Delaware County, Indiana - Early Normal Schools Prof. E. Tucker, 1881

Early Normal Schools Prof. E. Tucker

First County NoRMAL - EARLY INSTRUCTORS - -DE?ARTMENTS OF WORK - RESULTS - SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS AND INSTRUCTORS - ATTENDANCE - SHOW OF INTEREST - EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORMED - ITS PROJECTORS AND MANAGERS - TEACHERS' ASSOCIATIONS THE First STEP TOWARD NORMAL INSTRUCTION - SOME OF THE FIRST OFFICERS AND TEACHERS - EXPERIENCES, ETC.

Woodward were the proprietors, and the attendance was sixty-five. The time of the commencement of the enterprise was unpropitious, being the rainy summer, when everything seemed gloomy and hopeless. The first session lasted six weeks. Although the attendance was but moderate, yet the interest created was so strong that, by common consent, a second 'session was undertaken the next year. The same managers conducted the normal, having additional instructors - -Miss Mary Little, in music ;*J.O. Lambert, in penmanship, and Mrs. Waldo in language. This,time, the normal had an attendance of one hundred and ten. The instructors were earnest and laborious; the pupils were eager and intent upon their work. Hard study during the day, and lectures and socials during the evening, mingled with recreations of other kinds, joining labor and pleasure in a harmonious union; created and maintained good fellowship, harmonized the work of teaching, and added largely to the good results of the labor performed in the schoolroom throughout the county. A spirit of enthusiasm and of healthy emulation became apparent among the teachers, and a'new, fresh life was infused into the work of education in the community at large. These good results attained, tended very much to establish the county normal as a permanent institution within our borders.

The third session was held under the management of Rev. O. M. Todd, County Superintendent, and D. H. Shoemaker. The instructors were Prof. H. B. Borson, of the State University, with Messrs. Todd and Shoemaker. The attendance was large, but the summer was hot and the?shade was pleasant. Much comfort, therefore, was taken in the enjoyment of a retreat under the leaf-covered bowers in the current of heat-dispelling breezes, at the expense of scholastic improvement. But what matter? "It all goes in a lifetime," and they could study by-and-by.

Messrs. Shoemaker and Saffer took the normal in hand during its fifth session, in the summer of 1879. The attendance was less than in participated in the exercises as members, were richly compensated for the time and money expended in the work.

The sixth session, held in 1880, had as instructors Messrs. sihee- The session continued four weeks, and the attendance numbered seventy five, doing excellent work. Prof. H. 8. McCrea and A. W. Clancey, with some others, also assisted in the depart-

During the six years of its existence, the normal has proved a pleasant and valuable aid to the progress of education in this county. The great body of its members from. year to year could not have gone

Educational Association Prof. E. Tucker

_ abroad for instruction, for the presence of the county normal encouraged them to attend its sessions, and thereby an easy and quite thorough means of preparation for teaching was placed within their reach. Through the agency of normals and institutes, home teachers are utilgood is accomplished. EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. PROF. E. TUCKER.

This society was formed under the leadership of Hon. A. C. Mellette, then County Examiner, in November, 1869, at Muncie, Ind. The name, at first, was Delaware County Teachers' Association. About forty teachers were present at the first meeting. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and future meetings provided for. Hon. A. C. Mellette was chosen President; Lillian Converse, Secretary; and A. W. Clancey, Chairman of the Executive Committee. The association has been in existence ever since, keeping up an interest by holding meetings in various parts of the county, and having two sessions each year, until 1879, since which but one has been had. The Presidents of the association have been A. C. Mellette, H. S. McRea, O. M. Todd, Emma M. McRea, A. W. Clancey, A. J. Wells, D. H. Shoemaker, J. O. In 1874, the society changed its name to Educational Association. It has done good work, paid its own expenses, kept up a friendly social intercourse among teachers, and in other ways assisted in the great work of mutual and moral improvement. The organization seems likely to close its labors, since the present school law requires as many meetings as the teachers can attend.

Sunday Schools

THE SPHERE OF SUNDAY SCHULOLS - EARLY SCHOOLS IN CONNECTION WITH CHURCHES - ACTIVE WORKERS IN THE CAUSE - GENERAL MOVEMENT - ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED - FIRST OFFICERS - LEADING MEMBERS - TOWNSHIP, COUNTY AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS - EXHIBIT OF STATISTICS - DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS - COUNTY SUNDAYSCHOOL UNION - PRESENT OFFICERS - SCHOOLS FOR THE NEGLECTED - PRIME MOVERS AND SUCCESS.

