USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
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In the year 1872 another column was added to its size, making its present proportions those of a nine-column paper. Its editor has, at various times, held positions of trust, be- ginning with the presidency of the village, and later having been elected county treasurer, which office he held succes- sively for eight years. In the winter of 1868 and 1869, he represented the district in the State Legislature, and now holds the office of United States internal revenue collector for the Third District, which comprises fifteen counties in the southern portion of the State.
The Jonesville Telegraph was established May 27, 1850, by W. W. Murphy & Co. During a subsequent period of five years it passed through various hands,-S. W. Russell, R. M. Gridley & Co., E. M. Hale, and A. J. Vandenberg being successively its publishers, the latter gentleman taking charge April 18, 1855, and issuing it under the title of the Jonesville Independent. H. N. F. Lewis, later of the Western Rural, Chicago, Ill., became editor and proprietor Sept. 5, 1857, and continued its publication until Jan. 1,
1864, when he sold to James F. Burnett. During July of the same year, Mr. Burnett associated with him James T. Dennis, and the new firm, Burnett & Dennis, continued it until December 17, 1867, when Mr. Dennis became sole proprietor. On the 6th of May, 1875, the firm-name was changed to Dennis & Eggleston, and Aug. 17, 1876, Dr. O. Palmer superseded Mr. Dennis, the paper having since that time been published by the present firm.
Hillsdale Banner .- Another publication, but with a very brief existence, was the Hillsdale Banner. It was estab- lished as a campaign paper, in the interest of the " Free- Soil" party, on the 1st of August, 1848, and ended its short career in October of the same year. Its proprietor was D. M. Bagley.
The Hillsdale Courier .- This was a Democratic sheet, established partially for campaign purposes, and published by James K. Kinman, from Jan. 15 to Oct. 1, 1845. Its brief existence covered a period of scarcely one year, and it left no record which could mark its history as in any sense eventful; the principal object of its owner being to secure the printing of the tax sales, which at that time yielded a considerable revenue.
The Weekly Business .- The Business is an outgrowth of a small advertising sheet, printed by Mr. H. T. Farnam, and devoted entirely to business purposes. In 1870 that sheet was discontinued, and the Business filled its place ; its object being not only to devote a reasonable space to advertising, but to afford its readers a supply of general reading matter of interest. The first number was issued June 1, 1870, being a two-page six-column paper. In July of the same year it was enlarged to a five-column folio, and the following year its dimensions were again in- creased to a six-column folio. In November, Mr. Farnam associated with him Mr. Will. C. Carlton, the popular author of " Farm Ballads," who is a resident of Hillsdale. The following year the senior proprietor managed the paper alone, and in October issued a daily during the sessions of the Baptist Conference held in Hillsdale. In 1872 it was enlarged to an eight-column folio, and in 1874 the firm-name was changed to Farnam & Sands, editors and proprietors. Later in the year, Mr. Frank Sands assumed control, but his management was brief, as Mr. Farnam resumed the publication, and has con- trolled it since that time. In politics the Business claims to be independent.
Reading Newspapers .- In the year 1870, Rev. Mr. Lockhart published and edited the Reading Review, a six- column paper, devoted to local news and general reading matter. The paper seems to have been short-lived, for at the end of six months it was discontinued under circum- stances which did not indicate it to be a financial success. Later, George Gray came from Minnesota and established the Rough Notes, which was maintained for one year. Its title was then changed to the Reading Press, which was continued a year longer. B. J. Kingston purchased the paper and published it for three years, establishing its repu- tation as one of the most readable journals in the county. The first year it was issued as a six-column quarto, and was the largest paper in Hillsdale County. Mr. Kingston finally discontinued the publication of the Press and re-
.
86
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
moved to Coldwater, where he printed a daily and weekly entitled the Coldwater Press.
In 1878, Mr. A. J. French established the Reading News ; but an experience of five months convinced him that he could not make it successful, and he accordingly gave up the attempt.
The Hillsdale Herald .- Apart from the county papers already noticed there is a weekly publication issued under the auspices of Hillsdale College, and called the Hillsdale Herald, devoted to the interests of the college and contain- ing much matter of local and general interest. It is pub- lished at Hillsdale every Thursday, by Henry C. Ackerly, the first number having been issued on the 10th of October, 1878.
