# Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 8/History of Organization of Oregon State Agricultural Society

​HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION OF OREGON STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY By GEORGE H. HIMES. Properly to treat this subject, it has been necessary to go over a great deal of ground in order to secure information relating to the organization of county fairs in Oregon, in order to show how the idea of the formation of a State Agricultural Society came to be entertained. There is scarcely a doubt that the first act looking to the organization of a county agricultural society in Oregon was performed in Yamhill County, as I find in the Oregon States- man of October 4, 1853, the following notice : "Meeting of the Farmers of Yamhill County. "Pursuant to notice a number of the farmers of Yamhill County met in the court house at Lafayette, on the 17th inst. "F. B. Martin was called to the chair and W. B. Affleck appointed secretary. "On motion of J. G. Baker, Ahio S. Watt was requested to state the object of the meeting. "After numerous interesting remarks relative to the im- portance of the subject of agriculture, he stated that this meeting, being a primary one, preparatory to the perfect or- ganization of an Agricultural Society, and the formation of an Agricultural and Horticultural Library, etc., he recom- mended that a committee be appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws towards effecting said organization. "Motioned, that the chairman appoint said committee, when the following gentlemen were chosen : J. G. Baker, William Dawson, Miles Carey, Dr. Anson G. Henry, and Ahio S. Watt. "On motion, Ahio S. Watt was appointed chairman of said committee. ' ' Moved that a committee of three be appointed to select and request some competent person to deliver a lecture before the society, at their next meeting. Chair appointed Dr. Wester- field, Jacob Grozier, and W. B. Affleck said committee. ​I 318 GEORGE H. HIMES. "On motion of Rev. A. R. Elder, it was voted that the secretary be requested to furnish a copy of the proceedings, signed by the officers, and send to each of the editors in the Territory, requesting the publication of the same. "Motioned, to adjourn until the fourth Saturday in Octo- ber next. ' ' In connection with this first meeting of farmers to organize an agricultural society, it is a matter of interest to note the attitude of one of the leading papers of the State at that time towards the movement. For that reason the following is quoted from the Oregon Statesman of October 4, 1853, then edited by Asahel Bush, who was then, and still is, a resident of Salem:
formation of an agricultural association have been taken by the farmers of Yamhill County, and we trust their movement will be seconded by their brethren in other counties. "There is no part of the world where agricultural and horticultural societies are more necessary, and would be more useful, than in Oregon. The experience and experiments of 'the States' are of little or no service here. Our climate, seasons and soil differ from those of all of them, and agricul- ture and horticulture here must be conducted upon different systems. New experiments must be tried, and new modes adopted. In a great measure everything is to be learned anew. Hence the importance of societies where interchange of opinions and experience may be had. "We hope some member of the Yamhill association will, from time to time, give our readers the benefit of the in- formation elicited through their organization. We also invite short and intelligently written articles upon agriculture and horticulture. ' ' It is impossible to state any thing about the business which was transacted at the meeting set for October 4, above alluded to, as it has been impossible to find any record of it; but this much is known, that the organization wavS fully perfected, and on March 18, 1854, another meeting was held at which arrangements were made to hold a fair the coming fall, and the date was fixed on October 7, 1854, at Lafayette, and the programme was as follows: ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 319 "Exhibition commences at court house at 1 :30 o'clock P. M. Articles Bedquilts, butter, cheese, and other household pro- ductions. Jury W. Breyman, G. H. Stewart, and A. R. Burbank. "Two o'clock P. M. At Marquam's corral. Cattle, sheep, hogs, farm implements, certificates of crops, etc. Jury- Solomon Allen, S. M. Gilmore and F. B. Martin. "Three o'clock, same place. Horses and mules. Jury John A. Monroe, Alvis Kimsey, and Mr. Hankie." The fair occurred on the day appointed, and Ahio S. Watt, who was secretary of the Yamhill County Agricultural So- ciety at the time, reported that prizes were awarded as follows : "To Mrs. K. Davis, for best bedquilt; W. T. Newby, best flour of Oregon manufacture; Clayton Richardson, best acre of wheat; E. T. Stone, best pair of pigs; Charles H. Burch, best bull; Stephen Hussey, best cow, bull calf, and yoke of oxen ; John G. Baker, best stallion ; Joseph R. Young, second