HERE have long been Sunday Schools in connection with the various religious congregations throughout the county. The first general movement, however, to systematize this useful and important

The first annual meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church (Simpson Chapel), in Muneie, on the 24th of October, 1870. Other prominent members of the Association were Rey. O. M. Todd, Conrad Kuntz, Rev. - . Fish, Job Swain, Rev. J. E. Irwin, Amanda Fleming, David Miller, Hattie Cowing, Mrs. John Marsh, Rev. James Heath, G. S. Maddy.

The with gratifying success. Many schools were organized, some of them denominational, and several of them on a union basis. report for the year 1873, of the County Association to the State Sunday- School Associaeat makes the sc wei ihe showing by townships :

Recapitulation

In 1877, a new organization was formed for Delaware County, at a large meeting held at the Friends' Meeting-House, March 22. Several denominations were represented at this convention. organization, the following officers were chosen: D. R. Pershing, Presisponding Secretary; Josiah Cromer, Treasurer; one Vice President from each township and one from Muncie. is made up of the President and the two Secretaries.

and even of older persons, are gathering weekly for the one worldembracing purpose of doing and getting good, of learning to grow better and wiser and happier, and so become more fully fitted, both for this world and the next, is one not unpleasant to the benevolent mind, and one in which even persons not technically religious can unite with a hearty zeal and cheerful good will.

The present officers of the County Sabbath School Union are: D. R. Pershing, President; Isaiah Duddleston, Recording Secretary; Hugh M. Cowing, Corresponding Secretary; R. A. Andes, Treasurer.

Schools For The Neglected

Two ladies, some months ago, thinking that a Sunday school might be gathered from among those who were not members of any school then in existence, undertook to set on foot such an enterprise, beginning the school in March, 1880. These ladies, Mrs. Mareus C. Smith and Mrs. Theodore Riley, have succeeded beyond their expectations, and their school is now prosperous and increasing. At first, it was held at Mrs. Smith's dwelling, but, on the approach of cold weather, the place of meeting was changed to the Mayor's office, in which the school is still held. There is abundant room for much greater effort, since many children and youth are yet outside the Sunday schools, and sadly in need of the moral and religious instruction furnished therein. This

_ school is a feature in the economy of society, as well as in religious _ instruction, which recommends itself to the consideration and respect _ of every friend of his race, of every lover of good order, of every one _ who has due regard for good government and respectable citizenship.

Agriculture Prof. E. Tucker

REVIEW OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT--SITUATION IN PIONEER DAyYSsS - EARLY TILLERS OF THE SOIL IN DELAWARE COUNTY - FARMING EXPERIENCES AND MANAGEMENT - IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY IN* THE PAST - INTRODUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS - F ARM PRODUCTS AND HOW THEY WERE DISPOSED OF - MARKETS AND TRAFFIC - TRANSPORTATION--LNDUCEMENTS FOR IMPROVED- THOROUGHFA RES - CHANGES IN FARM STOCK - INCENTIVES TO GREATER IMPROVEMENTS - CONDITIONS SUBSEQUENT AND CONSEQUENT.

a GRICULTURE is the most important branch of industry in the nation, since the greatest number of persons is employed therein. It would seem not amiss, therefore, that an article especially devoted to the county union, and the county union, also, has meetings twice a year. The number of schools has been forty-eight. Many of the county schools are on a union basis - some of them are not so. About

2,000 scholars have been connected with the schools of the Delaware | reclaimed proves to be of a superior quality. , As to fertility, the soil

The Sunday schools in Muncie at the present time are: Presbyterian, - Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Methodist, Baptist, Christian, Univer- - salist, Episcopalian, Friends, African Methodist Episcopal, and another for neglected children. Several of them are large, prosperous and efficient.

The Sunday schools of the present day are much better organized than they were in the olden time in this county. The International Lessons are used in most of the schools, in some form, and their common study throughout the world makes a most interesting spectacle.

