USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 35
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We come now to the statistics of the year 1878: Acres of land, 377,430 ; Their valuation, $10,937,000 ; real estate in city, towns and villages, was assessed at $1,902,250 ; chattel property at $5,659,180 ; the grand total of the assessment is, therefore, seen to be $18.498,430 ; the total amount of taxes assessed for all pur- poses was $248,330.50 ; the county levy was $24.048; for the poor, $9,100; bridges, $89,000 ; roads, $21.000 ; townships, $18,000 ; for school purposes, $66,000, and by city, towns and villages, $17,000. The value of merchant's stock was $296,185 ; of manufacture, $35,775 ; of moneys. $209,781 ; credit book account, etc., $1,354,229 ; interest on the irreducible State debt on account of Section 16,
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for school fund, was $5,135.92; debt of separate school districts. $38,850 ; the total debt in 1878 amounted to $42.550, which was a reduction as compared with 1877, of $48,341. The banks gave as capital, the national. $84,000 ; three private, $59.500-a total of $143,500. The sale of lands for the year ending June 30, 1878, was 28,540 acres for $1,068,412. Three hundred deeds were recorded, for which the consideration was $207,192 ; 782 mortgages were made to secure $501,936. There were canceled 237, releasing $543.327. Reverting particularly to the source of all these values, we find the following agricultural showing : Acreage of wheat. 35.423, product, 513,105 bushels ; acreage of rye, 2,351, product, 36,591 bushels ; acreage of buckwheat, 378, product, 4,354 bushels ; acreage of oats, 18,044, product 627,495 ; acreage of barley, 2,666, product, 77,182 ; acreage of corn, 71,416, product, 2,013,594; total acreage, 133,278, total product, 3,172,321 bushels ; acreage of timothy, 1.053, product in tons. 13,684 ; acreage of clover, 10,180, product in tons, 5,527 ; bushels of seed, 3,711; pasture lands, 2,611 acres ; flax product from 2,481 acres, 21,270 bushels, 55,850 pounds fiber ; potatoes product from 1,659 acres, 114,264 bushels ; sweet potatoes from 38 acres, 2,229 bushels ; tobacco from 793 acres, 836,296 pounds ; sorghum from 552 acres, 168 pounds of sugar, 37,020 gallons of sirup ; maple sugar, 1,736 pounds, and 5,614 gallons of sirup manufactured ; hives of honey-bees, 2,144, producing 17,186 pounds of honey. There was of taxable land cultivated, 190,935 acres ; pasture, 14,578 acres ; woodland, 100,279 acres ; uncultivated or waste, 9,310-total, 315,111 acres. It is most remarkable that the remnant of waste land should have been reduced to less than 10,000 acres. The following were the dairy products : butter, 714,036 pounds ; cheese, 245 pounds. Of stock there were 13,157 horses, valued at $724,198 ; 21,189 cattle valued at $293.699 ; 462 mules valued at $29,196 ; 51,605 hogs valued at $110,894 ; 7,787 sheep valued at 18,967 ; wool product was 18,981 pounds. The assessment of dogs is a curious feature, bearing the following showing: There were listed as worth $50 and under, 241 valued at $2,724, and exceeding that figure, 2,514 valued at $134,824. Horticult- ural interests do not make much prominent showing, there being. however, 5,548 acres devoted to orchards, principally apples. Associations of persons engaged in like pursuits furnish opportunity to disseminate information, compare experiences, examine machinery and stimulate exertion.
It was not until 1852. that leading agriculturists conferring. resolved upon the organization of an agricultural society, of which we have the following :
HISTORY OF THE DARKE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On November 16, 1852. some thirty citizens, from all parts of the county, met at the court house at Greenville and organized a county agricultural society, by appointing N. Gard, President, Alfred Kitchen, Treasurer, and Noah Arnold, Secre- tary. A committee of one from each township was appointed to procure subserip- tions, and Messrs. Wilson, Northrup and Kitchen were appointed to report a constitution and by-laws. The society was organized November 24, 1852, and within a year numbered 320 members. The first annual fair was held at Green- ville on the 7th and Sth of September ; attendance large, competition spirited, exhibits respectable. The Greenville ladies made it attractive by a leaf'y bower for the reception of dairy products, domestic work and flowers.
