USA > Maine > Waldo County > Unity > A history of the Town of Unity, Maine > Part 18
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
In the winter and spring of 1861 a group of men chiefly from Unity, but including Freedom, Troy, Burnham, Thorndike, Jackson, and
1. J. W. Lang, "Survey of Waldo County" Eighteenth Annual Re- port of the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture, Augusta, 1873, p. 253. Among the trustees were Samuel Marden, Mark S. Stiles of Jackson, Thomas Ayer of Unity, Charles Prescott of Troy, Ithamar Bellows of Freedom, Ebenezer Stevens of Thorndike and others.
2. In the spring of 1849 the Waldo Agricultural Society chose a committee of three to visit the towns in order to obtain members and promote interest (Maine Farmer, March 8, 1849). Maine Farmer, October 11, 1849. Trustees from this area then included John L. Seavey of Unity, Peter Moulton of Thorndike, Jesse 'Smart of Troy, Hamlin Roberts of Brooks and others. At the annual exhibit of 1850 a few Unity men served as judges: Thomas Ayer; Eli Moulton grain and vegetables; and George Randlett on leather, boots and shoes.
3. The North Kennebec Agricultural Society was incorporated July 31, 1847. The original limits of the society included the towns of Fair- field, Smithfield, Waterville, Belgrade, Winslow, Clinton, Benton, China, Albion, Unity and Burnham. ("Agriculture and Industry of Kennebec County." Report of the Secretary of Maine Board of Agriculture 1867, p. 186).
147
THE NORTH WALDO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Knox farmers, organized at Unity village an agricultural society by the name of North Waldo Agricultural Society.4 The purpose of the organization was wholly for the advancement of agricultural and mechanical arts. And according to the incorporation papers "said so- ciety shall have all the powers and privileges and be subject to all lia- bilities and restrictions usually granted to and imposed upon similar societies."5 At the first meeting after incorporation, Eli Vickery was elected president; Thomas S. Keene and E. Pease, vice president; Benjamin B. Stevens, secretary; Eli Moulton, treasurer; and Gorham Hamilton, librarian. The members adopted the by-laws of the Waldo Agricultural Society and immediately began making plans for a fair in the fall." The secretary's report of this year showed that the society was comprised of some "one hundred members."
The first fair was held at the village on October sixteenth and seventeenth 1861. The old bark sheds of the tannery, standing ap- proximately where the old Gerrish and Graffam blacksmith shops stood, were used for the cattle show and other exhibits.8 Committees were appointed whose duties were to arrange and judge the entries. Premiums were presented to the first, second and third best exhibitors.
The fair of 1861 was a success with a good crowd in attendance. The secretary wrote "there was a good display of stock at the exhibi- tion, including about one hundred fifty oxen ... a few cows, about fifty sheep, the best of which was Southdowns."9 The correspondent of the Republican Journal wrote that "although the regulations were very imperfect, yet the people seemed well satisfied" and that the show of neat stock and horses was "superior to any they had seen."10
4. Laws of Maine (1860-61) Chapter 92, p. 98. Incorporated March 14, 1861. The "corporators" listed were Charles Baker, Benja- min F. Harmon, Samuel S. Berry, Jewett Farwell, Seth Thompson, Michael Morton, Stephen Rand, Josiah M. Coffin, C. H. Webb, Charles Patterson, Elhanan Bennett, Peter Ayer, Jr., J. C. Glidden, Mark Shib- les, Thomas Penny, David Penney, A. W. Rich, and David Boody.
5. Ibid.
6. Trustees for 1861 were Edwin Shellitoc Stevens, Crosby Fowler, Peter W. Ayer, Elisha Johnson, Charles Patterson, Nathan Philbrick, A. N. Rich, David Boody, E. K. Vose, Mark Shibles, Amasa Norton, Rufus Bodge, Elias Milliken and (Amos Edmunds.
7. Copy of original by-laws pasted on cover of "Records of North Waldo Agricultural Society beginning December 4, 1880; the second volume." Record book now in possession of Mrs. Ethel H. Ward of Unity. Article I states "the society shall meet annually, on the last Tuesday of January at ten o'clock in the forenoon at such place as shall be designated by a vote of the society." The membership fee was one dollar and six dollars for life membership. Article X provided, "a cat- tle show, exhibition and fair shall be held on the day the trustees may appoint .
8. Conversations with Frank Mussey of Unity to the author about July 1937.
9. Agriculture and Geology of Maine, 1861, Abstract of Returns from Agricultural Societies edited by Stephen L. Goodale, Second Se- ries, Augusta, 1862, p. 62.