The surface of Delaware County is mostly level, inclined in some portions, however, to be rolling, nowhere hilly, though somewhat bluffy along the banks of streams, particularly the larger ones. In the level portions, drainage by-ditching is essential to bring the soil into suitable condition for easy and profitable tillage, and much of this kind of work has already been done, while in some regions much more is needed. Ditches of considerable length, extending, in some instances, to a distance of several miles, have been made, to the very great advantage of all the localities concerned. Portions of farms too wet for . occupancy have been rendered fit for cultivation, and the land thus county, of a very simple and inexpensive sort. An old-fashioned breaking-plow, a single shovel-plow, a heavy hoe or two, a sled for hauling, an ax for chopping, and a maul and wedge for cleaving the giant logs asunder and a frow for splitting boards, an ox or two, or a horse, or perhaps a team and a rude harness, with now and then, but very seldom, a wagon, made up what was regarded as a very reasonable ou*- scanty helps, the farmers contrived to work their grounds, and to care for and secure their crops. A scythe, indeed, for mowing, and a sickle for reaping, were needed; and a fork, often made from a forked limb, but hardly ever a rake, was employed in harvest time to move the small grain crops to the wagon or the sled, to be hauled thence to the log barn or the stack, for at that day, stacking wheat and oats and hay was a good enough method of disposing of those crops for security against the weather. And as for corn, the blessed ''poor man's crop," that needed no caring for. It simply stood undisturbed on the stock until wanted for feeding, when it was pulled, thrown upon the sled, hauled to the stable and fed to the hungry horses or oxen.

For years, this simple mode of farming prevailed more or less. Of course, some farmers were able to command better things from the beginning, but very many were poor and had to do as best they could, and men were contented therewith, for they raised or made nearly all that was needed for family use, which was enough, since there was no market, or next to none, and no roads to get anywhere on, and hardly any price for an article if it did happen to get to market.

The roads, indeed, were in a very primitive condition. At first, men drove through the woods, cutting out brush and poles when necessary, to admit the passage of the wagon; though, at first, there were only paths, or "trails," for passing on footor on horseback. In fact, most of the locomotion was done in one or the other of these two ways, more frequently on foot; although lawyers, judges, ete., in traveling from county to county, went on horseback. And when actual roads, intended for traveling by wagons, began to be made, it was done simply by removing some of the largest trees, so as to give room for the wagon to pass, and building bridges, not merely over the streams, but across swamps also, of poles or logs laid crosswise of the track. Sometimes earth was thrown upon the bridge thus made, but oftener the poles or the logs were entirely bare. And the wagons would thump and bounce in passing over that wonderful highway. Occasionally a "railroad" was built; that is, rails were taken for the road-floor, instead of logs or poles, and that was far better than the other, because the surface of the track was made thereby comparatively smooth and even. But the regular backwoods "highways," made with logs, were simply "awful!" And Delaware County, in its early days, had enough of just such thoroughfares. In one of the counties of Central Ohio, a settler had, in the fall of 1841, two crops standing in the stack, one crop of corn on the stalk and another in the crib. When asked why he did not market his grain, he replied, " What's the use? Oats are only 6 cents a bushel at Columbus, forty-five miles away, and corn 10, and that will not pay for the hauling." And in this region things were even worse than that. Pork and grain had to be hauled to Cincinnati, and instances were frequent in which pork brought only $1.50 net in that market. Some of the early settlers of Wayne County tried in vain to sell as good wheat as ever grew for 12} cents a bushel, to pay their taxes. And, as late as 1841 and 1843, cases have occurred where men have offered hogs netting two hundred pounds for $1.50, and could not get it. Hard times, it would seem! Yes, but not so hard, neither, as we now might think, for men (and women too) raised and made nearly everything meedful for their use, and had little occasion to buy. Nails and salt were the chief things they could not'make. Nails could be done without, for wooden pins could be used instead, but salt was a sine qua non, and had to be bought at any price; and sometimes, indeed, the prices were large enough.

This was surely " farming under difficulties." But the people could do no better, and all were in the mud together. And nota few, doubt: less, who now rank high among their fellow-citizens, can look back to the time when their fathers, or perhaps themselves, managed in as rude and humble a way as has been described above. By the by, a desire for something better and more convenient began to possess the people, and slowly, very slowly, changes were made. The grain-cradle began to replace the sickle; the wagon to come where the sled had been; threshing with horses on the ground or on the barn floor, or with the aside, and after a while longer the flax-brake ceased to rattle, and the scutching-knife to flash, and the "shives" and tow-lint forgot to fly from the teeth of the " hackle;" the merry foot-wheel quit its humming, and the big spinning-wheel stopped its cheerful music; the pounding whack of the useful though ungainly loom no longer made the house to shake, and the hitherto constant "quill-wheel" and " windingblades" vexed the urchin and half-grown lads and lasses no more. The old began to give place to the new, and memory now ean scarcely recall those once familiar things, and hardly even a relic now remains of the worn-out and discarded past. The process of transformation and renewal has been slow and gradual. Half a century has been none too long to replace the quaint, uncouth and awkward old into the sharp, the brusque and the shining new. Many of the prime actors in this mighty transfiguration are still alive and active among us; or, if the early pioneers - are gone, their children, brought to these forests in early infancy or tender childhood or blushing youth, or born beneath the mighty shadow of the over-arching woods, are now the strong and vigorous men and women still pressing bravely forward in the work of improvement that their hardy fathers and mothers had so nobly begun.