As early as 1853, the local press was earnest in the use of its influence to interest the public in the support of such a society as would be of service to town and county, in a less or greater degree, and, on April 10, the Greenville Journal contained the following editorial : " The officers and managers of this association are using every effort in their power to insure to their fall exhibition a character of interest that will call together a very great assembly of competitors and specta- tors. Their list of premiums is extensive and liberal. They contemplate making a large inclosure. The various committees are attending faithfully to the discharge
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of their duties. From present indications, the first Darke County Fair will be quite creditable to our producers. The spirit of emulation awakened by this move will leave its impress. Darke County has the soil, has all the advantages of a great producing region, and all should conclude to be present on the 7th and 8th of September next." This was followed by other timely articles during the months of July and August. In a paper called The Mad Anthony, published in Greenville September 14, 1853, we read : "The Darke County Agricultural Fair proved to be all that its friends could have wished. The occasion is one that will long be remembered. We have had the pleasure of attending several old-estab- lished county fairs throughout the State, and can safely assert that we have never yet witnessed a better display of stock than was exhibited in Greenville on the 7th and Sth. The committee had spared no pains to fit up the grounds in an appropriate manner, and had ample accommodations for every article offered. On the whole, the exhibition reflects great credit upon our county, and should inspire every citi- zen with zeal in the cause. We anticipate having one of the largest county fairs ever held in the State next fall." In the same paper, two weeks later, the follow- ing paragraph appeared : "We understand that Darke County was not thrown altogether in the shade by her more stately neighbors at the State Fair. She was awarded the first premium on flour, wheat, poultry, apples, potatoes, the best qual- ity of white lime and other articles. Don't be ashamed, now, to admit that you hail from 'way out in Darke County." The Mad Anthony must have been propi- tiated by the receipt of two specimen apples grown by William McKhan, of the county, one of which weighed one and three-fourths pounds. The records have not been accessible to us till 1857, when, on November 25, pursuant to notice, the Board of Directors met at the office of M. Spayd and organized, pursuant to their election September 25 previous. Members present, Moses Hart, President : J. W. Shively, Vice President ; M. Spayd, Secretary ; Joseph Bryson, Treasurer, and Managers George Elston. Isaac Funk and Reuben Lowry. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and code of by-laws. The bond of the Treas- urer for $1.000 was accepted April 17. 1858, and approved, and the annual fair appointed for the 23d to the 25th of September following, at the old fair ground south of Greenville. A "complete set of good, substantial books for the use of this society " was also authorized. Committees were appointed to purchase lum- ber for a fence around the said grounds, and to arrange a premium list. At a meeting held on the 22d of May, the Secretary was instructed to get information from parties resident of the counties of Preble. Miami and Montgomery, regarding the selection from those localities of persons suitable to act as judges on stock. On the 3d of July, the new constitution and by-laws were adopted. The follow- ing preamble will be of interest to the reader in this connection : " Whereas, it appears, from the constitution heretofore adopted by the Darke County Agricult- ural Society, that the same is inefficient and defective, and, for the purpose of more thoroughly and effectually promoting the general interests of said society in our representative capacity, we do alter and amend said constitution." Alterations rectifying defects were accordingly made. On August 25, there was held a meet- ing, at which delegates were appointed to confer with like parties from Miami and such other counties as might be represented, concerning a plan for the establish- ment of a district agricultural society, and the report of this committee was there- after approved, and it was recommended that a district fair be held in rotation in each of the several counties concerned, in lieu of the fair for that county the same year. The number of entries made for live stock, grain, etc .. prior to the opening of the sixth county, or first district, fair, held in the fall of 1858. was not prom- ising, but on the first day the rush to make entries was remarkable. The Secre- tary, with the regular aid of two assistants, and the occasional aid of a third, was tasked to his utmost to wait upon exhibitors and make the number of entries desired. The attendance, apart from exhibitors, was meager. About one hundred day tickets were sold, and about three times as many family passes. Considerable
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stock arrived this day, and the owners took pains to show to advantage. The reader of the following excerpt, taken from the Secretary's report, will admit that that official was endowed with descriptive powers quite beyond what is usual : " The weather was very pleasant, the air was calm and temperate, the skies unclouded, and the atmosphere filled with a mellow haze which gave everything a softer hue and a milder aspect, constituting one of those delightful autumnal days in which nature seems to be reposing from her toils and labors of the past sum- mer, and to be rejoicing in her own loveliness and beauty. The grounds were undisturbed by drunken revels or beastly brawls, thus presaging a good and agree- able time coming."