Its editorial staff comprise the following names : Alumni Editor, Elon G. Reynolds, A.M., class of 1866; Society Editors, H. M. Ford, Theological; C. C. Durgin, Alpha ; Hattie G. King, Germanæ; May E. Gardner, Union ; D. E. Clark, Amphictyon ; Class Editors, Senior Class, J. C. Turner; Junior Class, Esther E. Patton.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HILLSDALE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Organization in 1851-First Officers-First Fair-A Meagre Exhibi- tion-The Second Fair-Successive Exhibitions-A Factory-Cloth Fence-A Published Catalogue, etc .- On its Present Ground-Back to Jonesville-Change in Elections-Permanent Location at Hills- dale-Grounds Purchased-The Farmers', Mechanics', and Stock- Breeders' Association-Side-Shows-The Society Incorporated- The Pressure of War-A Forfeit Contract-Renewal-Life-Mem- berships-Advance of Prosperity-Large Receipts-Further Im- provements-The Society's Notes-Floral Hall-Receipts in 1866 -- Building a Dining-Hall-Bounds given-First Pioneer Meeting in 1871-The Grand Stand, etc .- Continued Financial Advance- The Climax-The Exhibition of 1878-Out of Debt-Number of Entries, etc .- Description of Buildings-Tabular Statement for 1878 -Mixed Agriculture-Short-Horn Cattle-Fine-Wool Sheep-The Farmers' Institutes-Source of Information-The Secretaries of the Society-List of Presidents.
THIS association was organized on the tenth day of Jan- uary, 1851, at a meeting of farmers held at Underwood's Hall, in Hillsdale village, in response to a call made through the public press. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up and presented by Hon. Henry S. Mead, then a member of the State Legislature, and throughout his life a warm friend of the agricultural interests of the county.
The officers elected at this first meeting were as follows : Hon. Henry Packer, of Litchfield (now of Jonesville), President; Frederick Fowler, of Reading, Levi Treadwell, of Wheatland, and Dr. Stillman Ralph, of Moscow, Vice- Presidents; Hon. John P. Cook, Treasurer; Isaiah H. McCollum, Secretary ; and an executive committee of one from each township in the county, viz. : Benj. F. Pierce, of Moscow ; Henry H. Ferris, of Reading; Chester Hunt, of Somerset; Sherburn Gaige, of Scipio; Hervey Smith, of Litchfield ; Daniel Nichols, of Allen; Wm. N. Guy, of Fayette; Asa G. Edwards, of Adams; Dudley Worden, of Pittsford; O. B. Coffin, of Jefferson ; B. B. Willetts, of
Cambria ; William R. Montgomery, of Camden; Cyrus Patterson, of Woodbridge; Thomas Burt, of Ransom ; Timothy Johnson, of Wright; and Nathaniel S. Dewey, of Amboy.
The first fair was held in October, 1851, on the Court- House Square, in Hillsdale village, the square being used as a show-ground, and the temple of justice itself being taken for an exhibition-hall. The show was not very ex- tensive, either out or in doors. In cattle, the principal objects of interest were a thoroughbred short-horn bull, ex- hibited by Gen. George C. Munro, of Fayette; a bull and one or two heifers, by Z. Williams, of Wheatland ; two or three head of Devons, by Hon. Lewis T. Miller, of Moscow, and a few others. J. D. Van Hovenbergh and some others brought forward a few horses. There were no sheep, nor swine, nor poultry.
Inside, the exhibition was equally meagre. A few do- mestic goods, presented by Mr. Emery and the Misses Cleve- land, a few articles of needlework by the ladies of Hills- dale and Jonesville, and some bread, butter, and fruit by the matrons of the agricultural districts, constituted the whole. The number of entries in all departments was less than a hundred, and the sum of the premiums was less than eighty dollars. This amount and the expenses were raised by subscriptions, no admittance-fees being charged. In one respect, however (the address delivered by Hon. E. H. C. Wilson), the exhibition might compare favorably with those of later date.
In the fall of 1852 the second fair was held on the public square in Jonesville, around which a high board fence was constructed, and to which an admission-fee was charged of half a dollar for annual family tickets, and ten cents for single ones. The address was delivered by the Hon. Robert McClelland, of Monroe. Both the number of entries and the amount of receipts were nearly or quite double those of the previous year.
