History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 14

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559

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pay. The ten acres of sward land were enclosed by a tight, substantial board fence. Commodious buildings were erected for exhibition. Stalls and cattle-pens were built, and a well, affording an abundant supply of water, was dug in the center of the grounds. A training track about a quarter of a mile in length was laid off, in the middle of which a lofty flag staff was raised.

On the Saturday after the preparations had been com- pleted a celebration was held on the grounds, at which speeches were made. The Eaton brass band supplied the music, and the Washington guards, under the com- mand of Lieutenant J. J. Hunt, furnished the ornamen- tal portion of the affair. When our rural friends and some good old disciples of Israel discovered a race track as one of the features of the new grounds quite an ado was raised, and they avowed that Satan had certainly gotten a hold on the managers. And one of our county papers, in endeavoring to sooth the pious indignation that thrilled the hearts of some of its contributors, says : " It is nothing more than a piece of ground cleared of the rubbish, and leveled smooth enough to ride over without difficulty." The premium list this year was greatly enlarged, and was much more extensive than for- merly, and the board of managers spared no pains to make it agreeable to all. One thousand dollars was ad- vertised as the amount of premiums to be awarded, and the name of Hon. Thomas Corwin was printed in large letters on the bills, stating that he would positively ad- dress the people. Opinions differ in reference to the success of this year, some stating that it had never been excelled, while others say it was a miserable failure, com- pared to what it should have been, considering the un- - paralleled opportunities offered. Of this, however, we are credibly informed, that in the horse department com- petition was strong, the display of cattle large, and the superior specimens found in the different halls indicated that the Preble county fair compared favorably with any of the surrounding counties. Hardin Bruce exhibited two fat cattle that were described as truly enormous, and were called the elephants of the show. The ladies' de. partment was well represented, rich rare and racy. Among the different articles was a chromatic painting- "An Ancient Castle in Ruins"-executed by Miss Julia A. Morgan, which was said to be very fine. There was a very large display of agricultural implements, which at- tracted a great deal of interest. The ladies' riding match engrossed the attention of every one. Some nine or ten ladies entered the list as competitors for the prize. George Medill was one of the judges in this contest, and after a spirited contest Miss Jose Bruce was the happy recipient of the first, and Miss Anna Degroot of the second prize. The Washington guards served as police, and had the entire control of the ground. The Eaton cor- net band played sweet strains of music during the entire fair, which added great enjoyment to the occasion, and the race track was decided not such a terrible immoral affair after all.

At a meeting held on the twenty-ninth of December, 1855, the following officers were elected: James Dennis- ton, president; R. S. Cunningham, vice-president; Joel

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HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

W. Harris, secretary ; James Albert, treasurer; G. D. Clap- saddle, R. Marshall, J. M. Dougherty, S. Brinley, and J. P. Acton, managers. The fair this year was held on the eighth, ninth and tenth of October, and was a grand suc- cess. The attendance was acknowledged to have been larger than the year before, the entries far greater, and the receipts consequently greatly increased. The display of flowers this year was very fine, being the first time that any particular attention was paid to this beautiful department. We notice among the premiums that Eli Conger took first premium on the best boar, Dave Suf- frans on a fur hat, and John Neal on his "Jolly Ranter" stallion. The writer has not at hand any statement showing the condition of the exchequer, but from the fact that the society continued to pay its premiums in full, we suppose it must have been good.

The annual election for the year 1857 resulted in the re-election of H. W. Dooley, president; Eli Conger, vice- president: Joel W. Harris, secretary ; James Albert, treas- urer; Silas Peters, Enoch Taylor, Robert Marshall, Thomas T. Stephens, and J. M. Dougherty, managers. The time for holding the eighth annual fair was set for the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth of October, and the same premium list as the year before was adopted. The fair this year was not as great a success as the year before, owing to the unfavorable condition of the weather, it raining all day during the first and third days of the fair. The entries were in excess of the previous year, but the attendance not as great. The show of horses was fine, but in the classes of hogs, sheep and cattle, the display was greatly inferior to former exhibitions. H. B. Vanausdal, still retaining his public-spiritidness as dis- played in former years, exhibited a pair of Guinea pigs, with a numerous progeny of younglings neatly housed in a tenement of his own manufacture. Mr. E. Wasson re- ceived a premium on a monster pumpkin weighing two hundred and two pounds. A jar of sugar, produced from sugar cane, was shown by Mr. Neaff. The receipts this year were about fifteen hundred dollars. The in- debtedness of the society, carried over from former years, was four hundred and sixty dollars, and the improve- ments this year amounted to three hundred dollars, leav- ing the society in a flourishing condition. Want of space will not permit the writer to go into the details of the fair as we did in the first few that were held, and here- after we will endeavor to confine ourselves to as brief an outline of each fair as we possibly can.