The second day was equally propitious and brought a concourse of people much greater than has ever before visited the grounds-the number being variously estimated at from four to six thousand. All departments were well filled, and the floral hall was especially attractive. The third and last day of the fair opened ominously, with gloomy and blustering weather, but soon the cloud rifted and again the grounds were crowded, but the throng was perceptibly less than on the day preceding. Following the award of premiums and the reception of the reports of committees, an election of officers for the ensuing year was held with the follow- ing result: President, J. Townsend ; Vice President. Dr. James Rubey ; Sec- retary, M. Spayd; Treasurer, George Studabaker ; Managers, George Keister, John Plessinger, John McClure, James Grimes and James Aulett. Much spirit was manifested upon the track ; the ladies' equestrian contest won general admira- tion and a liberal premium. "The boys " engaged in a riding match which won applause, and during the afternoon the Greenville "Yagers" entered the fair- ground in full uniform, under command of Gen. Craner, and the proceedings were closed with a fine display of the military. The receipts from all sources were $1,594.99 ; from fair, $838.01 ; premiums paid, $384.75 ; balance in treasury, January 3, 1859, $275.19.
We have supplied the description of this, the first fair under the auspices of the new organization in detail, because, in many respects, it had its counterpart in those which followed.
As the time drew near for the annual fair of 1859, the Secretary was ordered at a meeting held April 23, to prepare and cause to be published and printed in pamphlet form, the premium list, and this, no doubt, contributed to the attendance at the fair which opened on the 4th of October. The Secretary and four assisants were kept busy recording the many entries. The second day is described as "an atmospherical phenomenon, a paragon of autumnal beauty." The grounds had been increased materially in extent, yet the woods were filled with vehicles, and the whole area was alive with people. On October 6, the last day of the fair, the attendance reached its maximum. Receipts of the season nearly doubled those of any previous fair in Darke County, there having been taken for tickets $1.332.23, and from all sources, including balance in the treasury, January 3, 1859, 82,376.86. Balance on hand, January 2, 1860, $869.73. The fair of 1860 is not recorded on the books of the society. Quite a large sum had been expended in improvement of the grounds, but the political excitement just prior to the outbreak of the war had so diverted the attention of the people from civil interests, that the receipts fell some $200 below the current expenses. On February 16, 1861, the Board of Directors met to enter upon the discharge of their duties. There were present President H. B. Vail, Vice President Levi Graver, Secretary Noah Arnold. and Managers Robert Drew, James McCabe, Nicholas York, John Stoltz and George Shively. August 10, the President was authorized to borrow $400, and, at the next meeting, an additional loan of $50 was sanctioned. The fair opened October 2, and during the first three days of its continuance, the weather was fine and attendance large. An encouraging number of entries was made, but on the fourth and final day, there was a falling-off, partly owing to unfavorable weather. The receipts were sufficient to extricate the society from its indebtedness, but a definite statement has not been made.
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On January 18, 1862, it being the time set for choice of officers, William Turner was chosen President, John Stoltz, Vice President ; J. E. Matchett, Secre- tary ; J. F. Bertch, Treasurer, and J. Townsend, George Shively, A. R. Doty, C. C. Walker and David Thompson, Managers. In common with every other interest and organization, the effect of the war was felt in a marked degree upon the society, and at a meeting held August 15, 1862, the following preamble and resolution were adopted :
Whereas, In consequence of great excitement in military circles, our young men having mostly volunteered in the service of their country, the public mind being very much unsettled thereby,
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board it will be inexpedient to hold a fair, and that none will be holden the present season."
On December 27, 1862, Jolin E. Matchett was appointed a delegate to represent the Darke County Agricultural Society in the State Agricultural Convention, to be held in Columbus on January 7, 1863. The Board met on January 31, 1863, to elect officers, but, their being no electors present, adjourned sine die.
No fairs were held during during the years 1862-64, but with the return of peace came a revival of agricultural interests. July 22, 1865, the Board of Agri- culture for Darke County met at the court house in Greenville, in response to a published call. The following resolutions were passed :
Resolved, That we hold a county fair on the old fair grounds, near town, on the 28th, 29th and 30th days of September next.
Resolved, That the Board solicit a temporary loan, by subscription, of $1.000 from the citizens of this county for the purpose of enabling it to purchase lumber to fence the grounds preparatory to holding said fair.