In 1853, for the first time, the society had what might be considered as its own grounds ; that is, it procured the use of about an acre, on the corner of Vine and Union Streets, north of the St. Joseph River, in Hillsdale village. This was surrounded by a factory-cloth fence; that is to say, by a line of posts on which were stretched several bolts of factory-cloth, two widths in height. There was a still further increase, though not a large one, in the entries and receipts.
The next year, land was leased of Jonathan B. Graham, at Jonesville, and fitted up for the purposes of a fair. This year (1854), for the first time, a catalogue of premiums was published, a short track was prepared for exercising horses, and posters were sent out through the county. The result was a spirited competition in cattle and horses, and the ad- dition of sheep, swine, poultry, and a few mechanical and agricultural implements to the list of exhibits. There were nearly five hundred entries, and four hundred dollars taken for dues and admissions.
In 1855 the officers procured the use of a part of the land now occupied by the association at Hillsdale. The ground was in very bad shape, being described as a " dense wilderness of grubs," and at one time it seemed doubtful whether the fair could be held. However, the president
87
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and secretary, Messrs. Lewis Emery and F. M. Holloway, circulated a subscription, raised money, and by strenuous exertions got the ground in good shape and advertised the fair. It was quite as successful as that of the year before, perhaps more so. The address was by B. F. Johnston, editor of the Michigan Farmer.
The exhibition for 1857 was held at Jonesville, on the grounds previously used, and displayed a marked improve- ment in work-oxen, in Devon cattle, and in horses. Not- withstanding very unfavorable weather, the receipts and entries were about the same as before.
Fair No. 7 (1857) reverted to the former grounds at Hillsdale. The address was delivered by Clinton B. Fisk, of Coldwater, afterwards famous as a general in the Union army. The entries reached the number of nine hundred and sixty-eight, and the receipts the sum of about seven hundred dollars, both being decidedly in advance of those of previous years.
In 1858, Jonesville took its turn, and the exhibition was very creditable, though hardly equal to that of the year before. The constitution was so altered as to require the election of officers to be held by open vote on the last day of the fair, instead of by ballot at the January meeting, as before. The address was delivered by D. L. Pratt, Esq., of Hillsdale.
The next year, as a matter of course, the fair came back to the Hillsdale grounds, the exhibition showing no remark- able change from those of the previous two or three years. The address was by Professor Fisk, of the Agricultural College.
Down to this time the society had had no permanent grounds, and the exhibitions had alternated with perfect regularity between Hillsdale and Jonesville. The incon- venience had become manifest to nearly all, and in 1859 a committee was appointed to see what could be done in regard to a permanent location. On their report the board of managers decided to secure such location within a mile of the court-house. Accordingly, a contract was made with Messrs. Cook & Ferris to purchase seventeen acres, con- stituting a part of the present grounds ; seven acres on the south end for fifty dollars per acre; and ten acres next north for a hundred dollars per acre. Extremely small payments were made during the first two years. All sub- sequent fairs have been held on these grounds.
There was some ill-feeling in the north part of the county regarding the permanent location at Hillsdale, and the fair for 1860 was hardly as successful as some of its predeces- sors. On this account, too, the Farmers', Mechanics', and Stock-Breeders' Association, of Jonesville, was organized, which maintained its existence about ten years, doing a good work, especially for breeders of horses. At the end of that time the stockholders sold their lands for railroad purposes, and since then the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society has received the warm support of all who are inter- ested in institutions of this nature.
The exhibition of 1861, notwithstanding that the war had drawn away many of the younger agriculturists of the county, was a fair success. It was especially so in regard to what may be called side-shows on the inside, such as Bohemian glass-blowers, fat women, etc., the rents paid by
whom amounted to a hundred and sixty dollars in gold,- the first money derived from such sources during the ex- istence of the association. This year, also, measures were taken to reorganize the society under the law of 1855, making it a body corporate, with the right to hold real estate, sue and be sued, etc.
The pressure and excitement of the war were so great in 1862 that the interest in agricultural matters flagged somewhat, and the receipts were but five hundred and thirty-nine dollars.
The next year the results were about the same. Up to this time but trifling payments had been made to Messrs. Cook & Ferris, and the contract with them had become forfeit. Those gentlemen, however, renewed the contract, at the same price and the back interest, and included in it eight acres more, at a hundred dollars per acre, giving ample time in which to make the payments. A number of life- memberships were also sold, by means of which the treasury was supplied, so that the board was enabled to make the first payment under the terms of the new contract. These were the first life-memberships sold, and the movement marked the turning-point between a struggling and a thor- oughly prosperous institution.
