Grundy County, Missouri - Chapter 7: Agricultural and Mecnanical Association, 1881

Chapter 7: Agricultural and Mecnanical Association

As early as 1859 the farmers of Grundy county began to think of organizing for a county fair. In fact tlie matter liad been talked of for a year or two previous, but did not take definite shape until the fall of 1859, the year above mentioned. It was decided that fall to organize and form an Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and a petition was drawn up and the county canvassed for the required number of signatures to be presented to the County Court for its sanction as a body politic under the corporate name of the " Grundy County Agricultural and Mechanical Society." The order of the court granting the prayer of the petitioners reads:

"R. A. DeBolt presents the petition of fifty citizens, freeholders of the county of Grundy, praying to be organized into a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the Grundy County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, and the court being satisfied that such petition is signed by at least fifty freeholders of said county, do hereby declare and order that John W. Coleman, Thos. B. Head, John T. Witten, J. R. Merrill, X. M. Holton, W. W. Brooks, Alf. Bleu, S. F. Ellis, G. W. Moberly, J. T. Tindall, C. G. Chandler, R. A. DeBolt, H. W. Lyday, G. W. Parker, A. Evans, W. Waterland, S. Dunham, S. Peery, W. C. Benson, C. S. Iloman, Jas. Kennedy, J. F. Thomas, A. Beckner, L. E. Monby, J. H. Shanklin, L. Field, Jas. G. Benson, H. Renfro, M. Arbogast, T. P. Wynn, J. R. Coleman, John Baxter, J. W. Rice, Jas. A, Goodwin, Wm. T. Sherman, W. P. Walhouse, Jas. Lawnut, Geo. H. Hubbeil, Jas. E. Estes, Wm. D. McGuire, Jas. Kackley, Jas. Oliver, B. W. W. Elam, J. W. Bagley, Wm. Collier, Jr., Richard Baxter, Geo. Baxter, C. A. Evans, G. M. Evans, J. Field, J. F. Downing, G. W. Hendrix, C. H. Cornwell, J. L. Ragland, D. S. Ilendrix, A. J. Spites, C. L. Reynolds, T. J. Coleman, C. S. Stall, G. Songer, J. S. Herbert, C. Evans, S. A. Gaines, A. Y. Shanklin, G. W. Gaines, J. M. England, S. M. Haycraft, Chas. Skinner, Tlios. Martin, O. Shinn, R. P. Meuzman, J. A. Lowe, James Wynn, B. F. Fulkerson, B. F. Croome, E. Jones, W. P. Cornwell,W. T. Crawford, be and they are hereby incorporated into a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the Grundy County Agricultural and Mechanical Society."

The above order was made of record at the October term of the County Court, 1859. Not much was done, and owing to the civil war of 1861 little was to have been expected. After the war two fairs were held on the high ground just back of the Presbyterian church on Prospect Street, and succeeded beyond the expectations of those who had given their time and money to make them successfuL This was the first step toward the present association which has been so successfully maintained, and its history, its trials, failure and success are here given under a new name.

The history of all successful agricultural, horticultural and mechanical associations are due to the intelligence, enterprise and social qualities of the people. If they are wanting in these tliey cannot thrive. A unity of interests, directness of purpose and ambitious resolves, is the ground-M'ork of success. We believe in county fairs. Strong, vigorous competition, a desire to become the successful competitor, the honest pride which shows it. self when the ribbon is gained, is worthy of all praise. There is nothing sordid in these efforts to win, only a desire on the part of the exhibitor to be known as a successful and skillful worker in the chosen field of his occupation. These associations have become numerous in every section of the country. They bring prominently before the country the advancement made in developing the rich resources of our agricultural bonanza, they add to and shows the quickening pulse of the hands of genius, sharpen the intellect and give hope and encouragement to those who work and delve in the labyrinthian depths of the field of science and of art. By becoming known to all it encourages all, and thus the agricultural association becomes in its field of competiton the starting point of many new discoveries which have proven valuable to all classes of citizens. They are in fact the mainsprings which develop the richness of our soil, the skill of the husbandman, the magic hand of the artisan and the mechanic, and last, but not least, the intuition, the grace and culture of the glorious womanhood of America.

Its First Organization

This association was first organized March 9, 1868. After several meetings previous, the assembly of that day was of sufficient character, both in number and influence, to form an association, which has proven of incalculable benefit to the farmers and stock-raisers of the county. After a full consultation and study of the situation the following gentlemen were named as the first board of directors of the North Missouri Central Agricultural and Mechanical Association: Edwin Ryder, Chas. Skinner, II. J. Herrick, G. W. Gibson, Josiah Barnes, G. W. Moberly, C. R. Webster, J. H. Shanklin, J. M. Leedy, Benj. Lockhart and P. H. Yakey. The capital stock was placed at $5,000 divided into shares of $10 each. The board of directors proceeded to business by purchasing a beautiful piece of ground, twentytwo and one-half acres, and fenced it with a board fence nine feet high.