Not less remarkable and thorough has been the change that has taken place in the domestic animals in use throughout this region. '"' Serub-stock" were the sort of cattle found in the woods and in the fields belonging to the settlers. Swine of the kind called "elm-peelers," roamed through the forests around the clearings, and got fat more or less, according to the season, by rooting up the "mast" from underneath the bed of leaves universally clothing the surface of the ground.

Long ago, in Illinois, a man (perhaps from Ohio) was trying to sell an improved breed of hogs to a settler there. Said he, " They can scarcely run at all, they get so fat so easily and so quickly." "Can't run!" replied the astonished "Sucker," "I want no hogs that cannot run. They must make their own way, and a hog that cannot out-run a dog is not worth a snap." Whether the settlers of Delaware County prided themselves on the running qualities of their herds of swine, is not now known. Certain it is, those swine commended by the precocious " Sucker," could run with a vengeance.

In early times, herds of swine grew wild, and were the terror of persons passing alone through the forests. The settlers had to hunt swine down with dogs and shoot them as ore would shoot bears or deer. Men would go out on horseback and range the woods to find the herds of swine, and, having found them and killed such as they wanted, would haul the dead bodies of 'the animals home to be dressed and packed away in rude troughs, made of huge logs hollowed out for the purpose. We have not been able to discover who has the honor of being the first to break the dull monotony of inferiority in these respects in Delaware, and to take the lead in that grand march of improvement which was destined to sweep away the rubbish of the olden time, and bring fully to pass the new and "more excellent way," on these essential, material things pertaining to the advantage of the people in these Western wilds, and to the permanent improvement and thorough development of this wondrous Western land.

Before leaving this branch, it ought to be mentioned, that, through Delaware County, and through what is now the thriving and beautiful city of Muncie, passed one of the great thoroughfares between the older Kast and the newer West; through Greenville, Ohio, Winchester, Muncie, Strawtown, Indianapolis, and so on westward as far as pioneers had found their way toward the sunset, extended this route of travel. Crowds of settlers went struggling and plunging through the almost fathomless seas of mud, dragging their well-nigh impossible way Westward, Westward, ever Westward. |

. And, in a few years after the regions of Indiana and Illinois had been settled and improved, the tide of travel turned, and droves of cattle began to pass on the same great thoroughfare, Eastward, Eastward, ever

_ Large three-year-old steers could be bought for $11, and hogs, $1.25 net, per hundred. Mr. Smith once sold 150 hogs of his own feeding, along this lengthened route of tedious travel were to be found men who had | _ Chesterfield, bought large quantities of pork at $1.25 net, and broke

One of the earliest and most noted of these stations for the entertainment of travelers and of drovers in this region, was the house and farm of Thomas Kirby, Esq., just east of the present town of Muncie. Mr. Kirby-came to Delaware County a young man, from Massachusetts. He emigrated to Ohio about 1828, and to Delaware County about 1830, being married about 1832. He had been a fur trader and merchant for several years in Muncie and the region, and he bought up a large tract of land near there, embracing most of the present town site, and comprising about one thousand acres; and, about 1835, settled on his farm, where he resided most of the time till his death, in 1879. Mr. Kirby kept, not a general hotel, but what was then termed the '' Drovers' Home." His extensive possessions in land enabled him to entertain the numerous droves of cattle and sheep which in those days were constantly passing along that crowded thoroughfare. These drovers would be going, more or less, through the year, more especially in the fall, from September to December. dred head of cattle, for if a man were driving a much larger number he would divide the mass into two or more droves. Sheep would be passing all times in the year. A drove of cattle would employ from five to seven men. One man would walk and lead a steer in front, a man on horseback would bring up the rear, another horseman would ride ahead and arrange for accommodations as to pasture and feeding, and the others, on foot, would assist in driving the herds. They would generally make from ten to fifteen miles a day, or sometimes even less, if the cattle were fat. Some settlers near Chesterfield, Mr. Makepeace and Hon. David Kilgore, used also to keep and feed droves, about ten or twelve miles west of Muncie, and the drovers, with their cattle, would come the next day only to Mr. Kirby's.