10. Republican Journal, Belfast, November 1, 1861. This report showed that there were forty-two pairs of oxen and steers; fifteen cows and heifers; and thirty horses including colts.
148
A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE,
The North Waldo Agricultural Society held its second annual fair and cattle show on Wednesday and Thursday, October fifteenth and sixteenth (1862). The weather both days was pleasant, typical of October with its days cool and clear. The reporter of the Journal wrote;
The usual quiet village of Unity assumed a lively appearance; the streets and grounds of the society being filled with people, large num- bers of whom came in from all the towns included in the society, as well as many from other parts of the county.
The fair was held in the lower part of the village on grounds formerly owned by the Snell Tannery. During the first day the several committees examined the exhibits for later awarding premiums. Dur- ing the morning of the second day a horse trot was featured for the benefit of those who thrilled to watch a spanking thoroughbred show his speed. However, the reporter stated that the fast horses were not what they had been cracked up to be. The horses raced in the main street of the village, while the sidewalks were jammed with spectators. For this reason the drivers slowed the speed of their sleek trotters. Except for the lack of a track the reporter wrote, ... "then we can see no reason why the 2:40 animals should not show themselves there as well as anywhere." On Thursday morning a procession formed on the grounds consisting of the marshals of the day, Alfred Berry and G. P. Sanborn, President of the Day, S. S. Berry, the officers of the society, many members, and a portion of Capt. Fletcher's company of the 26th Maine Regiment (this was company "A" consisting largely of Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Brooks, and Knox volunteers), who were on furlough. The procession paraded through the principal streets of Unity and then marched to the Union Meeting House, where an excellent address was delivered by the Rev. E. H. Prescott, whose re- marks were instructive to all those persons engaged in farming. Clos- ing the program Benjamin B. Stevens announced the awards for the best exhibits.
The outstanding features of the fair seemed to be the show of neat stock and horses of which there were two hundred and two animals shown. The Journal reporter noted, Oct. 24, 1862, "There were some very fine yoke of oxen on the grounds, as was proved by strength exhibited at the drawing match." There was a small amount of fruit displayed, especially some apples of enormous size, and an especially fine display of grapes. Also noted were some butter, cheese, and honey. The display of handiwork of the ladies was small, much smaller than that of the previous year owing partly to a few articles having been injured at last year's fair because of a rather unsuitable place to show the delicate sewing and embroideries. Everything con- sidered. the fair of 1862 was one of the most notable ones held for several years.
The fair was held for the next two or three years at the village in the bark sheds and then for one year held in the field near the pond
149
THE NORTH WALDO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
cemetery.11 In 1865 the society moved its annual exhibition to Stev- ens' Trotting Park, where it was held as long as the fair existed.12 E. S. Stevens had a long dance hall adjoining his house opposite the trot- ting park. Here the fruits, vegetables and household craft work such as home-made cloth, rugs, blankets, quilts, covers, and fancy work were displayed.
A few excerpts taken from the secretary's reports portray the work of the North Waldo County Agricultural Society during its early years.
October 12, 13, 1864 . . . There were some four or five yards well filled with sheep, besides a large number of bucks of the various breeds raised in this county. The people in this vicinity as well as other places are paying particular attention to the raising of sheep and find it very profitable with the present high prices of wool and mutton . . . there was a large variety of manufactured articles presented. The show was sadly deficient of agricultural implements .. . 13
Edmund Murch, Secretary
October 9, 10, 1866. The fifth annual show fair of the North Waldo Agricultural Society held at Stevens' Trotting Park ... the number of entries were as large as usual. The show of neat stock horses and sheep was good . . . the fall feed never having been better in our locality. The show at the hall was excellent. A good display of fruit ... Some of our farmers report their wheat at from thirty or forty bushels per acre . .. 14
The fair of October 9, 10, 1867, Stevens' Trotting Park, . . . The weather was pleasant, the number of entries as large as usual. The character of the cattle exhibited was highly creditable, embracing Durhams, Ayrshires, Jerseys, and Herefords. The horses and colts were the best ever exhibited at our fair. Merino and native sheep were present as usual. But few swine shown. The fruit at the hall was the best ever has been exhibited . .. The display of carriages and cul- tivators was as good as usual. Comparing the present with the past six years, there is a noticeable improvement in our neat stock, horses and sheep, and agriculture generally.15
Eli Vickery, secretary.
