Fayette County, Illinois - Chapter 20: Fayette County Agricultural Society, 1878

Chapter 20: Fayette County Agricultural Society

N a purely agricultural county such as Fayette, perhaps nothing is more conducive to the harmony, good feeling, and welfare of the community generally than the Annual County Fair. The formation of an Agricultural Society, the members of which are chosen from amongst the most intelligent producers, is generally a great success, and when their operations are carried out in a business-like manner must be an immense benefit to all concerned, directly and indirectly; such at least is the result from this institution in Fayette County.

The unfavorable circumstances under which the Fayette County Agricul¬ tural Society was started, made the enterprise an up-hill business for some years, but it is now an undoubted success.

ten or twelve of the most enterprising of its citizens met and organized a society, and in the following year the first fair was held, which was considered quite a success, in a pecuniary point of view, the proceeds more than paying all the expenses incurred. The Board was stimu¬ lated to the encouragement of immediately buying lands upon which to bold a similar meeting annually, and securing a twelve-acre lot iust north of the city of Vandalia well adapted to the purpose, being beautifully located and well shaded with forest trees, retain occupation of the same to the present time.

The third fair was held in 1859, at which time the farmers and stockraisers in the county saw the advantages, if not the necessities, of buying a better class of stock, and this date marks the epoch of a new life in the county, and unquestionably the Fayette County Agricultural Board are i entitled to the credit. The principal officers elected to carry out the

; The fourth fair was held in 1863, a lapse of four years having occurred, and in the meantime rapid strides had been made. The county had in¬ creased in population considerably, its fruit and wheat growing regions extensively developed, its stock of every description vastly improved. Mer¬ chants, mechanics, and manufacturers gave the exhibition the benefit of their various enterprises, the amount of premiums was increased, and,

! what is very important, paid. The result of this was to bring exhibitors from adjoining counties and even distant parts of the State. Since 1863 the fair has been an annual one, showing a marked success in each 'succeeding year,

| and as the resources of the county became more fully developed, ana the products of its rich, sandy, alluvial, loamy soil brought to a greater state of perfection, there is no doubt of the exhibits at this fair becoming equal to any of its size in the State. The convenient position of the grounds, being within the city limits, is a great advantage to all Its buildings are well arranged, good and substantial, and comprise amongst its well-considered arrangements a Floral and Art Gallery, and an excellent quarter-mile track in good condition, wherein the qualities of the racing stock can be shown to perfection. The citizens of Fayette County generally, are yearly becoming more interested in the welfare of its annual exhibit, and the members of the society anticipate next year a great increase in their capacity and receipts. The present officers (1878) are James E. Foster, President; Daniel M.

Illinoi8 Central Rail Road Lands, Of Fayette County

<4 The Illinois Central Railroad Company offer for sale 300,000 acres of good farming and fruit lands, along the line of its road. The country is | well settled, having the roads, bridges, churches, school-houses, and public buildings necessary for the accommodation of the public, nearly all built. If you go to the frontier you will have to pay heavy taxes for these improve¬ ments, and wait a long time before you get the benefit of them."

About (30,000) thirty thousand acres of these lands are situated in Fayette County, along the line of the road. Those lands lying along the river and creek bottoms, are among the most fertile lands in the state, and some of it heavily timbered, and well adapted to the growth of wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, castor beans, tobacco, and all the varieties of grasses are a sure crop. Fruit-growing is very remunerative, as crops very rarely fail. Two ana sometimes three daily trains are employed carrying the immense fruit and berry crop from Southern Illinois to the eastern and Northern markets; besides, large quantities of these fruits and berries are dried for winter use and command good prices.

We would suggest that a number of families who desire to change their location, club together and send one or two of their number in whose judg¬ ment they have the most implicit confidence, to visit and examine these lands. In this way it will cost each but a small amount. To such explor¬ ing agents the company will furnish free railroad transportation from Chicago to the lands and return.

They also sell half-rate tickets over their road to all persons applying for lands, from Chicago to the lands and return if desired, and the amount, j paid for such a ticket will be applied as part payment if they purchase land of the company. After lands are purchased of the company by any one, they will issue half-rate tickets over their road from Chicago to the nearest | point to the lands, to the family of any purchaser.

Prices And Terms

The terms are one quarter cash with only six per cent, interest in advance for one year on the residue, and the balance payable in one, two and three years, equal installments, with the same rate of interest in advance on the part remaining unpaid.

To The Emigrant

These lands offer fine facilities for the farmer, stock raiser, and fruit-grower; their close proximity to good markets, such as Chicago, Toledo, St. Louis, Cincinnati, also in direct communication with Cairo, Memphis and New Orleans, by river and rail, the natural channel for the trade of the West; the rapid development of the country surrounding offer excellent opportunities for men desirous of engaging in trade. New towns along the line of this road are springing up ana the older towns rapidly improving.

The management of the road, ever desirous of assisting emigration, offer extra inducements to the new comers. The road is one of the most sub¬ stantial in the state, and its immense traffic cannot fail to develop the value of the lands adjacent.

The freight charges bear favorable comparison with any other roads in the state. This road runs through the center of one of the finest agricultural states of the Union, and fine lands for farming purposes can be secured at as little cost, as those in the wilds of Kansas or Nebraska.

D. B. Paine, of Pana, Illinois, is General Agent of the I. C. E. R. lands, and has been for about twelve years. His long connection with this comn will attest the honorable character of his dealings. His representations ese lands to the purchasers can be relied upon.