In 1864 the work of raising money by these means was successfully carried forward, and, notwithstanding the war, the fair was eminently successful, the receipts reaching the sum of nine hundred and five dollars, though, unfortu- nately, the expenses, including the premiums, etc., were still larger.
In 1865 the soldiers were back from the war, generally with plenty of money, and everybody was happy over the return of peace. The fair was a great success, the receipts reaching what then seemed the enormous sum of fifteen hundred and fifty dollars, exceeding the expenses of all kinds by three hundred and fifty dollars, and placing the society out of debt except for its land. This year arrange- ments were made with some of the citizens of Hillsdale, who agreed to make a further improvement of the grounds on condition of its being open as a driving-park, and for other public purposes, when not in use by the association. A committee, consisting of Messrs. C. T. Mitchell, G. W. Underwood, and Horace Blackmar, raised and expended some two thousand dollars in fencing, building track, and making other permanent improvements. The ladies of the county also raised over five hundred dollars out of a dining- hall and eating-stands, for the purpose of building a floral hall.
The next year the board raised two thousand five hun- dred dollars for the same purpose, by giving the society's notes for various sums, from ten dollars upwards, which were cashed by the friends of the association. With this and the five hundred raised the year before they built the present Floral Hall. The fair this year was a greater success than ever before, the receipts being three thousand three hundred dollars,-nine hundred dollars more than all expenses, which went to pay a portion of the notes just mentioned.
The improvements of 1867 were the building of stables and a judges' stand, and the fair was another success, though not quite so great a one as that of the year before, so far as
88
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
receipts were concerned. The surplus, however, was larger, being fourteen hundred dollars, which was applied on the land contract.
In 1868, notwithstanding a severe storm, the surplus was thirteen hundred dollars, which cleared up the in- debtedness for the land, which was then deeded to the society.
No sooner was one improvement paid for than another was begun. In 1869 the board expended over three thou- sand dollars in building a large dining-hall, an office, a dwelling, and ample cattle-stalls, to pay for which they issued six bonds, of five hundred dollars each, with ten per cent. interest. The receipts this year were a little over three thousand dollars, and the surplus over fourteen hun- dred dollars, which was applied to paying the rest of the notes issued to build Floral Hall.
The next year Mechanics' and Agricultural Hall was built and some other improvements made, at a total cost of two thousand five hundred and fifty dollars, for which bonds were also issued. The receipts reached the highest sum yet attained, three thousand five hundred and fifty-three dollars, of which nearly seventeen hundred dollars was net profit.
In 1871 there was another new feature. All the pioneers. resident in the county on the 1st of January were the in- vited guests of the society and the recipients of a public dinner, this being the origin of the Hillsdale County Pioneer Society. Both receipts and expenses were almost exactly the same as those of the previous year.
The next year the grand stand was built and other im- provements were made, at a cost of two thousand eight hun- dred dollars, of which seventeen hundred was paid by the society and the rest partly by the " Horse Association" and partly by the city of Hillsdale. The receipts this year made another step upward, reaching almost three thousand seven hundred dollars, of which sixteen hundred dollars was profit and applied to the payment of bonds.
In 1873, some twelve hundred dollars was expended in works for supplying the grounds with water. Receipts and surplus about the same as the year before.
The following year another large advance was made in receipts, which then amounted to four thousand four hun- dred and sixty-four dollars ; the total expenses, premiums and improvements, being two thousand four hundred dol- lars, leaving over two thousand dollars to pay on bonds or construet buildings.
Again the financial results of the annual exhibition showed an increase, the receipts in 1875 being five thous- and one hundred and twenty dollars, while the current ex- penses were three thousand two hundred and seventy dol- lars, besides permanent improvements. Only about five hundred dollars were expended on the latter this year, the remainder of the surplus being applied to the payment of debts.
In 1876, the climax (thus far) of financial prosperity was reached, the receipts amounting to the enormous sum (for a county of this size) of seven thousand one hundred and eighty-six dollars. The current expenses were about three thousand two hundred dollars, leaving a surplus of almost exactly four thousand dollars. Of this about two thousand three hundred dollars was expended on improve-
ments, such as cattle-sheds, etc., while the remainder was applied on debts.
This great plethora of receipts could hardly be expected to continue, and in 1877 the amount was five thousand two . hundred and seventy-four dollars, the expenses being three thousand five hundred.