The first fair was held in tiie fall of 1868, commencing September 30th, and lasting three days. The association continued along with varying success for several years. In 1873 an effort was made, it being the sixth annual fair of the association, to organize a grand district fair, to be composed of the counties of Livingston, Daviess, Harrison, Mercer, Sullivan, Linn and Grundy, but failed. The counties favored a district organization, provided each county could have it. but as that could not be, the matter was dropped. Gruudy county was central, communication easy, and the grounds in good shape, and an association could have been formed by such a combination that would not only have been a splendid success, but resulted in o-reat and la>tino: benefit to the whole oountry around. It would have attracted the farmers and stock-raisers of other States, and they, seeing the raao-nificent country here, would have tended largely to an increase of that class of population. It was unfortunate and an exhibition of short-sightedness on the part of the farmers of adjoining counties, not at all to their credit. One fair with the combined energies of the farmers in all these counties would be worth a dozen smaller ones, and while the latter has but a local name and only local eftect, the former would have aroused a spirit of emulation reaching far and wide, and north central Missouri would long ere this have become noted, as she is yet destined to be, as the garden of the State.

The ambition of the farmers of Grundy county has, however, exceeded their financial resources in the advancement of this important association, and the stockholders were obliged to succumb to the inevitable. The orio-. inal company threw up their charter and another organization was formed, takino- raauv of the old members into the new, who had contributed monev. time and labor to its varying fortunes. This was in 1876,

New Okoanization

The new organization at once proceeded to business, took possession of the grounds, assumed the debts and placed the association on a firm financial basis. The following are Jhe names of the stockholders of the new associa- . tion: Charles Skinner, Richard Burke, John W. Smith, Peter H. Yakev, "Warren Harris, James B. Carnes, John W. Cherry, M. L. Boyles, R. X. Belshe, Jacob Goldenburg. Joseph L. Nichols. Judson Davis, John G. Henley, G. D. Smith, George H. Ilubbell, William Holt. Elkano Payne, J. A. Webster, C. A. Evans, William W. Hubbell, John H. Shanklin, George W. ]y[oberly. D. P. Miller. A. J. Spitler. I. Brainerd, William M. Pond. Alonzo Walker, A. Y. Shanklin, James Austin. George W. Smith. Jacob W. Morris. Emory Wild. M. T. Thompson. F. A. Dinsmoor, Henry J. Herrick, Valentine Briegel, A. JX. Sate, Jacob R. Custard, Daniel Welch, H. M. Anderson,

William Anderson, E. D. Haley, D. C. Tngh, K A. DeBolt, B. F. Thomas, Pleasant W. Bain, W. C. Swayze, K. O. Carscadin, J. 11. Kerfoot, Arthur Ilubbell, George Tindall, George Hall, and M. A. Low,

A board of directors was elected as follows: Charles Skinner, George W. Moberly, John W. Smith, James B. Carnes, William Pond, P, H. Yakey, A. Y. Shanklin, Elkano Payne, George W. Smith, Daniel Welch, Isaiah Brainerd, C. A. Evans, Emory Wild.

Constitution

Article 1. The board of directors of this society shall consist of thirteen members, who shall be elected annually. The officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually, at the first meeting of the board of directors.

Art. 2. The election of the board shall be by ballot, on the second day of the annual fair of each year, at 10 o'clock a. m. of that day and the directors elected shall enter upon the discharge of their duties the first day of January following, and shall hold their offices until their successors are elected and qualified.

Art, 3. The treasurer shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, execute his bond to the society in the sum of three thousand dollars for the faithful discharge of his -duties and the paying over of all money that shall come into his hands, in sums that the board of directors shall from time to time order.

Art, 7. Awarding committees of three persons each shall be annuall}' appointed by the board of directors of the society, for judging the difl:erent classes of articles oft'ered in competition, and awarding premiums for the same. If not present when called, a committee will be appointed by the superintendent of that class.

*Charles Skinner, elected president, was the first president of the old association and the only one, and is its president to this day, having been elected annually since its last, as well as its first organization. He has proved a competent and faithful otficer.

Akt. 9. Com})etitors for premiums on crops shall be required to have the grounds accurately measured by some competent person, whose statements shall be verified by affidavit.

Art. 10. Premiums on grain and grass crops shall not be awarded for less than one acre, and root crops not less than one-fourth of an acre. The whole quantity produced on the ground specified shall be measured or weighed - root cro])s to be estiuiated by weight (divested of the tops), sixty pounds to the bushel, and grain crops to be measured or weighed by the usual standards. The rules in relation to other crops are to be agreed on by the board of directors.

Art. 12. A report shall annually be made by the president and secretary to the State Agricultural Society, embracing, first, a copy of the printed list of premiums offered and awarded by the society, together with an abstract of the treasurer's report; second, the statement of the competitors for premiums on crops and improvements; third, a report giving a general account of the proceedings of the society, the number of members and the prospect of its progress, usefulness, etc., a statement of the principal kinds of agricultural products in the county, and, so far as practical, the aggregate amount of the same, the value, amount, price of products in market, and such information as may aid the State board in keeping a statistical statement of the products of our county.

