Clinton County IN Archives History - Books .....Agricultural 1886
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Book Title: History Of Clinton County

CHAPTER XIV. 
AGRICULTURAL.

CLINTON AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTY.—STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE FOR 1886.—CLINTON
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—ORGANIZATION.—FAIRS, 1872-'85.—MIDDLE FORK
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

    The best prosperity a county can have is agricultural. Manufactures and
mineral resources are desirable, but where they are the main dependence there
will invariably be a poor, ignorant, unenterprising class of citizens controlled
by a few capitalists. Here in Clinton County property is quite evenly
distributed, with the exception of a few large land owners; all are comfortably
situated, and all enjoy educational and social advantages. Clinton is destined
to remain an agricultural county, and it is best so. As a farming region it
ranks among the best in the State. Possessing the advantages of a good climate,
a soil of inexhaustible fertility, close proximity to the markets of Chicago and
other cities, and excellent railroad facilities, the county has already attained
a degree of agricultural development such as is seldom found in a country
comparatively new. Its wealth and prosperity are steadily and rapidly
increasing. When we consider that but two generations ago the red men were the
owners of this region which now supports one of the most flourishing communities
in the United States, we may well be astonished at the wonderful results which
time and an intelligent industry have wrought. In many sections of our country,
lands which have been occupied by white inhabitants twice and thrice as long,
exhibit not one-half of the improvements and substantial evidences of real
prosperity that Clinton County can show. Nature did much for this region, and a
thrifty and progressive people have admirably co-operated with her efforts.
Farms, buildings and improvements of every kind are of unusual excellence in
this county. Numerous towns and villages scattered over the county furnish
abundant and convenient trading points and home markets, while unexcelled
educational and religious privileges combine to render the lot of the Clinton
County farmer a most fortunate one.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

    No statistics of agriculture were compiled in early years, but now the
assessors report annually to the State Bureau of Statistics, and from these
reports extensive tables are prepared which, though sadly deficient in many
respects, still serve a useful purpose in the end. Following is a summary of the
reports for 1886:

    Acres of wheat (sown in fall of 1885), 56,709; upland corn, 51,112;
bottom-land corn, 3,721; oats, 7,061; barley, 119; rye, 145; buckwheat, 35;
flax, 103; Irish potatoes, 378; sweet potatoes, 25; melons, 2; tobacco, 11;
cabbage, 7; beans, 1; onions, 6; strawberries, 43; timothy, 12,428; clover,
18,710; other grass, 14,875; uncultivated plow land, 5,782; new land brought
under cultivation, 2,788; timber land, 44,381; rods of drain tile, 718,602.

    Bushels of timothy seed saved, 85; clover seed, 1,932; blue grass seed, 22;
tons of flax straw produced, 7.

    Bushels of dried apples, 37; gallons of dried or preserved cherries, 91;
canned fruits, 5,713; cider, 1,071; vinegar, 1,081; wine, 6; sorghum malasses,
14,926; pounds of sorghum sugar, 221; gallons of maple molasses, 5,140; pounds
of maple sugar, 1,175; gallons of milk, 1,853,890; pounds of butter, 505,410;
pounds of cheese, 918.

    Number of horses under one year old, 700; one to two years old, 790; two to
three years old, 541; three to four years old, 558; four years old and over,
5,419; number of horses dying during the year 1885, 226.

    Number of mules under one year old, 25; one to two years old, 41; two to
three years old, 63; three to four years old, 69; over four years old, 131;
number of mules dying during year 1885, 16.

    Number of cattle under one year old, 5,734; one to two years old, 2,924; two
to three years old, 2,361; three years old and over, 5,952; milch cows, 7,163;
number of cattle dying during the year, 380.

    Number of fatted hogs past twelve months old, 42,070; weight of same,
8,768,051; number of hogs old enough to fatten this year, 32,175; number of hogs
dying during the year, 6,307.

    Number of grown sheep, 4,852; lambs, 3,406; pounds of wool clipped in
1885,32,592; in 1886, 29,069; sheep killed by dogs in the year, 157; sheep died
of disease during year, 380.

    Dozens of chickens sold and used during year, 11,910; turkeys, 673; geese,
170; ducks, 184; guinea fowls, 419; dozens of eggs, 270,123; pounds of feathers
picked, 3,457.

    Number of stands of bees, 1,178; stands killed during year, 460; pounds of
honey taken, 12,018.

    Cattle over three months old slaughtered, 427; calves under three months
old, 102; hogs, 9,890; sheep, 889; lambs, 89.