best stallion and best brood mare ; S. M. Gilmore, best one-year colt; Daniel Johns, best two-year-old horse; Solomon Allen, best two-year-old filly and best sucking colt; John Monroe, best span of horses ; Barnet Haggart, best single gelding. "A specimen of corn in the ear was exhibited by F. B. Martin, that would compare favorably with that of the best corn-producing countries, both in length and size of ear, and in the apparent quality of the corn. Joseph Watt exhibited a stool of wheat supposed to be the production of one grain of the bluestem variety, that numbered ninety-six full, large heads." Following- this, Yamhill County held annual fairs for a number of years. The next county to fall in line, so far as can at present be determined, was Marion. A preliminary meeting was held on April 6, 1854, with Governor John W. Davis presiding, and Joseph G. Wilson, secretary. Jacob Woodsides, Thomas T. Eyre, David Crawford, Hiram A. Johnson, Samuel Brown, Ralph C. Geer, L. F. Grover, W. J. Herren, and Narcisse Cornoyer, were appointed a committee to prepare a constitu- tion and by-laws. Numerous speeches were made, and an in​320 GEORGE H. HIMES. vitation extended to Pblk County to unite with Marion in holding a fair. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to farmers on "upon the subject of agriculture and the best means of promoting the farming interests of our territory. " This committee was as follows: Wesley Shannon, A. W. Ferguson, E. E. Parrish, E. M. Barnum, and Samuel Sim- mons. In due time a constitution was reported and adopted at a meeting held May 13, 1854. The dues of the Marion County Society were fixed at $2.00. At a meeting of this society on July 8, 1854, Nicholas Shrum presided, with Ralph C. Geer, vice-president; J. G. Wilson, secretary, and C. A. Reed, treasurer; John Minto, W. J. Herren, J. Woodsides, J. Cox, Wesley Shannon, Thomas T. Eyre, executive committee. It was agreed that a fair should be held on October 11, 1854. It was held as appointed, and Jacob Woodsides gave an ad- dress which was noteworthy because it "was short, practical and sensible." The exhibitors and awards to each were as follows : Cox, Joseph 1 Martin, John 1 Cox, William 2 McCorkle, G. F 3 Cross, Thomas 1 Minto, John 1 Downing, John 1 Murphy, William 1 English, Leven N 1 Rickey, James 1 English, Mrs. Leven N. . . 1 Sappingfield, J 1 Eyre, Thomas T 2 Savage, Morgan L 1 Fitzpatrick, F 1 Shannon, Wesl ey 2 Geer, Ralph C 12 Shannon, Mrs. Wesley ... 1 Geer, Mrs. Ralph C 1 Shrum, Nicholas 1 Gessner, R. A 7 Stanton. Alfred 3 Kenyon, Wiley 1 Syphert, William 1 Lewis, Reuben 1 Woodsides, Jacob 1 Magone, Joseph 4 In connection with the organization of the Marion County Agricultural Society it is a matter of interest to note that Mr. John McCraken, who has been a prominent business man of Portland for almost fifty years, but was a resident of Salem in 1854, was present at the preliminary meeting above ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 321 referred to when Governor Davis* presided, and that he attended this meeting more on account of a desire to see the Governor than for any particular interest in agriculture, be- cause he had heard so much about him prior to his arrival in Oregon. Governor Davis came to Oregon from Indiana, ar- riving at Salem December 2, 1853, and resigned and started on the journey east to Indiana on August 5, 1854. Prior to his coming to Oregon Governor Davis had been much in pub- lic life. The courtliness of his manners and the ease with which he presided over a public meeting made a lasting im- pression upon Mr. McCraken, which was readily recalled at a recent interview. Polk was the third county to fall in line in the matter of organizing an agricultural society, and the first meeting held for that purpose was on April 3, 1854, at Dallas. James M. Fulkerson was elected president, and John E. Lyle, secretary. On motion of Rev. John Rigdon the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : "Resolved, That we deem it expedient, necessary and proper to form ourselves into an agricultural society. "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to pre- pare and draft a constitution, and report the same to our next meeting." Reuben P. Boise, Isaac Ball and John E. Lyle were ap- pointed said committee. After instructing the above committee to secure ' * some suit- able person to deliver an agricultural address at the next meeting," and fixing the date for holding the first fair on October 12, the meeting adjourned to May 25. The first meeting in Washington County for organizing an
medicine in his native State. He removed to Indiana when about thirty years old, and participated actively in the political affairs of his adopted State. This resulted in his being sent to Congress in the years 1835-1837, 1839-1841, and 1843-1847. During the last two years he was Speaker of the House of Representatives. During President Folk's administration he was Minister to China. He was appointed Governor of Oregon by Presi- dent Pierce in 1853. He died in the summer of 1859. ​322 GEORGE H. HIMES.
