USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 20
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Farmers usually helped each other to do the heavier part of the labor, such as piling logs to burn, husking corn and even hauling out manure. When a "new ground" was ready to "nigger off" they made a log rolling when eighteen to twenty men would come together and work side by side in the most friendly manner, and rarely part in the evening with- out some "bullies" having a fist fight. After a fair trial of strength, though some one might be so severely cut and bruised as to be dis- abled for several days or a week, they would meet in perfect harmony. They forgave each other and cherished no malice. The "spirits" that led to these disgraceful amusements came from the distilleries so common in their day.
The disappearance of the one did away with the other.
The long days, hard labor and low wages were doubtless among the causes that led up to the desertion of the farm by young men. However, many who stayed by the farm even with the small inducements they afforded, in time became successful farmers and the proud owners of estates that afforded them ease and comforts in their declining years.
After the public works were placed in operation, and especially during and after the civil war, money became plentier, labor- ers were in demand and wages increased, with shorter hours of labor, the rush was to towns and public works. As farmers could not afford to pay the wages that manufac- turers paid, there was a scarcity of help for the farm work. By this time machinery was invented and placed on the market for doing all kinds of farm work, and by devoting the money to the purchase of machinery that was formerly paid in wages, the farmer was enabled to increase his acreage and reap larger crops with less labor than formerly. By this time the land was clear of stumps, and the seeds could be put in with the drill, and the crop cut with the binder and threshed with a separator operated with steam power; so that the business was al- most revolutionized and by adjusting the planting to the demands of the market, the business became more remunerative than formerly. The good markets of Blair county have greatly revived the farming in- dustry and advanced the values of tillable land. Many who are engaged in market gardening have hot-houses and the choicest products of the soil now find their way to the markets from the Blair county farms. These conditions are likely to continue and men of moderate means who can secure a small farm can lead a quiet and contented life with assurance of a permanent business.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND FAIRS.
In March, 1873, application was made for a charter for the Blair County Agricultural
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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY
association, and articles of incorporation filed in May of the same year. Here the matter rested until 1873, when an organiza- tion was effected and the first annual fair of this asociation was held September 28- October 1, 1875. As a beginning it was considered a success.
In 1877 a committee was appointed to purchase the ground now known as Dell Delight, as a permanent place for holding the fair. As time advanced, improvements were made by cleaning the grove, erecting build- ings, and finally constructing a race course. Here fairs have been held annually with the exception of several years. In 1878 it was held at the Altoona park. An extra effort was made with devices as racing, games and amusements to secure attend- ance. The scheme was a success in a way, as general hilarity reigned supreme and money poured in. The following year no fair was held, but encouraged by the finan- cial success attending the one held at the Altoona park, it was decided to select the same place for the fair in 1880. The officers worked earnestly to secure as good if not better results than attended their efforts in 1878, but the fair financially was a failure. Frederick Jaekel, the secretary, in his report said :
"In submitting to you my report of the premiums awarded at the last fair of the society, held at Altoona park, Sept. 28, 29, 30 and Oct. 1, 1880, I beg leave to state that the financial failure of the fair must be largely attributed to the inclemency of the weather. It was bitter cold and this alone cost, at the lowest calculation, in the loss of gate money, more than the amount required to square up and pay every cent of our obli- gations. Secondly, an agricultural society has no business to offer premiums for fast horses or professional trotters. Let those who delight in such sport have their own races; allow a small premium to horses owned in the county, but never make the exhibition of agricultural produce or stock subservient to horse racing.
"The mistake has been made. It was made with the consent of all, and because the society has made that mistake it would not do to abandon the charter, as some have expressed themselves, and leave the good un- done which a society of this kind is capable of doing, especially in a county like ours, full of wealth, resources and the energy to apply them to the comforts of life.
"Especially the directors now in office should consider it a matter of honor to do all in their power to assist their successors in office to make the society what it should be, an experimental school for the farmer. The farm stock was poorly represented, and it seems but little interest had been taken by farmers. The committee awarded a prem- ium to every animal on the ground."