Droves of cattle would quite frequently, perhaps generally, stop some time in Ohio to rest and feed up. Sometimes very fine cattle were to be found in these droves. Once, there were two that weighed about 4,000 pounds each. The whole drove was a splendid lot. The owner lost a large number of them afterward at some point east of this, by drowning in crossing a deep river. Mr. Kirby has kept as high as three droves of cattle, say 600, and one drove of sheep, 3,000, in one night. He has had 1,000 cattle on the farm in one day - morning andevening. The largest drove of sheep that ever passed, perhaps, was 6,000 in number. Now and then some horses and mules would pass along, but not often.

before that time, but he then began to buy more extensively, and pasture and feed for himself, turning off in the fall from seventy-five to one hundred head. He kept hogs from the first. Cattle would, of course, make a great waste of corn when it was fed to them, and swine would pick up the scattered corn and prevent the waste. Sometimes he would have 150 to 200 head of porkers. He continued also to feed and fatten hogs. As much land as possible was kept in grass and hay,

| though he raised, also, much corn for his herds of animals, often buying more when his own raising was not enough. In early times, also, he did something for the improvement of stock, though not very much. He sought the best he could find in the country, though he had little thirty-five cows for ten to twelve years, beginning about 1859, and dealing chiefly in milk and cheese. At his death, he still owned about 600 acres of land. His youngest son, George Kirby, continues the business of cattle pasturing and feeding, owning cattle both at home and in Kansas. He also feeds hogs to a considerable extent.

at Cincinnati, for 2 cents gross. At another time, Jacob Sheimer, at. up at it. Mr. Smith used sometimes to drive 500 head of hogs at once - a large drove then. Among the first events in the process of the improvement of stock in Delaware County may be mentioned the passage of a Westward-bound herd of Durham full-bloods, and the fact that a very splendid Durham cow of this herd becoming unable to travel, Mr. Volney Willson, then and now a resident of Muncie, bought her at a low rate and sold her afterward to Hon. David Kilgore, for $110. Mr. K. was offered (but refused) $150 for the calf (a male). From this stock a considerable improvement arose.

Samuel Davis and Noah Bowers, of Salem Township, were extensive stock-breeders in early times. Mr. Davis is so now. Mr. Bowers is dead, but his son still deals in full-blooded breeding stock.

In 1850, Mareus C. Smith and Jacob W. Miller bought two fullblooded Durham males (yearlings) from Wayne County, which were kept for several years. Among the first breeds of improved swine introduced into the county, may be named the Black Berkshires. Mr. Volney Willson had them in 1843. Judge John Tomlinson, of Salem Township, introduced the Black Berkshires there in 1845, and owned them in considerable numbers. James McKimmey, in the same township, brought in the White Poland-China stock, an excellent breed, with long bodies and short legs. They will grow large, and fatten at any | age. These were thought a great improvement, and came to be extensively raised.

blooded hogs, and sell all over the State, and elsewhere, also. They have a splendid stock of the best varieties - Berkshires, Poland-Chinas, Chester Whites, etc. Andrew Martin, Thomas W. Tuttle and others are also engaged in the same way. Samuel W. Parkison, near Yorktown, breeds Jersey Reds somewhat extensively.

William Sharp, in Salem Township; Thompson Sharp, in Washington Township; Samuel Davis, already named; William Adsit, of Union Township; Joseph S. Buckles, Esq.; Volney Willson, Esq.; John A. Willson, Hamilton Brothers, Messrs. Ginn and. Nixon, Mrs. Samuel J. Williams, Jacob H. Wysor, George Kirby, Samuel Sunderland, Jefferson Claypool, Messrs. Reese, Perry Township; Josiah Cromer, Messrs. Keesling, Edward C. Anthony, Jesse W. McKimmey, Messrs. Meeks, in addition to those named, are large land-holders and heavy stock-owners or dealers, or both. Most of them raise large quantities of cattle or hogs, or both. E. C. Anthony is a very extensive land-holder, and deals largely in stock, shipping horses to Florida and elsewhere. Many of the persons named are exhibitors of stock at fairs. Among such may Messrs. Sharp, Mce- Kimmey, Samuel Davis, County Commissioner of Delaware County, William Sharp, 8. B. Skinner, George H. Davidson, and perhaps others, are prominent among the dealers in blooded cattle.