Following the appointment of various committees, the meeting adjourned. At the next meeting, on August 8, the Committee on Subscription reported a col- lectable subscription of $1,000. The fair proved a success in all regards. There was large attendance, numerous entries, and receipts fully equaled the most sanguine expectations. The general expression of managers and people was that " Darke was herself again," and that the fair was this year, as it had been in former times, a great success. The total receipts from all sources, including loans, was $3,792.97, and there was a credit balance, after defraying all expenses, of $103.72. The The officers elect for 1866 were : President, H. B. Vail ; Vice President, John Stoltz ; Secretary, Noah Arnold, Treasurer, John E. Matchett and eight Directors, named as follows : J. Townsend, J. W. Porter, H. Bichel, M. Zich, to serve one year ; for two years, A. Gaskell, N. Arnold, G. W. Studabaker and C. C. Walker. From the 26th to the 29th days of September, inclusive, were fixed upon as the time for holding the next annual fair. It was resolved to make an effort to purchase grounds for the society to hold its fairs in the future," and a com- mittee was appointed to take the matter in charge. On March 17, 1866, a propo- sition from Messrs. Dawes & Turpen for the sale of the lot south of the railroad for $2,000, was accepted by resolution, and a committee appointed to close the contract. Report was made April 7, that the purchase had been completed of the entire tract south of the railroad for the designated sum-one-half cash in hand, the remainder in one year, with interest at 6 per cent. The contract was at once approved, and a certificate drawn on the Treasurer for $1,000, the society having that amount of money and collaterals. At a subsequent meeting, 48,000 feet of poplar lumber was ordered to be purchased for inclosure.
Owing to bad roads and unfavorable weather, the attendance at the fair, although larger than was expected, was comparatively small, yet it was no failure in the number of entries, the quality of animals. the article shown, nor in the receipts.
The officers for 1867 were : John L. Winner, President ; H. Mills, Vice President, and the new members of the board-Moses Hart, J. E. Matchett, John Stoltz and George Ivester. The entries and attendance at the fair this year, Octo- ber 2 to 5, inclusive, was the largest in the history of the society. There was fine
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weather. The stock, products and articles entered were better; the displays in floral hall, and especially in the fine arts and domestic manufactures were partic- ularly good ; the contest on the race course was unusually spirited, and everything passed off agreeably to all concerned.
A special meeting was called March 21, 1868, to lease additional grounds, and a committee was appointed to contract, if possible, with Isaac Rush, for five acres. On August 29, it was ordered that hereafter all gambling be excluded from the grounds. The fair for 1868 opened September 30 and closed October 3. The first day was rainy, unfavorable, with small attendance ; this continued until noon of the second day, but it cleared off in the afternoon, and from then to the close there was large attendance. The receipts were $1,775.10 .. The following officers were chosen January 9, 1869 : D. Noggle, President; G. W. Studabaker, Vice Presi- dent. The new members of the board were J. E. Matchett, S. Shepherd, G. D. Medford and George Elston, and shortly after it was decided to fence the fair grounds. The fair began September 28, and continued four days, with favorable weather, numerous entries, a fine assemblage and good interest. The number of tickets sold on the third day, exclusive of family tickets, was 1,707. The display of fast horses drew the attention of a large crowd. On the last day, the trotting premium of $100 was won by the horse of William T. Ball, mile heats, three best in five ; time, 2:57, 2:52 and 2:51. Receipts of the fair were $2,297.85, yet a loan of $500 was required to pay off the premiums. The officers elect for 1870 were : H. Mills, President ; David Noggle, Vice President; new Managers were C. C. Walker, I. D. Parent, N. Arnold and J. T. Martz.
On March 26, 1870, a committee was appointed to rent the grounds during the summer, reserving the privilege of granting the use of the track during the time, to any person or persons who may solicit the same for the training of horses, and also the privilege of permitting picnics and other public gatherings to be held thereon during the said time. At the next meeting, the conditions were modified and the grounds rented to A. H. Vandyke for $25. The society partially relinquished control of the track, but reserved the right to permit picnics, political meetings and other public gatherings to be held on the grounds during the time of the rental. An entry fee of 10 per cent on all premiums of $5 and over was ordered to be hereafter collected at the time said entries were made, and there was to be no deductions on the premiums offered, and it was further decided that any persons who might bring stock to place upon exhibition should not be permitted to pass in any one to care for or take charge of the stock, unless the admittance fee of such party had first been paid. The price of family tickets was fixed at $1 each ; single day tickets, 25 cents ; a wagon 20 cents, or good during the fair, 50 cents. The premium list was carefully considered and revised. All second prizes were fixed at half the amount of the first, except bands, which were set at $25 and $15. The premium of $15 on vocal music and $20 on cabinet of natural curiosities were stricken from the list, and $100 was borrowed to redeem outstanding orders.