On December 26th the election of officers was held for the year 1858, and the following were chosen: H. W. Dooley, president; J. M. Dougherty, vice-president; Joel W. Harris, secretary; James Albert, treasurer; and T. F. Stephens, Daniel Payne, David Swartzel, John Mills, and Jacob Mckinstry, managers.

This year the time for holding the fair was earlier than ever before, commencing on the twenty-first of Septem- ber, and continuing four days. The premium list was enlarged, and every inducement offered to make it a suc- cess; but owing to the unfavorableness of the season for the growth of fruits and vegetables, and the extreme dullness in all branches of business, it was not such a

success as had been anticipated. Not less than three thousand people were in attendance during the last two days, and the whole number of entries aggregated nine hundred and thirty-seven. Of these, two hundred and thirty-six were on horses, sixty-nine on cattle, thirteen on jacks and mules, and fifty-seven on sheep. The display of horses and cattle exceeded any previous years, but the departments of sheep and hogs were still far behind in proportion to other things. The class of buggies and carriages was well filled by the display of J. S. Ortt, and the department of relics and curiosities being for the first time opened, offered fine amusement for those who en- joy antiquated things. Among the various displays was the first copper tea-kettle ever used in Eaton, exhibited by Mrs. Polly McCabe, and was bought by William Bruce, sr., in 1796; an old table cover, said to be two hundred and two years old, was shown by Mrs. Gray. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in H. W. Dooley being chosen president; Eli Conger, vice- president; P. R. Minor, secretary; J. P. Brookins, treasurer, and E. Taylor, Jos. Walters, R. Marshall, J. H. Kaylor and Thomas F. Stephens, managers.

At a meeting held in August, 1859, judges for the different departments were chosen, and it was resolved that a test be made of the draught horses by pulling. The horticultural society of Eaton was given charge of the floral department and fruit and vegetable halls at the coming fair. It was decided to hold the fair four days, commencing on September 20th. The weather was fine, and a good attendance was had. The horticultural and floral departments were especially fine, owing to the joint action of the two societies. A balloon ascension was had on the last day, and was the thing of the fair. Among the premiums we notice Duel Haries received seven dollars for the fastest trotting horse-time, three minutes and one second. G. D. Clapsaddle took the sweepstakes on bulls, and W. B. Silvers on a boar. J. H. McWhinney received five dollars for the best speci- men of plowing three horses abreast, and Ben. Fleming on the best farm wagon. The premium list this year amounted to eight hundred and ninety-eight dollars and thirty cents, and the receipts, two thousand one hundred and seventeen dollars and seventy-two cents. The society paid two hundred dollars for the balloon ascen- sion, and fifty dollars to the secretary. The balance left in the treasurer's hands, was three hundred and sixty- eight dollars, and twenty-one cents.

The society held its election this year on Dec. 31st, and chose H. W. Dooley, president; J. M. Daugherty, vice- president; J. Eastman, secretary; J. P. Brookins, treas- urer, and Enoch Taylor, Frank McWhinney, J. A. Kaylor, David Patton and S. B. Duffield, managers. At this meeting the time decided for holding the next fair was the eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth and twenty- first of September, and a committee consisting of David Patton, J. A. Kaylor and J. M. Daugherty, were ap- pointed to look out the best site for a new fair ground, and ascertain what can be obtained for the one now in use. It seems by this, that what but a few years since had been considered a very large tract was now entirely