October 7, 8, 1868, Trotting Park ... We anticipated a larger at- tendance and a better display in every department of our exhibition than formerly, and should not have been disappointed had not our fair been held on the same days as the State Fair. We endeavored to fix the time of our Fair so as not to interfere ... but its postponement brought us into collision. Consequently some superior stock and articles were on exhibition at Portland, which would otherwise have been exhibited at our fair. Leading members of our society ... were absent at Port- land.
More interest than formerly is manifested in the improvement of the horse in our society. There were some ten entries of stock and dairy cows.16
11. In Jefferson Bartlett's farm, afterwards Charles Bartlett's and now part of Charles Mussey's property.
12. Agriculture of Maine, 1866, "Abstract of Returns from Agricul- tural Societies," second series, Augusta, 1867, p. 32.
13. Ibid., 1864, p. 29. The financial report showed society raised $167.75 largely from membership dues. No admission charge was made until many years later, then it was only twenty-five cents. Money re- ceived from the state $90.75; amount of money offered for premiums $190.50; awarded $152.00; offered live stock $149.50; awarded $110.50.
14. Ibid., 1866, p. 32.
15. Ibid., 1867, p. 57.
16. Ibid., 1868, p. 79.
150
A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
October 12, 1869 . . . a larger number of persons attending than at any previous meeting . . . Sheep husbandry is declining, the number kept having been reduced one third from that of few years ago.
The entries for potatoes indicate crops as large as from three hundred to three thirty bushels per acre, and wheat in one instance forty- five bushels per acre. More attention is being paid to this crop than formerly. Mr. Vickery of Unity raised this year two hundred and twenty bushels and many farmers raised more than they require for home use.17
October 7, 8, 1870. The ninth exhibition ... was to have been on the fourth and fifth, but on account of rain was postponed. . . The weather being fine the attendance average, the show as a whole was a decided improvement on some previous years. The show of stock was not as large as in some years owing to the postponement and bad trav- eling. Some five specimens of Hereford and Durham bulls were shown .. The number of horses and colts was quite large . .. The drawing of horses and oxen was pronounced firstrate. The trial of speed was better than ever known before on the track. The display of sheep was small, but of superior quality; Leicester, Cotswolds, South Downs, ... Our grain and root crops were good, notwithstanding the severe drought . The fair in the hall18 was superior to any former year; a great variety of fruit of all kinds ... the exhibition in the ladies' department exceeded all former years one hundred per cent in quantity, and of ex- cellent quality. The display of cloth, quilts, coverlets, blankets, linen, damask, tow and line, carpeting, rugs, hose, mittens, yarn and needle work were indicative of much skill and perseverance . . . Our society has increased twenty-five percent in number this year. We have a Farmers' Club and much interest is manifested in the various subjects of debate .. . 19
John Royal, secretary
In 1870 the subject of horse trotting was heatedly discussed. For several years there had been a controversy concerning the feasibility of allowing horse racing. One group believed it hurt the fair because it discouraged farmers from bringing their cattle for such small pre- miums. The largest purse was awarded to the horse trotters, who usually took the money out of town. The other group argued that it attracted a larger number of spectators and therefore was profitable. Only a few objected to trotting on moral grounds.
Horse trotting at the fair started just a few years following its or- ganization. In 1864, Edmund Murch, the secretary, wrote, "Notwith- standing the second day of the fair was cold and stormy, there was a large attendance to witness the trials of the speed of horses, in which doubtless many were interested, but which a large portion would will- ingly dispense with."20 Despite the objections horse trotting was al- lowed until the fair of 1871.
In 1870 the farmers of Unity organized a Farmers' Club of forty members from the North Waldo Agricultural Society.21 At a Decem- ber meeting of that year they met at Linkfield's Hall in the village and discussed, "Horse trotting at our fairs."22 John Royal, the club's sec- retary wrote,
17. Ibid., 1869, p. 40.
18. Sometimes the hall referred to was the hall which stood in the village on the spot where Adams' Store and Whitehouse's garage stood, but was burned in 1878.
19. Ibid., 1870, p. 41.
20. Ibid., 1864, p. 29.
151
THE NORTH WALDO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
It has been and it still is thought by many that fairs cannot be car- ried on successfully without aid of the horsetrot. 'Some of the most prominent members could not see any way to get along without trot- ting and pay the premiums. All admitted that horse trotting was an evil, but a few were willing to dispense with that evil. A spirited dis- cussion followed which lasted until late evening. On motion a vote was taken and we advise the trustees of North Waldo Agricultural Society to omit the outside trot at our next fair by a way of trial.
