joseph Smith of Hadley, Paoli Lathrop of South Hadley, J. B. Woods of Enfield, Horace Henderson of Sunderland ; secretary and treasurer, James W. Boyden ; executive committee, Horace Kellogg, Samuel Powers of Hadley, Charles Adams, William Thayer of Belchertown, Asa L. Field of Leverett, Benjamin Witt of Granby, W. M. Kellogg. Marshall P. Wilder represented the state board of agriculture at the fair, and delivered an interesting address, in course of which he said : " It is particularly cheering to all who have at heart the advancement of agriculture, to witness the large number of professional gentlemen, for which Amherst is so celebrated, coming forward, with a helping hand, and cooperating with the intelligent farmers of Hampshire County, in behalf of an institution for the promotion of that most important and useful pursuit, the culture of mother earth." In this one sentence Mr. Wilder struck the keynote of the society's prosperity in its earlier years ;. it had the good wishes and hearty support of all classes in the community.
In 1853, the executive committee met in April and prepared a list of premiums, which was printed and copies were posted in more than 200 public places in the towns from which the society drew its support. Thirty-four committees were appointed to award premiums in as many
281
THE SOCIETY PROSPEROUS.
different classes. Many of these classes correspond with those in which premiums are offered by the society at the present time ; others, no longer in existence, were : Plowing with oxen, plowing with horses, subsoil plowing, meadow lands and manures. In 1854, for the first time, the fair and cattle-show was held two days. Over 600 persons competed for premiums. On the second day, a procession was formed and marched through the streets to the First Congregational church building where the annual address was delivered, after which the procession again formed and marched to the Amherst house, where dinner was served. The society voted that its prosperity and usefulness would be promoted by a larger and more convenient hall. The indoor exhibits were displayed in Sweetser's hall and Phoenix hall. The fair in 1855 was graced by the presence of Governor Gardner and Lieutenant-Governor Brown. The permanent fund amounted to $3,570.20, of which $2,427.77 was invested in loans on mortgages of real estate. Premiums were awarded amounting to $367.37. In the report of the transactions for the year, the following prediction is found : " The public spirit of the inhabitants of Amherst will doubtless soon furnish that enterprising town with a suitable town hall, which will also accommodate an annual exhibition and secure its contin- uance at Amherst." An interesting prophecy, but a generation was to pass away ere it was fulfilled even in part. From 4,000 to 5,000 persons attended the society's exhibition in 1856. There were nearly Soo entries for exhibit and premium. During the year a part of the basement story of the First Congregational church building had been partitioned off, suitably fitted and furnished, and christened Agricultural Hall. The room was 75 feet in length by 62 in width. One-half the expense was borne by the Agricultural society, on condition that it should have the use of the room for exhibitions, on payment of a suitable rent, and also have one-half the income from the rent of the hall.
Nothing occurred to mar the prosperity of the society until the year 1859, when there arose a controversy which threatened for a time its very existence. The facts of the case appear to be embodied in a statement made by Levi Stockbridge, at that time a resident of Hadley and a member of the society's executive committee, which forms a part of the report of the society's transactions, published in 1860. This statement may be summarized as follows : For several years after its organization, the society was dependent on individuals and the towns for grounds and halls for exhibi- tion uses. In course of time, the officers found it necessary to build a hall, unauthorized by the society, which up to 1860 had been the only public ball in Amherst. At its annual meeting in 1859, the society was informed that the grounds on which its shows were held had been granted to another
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
association and would not again be opened to their use. There had been for many years a growing conviction in the minds of many members of the society that it should own grounds on which to hold its annual exhi- bitions, in order to increase its income and add to the pleasure of the occasions. Nearly all the agricultural societies in the state had grounds of their own and were prospering, while the Hampshire society seemed to be losing its hold on the interest and sympathies of the farming community. The income of its permanent fund and a large portion of the state bounty was used in payment of current expenses, and no additions were made to the fund. Notice had been received from the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture that the bounty would be withheld unless it was used in payment of premiums or added to the fund. The society had arrived at a point where something must be done to revive its waning prosperity.