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HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

too small, and they must advance with the times. The time for holding election for officers was also changed at this meeting to the third day of the fair. Preparations were made to make this fair the most successful one that had ever been held. The balloon ascension had proven such an attractive feature the year before, that the board this year resolved to have two ascensions-one on the third, and the other on the last day of the fair. The horticultural society offered separate premiums, distinct from the agricultural society, and consequently the dis- play in this branch was greatly increased. The best laid plans of men will some time fail, and this year the old adage proved too true. The inclement weather con- tributed its share towards disappointing the anticipated success, but the principal feature that caused so much dis- satisfaction was the failure of the æronant to put in an appearance with his magnificent balloon, till about five o'clock in the afternoon of the last day, when most of the people had left the grounds in not a very good humor. They voted that what was expected to be the most successful exhibition was the most successful "sell." We have not at hand the receipts of this year, but are told that they were in excess of the year before owing to the advertised attraction which did not materialize.

The election for the year 1861 resulted in H. W. Dooley being chosen president ; Enoch Taylor, vice- president ; J. Eastman, secretary ; J. P. Brookins, treas- urer, and M. Dasher, S. S. Richie, Daniel Payne, David Swartzel and J. P. Acton, managers. The board this year erected a dinning hall on the grounds.

The committee appointed to look for a site for the new grounds, had not yet reported, and nothing was done in the matter for several years. The fair was held on the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth of September, and was not so good as the preceding year, either in attendance or the exhibition of articles, owing, perhaps, partially to the dissatisfaction of the year before, but mostly on account of the excitement of the unpleas- antness with our southern brethren-still it was much better than had been expected. The weather the first two days was rainy and gloomy, but on Thursday and Friday it was clear, and the attendance fair in size. The exhibition of stock was on an average, and the horti- cultural hall as usual proved very attractive. The exhibi- tion closed with a drill given by the boy soldiers of this place, after which Father Charles Swain delivered an ad- dress. We notice that H. W. Dooley received five dollars for the best essay on wheat, and James Denniston a diploma for the finest display of fruit trees.

The board for the next year consisted of H. W. Dooley, president; J. M. Daugherty, vice-president; John Eastman, secretary; N. B. Stephens, treasurer; M. Disher, Robert Marshall, William Berry and J. P. Acton, managers. The thirteenth annual fair was held on the sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth of September, 1862. The premium list this year was increased, and with the erection of new buildings on the ground, it was hoped to regain their former standing in the county; but as the time for holding the fair ap- proached the outlook was not encouraging, and the

prospect poor for having any fair at all, owing to so many of our farmers having enlisted in the army, and those at home at this time did not feel like exerting themselves in any manner except to save the country ; so it was decided to postpone the fair to the next year, con- tinue the same officers and managers, and hold it on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of September and first and second of October. The weather seemed to frown upon the undertakings of the board in the past, and this year it treated them no more leniently, as it rained a large portion of the time, cutting down the receipts to five hundred and two dollars and fifty cents, causing the board to only pay a per cent. of the premiums offered. Considerable dissatisfaction was caused by this, it being the first time they had not received their full amounts. In comparison with other fairs held in the adjoining counties this year, considering the condition of the county, our fair was in every way creditable. .

The managers did not realize all they had hoped, still all the thinking and sensible people were in a great measure satisfied. The board, after paying the obliga- tions of the society that had to be met in full, found they had sufficient left to pay sixty-five cents on the dol- lar of the premiums offered. It left a balance of twenty- three dollars and eighty-two cents in the treasury, smaller than it had ever been, and was rather discouraging.

The same president and vice-president were continued in office, and Isaac S. Morris was chosen treasurer, J. Albert, secretary, P. McGrew, M. Misher, Benjamin Deardorf, Robert Marshall and J. B. Gentle, managers. This year, for the first time, they rented the ground dur- ing the summer months for pasture, and realized enough to pay the interest on their indebtedness.