From 1880 onward, fairs were held annu- ally at Dell Delight, but they had degener- ated to an occasion for amusement and gambling. Very little interest was taken in them by the farmers, and but few of their products were put on exhibition. Practical farmers had little or no say in the manage- ment of the society, and it seemed the way it was going was more like a burlesque on farming than an agricultural fair. Public opinion was aroused and demanded a change.
In 1905 the old organization disbanded and relinquished the charter. In 1907 the Blair County Grange association effected an organization of practical farmers and se- cured a charter. They elected the following officers and proceeded to revive and im- prove the fair and make it what it should be as an educational factor to the husbandman in keeping abreast with the pressing de- mands of the age and elevate it to be at least the equal to the best within the state : President, Dr. F. Frank Beck, Altoona ; sec- retary, Henry S. Wertz, Duncansville ; treasurer, J. G. Shope; directors, D. D. Coleman, A. L. McIntyre, Thomas L. Cole- man, Frank M. Glasgow, John S. Forsht, Joseph Delozier, Lynn Isenberg, J. C. Mat-
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tern, Jr., John A. Thompson, J. C. Lang, Alex Helsel and J. M. McKnight.
An act of assembly provided an appro- priation of $1,000 to each county, to be awarded as premiums upon the condition that gambling be eliminated. The new or- ganization decided to keep within the limits of the law and encourage the tillers of the soil to bring the products of their farms and thus help to make the fair what it should be, a means of educating and stimulating the farmer to better methods, higher ideals and a friendly rivalry with his progressive neigh- bor, and to raise the Blair county fair to at least be equal with the best in the state.
Their decision was carried out and a very marked improvement attended the first ef- fort in 1908. Encouraged by the improved conditions, the farmers took a still more lively interest in 1909 and it proved to be the most successful fair ever held in the county. The highest number in attendance in one day was 30,000, which was an increase of 10,000 over any previous year. The re- ceipts were $6,439.90; disbursements, $5,- 502.48, and there was paid in premiums $868.50.
It is the intention of the society to in- crease the rate of premiums so as to con- sume the entire amount of the state's ap- propriation. The following rules and regu- lations and premium list of horses and cat- tle is taken from the catalogue of 1909:
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE BLAIR COUNTY FAIR.
The prices of admission will be as follows :
Single tickets for adults 25 cents each ; single tickets for children from seven to twelve years of age 15 cents; six tickets for one dollar ; horse conveyances and automo- biles 25 cents each.
I. Entries in all departments will close on Tuesday, September 28, at five o'clock p. m.
2. All articles or animals for competi- tion must be on the ground by five o'clock p. m. on Tuesday, September 28, and re-
main until the close of the fair, unless per- mission be given by the division superin- tendent to remove them sooner, and no premiums will be given or paid on animals or articles removed in violation of this rule. Grain feed will be furnished at cost on the grounds.
3. Articles intended for exhibition only may be entered at any time.
4. Hay, straw and water will be supplied free of charge for all animals entered for premiums.
5. All articles or animals must be en- tered in the secretary's books and all per- sons desiring to compete for premiums are requested to furnish a written list of such animals or articles to the secretary by letter, as early as possible, and classified according to the premium list.
6. All who intend to exhibit horses, cat- tle, sheep or swine should notify the secre- tary of such intention before September 28, in order that the proper arrangements may be made for their accomodation.
7. Persons entering horses or cattle to compete as standard or registered, must file with the secretary their certificates of regis- tration before or at time of making entry.
8. All entries must be made in the name of the owner or joint owners and no pre- miums will be awarded to any person not the owner of the article exhibited.
9. No article or animal may compete for more than one premium.
IO. Goods or stock must be delivered on the ground and put in place by the exhibit- ors, and removed by them at the close of the fair.
II. All horses and cattle will be shown on the course and exhibitors must be ready to bring them out when called for.
12. No person will be allowed within the judges' enclosure while the judges are mak- ing their awards, excepting those in charge of cattle.
13. Exhibitors will obey the marshal promptly in producing their stock when in-
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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY
structed to do so. Horses to be in charge of drivers only.