agricultural society was held at West Tualatin (now Forest Grove) on May 25, 1854, with B. Q. Tucker, chairman, and H. C. Raymond, secretary. A short address was made .by H. H. Hendricks, explaining the object of the meeting, after which it was voted that Mr. Hendricks, Thomas G. Naylor and J. Marsh be appointed a committee to prepare a constitution ; whereupon the meeting was adjourned to June 10. At this time Israel Mitchell was called upon to preside and J. M. Keeler elected secretary. The committee on constitution re- ported and it was adopted. Permanent organization was effected by electing Thomas G. Naylor, president, Wesley Mulkey, vice-president, and J. M. Keeler, secretary-treasurer; councilmen, Alanson Hinman, James Johnson, W. O. Gibson, Thomas J. Dryer, Levi Whitcomb, John S. White, and Israel Mitchell. It was decided that a fair should be held on October 5, 1854. The premiums offered amounted to $420.00, and ranged from $15.00 for the best conducted farm of twenty- five acres or more down to $1.00. First and second prizes were given in each case. The scope of the fair may be judged by noticing the objects for which premiums were offered, viz. : Farms, dairies, butter, cheese, cattle, sheep, swine, bread, flowers, household manufactures, ladies' department, farming implements, plowing match, field crops, orchard and shade trees. From the foregoing it will be seen that the agitation in re- lation to organizing county agricultural societies, begun in Yamhill County in the fall of 1853, resulted in the movement extending into four counties, each of which had a successful county fair almost simultaneously the next year. Nearly two years elapsed before another county joined hands with those already mentioned, and that was the county of Linn. The preliminary meeting was held at the court house in Albany on May 3, 1856, at which time "a large number of citizens met for the purpose of organizing an agri- cultural society." William Allphin was chosen chairman, ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 323 and John H. Hackleman secretary. Hon. Delazon Smith* was called upon to state the objects of the meeting, after which upon his motion, John H. Lines, Joel Ketchum, Anderson Cox, James Johnson and Thomas K. McCoy were appointed a com- mittee to frame a constitution and by-laws for the government of the society. On motion of Mr. Smith a resolution was adopted declaring that it was the sense of the meeting that it was expedient to form an agricultural society in Linn County. After instructing the secretary to send notices of the meeting to all the papers of the territory for publication, the meeting adjourned to June 21. At the meeting in June the committee appointed for that purpose reported a constitution, which was adopted after a number of amendments ; after which permanent officers were elected as follows: President, Delazon Smith; vice-president, J. D. Haley; secretary, D. H. Bodine; treasurer, John H. Lines. The admission fee was fixed at $2.00, with an annual due of $1.00. The executive committee were authorized by the constitution to offer premiums not to exceed ten dollars for any one article "for the best horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry; for the best fields of wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and potatoes; for the best meadows; for the best se- lections of grains, fruits, and vegetables ; for the best articles of domestic manufactures, and for the best farming imple- ments made in Linn County; and for any other matter or thing that may be of use or interest to the farmers of Linn County." The meeting then adjourned until July 12, at which time Joel Ketchum, Anderson Cox, Zillic Donnell, H.