On June 30, the contract for building a permanent picket fence was let to Abra- ham Black. the lowest bidder. Seven hundred dollars were borrowed to defray the expenses of erecting this fence, and 12 per cent was paid on this indebtedness. A committee was appointed to supervise the erection of buildings, sheds, etc., and 5.000 feet of lumber were ordered. The need of more lumber to complete improve- ments caused an additional debt of $150.
The fair was held during the latter days of September, 1870. There was fine weather with dusty roads and track. There was a notable display of farm imple- ments, and a fine turnout of blooded stock, but entries in this department were barred by inability of owners to establish pedigrees. A number of newspaper reporters and correspondents were the guests of the board on the second day, from Cincinnati, Richmond and other places. It was estimated that 7,500 people were present on the third day. The receipts were $3.013.97 ; subsequent receipts from sale of lumber increased the amount by $586.06. The officers for 1871 were : George
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D. Miller, President ; George W. Brawley, Vice President, and Managers-James Hopper, John M. Hall, Amos Hahn and George Elston. The treasury con- tained less than $100 in uncollected notes, accounts and cash, and $50 was bor- rowed to meet orders issued. On the 1st of April, 40,000 feet of lumber, dressed on one side, was ordered for roofing buildings, etc., and in July a committee was appointed, in connection with one from the Joint Stock Agricultural, Mechanical and Horticultural Association, to consult with the County Commissioners relative to the future disposal of the fair grounds. Following considerable discussion and a tie vote, the President ruled in favor of a proposition to hold a horse fair on August 18 and 19. There was $400 borrowed to apply on payment of lumber purchased.
Having included in our history of the Darke County Agricultural Society nearly every important item from its organization up to 1871, and the details during the last ten years being easily accessible to the general public, only a brief outline of what has transpired up to 1880 will be supplied. The fair of 1871, held early in October, was attended by a multitude of people, as many as eight to ten thousand being reported present on the second day. The officers for 1872 were H. Mills, President ; A. H. Vandyke, Vice President, and new Managers-G. D. Miller, J. T. Martz, James McCabe and N. Arnold. J. J. Martz was chosen Secretary and Amos Hahn, Treasurer. The " horse fair " proposition was this year defeated. The fair for 1872 was a notable success. There were, in round numbers, twelve hun- dred entries, and, from sale of tickets, it was seen that 9,494 persons were on the grounds.
The election of 1873 resulted in the choice of John M. Hall, President ; H. Mills, Vice President ; new Managers-Daniel Walker. James Hopper, Amos Hahn and I. N. Shively. The Treasurer and Secretary of the previous year were retained. In the early part of the year, the board procured the written consent of the County Commissioners to sell the fair grounds, provided they purchase other grounds with the proceeds of the sale. Soon after this, the grounds embracing 17.19 acres in the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34, Town- ship 12, Range 2 east, were sold to J. W. Sater, and, on June 7, forty acres were bought of Messrs. O'Brien & Martz for a new ground. The price being $125 per acre, involved an outlay of $5,000, besides the no inconsiderable sum required for fencing and general improvements. The fair began September 22, continued five days and gave universal satisfaction. On the third day, it was estimated that 9,000 persons were within the inclosure, and the expression was heard that " these are the very grounds we want." The officers for 1874 were : H. Mills, President ; John M. Hall, Vice President ; new Managers-David Thompson, J. T. Martz, Arnold and McCabe. The others as before. This year the fair was held during the first days of September. Entries were being made on the first day by the Secretary and three assistants, and were continued until late at night. The crowd was very great the next day. and despite the intention to close entries at noon, the number and eagerness of the crowd to enter articles for exhibition were so great that the time was extended until the close of the day. The principal attraction of the day was the trial of speed of horses. The attendance on the third, estimated by tickets, was above 12,000; there were 1,000 wagons on the ground, and the sale of single tickets realized $3,604. The expression was heard that the grounds were too small. There were 1,800 entries. The racing elicited lively interest from the presence on the course of noted horses from Centerville, Urbana, and from Fort Wayne, Ind. The fourth day was clear above, but the dust was almost unendurable. Many of the finer articles of needlework, etc., on exhibition were badly soiled, and it became evident that to insure the prosperity of this department in the future, a building must be erected which should combine secur- ity of goods at night with means of protection from the dust or storm by day. The show of stock, products and implements was creditable, and the test of speed seemed to have been fairly and satisfactorily made. The final day presented the attraction of the ladies' equestrian performance. In competing for the premium of a
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