The fair was again postponed this year. Among the various reasons assigned, the principal were, that many of the patrons were away in the one hundred days' service, and would not return home in time to prepare anything for exhibition, and a great many would not even have time to attend in consequence of the press- ure of their fall work; the draught was so severe this year that the exhibition, either of stock or vegetables, would have been far below that of other years. The officers and managers of the preceding year were con- tinued in office, and this year they resolved to hold the fair on the twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth of September, 1865. This year a new fence and buildings were erected, and the grounds cleared of a great many trees. Contrary to the expecta- tions of a great many, the fair was a decided success. The weather being favorable all the week the people were out in large numbers, and on the third day they might have been numbered by thousands.

The horse department surpassed any previous year, likewise the cattle, but the display of hogs and sheep still kept behind. The ladies department was well filled and the specimens of grain were fine. This year the speed ring was well filled, and attracted a great deal of attention.

The premium list was not large this year, amounting to only seven hundred and ninety-two dollars and twen-

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HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

ty-five cents, the total receipts aggregating one thousand seven hundred and forty-three dollars and one cent, which, after paying off the indebtedness of the society, left a balance of two hundred and fifty-seven dollars and twenty cents in the treasurer's hands. The election for the year 1866 made some changes in the board, still, however, continuing their worthy president, H. W. Dooley, but electing J. T. Deem vice-president, J. Al- bert, secretary, Joseph Fisher, treasurer, and Benjamin Deardorf, J. B. Gentle, J. L. Chambers, Thomas F. Stephens, and Eli Conger, managers. This board de- termined, if possible, to ascertain what their indebted- ness was, and instructed the treasurer to find it out, which was reported to be only one hundred dollars, which they immediately paid off. The old question of selecting new grounds was agitated, and a new commit- tee appointed with that end in view. They reported at the next meeting that they had examined several places, viz .: The old "Garrison" Aukerman's farm, east of Eaton, and a tract belonging to James Bruce, but were unable to decide.

After discussing the matter for some time, they en- larged the committee and determined to hold the next fair on the second, third, fourth and fifth of October. At a meeting held in May, 1866, the committee on pur- chasing ground reported several new tracts, among them that of Mr. James Golliday, southeast of town, which consisted of twenty-three and one-half acres, and could be purchased for three thousand dollars.

The board, after consulting with the county commis- sioners, agreed to purchase this tract and have the title placed in the commissioners' hands, and the board should put up the buildings. They also agreed to pur- chase twenty acres of Hardin Bruce for three thousand six hundred and ninety-one dollars. They sold the old fair ground, consisting of ten acres, to Mr. Jacob Na- tion for one hundred and eleven dollars per acre, also four and four-tenths acres of the Bruce tract to Mr. Eli Fisher for six hundred and sixty-one dollars and twenty- one cents. They realized one hundred and sixty-eight dollars and twenty-five cents from the sale of the fence around the old grounds and the crops that were sown therein.

New buildings were erected, stables and cattle pens were built, a tract laid off, and the new grounds placed in a very fair condition. The premiums offered in the speed ring were greatly enlarged, although creating some dissatisfaction, and everything was done to make the dedication of the new grounds an entire success.

About a month before the time for holding the fair it commenced raining, and continued almost incessantly up to the time appointed by the board when the new grounds should be opened. In consequence, a postpone- ment was had until the twenty-third of October, and the result proved that the board were not very good weather prophets. Tuesday and Wednesday were cool, the lat- ter especially, as a little snow sifted quietly down in the morning and there was a very heavy frost, and on Thurs- day, and all Thursday night, it rained; still little things like these did not deter the people from turning out in

great numbers. Over one thousand three hundred en- tries were made, and the success of Preble county fairs was an established fact. Over one hundred and fifty entries were made in the horse department; among the cattle quite a number of fine blooded ones were to be seen. The raisers of hogs and sheep redeemed them- selves and made a fine show. All the other depart- ments were full, and everything passed off to the satis- faction of not only the board but the exhibitors.

The receipts amounted to two thousand two hundred and eighty-four dollars and twenty-five cents, far exceed- ing any previous year. The same officers were contin- ued this year by election, and the managers consisted of W. W. Danford, J. B. Gentle, E. Taylor, Joel Simpson, and P. McGrew. The board this year offered premiums for sheep shearing and plowing matches. They raised the admission this year for single admission to fifty cents, which proved so unpopular that they were com- pelled the next year to change it.