14. All stock must be what it is repre- sented to be or premiums will be forfeited.
15. It has been the intention of the as- sociation to enumerate all the articles in this premiums list that are thought desirable for competition. However, this association in- vites for competition such non-enumerated articles as persons may have, particularly such as have interest and value to the farm- er, gardener, mechanic and ladies interested in domestic economy and arts, including machinery, models, designs, manufactured articles, novelties, fancy articles and curiosi- ties. Premiums will be paid or diplomas awarded as the judges may deem proper, subject to revision by the board of directors.
16. The gates will be open to the public at eight o'clock a. m. and close at six p. m. each day during the fair. All wagons or other vehicles used in the transportation of forage or refreshments must be removed from the grounds before nine o'clock a. m. and no person will be permitted to remain on the grounds over night, unless especially authorized by the marshal in charge.
17. Premiums awarded will be paid to competitors before leaving the grounds. All privileges for sale stands of whatsoever kind, must be paid for when permission is obtained for ground room. No deviation will be made from this rule.
18. No peddlers, shows or exhibitions of any kind will be allowed inside the fair grounds, or within two hundred yards there- of, unless a license has been first obtained and paid for.
19. Any privilege granted by the asso- ciation for the sale of refreshments or other articles, or for any other purposes will be subject to revokal if the privilege is abused or the conditions of the same be violated. The law in relation to the sale of intoxicat- ing drinks, including ale or beer, will be strictly enforced.
20. All devices for gambling under any form whatever will be rigorously excluded
from the grounds and vicinity, and any per- son caught practicing any gambling devices or games prohibited by the rules of the as- sociation on or near the fair grounds will be arrested at once.
21. Caution - All articles exhibited, whether eatable or not, must be respected as private property and persons detected in purloining or injuring them will be dealt with according to law. The association will provide watchmen and police, but in no case will be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur by theft or otherwise.
22. Payment of premiums and all ex- penses is guaranteed by an ample bond duly executed.
JUDGES.
I. Judges are requested to report and have their names entered at the business of- fice by ten o'clock a. m., Tuesday, Septem- ber 28; after that they will report to the superintendent of the department in which they are to act. Judges are requested to ex- amine the premium list with particular care.
2. The successful competitors in the sev- eral classes will be indicated by a blue card for first premium and red card for second premium immediately upon award by judges.
3. Judges will in no case award a pre- mium when there is no merit, nor for ar- ticles or animals of ordinary or inferior qual- ities, and for such only as are specified in the premium list. When articles of merit, su- perior in character, not named in the pre- mium list, are presented, the judges are re- quested to note them particularly in their report and make such recommendations to the board of directors as they may deem proper.
4. Animals or articles which have no competition will be awarded a first or sec- ond premium according to merit.
5. Judges will permit no persons to in- terfere with their deliberations. Any com- petitor attempting to interfere with the committee will forfeit his right to compete.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
6. Judges are requested to make their report to the secretary at the business office immediately after the awards are made.
PREMIUM LIST.
CLASS I .- PURE BRED REGISTERED HORSES.
Division I.
Heavy Draught, Normans, Clydesdales, etc.
First.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards $7.00
$5.00
Mare 2 years old and upwards. 5.00
3.00
Colt between 1 and 2 years. 3.00
2.00
Colt under 10 months. 2.50
1.50
Division 2.
French Coach, Cleveland Bays and Hackneys.
First.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Mare 2 years old and upwards.
4.00
2.50
Colt between 1 and 2 years. 2.50
2.00
Colt under 10 months. 2.50
1.50
Division 3. Trotting Bred.
First.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards. $5.00
$4.00-
Mare 2 years old and upwards
4.00 3.00
Colt between 1 and 2 years
2.50.
2.00
Colt under 10 months.
2.50 1.50
NOTE-All horses entered in Class I must be properly registered and certified pedigrees must be filed with the entry.
CLASS 2 .- GRADED HORSES. (Competition in Class 2 limited to Blair Co.)
Division I. Heavy Draught, Graded.
First.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards. $5.00
$3.00
Mare or Gelding 2 years old and upwards 4.00 2.00
2.00
1.00
Colt under 10 months. 2.00
1.00
Brood mare with foal at foot. 3.00
1.50
Draught team
3.00
1.50
Division 2. General Purpose Horses, Graded.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards.