in New Berlin, Chenango County, New York, October 15, 1816. He was graduated at the Oberlin College Institute, Ohio, in 1837, studied law, and later became editor of the True Jeffersonian, Rochester, N. Y., and the Western Empire, Dayton, Ohio. He removed to Iowa in 1846, and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852. In 1854 he was elected a member of the leg- islature, and re-elected twice afterwards. In 1857 he was chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention, and U. S. Senator in July, 1858, taking his seat on February 14, 1859, for the short term. In 1860 he was presidential elector on the Breckinridge and Lane ticket. He died in Portland Novem- ber 18, 1860. At that time he was editor of the Albany Democrat. ​
324 GEORGE H. HIMES. % A. McCartney, William Mcllree, and Ashby Pearce, were elected to act, in conjunction with the president and vice- president, as the executive committee, and after fixing the date of the first fair for October 10, adjourned until October 18, when it closed up the business of the year, showing that the first fair of the county had been a most successful one. The following is a list of the exhibitors, with the number of premiums awarded to each one: Allphin, William 3 Hughs, G. H 5 Brattain, Jonathan 1 Ketchum, Joel 3 Burkhart, Calvin P 8 Ketchum, Walter 1 Burkhart, L. C 1 Mcllree, Samuel 1 Cline, George 1 Mcllree, William 4 Cox, Anderson 2 Pugh, Asbury 2 Dillon, Mrs. M. C 1 Pugh, J. W 2 Fry, Olney 2 Robinson, Jordan 2 Hackleman, Abraham ... 2 Smith, Abraham 6 Hackleman, Mrs. Elizabeth 1 Smith, Mrs. Eliza Ann. . . 1 Hamilton, Joseph 1 Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth .... 1 Hogue, H. A ,. . 1 Smith, William L 1 Hogue, J. P 1 In connection with this fair it may be mentioned that C. P. Burkhart raised fifty bushels of corn on one acre of ground. The first meeting in Lane County to consider the advisa- bility of holding a county fair was held at "Eugene City" on April 7, 1859, with F. McMurray chairman, and E. E. Haft, secretary. The permanent officers chosen at that time were: Avery A. Smith, president; C. E. Chrisman, Mitchell Wilkins, Isaac R. Moores, and Albert P. Gaines, vice-presi- dents; Stukely Ellsworth, recording secretary; E. E. Haft, corresponding secretary; F. McMurray, treasurer. By the constitution the membership was restricted to "such inhabit- ants of Lane County as shall sign this constitution, pay one dollar, and comply with the by-laws and regulations of the society." At a meeting a few weeks later it was voted to hold the first fair on October 11-12, at Eugene, and provision was made for awarding $80.75 in premiums, to competitors in twelve different classes, viz. : Stallions ; mares and colts, and colts ; matched and single horses; cattle; sheep; swine; ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 325 butter ; cheese ; field crops ; garden productions ; fruit ; manu- factures; farms, etc. The competitors were as follows, with number of premiums each received : Belshaw, George 7 Bristow, Mrs. E. L 1 Bruce, Mrs. W. P 1 Brumley, J. L 1 Clancy, C 1 Cogswell, John 1 Coleman, H 1 Coleman, N. G 2 Cox, S. A 2 Coulson, Isaac 1 Croner & Huff 1 Davis, Joseph 2 Davis, N 1 Dillard, S. M 1 Goodpasture, A 2 Gay, J. W 1 Hulin, Lester 4 Hanchett, Mrs. W. H 1 Henderson, Miss Iphigenia 1 Henderson, Mrs. J. H. D. 1 Jones, W. R 1 Knox, Samuel 1 Moore, J. L 1 Masterson, J. A 1 Miller, Hulins 3 McMurray, Mrs 2 McMurray, F 1 Osborn, W. T. 1 Saylor, S. H 1 Scott, Nimrod 1 Scott, W. J. J 1 Shaw, H 1 Skinner, E. F 1 Smith, William 1 Southwell, J 5 Stevens, W. M 1 Stewart, E 2 Swaggart, N 2 Thompson, S. G 2 Vaughn, W 3 Walker, H. M 1 Watson, J 2 Wilkins, Mitchell 2 Winter, John A 1 In speaking of this fair, the Oregon Farmer of October 22, 1859, says : "The large and varied exhibition of farm products, me- chanical skill, and the number of people on the ground, were enough to convince any one that Lane County possesses much of the enterprise and spirit of improvement which build up a prosperous and happy community. If Lane County does not contain more good stock than any other in the State, then the breeders have not brought them out, for we certainly saw more stock and pure blood at Eugene City than at any other point we have visited. * * * The address delivered by Governor Whiteaker* was appropriate and well received. "John Whiteaker was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, May 4, 1820, and was reared on a farm. He lived in Illinois subsequently, and was married in the latter State to Miss Nancy J. Hargrave in 1847. In 1849 he went to the California mines, returning to Missouri in 1851. In 1852 he came to Oregon, bringing his family, settling in Lane County the next ​326 GEORGE H. HIMES. % We can but admire the good taste of the officers of the society in their selection of one so closely identified with their inter- eststhe Governor being