    Bearing apple trees, 39,066; young apple trees, 21,381; apple trees killed
during year, 11,078; bearing peach trees, 224; young peach trees, 1,554; peach
trees killed during year, 407; bearing pear trees, 1,145; young pear trees,
1,287; bushels of fall apples saved, 3,539; winter apples, 2,976; peaches, 27;
pears, 82; pear trees dying during year, 948; bearing plum trees, 986; young
plum trees, 1,487; bearing quince trees, 52; young quince trees, 288; bearing
cherry trees, 7,971; young cherry trees, 4,543; bearing Siberian crab trees,
824; young Siberian crab trees, 639; bearing grape vines, 6,125; young grape
vines, 4,339; apple trees planted, 5,629; peach trees planted, 344; pear trees
planted, 354.

CLINTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

    The Clinton County Agricultural Society was organized in June, 1872, and
held a successful fair the same year; the net proceeds making a handsome payment
on the indebtedness which had been incurred in starting the society. Forty-eight
acres of beautiful ground, one-half mile south of town, half of it a splendid
grove of native trees, had been purchased. The grounds cost $6,000, and within
the first year the society expended about $7,500 in the way of improvements. The
capital stock was fixed at $10,000, divided into shares of $25.

SECOND FAIR.

    The fair of 1873 was a success in every respect. The whole number of entries
was 1,250; receipts from all sources, $5,190.82; paid for premiums, $2,159.03;
improvements and expenses, $1,822.65; balance of $1,208.64, applied to reduction
of indebted ness. The secretary, P. W. Gard, reported this year that all the
stock of the society had been purchased except about 100 shares. Enos Hoover was
president for this year.

THIRD FAIR.

    The third annual fair was held in 1874. The competition for premiums on
horses, cattle and hogs was the most spirited yet had, but the fair was not so
successful financially as preceding ones. The exhibition showed that many of the
best farmers had begun to import blooded horses and thoroughbred cattle. Many
Berkshire and Chester White hogs were to b$ seen also. The total number of
entries was 1,580; receipts, $4,450; disbursements, $8,960. Enos Hoover was
president and S. O. Bayless was secretary for the year.

FOURTH FAIR.

    The weather was favorable and all other circumstances auspicious for the
fair held September 13-19, 1875. The entries were 1,250, not quite the usual
number, but they were of a better class of articles and stock. The receipts were
$3,600; expenses, $2,800, and balance to apply on indebtedness, $800. The
display of hogs, and articles in agricultural and produce halls, were not equal
to those of previous years. The exhibition in the floral department went far
ahead of previous attempts. The number of entries in the cattle and horse
departments was large and the animals very fine and would have made a creditable
show at a State fair. The officers were the same as for 1874.

FIFTH FAIR.

    The fifth annual fair, September 11-18, 1876, was not so fortunate. The
weather was very unfavorable during the week, and the fair was not well
attended. Financially, it was not a success; but the society maintained its
credit by paying out more for premiums than the receipts at the gate. The
exhibitions in the stock department far excelled any previous year. Vegetable
and garden products were well represented. On account of the bad weather, the
display in the floral hall was not as good as heretofore. The county
commissioners purchased the grounds this year, to ease the society, and leased
the grounds to the same for an annual rental. The entries at this fair numbered
1,150; receipts amounted to $1,823.65; disbursements, $1,988. John Snyder was
president and S. O. Bayless was secretary.

SIXTH FAIR.

    The sixth annual exhibition was held September 10-15, 1877. The entries
numbered 1,476 being a gratifying increase over the usual number, while most of
he articles exhibited were of a superior quality. The secretary's report said:
"At the first two or three exhibitions we were compelled to depend upon other
and older counties for superior stock, grain, vegetables and useful machinery;
but of late we can compete with any of them in all departments, as our record at
the State fair and the number of patents granted to our county at Washington, D.
C., will show. We now have some as fine imported horses, cattle and sheep as any
county in the State. Notwithstanding the incessant rain during the week of our
fair on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, the attendance on Thursday and
Friday was much larger than that of any previous year." The total receipts of
the fair were $3,000; expenses, $2,930. The officers for the year were:
President, H. Y. Morrison; Secretary, John Bayless.

8EVENTH FAIR.

    The seventh annual exhibition occurred September. 16-20, 1878. The entries
numbered 1,499, more than any previous fair, including 712 in the live-stock
department. Great improvement was noticeable in not only the exhibition, but in
the management The attendance was large, notwithstanding an incessant rain on
Friday, usually one of the best days. The poultry department was one of the most
conspicuous. The receipts of the fair were $3,485; disbursements, $3,635. Enos
Hoover was president and John Bayless was secretary for the year.

EIGHTH FAIR.