The Farmers' Club brought all their weight against horse racing, and at a meeting held in July 1871 the trustees of the North Waldo Society voted to do away with the outside purse for trotting horses.23
The tenth fair came near not materializing. "The trustees delib- erated some time before concluding to have a fair this year."24 The chief reasons were the drought and swarms of grasshoppers which that year injured all crops so much that the members were doubtful, "whether we could get up a respectable show of stock and farm prod- ucts." Nevertheless they went ahead and, despite the absence of horse- trotting and the crop failures, the fair was considered "the best one we have had for years." The write-up in the Maine Farmer mentioned that for some years past the highest premiums offered went to the trotters, "to the neglect of agricultural interests and many of our sub- stantial farmers have become so thoroughly disgusted therewith as to absent themselves therefrom."25 With the announcement that horse racing was dropped "the farmers of this section not only put in an appearance themselves, but brought out their best stock."26 Charles Butman of Dixmont received the first award for the best stallion; Elijah Ware took second prize for his three-year old colt; Benjamin Bartlett took the first for his mare and foals. Peter W. Ayer was awarded first prize for his pure bred two-year-old dark red Durham bull of "Bates Stock" with a girth of six feet and two inches. This bull was purchased by Ayer of Augustus Whitman of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and weighed twelve hundred and ninety pounds. George W. Clark received first for his fine draft oxen, and there were many more excellent animals exhibited.
21. Maine Farmer, December 17, 1870. This club met on Saturday evenings; Thomas H. Cook, president; James Libby, 'Jr., secretary.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid., July 8, 1871. The Unity Farmers' Club was founded on October 30, 1869. George Brackett of Belfast spoke on this occasion urging the Unity farmers to improve their breeds and quality of prod- uce. This club flourished for about a decade and then declined. Offi- cers included John Royal, president, succeeded by Thomas Cook, and James Libby, secretary. The Waldo county Agricultural clubs met in Unity Nov. 20, 1872, discussed the problems of sheep husbandry, and listened to a paper read by J. W. Lang in Associated Dairying. The Farmer's Convention was held in Unity again in late December 1877 under the auspices of Peter Ayer and George Brackett. Prof. M. C. Fernald of the State College at Orono spoke on "The Margin of Profit in Farming," and Dr. Allen, the State College president addressed a large group in the evening on the true education for farmers and mechanics.
25. Ibid.
26. Ibid.
152
A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
In the end, however, those who desired horse racing triumphed. In 1875, horse racing returned. In that year there were two races, the 2:35 and 2:55 for which the purses were seventy-five and one hundred and fifty dollars respectively. Starting in the first race there were ten horses in the 2:35 class. O. A. Blackington's "Black Ozro" won the first money, taking the race in 2:43. In the 2:55 race four horses started. J. S. Ayer's black gelding took first money, rounding the track in 2:37.27 On the second day of the fair, three races were trotted in thirteen heats. "Ozro" again took first money, coming in ahead in 2:52 1/2 his time. The second and third races were for purses of one hundred and two hundred dollars respectively. The third or sweepstakes was open to all horses and hard upon contestants. J. Fairbank's "Plymouth Rock" did the best time in 2:32 1/2.28
The show of farm animals was unusually large, but, wrote the Bel- fast correspondent,
The attendance was slim owing partly to the rawness of the weather and nothing interesting to draw them out. It has come to pass that un- less there is a good horse trot the occasion fails to draw a crowd. The comparing and exhibiting of farm produce does not excite that interest for which the exhibition is intended and everything centers on the horse ... The premium offered for the best beef oxen fattened within the county is three dollars, while the purse for trotting is often three hundred. The jockies run the concern. The larger portion of Monday was consumed in entering articles, a trial of oxen and a trot in the after- noon. The races were for three and five year olds and were uninterest- ing ... The second (day) was for the examination of stock and with a trot. The third and last day for the awarding of premiums and grand sweepstake race.29
The year 1875 saw the first mention of gambling concessions. A man by the name of C. E. Robinson of Northport ran a "wheel of fortune" which aroused the displeasure of certain members of the crowd. A Unity man by the name of Whitney "interfered with Robinson, and broke down his fixtures" for which Robinson knocked him down and handled him very roughly.30 Robinson was arrested and placed under guard; however, he was permitted to run his wheel during the rest of the fair, but required to appear in court the follow- ing week.