Samuel Davis and Messrs. Ross have been noted for raising very large swine. Mr. Davis not seldom sells hogs weighing 400 to 500 Mr. Ross has exhibited at fairs those weighing 800 pounds. Among the most prominent stock-breeders, not residents of this county, but adjacent thereto, we notice Thomas J. Willhoyt, Esq., living in Henry County, near the Delaware County line, who has the largest stock in this section of the country. He takes great pains with his cattle, and his herds are exceedingly fine. He sometimes exhibits in two places at once, say at Cincinnatiand at Chicago. He has been engaged in this business many years, and enjoys a fine reputation far and near.

The movement as to horses and sheep has not been of so marked a nature, still the horses of Delaware County are good, and there is much fine blooded stock owned here.

men from investing in them. Otherwise, this branch of farming might be somewhat extensive and profitable. Many sheep, however, are owned, the report for 1879 showing 18,000 in the county. Many of the farms of Delaware County are very large, and in excellent condition, and the products in grain, .hay, etc., are bountiful. The general farming interest has for years been rising to greater and increasing importance. Many fine residences have been erected, and farm buildings have been greatly improved. Extensive ditching has been done in the regions needing it. are generally in use. The highways, for the major part, are in excel lent condition, the chief roads throughout the county having been metamorphosed into " pikes.'"' By the efforts for the improvement of stock, already partially described, a marked change for the better has been

EARLY SOCIETIES FORMED - OFFICERS - FIRrst MEETINGS - SOME OF THE First RESULTS OF COMPETITION - AFTER RESULTS - FAIRS AT IRREGULAR PERIODS - ACTION OF THE SOCIETY AT DIFFERENT TIMES - FAIR GROUNDS - GENERAL MANAGEMENT - SUBSEQUENT FAIRS AND THEIR PROCEEDS - SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LAST Fair, ETc.

Directors at that time resolved to hold a meeting July 4, ensuing, and to undertake to get Gov. Wright to deliver an agricultural address on that day. Whether the request was accepted or not does not appear. It does appear, however, that no address was delivered on that occasion by Gov. Wright, but, in his stead, that addresses were deliyered before the society, at that date, by David Kilgore and Joseph S. Buckles, of a quality and character eminently satisfactory to all who listened to them. That there was an exhibition of farm products on that occasion, or previously, is quite probable, as will appear by an item in the report of the Secretary to the State Society, for the year 1853. Speaking of the society, he says: "Its second annual exhibition was held at Muncie on the date [October 6, 1853,] before mentioned, which was well attended and a laudable interest manifested. The society comprises seventy-four members. Addresses were delivered before the society, on the 4th day of July, 1853, by David Kilgore and Joseph S. Buckles, Esqs., but no copies preserved."" That second exhibition referred to in the foregoing item, was held in Muncie, perhaps in the court-house yard, which now would be considered rather small for a county fair, but, doubtless, in those primitive days, it answered the purpose reasonably well, judging from the results attending the effort. Some interesting certificates as to crops raised in the county, and exhibited on that occasion, appear upon the Secretary's record. " Premiums were offered on horses, cattle, sheep, swine, wheat, corn, potatoes, grass: seed, butter, cheese, domestic manufactures, farm implements, and various articles displaying mechanical skill, poultry, fruit and flowers."

" Statement of a field of wheat raised mee Stephen R. Martin, on his farm in Hamilton 'Township, and measured by us, and we certify the measurement to be correct, to the best of our knowledge.

John Galbraith

''Third - Three crops of wheat previous to this one; the first on clover sod, second on wheat stubble, third fallowed, and the present. fallowed.

For man and team twenty-one days at $2 per day.............ssecese $ 42 00 Eighteen bushels seed wheat, at 60 cents per bushel............... 10 80 Threshing and hauling to barn, 10 cents per bushel...............0 30 60 Harvesting, $1 per acre.s....00+.sc0sacesces00s vaccennse sie eae 12 00 Rent, H2 Per Acre. ..c..csrccesccesscoccecsccssecacsse «00s eeusunienmmamannm 24 00 DOt@l.cis.ssasscscsveesisesssbasssescoscbedeunhdotessoinh tens spawns $119 40 Wheat worth at the time sold, 75 cents per bushel ...........sseeee $229 50 Total profit. ...: cos0s ccecsesce suction soe ne6 oslo eden cis asioce'es sc emieniinin am 109 90 - EOL AGLOL 5. cock Sun wias Lenaueveasegcesescnsecunsencseseogse gs iestnt amma 9 12

The Executive Committee were then directed to procure and prepare suitable grounds for the forthcoming fair. This fair was held Sept. 28 and 29, 1854. It would seem that five acres of ground had been purchased for the use of the association. The record concerning this transaction is as follows: °

"The society has procured a fifteen years' lease on a piece of ground owned by the county - indeed, bought by the Commissioners for that purpose, at a nominal rate - and is proceeding to inclose it and erect the necessary fixtures in a permanent and durable manner, thus giving the society a permanent and stable character.