$4.00
$2.00
Mare or Gelding 2 years old and upwards 3.00 Colt between 1 and 2 years.
2.00
1.00
Colt under 10 months ... 2.00
1.00
Brood mare with foal at foot. 3.00
1.50
General Purpose Team.
3.00
1.50
Division 3. Roadsters or Driving Horses, Graded.
First.
Sec.
Stallion 2 years old and upwards.
$4.00
$2.00
Mare or Gelding 2 years old and upwards 3.00
1.50
Colt between 1 and 2 years.
2.00
1.00
Colt under 10 months. 2.00
1.00
Prood mare with foal at foot. 3.00
1.50
Pair Driving Horses or Mares.
4.00
2.50
Single Driving Horse or Mare. 2.50 1.50
Driving or Riding Pony. 2.00 1.00 Speed, endurance, style and gentleness to be con- sidered.
CLASS 3 .- BLOODED CATTLE.
NOTE-Persons competing for premiums on Blooded Cattle, Class 3, must produce certificates of registry and transfer in Herd Book, or produce pedigree and satisfy Judges they are entitled to registry at the time of mak- ing the entry.
Division I. Durham and Short-Horns.
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
First.
Sec.
Bull between 1 and 2 years old. $5.00
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old.
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards.
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years. 3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under i year old. 2.00
1.00
Division 2. Devons.
First.
Sec.
Bull 2 years old and upwards
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old ..
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards. 4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years. 3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old. 2.00
1.00
Division 3. Holstein-Fresian or Dutch Belted.
First.
Sec.
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
.2.00
Bull Calf under I year old ..
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years.
3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old. 2.00
1.00
Division 4. Red-Polled and Hereford.
First.
Sec.
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old ..
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards.
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years.
3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old. 2.00
1.00
Division 5. Alderneys or Jerseys.
First.
Sec
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old.
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years.
3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old.
2.00
1.00
Division 6. Guernseys.
First.
Sec.
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old.
2.00
1.00
First.
1.50
Colt between 1 and 2 years
$4.00
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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY
Cow 3 years old and upwards.
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years.
3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old.
2.00 1.00
Division 7. Ayrshires
First.
Sec.
Bull 2 years old and upwards.
$5.00
$3.00
Bull between 1 and 2 years old.
4.00
2.00
Bull Calf under I year old ..
2.00
1.00
Cow 3 years old and upwards
4.00
3.00
Cow or Heifer under 3 years
3.00
2.00
Heifer Calf under I year old.
2.00
1.00
HIGH COST OF LIVING.
The public press of the country is aroused on the question of the increased cost of living. Investigations are being made by congress, and various organizations, and the conclu- sions reached thus far point to the necessity of more advanced farming methods, and an improvement of social conditions, which will keep the vigorous young men on the farms. No commercial or manufacturing enterprise can be successfully carried on to-day, without the assistance of live young men, and it is just as essential for the advancement of agricul- tural interests that the vigorous youths be em- ployed in that business.
They will not, however, remain on the farm, in districts where there are no opportunities for social enjoyment. Be the home ever so pleasant and attractive, there must be oppor- . tunities for easy social intercourse with the neighbors, church, entertainments, the store, the villages, and with the roads in an impass- able condition these things are impossible.
During the dull season, when the day's work is slight, the desire for pleasure and amusement in the evening is stronger than when a hard day's toil has tired the body and mind, and it is in these dull seasons when the opportunities and desires for pleasure are greatest, that the roads are in their worst con- dition.
The average farmer in Pennsylvania is spending three times the amount for hauling over bad roads that the foreign farmer does over his improved highways; yet the foreign farmer produces, on an average of three times the crop per acre. Statistics give the average
yield of wheat in the United States as thirteen bushels per acre, against forty-two bushels in England. The average yield of potatoes here is eighty-six bushels, and in England, 230 bushels per acre. The foreign farmer can not only haul three times the load, but he hauls it in wet weather, and not only at such time as he can do no work in the fields. The American farmer, with his dirt roads, must wait for the highways to dry out, and get into a passable condition for hauling, and this is usually the time when every minute could be profitably employed in the fields. This is one reason why the productivity of his farm is less than that of the foreigner.