    In 1879 the fair was held September 15-19, inclusive. The weather was fine,
the entries numerous and the attendance beyond the most sanguine expectations of
the managers. The stock departments showed the most conspicuous improvement. One
of the interesting features was an archery contest, participated in by the
Kokomo, Frankfort, New London and Crawfordsville clubs. There were four archers
in each team, and each man made thirty shots, three at a time, at the distance
of forty, fifty and sixty feet, making in all ninety shots. The result was not
very flattering to the Frankforts, the total of the score being: Crawfordsville,
1,654; New London, 1.244; Kokomo, 1,066; Frankfort, 960.

    No fair was held in 1880.

NINTH FAIR.

  The fair held August 22-26, 1881, was as successful as could be expected under
the circumstances. The terrible condition of the roads prevented many from
attending, while the long-continued drouth of that year cut short the display in
agricultural hall. The stock display was good and floral hall made a line
impression, perhaps better than at any previous fair. Over 500 entries were made
in that department. More attention was paid to the races than usual.

TENTH FAIR.

    In 1882 the fair was a moderate success. The exhibition was hardly as good
as usual, and the attendance was less. Still the management paid all premiums in
full and made a number of improvements on the grounds.

ELEVENTH FAIR.

    The eleventh fair was held August 27 to September 1, 1883, inclusive, and
was much more fortunate than that of 1882. The total number of entries reached
1,600. The receipts were sufficient to pay all the expenses, all the premiums in
fall and an indebtedness of nearly $1000. The officers elected for 1884 were:
James McDavis, President; C. K. Fence, Vice-President; Joseph Heavilon,
Secretary; H. M. Aughe, Treasurer; and W. G. Morris, Superintendent.

TWELFTH FAIR.

    The fair of 1884, held August 25-29, inclusive, was another one of the "best
ever held." The attendance was certainly excellent. There was some complaint
that the premium list was not as liberal as it should be. The officers elected
for 1885 were: President, James McDavis; Vice-President, Robert Carrick;
Secretary, M. H. Belknap; Treasurer, H. M. Aughe; Superintendent, David F. Clark.

THIRTEENTH FAIR.

    In 1885 the fair was held from August 24 to 28, inclusive, and was a great
success. A rain storm on Monday delayed the start a little, but there were in
all 2,000 entries, several hundred more than ever before. The agricultural
display was fine, and the stock show unusually good. Implement hall was alive
with machinery used by the farmers, and floral hall was a scene of beauty. The
contests in the speed ring were exciting, although from recent rains the track
was in poor condition. The officers chosen for 1886 were: President, James
McDavis; Vice President, Robert Carrick; Secretary, M. H. Belknap; Treasurer, C.
R. Pence; Superintendent, D. F. Clark.

MIDDLE FORK UNION AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

    The Middle Fork Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society, composed of
the counties of Clinton, Howard and Carroll, was organized January 4, 1872, at
Middle Fork, Clinton County, Indiana. The society, at the time of its
organization, consisted of 100 life members, who elected twelve directors—four
from each county.

    The officers for the first year were: John Wilner, President; A. F.
Whiteman, Vice-President; John Rodkey, Superintendent; W. J. Floyd, Treasurer;
Milton Hanson, Corresponding Secretary; Oliver Gard, Recording Secretary.

    The following named gentlemen were the directors elected from Clinton
County: Henry Baum, Isaac H. Storms, Thomas Avery and Q. W. Unger. The directors
elected from Howard County were Alex. Bishop, Samuel Schooley, John Morrison and
Samuel Rodkey. Those elected from Carroll County were John S. Cromwell, William
Everman, William Farlow and B. J. Wilson.

    The object of the organization cannot be better expressed than by quoting
the preamble to their constitution, which was as follows:

    "WHEREAS, In all ages, and in all countries, skillful and scientific labor
has been the foundation of material prosperity and greatness, and, as we believe
that exhibitions of nature, the work of art, and the achievements in science,
when conducted on the principles of justice and morality, tend to the
improvement of those who engage therein, we deem it expedient, in order to carry
out these convictions, to form an organization."

    The first, second and third annual exhibitions were all its most sanguine
friends anticipated. But time proved that 100 life members were too many. A
rainy week interfered with the exhibition, when they were compelled to pay a per
cent, and re-organize. A joint stock company then took charge of the enterprise,
paid off the indebtedness, and gained the confidence of the public. Several more
fairs were then held, but in 1881 the organization was dissolved. Middle Fork
had not been reached by any of the railroads then building through the county,
and on account of this and other disadvantages with which the management was
obliged to contend, the experiment of holding fairs at Middle Fork was
permanently given up.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA,

TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS, EDUCATIONAL,
RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT
PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO:
INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO.
1886.


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