"The Society Fair was held on the 28th and 29th days of September, and was of increased interest and importance over those of preceding years, showing a decided and rapid improvement in the stock, ete., exhibited; increased attention to the improvement of stock by procuring animals of good blood, and more attention to the details of good breeds and improved breeding; proving, also, that more attention was being bestowed on the manner of farming, and that our former

The meetings and fairs of the Association appear to have been regularly held, as shown from time to time by the reports to State Association. In the report thus presented, covering the year 1856, the following statements occur: "The Delaware County Agricultural Society has continued its operations during the year 1856, with the following officers: Joseph S. Buckles, President; Thomas J. Sample, Vice President; John C. Helm, Secretary; William Brotherton, Treasurer; Volney.

State Society, as in the instances noted, we derive information of a similar tenor, indicating the continued progress, though sometimes slow, of the County Society; that fairs were held annually, with the most flattering results, and that prospects for continued success were sufficiently gratifying to guarantee a most satisfactory future as the result of its labors.

In the record of the society's transactions, during the year 1859, it is shown that the officers, as they appeared at the meeting on the 24th of January, of that year, were Thomas J. Sample, President; Warren Stewart, Vice President; Thomas J. Matthews, Secretary; Frederick E. Putnam, Treasurer; P. F. Davis, Superintendent. Executive Committee - Thomas Kirby, Samuel G. Campbell, George Truitt, Martin Galliher, Volney Willson, William Y. Williams. -

The Secretary's book contains little direct information as to the financial condition of the society. An incident, recorded for 1859, would indicate a low state of money matters during the previous years. An order appears under date of May 6, 1859, directing an allowance to sixteen persons, presumably the officers, for $5 each, for money advanced in 1855, for fencing the fair grounds.

facts appearing in the record for 1859, the finances seem to have been coming into a more healthy condition. The Treasurer was ordered to pay all premiums awarded at any previous fair, and to procure a goldheaded cane for not more than $15, as a testimonial to the Superintendent. The aforesaid cane was procured, and, at the meeting held January 2, 1860, was presented to P. F. Davis, Superintendent, with all due formality, Mr. Samuel Orr, by appointment of the society, making the presentation speech, and Mr. Davis of course, delivering an appropriate and affecting reply. The list of officers chosen at that meeting, shows a considerable change as to the persons appointed for Directors. They were Messrs. Hupp, Beath, Shank, Janny, Tuttle, Williamson, Martin, Nixon, Weidner, Smith, Orr and Stowe. Ata meeting in January, 1860, a new departure was taken, by resolving "That, at the next fair of this society, competition for premiums be open to all mankind."

At the meeting held February 4, 1861, it was voted that the fair grounds be free for the use of schools, picnics, etc., by our citizens. At the same meeting, a dispute between two contestants in a riding-match - Misses Warfel and Andrews - was settled by awarding a saddle to each of the fair equestrians.

The association, formed in n 1852, held a fair each year from 1852 to 1867, including the latter year. A new organization was formed January 11, 1863, at a meeting held in Muncie, of which Judge Buckles was President, and J. A. Wachtell, Secretary. The Directors chosen that year were Thomas Tuttle, Salem Township; James P. Snodgrass, Harrison Township; Randolph Beuoy, Washington Township; Aaron W. Ross, Monroe Township; Marcus C. Smith, Center Township; Joseph S. Buckles, Center Township; Samuel Orr, Liberty Township; Samuel Williamson, Mount Pleasant Township; Benjamin F. Smith, Niles Township; Eli Smith, Delaware Township; William F. Jones, Center Township; P. F. Davis, Center Township.

At a meeting of Directors, held February 15, 1868, they chose for their officers, President, Marcus C. Smith; Vice President, Samuel Orr; Treasurer, Fred E. Putnam; Superintendent, William M. Petty. The receipts of the fair, held October 14 of that year, appear by the record to have been $1,129.95; and the expenses $640.65, leaving a balance of $489.30. The board ordered a payment on the premiums awarded of 33 per cent.

From that time, a fair was held annually, excepting one year, but it seems that the association could not pay for the ground purchased. The new organization had bought forty-one acres north of town, at $165 per acre, costing the modest sum of $6,765. The five acres previously owned by the association were accepted in part payment at its estimated value of $1,200. Only 141 Ten Dollar shares are recorded as having been taken, which certainly was a poor basis for such a debt as that. The association struggled along for six years, and gave up the attempt. The County Commissioners then stepped in and paid for the land and took the deed, and the title still remains in the name of the county.