With all these facts and reasons before them, and after a full and free discussion of the subject in all its bearings, the society voted by a large majority to instruct its executive committee to purchase or lease grounds and fit them for exhibition purposes, if it could be done within the limits of the fund. Some members expressed fears that the measure would be demoralizing in its influence, from the undue preponderance it would give to the exhibition of horses; they feared, also, that the permanent fund might be lost or impaired by taking it from mortgage investments and spending it on grounds and fixtures, but all appeared willing to give the plan a trial. As soon as possible the committee began their labors in accordance with the vote. It was considered very desirable to procure grounds near the center village, and much time and labor was expended in efforts to that end. But the attempt was a failure. Owing to the nature of the soil, inequalities of surface and the price of land in that vicinity, it was found impracticable. A location was selected at East Amherst, one and one-fourth miles from the common. A plot of land containing sixteen and one-half acres, with soil well suited for the intended purpose, was bought for $650. When it became known that a site had been selected and probably purchased, great dissatisfaction was expressed in certain quarters, and an attempt was made to prevent the accomplishment of the plans decided on by the officers. A meeting of the disaffected was held and resolutions were passed, couched in strong terms, impugning the motives and condemning the course of the officers. The officers thereupon called a meeting of the society, to see what action it would take in refer- ence to show-grounds. The meeting was held in April and attracted a large attendance. After a protracted hearing of the facts in the case, resolutions were passed approving the course adopted by the committee in regard to location, and instructing them to proceed in their work of fitting
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HAMPSHIRE HALL AND PARK.
up the grounds. A vote was also passed, by a large majority, authorizing them to build a hall on the grounds, provided they could raise $1,000 and. do it without involving the society in debt.
The committee continued their work with renewed activity. The grounds were inclosed by a high board fence, a model half-mile track was. graded, all ground in the enclosure was plowed, leveled and smoothed, seats for the people and a judges' stand were erected, and wells were dug for the accommodation of stock. The time approached for holding the exhibition, but no hall had been built ; the committee were unable to secure the $1,000 needed. In this emergency, several public-spirited citizens came forward and gave their personal obligations to the amount of $500. As this made up the sum needed, a contract was made with John H. Haskins to erect a building 100 feet long by 50 wide, with a hall below for exhibition purposes and one above for dinners and addresses. The contract was made in September, and not a 'stick of timber had been cut for the building, but by the energy and skill of the contractor the founda- tions were laid and the superstructure completed ready for use by Oct. 10 .. The hall was large enough to seat 1,000 persons comfortably.
An article in the Hampshire Express under date of March 16, 1860, affords some additional information. The executive committee were unan- imous in their decision to purchase 16 acres of land at East Amherst, of Charles Dickinson and Philip D. Spaulding. They had used every exer- tion to secure land near the village, but were unable to do so without incurring a debt, which was expressly forbidden by the society. The com- mittee bargained for a piece of land belonging to Pomeroy Cutler, which is now intersected by Lincoln avenue, but when this had been examined by a civil engineer they learned that the cost of grading alone would exceed the cost of both land and grading at East Amherst. The soil of the grounds at the center was also unsuitable for a race-track. The com- mittee were influenced somewhat in their choice by a desire to awaken interest and secure stronger support for the society from the farmers in Belchertown. In the same issue of the Express was published a call for a meeting of the disaffected members, signed by 172 names, embracing those of many men who had been prominent in the organization of the society.