This year they held a fair in the spring, commencing on the thirtieth of May, and continuing two days. Very fair premiums were offered in the different departments of horses, and the venture proved somewhat of a suc- cess, leaving a little balance in the treasury.

The regular exhibition was held on the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth of September of this year. Two or three new wells were dug on the grounds this year, as the supply of water the year before had been very limited. Quite a number of stalls and sheds were erected, which were also very much needed. The weather was very fine, the attendance good, and everything tended to make this the grandest success so far, in the society's history. About eighteen hundred entries were made, and the total receipts were three thou- sand two hundred and eighty-six dollars and forty-one cents-quite an increase over the year before; still, the board had been so liberal in its offer of premiums, that but a small balance was left after paying off the claims.

By election the same board were continued in office, and the fair decided to be held in September, commenc- ing on the twenty second, and continuing four days. The usual rain and cold weather proved no exception this year. On Tuesday a cold, steady rain set in, and con- tinued until Thursday evening; consequently a "damp- er" was thrown over everything, and the attendance very small-only six hundred member tickets were sold, and a correspondingly small number of single admission tickets. The number of entries was very small, and taken altogether, the seventeenth year was not much of a success. The total receipts from every source this year only amounted to fifteen hundred and eighty-six dollars, --- the total expenditures twelve hundred and six- ty-two dollars and ninety-one cents, leaving only three hundred and twenty-three dollars and nine cents with which to pay the premiums awarded, and as a conse- quence, the board were compelled to "scale" the awards, and settled by paying the enormous sum of seventy dol- lars in premiums.

The officers for 1869 were H. W. Dooley, president ; J. M. Daugherty, vice-president; Robert Williams, treasur-

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HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

er; W. A. Swihart, secretary; William Campbell, Daniel Peters, Levi Young, H. B. Vanausdal, W. H. Campbell, J. B. Gentle, Thomas F. Stephens, and J. L. Chambers, managers. This year there was so much dissatisfaction over the amount of premiums paid at the last fair, that the treasurer was ordered to publish a list of all moneys received and paid out by him. It was determined to hold the fair this year on the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth of September, and October first, and it was a decided success in every particular, not only in entries, which numbered two thousand one hundred and forty, but in attendance, which on Thursday was estimated at seven thousand. The total receipts were three thousand four hundred and ninety-one dollars and fifty-one cents, being larger than ever, and the premium list this year was paid out in full.

We have thus far given a detailed account of nineteen fairs in succession, and scarcity of time and want of space will prevent us going into detail up to the present time. With what we have written, a general idea can be formed of the fairs of this county. Of course, the nearer we approach the present time, the more successful are the undertakings of the board. The subject is necessa- rily dull and uninteresting, owing to a similarity of the subject matter running through the whole period over which this article extends. Apologies are very seldom allowable, but in the present instance we think it no more than justice to say that the writer has labored under great embarrassments in preparing this chapter, owing to the fact that all of the records of the society, prior to 1859, were burned the preceding year, and he was un- able to obtain any data except from a few old fair bills, and what information he could obtain from old settlers and members of the board. Matters of this kind nat- urally slip from the memory of the most careful person, and in detailing the above incidents, and in giving some of the dates, we possibly may have been in error, but if we have we hope our apology above will cover all such.

In conclusion, we will add but few things concerning the present condition of the society. It has continued to hold, without intermission, a fair every year since 1869. At that time it was considerably in debt, owing to its recent purchase of grounds, and the necessary im- provement of the same. They erected a large amphi- theatre and floral hall a few years since, and in the spring of 1879, when the following board took charge of its affairs, they were about fifteen hundred dollars in debt, and a great many improvements needed: J. N. Lake, president; J. A. Kaylor, vice-president; Frank G. Thompson, secretary; W. C. M. Brookins, treasurer; Phillip Miller, Benjamin Deardorf, H. Maton, Abram Vantrump, M. Disher, I). Bixler, M. Swisher, Henry Miller, Robert Bell, A. Yost, managers. Mr. P. Miller was given charge of the grounds, and owing to his care- ful management and untiring industry, they were placed in a condition far superior to what they had ever been before.

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History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 14

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 559

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559