In 1874, certain prominent " Grangers " effected the organization of still a third agricultural association under the grand and comprehensive name of the "Delaware County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society," formed on the 7th of February of that year. The Directors were 8. C. Moffett, Salem Township; Joseph Hancock, Mount Pleasant; James P. Snodgrass, Harrison; George Beuoy, Washington; A. W. Ross, Monroe; A. J. Wilson, Center; John Williams, Center; Samuel Martin, Hamilton; John C. Long, Union; Lafayette Whitney, Perry; Mordecai Whitney, Liberty; Nicholas Poland, Delaware.

January 9, 1878, the Directors chose their officers as follows: Presi. dent, Thomas W. Tuttle: Vice President, William H. Wood; Secretary, Frank Ellis; Treasurer, John M. Graham; Superintendent, William M. Petty.

In June, 1880, the citizens of Delaware tried their hand a fourth time at framing agricultural societies, and with the annexed result: President, John M. Graham; Vice President, Thomas W. Tuttle; Superintendent, William H. Wood; Treasurer, George Kirby; Secretary, Frank Ellis; Superintendent of Gates, Eli Ogle. Directors - Thomas W. Tuttle, Thompson Sharp, Wm. H. Wood, James Carmichael, Samuel Parkison, Sr., Samuel Drumm, Chas. C. Mansfield, John M. Graham, Eli Ogle, George Kirby, J. L. Martin, James Barrett, John 8S. Fudge.

The fairs at Muncie have generally presented good, and frequently superior exhibitions of animals and articles for display, but the receipts have not always been sufficient for the expenses and the full payment of the premiums. The twenty-eighth annual fair was held September 14-17, 1880. The display was unusually good, and the attendance satisfactory. The receipts were about $3,000, and the premiums awarded about $2,200, which were paid in full, the net balance, after the current expenses had been defrayed, being sufficient for the purpose.

The exhibitors of live stock for 1880, may be named as follows: Cattle - Short-Horns and other breeds: Claypool & Davidson, John Storer, S. B. Skinner, William Sharp, Galliher & Son. _

Sheep - Southdown, Long-wooled and Shropshires: Jerry Wilson, W. A. Groves, Claypool & Davidson, N. P. Williams, G. F. Heath, Perry W. Williams, I. J. Williams.

Swine - Poland-China and other Large-boned breeds, Berkshire and other Small-boned breeds: Andrew W. Martin, A. W. Ross, W. A. 'Groves, Jerry Wilson.

as in 1880, except George Kirby, who declining to serve another year, | | John Fullhart, Esq. Great interest was manifested, and all enjoyed

Agricultural Statistics

The officers for 1881 (elected February 26), are as follows: Jon- -athan L. Martin, President; William H. Wood, Vice President; El Ogle, Superintendent; James L. Streeter, Treasurer; Frank Ellis, Secretary. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

The above statistics are in many cases mere estimates, and, as to many items, evidently far too low. Whether they reach the truth at any point, it is impossible to tell. It is to be hoped that the future historian may find the subject in a more satisfactory condition. But, whether statistics are gathered with accuracy, or whether they are for the most part guess-work, one thing remains true, that the productive power of human labor has greatly increased since the settlement of Delaware County, indeed, almost beyond belief. If Rip Van Winkle had lain down in these Delaware woods to take a night's rest under a tree, in those good old hunting days when the first cabins began to appear in the mighty forest beside the Indian wigwams, and had slept until now, his bewilderment would have been far greater than it was when he awaked in the highlands of the Hudson River, after a sleep of twenty years through the troublous and transforming scenes of the Revolutionary struggle. Wonderful, indeed, has been the change. And to those ancient pioneers who came when all was wild and newand strange, and who have lived through all these rolling years, and whose steady and unceasing toil has done so much to assist in bringing about this wondrous transformation, it seems almost like magic. It is de voutly to be wished, that, while the primitive dwellings of the pioneers have disappeared, and many of their habits and methods have been discontinued, yet, the warm spirit of hospitality and generous and earnest friendship, and of hearty neighborliness, may remain among their children and their children's children, even as among the fathers and mothers at the first, to the very latest generation; that, while comforts multiply and riches increase, love and good fellowship may ever bind together as one the hearts of the people of Delaware County, of this grand and noble commonwealth, and of the universal nation of which these citizens form an integral and not unimportant part.