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Hampshire Hall and Park were christened and dedicated on the evening of Nov. 2, 1866. In the early part of the evening a concert was held in the hall, attracting an audience which filled it to the doors. At the conclusion of the concert, an historical sketch of the society was pre- sented by Levi Stockbridge, who moved that the hall and grounds be named in honor of the society's president, William S. Clark. Hon. Ithamar F. Conkey moved that the name be Hampshire Hall and Park, and this
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
motion was carried by unanimous vote. The christening ceremony was then performed by President Clark, who said: "By virtue of authority conferred upon me by a special vote of the executive committee of the Hampshire County agricultural society, and by the unanimous consent of this assembly, composed as it is largely of members of this society, I for- mally set apart and solemnly devote these grounds and this hall to the noble purposes of the society, to wit : "The encouragement and promotion .of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts,' and I denounce as profanation any use of them which conflicts with the principles of sound morality. In performing the last act of this ceremony, I shall sprinkle the floor of this building not with oil or wine which have been commonly employed upon similar occasions, but with pure water of our own famous New England river, the beautiful and ever bountiful Connecticut. Now, therefore, I declare the name of this edifice to be Hampshire Hall; and the name of this enclosure to be Hampshire Park, and may these names be preserved and untarnished to remotest generations." The assembly then joined in .singing a hymn of dedication, composed by Charles H. Sweetser, to the tune of " Auld Lang Syne."
The purchase of the grounds and erection of the hall alienated from the society's support many who had heretofore been active in the promo- tion of its interests. The total membership of the society in 1860 was 1056. Of these, 438 were residents of Amherst, 128 of Hadley, 126 of Sunderland, 71 of Leverett, 48 of Belchertown, 36 of Granby, 33 of Pelham, 32 of South Hadley, 27 of Northampton, 20 of Enfield, 12 of Ware. Others were resident in various parts of New England, the Southern and Western states. As these were all life memberships, there was no immediate decrease in the list, but many of the farmers and business men .ceased to take an active interest in the society's affairs and in the annual exhibition. The distance of the fair-grounds from the center village detracted largely from attendance at the cattle-shows, and this was still further reduced by the charging of an admission fee. The building of a race-track and the holding of horse-races was disapproved by many. The excitement attendant on the civil war had an unfavorable effect on the society's affairs, and it entered upon a period of decline from which it has never fully recovered. Within the past few years an earnest effort has been made to restore the society to the commanding position in public favor which it once enjoyed, and with a measure of success. A new and commodious grand-stand has been erected, new horse-sheds have been built, the old fence has been partially rebuilt and extensive . repairs have been made upon the hall. The society is to-day in a more prosperous condition than for many years in the past. with an encouraging outlook for the future.
285'
CREAMERY ASSOCIATIONS.
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The dairy industry in Amherst attained prominence at an early date .. In the early '4os it was the fourth town in the state in the amount of butter produced. It was not until 1882 that the owners of dairy herds decided to avail themselves of the advantages of cooperation in carrying on their business. The Amherst Cooperative Creamery association was organized June 1, 1882, with a capital stock of $2,700, which in 1889 was increased to $3.700. The first officers elected were : Directors, Edmund Hobart, Flavel Gaylord, Charles Lawton, J. E. Merrick, Henry C. West ; president, Edmund Hobart; treasurer, Charles S. Smith ; clerk, William A. Magill .. The above were the only charter members of the association, but the stock was soon distributed among 59 farmers, and since the increase of capital the membership has averaged close to 100. Membership has been restricted to "persons directly engaged in agricultural pursuits." The first creamery building was built in 1882, and the product was first placed on the market in December of that year. The second building was erected in the fall of 1888. The receipts of cream in 1883 were 399,324 spaces ; in 1892 this had risen to 1,907,206 spaces, equivalent to something like. 300,000 pounds of butter. In the first ten years of its existence, the association paid to its patrons over a half-million dollars for cream. The stockholders have received an annual dividend of six per cent. per annum on their investment. The principal market for the product is found in the cities and towns of Hampden county. The Bay State Creamery associa- tion was organized in January, 1889. The capital stock was $2.500, the number of charter members 15. The creamery building was erected in ISSS. The original officers were : Directors, E. A. King, Salmon Wake- field. F. L. Stone, Philip D. Spaulding, W. A. Dickinson ; president, E. A. King ; clerk and treasurer. F. O. Curtiss. The annual product is about 155.000 pounds of butter, valued at some $45,000. The principal market is found in Holyoke.
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