A meeting of the trustees was called on June thirtieth 1877 at which members discussed the possibility of holding the fair elsewhere; a change of location it was thought might "awaken a deeper interest in its success."31 Therefore, they decided to put on the fair at Thorn- dike station. "Mr. Bumps pledged the use of a field for the purpose and Mr. Gordon pledged the use of his hall." Also at this same time the trustees filled the vacancy of the treasurer's office caused by the
27. Republican Journal, October 14, 1875.
28. Ibid.
29. Ibid.
30. Republican Journal, October 21, 1875.
31. Maine Farmer, July 21, 1877.
153
THE NORTH WALDO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
death of Eli Vickery, one of the society founders and an ardent sup- porter. Vickery, considered one of Waldo County's best farmers, was succeeded by H. B. Rice.
The subject of horse trotting appeared again and the society deemed it "expedient to revise the premium list by striking out everything relating to horse trotting."32 The question came up about calling in experts to judge the exhibits. Most agreed that the matter of appoint- ing committees and "making awards according to their decisions is a mere farce; yet some objections were urged against having experts from without the limits of the society for judges."33 The matter rested until the August meeting when the members adopted seven divisions. The judges were to be appointed by the trustees. Each member of the trustees was permitted to appoint one judge in one or more classes. They further agreed there would be no admission fee except to the hall.34
The fair was held at Thorndike on October fourth, the first and only time it was ever held outside Unity. There was an exceptional show of excellent stock. Peter W. Ayer exhibited his herd of Short- horns, with the pride of his herd the "Knight of Geneva" an animal with six-foot eight-inch girth. Robert M. Oliver of Freedom brought his four "trained steers" which attracted a large crowd. These crea- tures were exhibited at the State Fair in Lewiston where they drew favorable comment.35 Benjamin R. Hunt was awarded the first prize for his stallion, "Fearnaught" by "Empire". The only pair of matched horses was shown by Edwin Rand of Unity. Among carriage horses there was considerable competition, but finally the awards were pre- sented to Edwin S. Stevens of Unity, Abner Bumps of Thorndike and Nathan Morton.36
Spectators at the fairs enjoyed the drawing of oxen. The drag was loaded with two huge boulders of undetermined weight. E. C. Fenderson hooked his large seven-year-old oxen to the drag pulling it forty-six feet at the first pull. As might be expected the "trained steers" of R. M. Oliver made the "handsomest pull of the day," but did not pull as far as the former yoke.
The effect of the agricultural fairs is noted in the secretary's re- port of 1877.37
The agriculture of our section is advancing with steady strides. The gradual development of advanced ideas, and the more general applica- tion of scientific principles to farming; the slow yielding of old notions as new actors come on the stage; the more general diffusion of a prac- tical knowledge of agriculture among the young men, and the sure dis-
32. Ibid.
33. Ibid.
34. Ibid., August 25, 1877. It was the custom to divide the exhibi- tion into many small classes having a committee of three to make awards in each class. Unfortunately this method caused confusion and dissatisfaction.
35. Ibid., October 20, 1877.
36. Ibid.
37. Annual Report of Maine Board of Agriculture 1878, p. 156.
154
A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
pelling of the hateful and erroneous idea that farming is a degrading vocation, bespeak a bright future for the agriculture of the old "Pine Tree State." The advent of the mowing machine has done more to stimulate the improvement of our farms, than any one thing. The clearing of fields of stumps and rocks is of necessity a work of time, but the amount of such work done in our State in the last seventeen years is simply enormous. The saving, protection and application of manure, is another subject which is engrossing the attention of the till- ers of the soil. A few years ago the idea prevailed that manure was not suitable for use, unless it had lain and leached one year. Now the quicker it is applied to the soil, the more remunerative the returns.
No outstanding changes occurred in the management of the fair for many years. An interesting premium was offered for the best baby under a year old in 1887, which was awarded to Mrs. Guerney Stevens,38 and in 1888 Harold Harding was selected as the "hand- somest."39 Because the society owned no property it always leased its grounds from E. S. Stevens. In 1891 Stevens sold the "Trotting Park" to Edwin Reynolds and from him the society continued the lease. There was no grandstand or proper exhibition hall, but in 1890 the trustees made an agreement with Stevens that they would hold their fairs at the Trotting Park for the next five years and "that we agree to pay Mr. Stevens sixty-five dollars per year for the use of same providing E. S. or C. E. Stevens build a grandstand with hall beneath sixty feet long and not less than twenty-two feet in width "40 Likewise Stevens was to own the exhibition hall, and have the proceeds of the grandstand. Also at this time it was voted to do away with the family tickets and charge twenty-five cents admission to all gentlemen, with the admittance of ladies free.
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.