In all lines of manufacture and commercial enterprise, America is conceded to lead the world, and yet our highways are undoubtedly the worst on the face of the earth.
The "Philadelphia Press" says :
"The increased cost of living and the de- serted farm-the two are linked as simply as . one plus one.
" 'Back to the land' is the answer to the sum. But only when prices, soaring beyond the reach of average pocketbooks, made the discovery of a remedy necessary was the an- swer found and 'back to the land' made one of the modern slogans of reform.
ABANDONED FARMS.
"There are 7,000 deserted farms in Penn- sylvania. The tourist in the New England states is whirled by them mile on mile. In the south they stand in even greater number, and even in more abject neglect. Each year of the last twenty has left them more numerous, more dilapidated, and America, busy with factories, railroads and mines, has not stopped to worry over them.
" 'Back to the land,' became a rallying cry. Secretary Wilson, of the department of agri- culture, has been preaching it. The house committee for the investigation of the high prices of food has indorsed his views.
"Everywhere the investigator looked he saw arguments in plenty for re-peopling the land, but suggestions of how to do it were few. So
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
far Secretary Wilson has been the only active leader in the new campaign. His speech, re- cently delivered before the Manufacturers' club of Philadelphia, sounded a national note of warning. 'The cities,' he said, 'are draw- ing the boys and girls away from the farms and there is a crying need for the states to follow the nation in the promotion of agricul- ture.'
"The disposition seems to be to get away from the farm. The worst farming being done in America to-day is done east of the Al- legheny mountains. There is no land that needs looking after so much as the lands east of the Allegheny mountains. There are no lands in the country that are so cheap to-day as the lands east of the Allegheny mountains, and when you say that in some of those local- ities you are regarded as an unfriendly man. It is supposed to be a slight upon the people in one of those great eastern states to say that they are the poorest farmers in America. The boys have gone away and left the farms. That is what is the matter.
"The last report of the conservation com- mission shows that in the United States there were 16,000 square miles of abandoned farms, chiefly along the Atlantic seaboard. That is 10,000,000 acres, an area twice the size of Massachusetts, enough abandoned farms to give work to 70,000 farmers."
Rabbi Krauskopf, president of the National Farm school, says:
"The first remedy is to better the social con- ditions in the rural districts. In the slums of our great cities we have many people work- ing to brighten the social life of the dwellers in the ghettos-to make them happy. But no theatricals and no lectures are arranged for the farmers whose life, though it is a produc- tive, a useful and a noble one, holds less op- portunity for amusement than is possessed by the corner loafer with the price of admission to a moving picture show.
FARMERS' INSTRUCTION TRAIN. (From Altoona Tribune, Feb. 23, 1910.)
The Pennsylvania railroad company's special farmers' instruction train, carrying
a corps of experts on the tilling of the soil, pulled away from the city yesterday morn- ing at eight o'clock for a three days' tour through the central section of Pennsylvania. That the farmers in this section of the state are eager and anxious to learn the newest and best ways for obtaining results was evi- dent in the manner in which they turned out at the scheduled stopping places on the first day of the agricultural campaign.
The agricultural lecturers on the train were Dr. Thomas F. Hunt, dean of the state agricultural college, and Professors R. L. Watts, C. F. Shaw, M. S. McDowell, H. E. VanNorman, C. F. Noll and Alva Agee.
The first stop of the farmers' special was at Roaring Spring and there it was greeted by a crowd of from one to two hundred farmers. For almost an hour they listened to the experts on agriculture lecture on va- rious subjects pertaining to the tilling of the soil to obtain the best results and with ask- ing questions concerning various matters pertaining to farming.
The second stop was at Martinsburg, the very heart of the most fertile section of cen- tral Pennsylvania, and here the two cars were not large enough to accommodate the crowd, and lectures were given in the sta- tion waiting room, on the platform and in the cars. Here eight lectures were given and were afterwards followed by consider- able quizzing on the part of the farmers.
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