Last autumn (1878) the society reached a situation it had never before attained since it had had a permanent loca- tion ; for, after deducting the expenses, three thousand nine hundred dollars, from the five thousand six hundred and thirty dollars of receipts, the directors were able to pay, and did pay, all the debts of every description, having three hundred and two dollars left in the treasury. As the land and improvements are worth at least thirty thousand dol- lars, the members of the association might naturally con- gratulate themselves on the very great progress made since the time, fifteen years earlier, when their land contract had become forfeit for lack of payment, and it seemed a subject of doubt whether the association would live or die. Its success has indeed been remarkable, and it is now unques- tionably one of the most prosperous agricultural societies in the whole State; in fact, it is doubtful if it is surpassed in any county of the same size in the Union.
The number of entries for exhibition have more than kept pace with money receipts, and in 1878 numbered about two thousand eight hundred. A payment of one dollar constitutes a person a member of the society for a year. The total amount paid in premiums in 1878 was a little over eighteen hundred dollars, an amount which can easily be increased now that the incubus of debt has been lifted from the society.
The principal buildings within the grounds are the fol- lowing : Floral Hall, a handsome framed structure in the form of a cross, the extreme length of each section being ninety feet ; in other words, the hall consists of a central portion thirty feet square, and four projections, each also thirty feet square. One of the parts is used as a Pomo- logical Hall. The Mechanical and Agricultural Hall is also in the form of a cross, the main section being thirty feet by ninety ; the other thirty by fifty. The Music Hall, built in 1878, a very tasteful edifice of octagonal form, and twenty- eight feet in diameter, is to be used for the exhibition of all kinds of musical instruments. The dining-hall is seventy feet by thirty-six. The "Grand Stand," fitted up with seats for the accommodation of seven or eight hundred people, is twenty-eight feet by a hundred. There is like- wise stabling for two hundred head of cattle, also for horses, sheep, swine, etc. The grounds and buildings are taken care of throughout the year by a family, who reside in a dwelling-house built by the association, within the inclo- sure.
Turning from these financial and material exhibitions of prosperity to the subjects more closely connected with the object of the society, viz., the stimulation and improvement of the farming interests of the county, we find in the last report of the secretary the following table, showing for the autumn of 1878 the number in each class of competitors, the number of things exhibited, the number of persons receiving prizes, and the amount awarded; also the total of awards.
A.G.S
HILLSDALE COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS.
89
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
No. of Exhibitors.
competed
Persons receiving
Premiums.
Premiums awarded.
Amounts of Pre-
miums.
Short-horns.
13
52
11
31
$146.00
Jerseys
3
10
3
9
32.00
Ayrshires
1
1
1
1.
3.00
Holsteins
1
1
1
1
6.00
Grades
12
33
8
13
33.00
Oxen and steers
5
$5
5
5
22.00
Horses-Class 1
45
53
24
30
97.00
-Class 2
14
21
10
10
55.00
-Class 4.
46
63
26
31
104.00
Sheep-Class 1.
14
+102
10
24
60.00
-Class 2.
5
14
5
12
36.00
Swine .
17
+44
13
27
83.00
Poultry
45
1149
34
86
70.00
Mechanics
94
210
66
112
194.00
Agricultural
178
547
102
203
166.00
Domestics and needlework
118
328
90
165
76.00
Fine arts ....
14
46
13
26
81.00
Pomological Hall
158
837
52
113
92.50
Floral Hall.
36
206
32
108
114.00
Trotting
24
24
21
21
282.00
Total
869
2780
546
1050 $1824.50
It will be seen that all kinds of farm products of the Northern United States are represented, the department entitled "agricultural" embracing the various kinds of grain, roots, etc. The county is devoted to all the depart- ments of farming common in the Northern States, and in all there has been a very great development in quality as well as quantity during the last twenty-five years. At that time the average yield per acre of the ground devoted to wheat was ten bushels, now it is eighteen. Then there was hardly a single head of blooded stock (either pure or graded) in the county, now there are a hundred and seventy- five head of pure-blooded short-horn cattle, and nearly all the cattle in the county are " grades" of various degrees of purity. The sheep in use are principally what are called " Michigan fine-wools" (about the same as " American fine- wools"), being descended from the old " Vermont merinos," mixed with coarser-wooled native stock. The average in this county is about five and a half pounds of wool per sheep.
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