Art. 13. The constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting of the board of directors by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.

Art. 2. Competitors for premiums on stock will be required to furnish the secretary with a statement of the ages of stock on exhibition, and in case false statements are made, the premium will be forfeited.

Art. 3. No member of a committee shall sit as judge in the class in which he may be a competitor, but his place shall be filled by the superintendent, as in other vacancies, and no competitor shall interfere, or in any manner attempt to influence the opinions of the judges under penalty of forfeiting any award made him.

Art. 4. Persons exhibiting contempt for this society, by tearing off the ribbon placed upon a premium article or animal by the judges, shall be from competing in this society hereaftei-.

Art. 5. Awarding committees shall make their reports in writing to the secretary, signed by a majority of the same, immediately after their decision.

Art. 6. Persons having stock or manufactured articles to sell may have admission to the ground by paying one dollar for entry of articles for that purpose, provided they do not in any way interfere with the operations of the society.

Art. T. All premiums which may be awarded, if not called for within thirty days next after the fair, will be considered as donated to the society.

Art. 8. No animal or article shall be entered except hy or in the name of the actual owner, and if done otherwise the premium will be forfeited, if awarded.

Art. 15. No animal will be allowed to run at large, and to hitch to the trees is positively forbidden. A violation of this rule subjects stock to exclusion from the grounds.

Art. 16. Evidence will be required of animals as breedei"S that they are not barren, and that they have produced offspring within the past two years.

Art. 17. The marshal shall announce, in the ring, the decision of the awarding committee, which shall be final. He shall be chief of police with power to appoint assistants and make arrests.

Art. 20. The exhibition in the amphitheater will commence on the first day at noon, and on all subsequent days precisely at 10 o'clock a. m,, and continue until the programme of the day is through.

Art. 22. Every article or animal upon the grounds shall, during the fair, be under the control of the board of directors, and whilst every possible precaution will be taken for the safe keeping of the same, the association will, in no case, be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur.

Art. 23. No person, cxee]>t tlie awarding coinmittc on duty and officers of tlie association, will be allowed inside the area whilst the exhibition is going on.

Art. 24. Exhibitors in the amphitheatre must be careful to have the entry card in a conspicuous place on the animal, that the committee may be facilitated thereby in making awards.

Art. 25. If it be ascertained that an exhibitor has made, or caused to be made, any false statement in regard to animal or article exhibited, or if any exhibitor shall attempt to interfere with the judges in the performance of their duties, by letter or otherwise, he shall be excluded from competition.

Art. 26. The exhibition of the stock in the amphitheatre will commence at the time and proceed in the order specified in the programme. Animals not ready at the proper time and place will be ruled out of competition.

Art. 28. In judging of blooded stock, regard will be had to the purity of blood, as established by size, form and action, and general characteristics of the various breeds, making proper allowance for age, feed and general circumstances.

Art. 29. Stalls for horses and cattle, and pens for sheep and hogs, will be furnished, as far as practicable, to such as are exhibited. Grain and hay will be furnished on the ground at prime cost. The stalls and pens are numbered and will be assigned in regular rotation.

Art. 30. The president of the association will wear a white, each member of the board of directors a blue, the secretary a red, and the superintendent of the fair ground a yellow rosette, and the marshal and his assistants red scarfs.

Art. 31. Any member of the board of directors failing; to attend three consecutive meetings, without a good excuse, shall cease to be a member of said board, and a majority present at any regular meeting shall have power to appoint a successor.

Art. 35. An auctioneer will be upon the ground each day of the fair to make sales of stock and articles offered, and will charge but a reasonable commission for his services.

Art. 38. Persons taking premiums in all classes where no entrance fee is required will receive two-thirds and stockholders three-fourths of premiums offered, except in classes A, B, C, Gr and H, where full amount will be paid.

Art. 39. Any horse or mare having taken a premium during the fair will not be permitted to compete again for another prize, except in the following rings; viz., For all purposes, speed, roadsters, brood-mare, "\\dth colts by her side, and they can take but two premiums at the same fair, after which such animal will be barred from further competition, except as one of a matched pair, sweepstakes and speed.

The by-laws were revised in 1880 by a committee appointed for that purpose composed of the following named gentlemen : Jno. H. Shanklin, W. W. HubbelljK. A. DeBolt, E.Payne and C. A. Evans, and the above is the late revision and now in force.

The officers of the association for the present year (1881) are: President, Chas. Skinner; vice-president, Geo. W. Smith; secretary, G. D. Smith; corresponding secretary, Geo. Tindall; treasurer, James Austin; marshal, W. W. Hubbell. The grounds are about one mile from the center of the city, just outside of the limits and within about one square of the Quincy, Missouri and. Pacific division depot of the Wabash Railroad. Considerable improvements have been made the present season, including a fine, new judges' stand, a large and commodious floral hall. A racing meeting was held in June, continuing for three days, and the coming fall meeting of the association promises to be the best the society has ever held.