a practical farmer. Judging from this first fair in Lane, her citizens are awakening to their true interests, and will soon give the at present more pop- ulous counties of the State a tough pull for prominence." The first meeting in Jackson County for the purpose of arousing interest in a county fair was held in Jacksonville February 8, 1859, and Dr. McCully, a brother of Asa A. and David McCully, well-known pioneers of the Willamette Valley, was a leading factor in the early organization. The first fair was held at Jacksonville on October 4-5, 1859. Officers elected at this time were as follows : President, W. C. Myer ; vice-president, John E. Ross; director, J. P. Walker; secretary, J. H. Reed; recording secretary, Jesse Robinson; treasurer, Reuben F. Maury. The annual address was delivered by James O'Meara, then editor of the Jacksonville Sentinel. The names of the exhibitors and the number of premiums awarded them are as follows : Ammerman, U. . 1 Rice, E. A 1 Anderson, E. K 4 Rice, L. A 1 Anderson, Mrs. E. K 1 Rockfellow, - - - - 1 Beeson, John 1 Rockfellow, Miss Sarah. . 1 Brunns, A 1 Robinson. Dr. J 6 Cluggage, James 2 Ross, John E 1 Eagle Mill Company 1 Steprns, D. E 2 Emery, Mrs. E 1 Stearns, Mrs. D. E 2 Gass, Miss Sarah Jane. . . 2 Thornton, James 2 Gass, Miss Minerva 2 Tolman, James C 5 Heber, F. . 2 AValker, J. P 4 Hellman, Mrs. A. D 1 Merriman. Mrs. W 1 Hillman, John 1 Myer, B. F 1 Kilo-ore, J 4 Myer, Mrs. Mary 1 Laclare. X 2 Myer, W. C. . 6 Pyle, Thomas 3 year. In 1856 he was elected probate judge; in 1857, a member of the legislature ; in 1858 was elected the first Governor of the State of Oregon; in 1866-1870, to the legislature, and in 1876, to the State Senate. In 1879 he was elected to Congress, and he made the trip to Washington from Eugene in 116 hours. Was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for Oregon by President Cleveland in 1885. He died at Eugene. ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 327 The first meeting of the friends of agriculture in Benton County for the purpose of effecting a permanent organiza- tion was at Corvallis August 2, 1859. A. G. Hovey was chosen president ; James Watson and John Trapp, vice-presi- dents; Philip Eitz, treasurer; and E. M. Waite, secretary. The constitution and by-laws of the Lane County Society were adopted, with such amendments as were necessary to fit the local conditions. The date of first fair was set for October 13. At this time the meeting was addressed by J. Quinn Thornton and Rev. J. A. Hanna. Officers for the next year were elected as follows: A. G. Hovey, president; J. Quinn Thornton and A. M. Witham, vice-presidents; Philip Ritz, treasurer; E. M. Waite, secretary. A. G. Hovey, J. Quinn Thornton and John Stewart were elected delegates to the Agricultural State Convention. The names of exhibitors and the number of awards re- ceived are as follows: Allen, David 1 Matzger, William 1 Baker, John 1 Mcllree, William 1 Biddle, Miss Emma 1 Modie, J 1 Clark, 0. F 4 Nicholson, D. W 1 Davis, Miss C 1 Porter, William 1 Friedley, J. P 4 Quivey, A. M 1 Gage, Jesse 1 Ritz, Miss C. T 1 Garrett, Thomas 1 Thornton, Mrs. E. A 1 Graves, Wesley 1 Thornton, J. Quinn 1 Hanna, J. A 1 Thornton, Mrs. N. M 2 Hanna, Mrs. E. R 2 Watson, J 5 Hartless, E 6 Witham, A. M 3 Hovey, A. G 2 Wrenn, George P 1 King, Solomon 1 Wyatt, William 2 Martin, J 1 The first meeting in Multnomah County for the purpose of considering the advisability of organizing an agricultural society was on November 19, 1859, with Dr. Perry Prettyman in the chair, and A. G. Walling, secretary. The editor of the Oregonian, Thomas J. Dryer, was asked to address the meet- ing. A permanent organization was formed on December 3 by electing Thomas Frazar, president ; James B. Stephens and ​I 328 GEORGE H. HIMES. ^ Dr. Perry Prettyman, vice-presidents; A. G. Walling, secre- tary; David Powell, treasurer. At a meeting on January 7, 1860, the annual membership fee was fixed at $3.00, and A. C. Gibbs, A. C. R. Shaw and A. G. Walling were elected dele- gates to the convention to be held in Salem February 22, 1860, for the purpose of organizing a State Agricultural Society. At a meeting held July 7, 1860, the first address before the society was given by Judge George H. Williams ; and considered from the viewpoint of the present day it was in large measure prophetic. At this meeting the annual dues were reduced from $3.00 to $1.00; and owing to the indifference of the people of Portland" the constitution was amended so as to give the executive committee the power to appoint the place for holding the fair wherever the "greatest inducements" were offered. And in the words of a Portland paper of the time, "The narrow-minded course and uniform indifference manifested by the citizens of Portland, with but one or two exceptions, toward the producers of the country, was the cause of this change." It was finally arranged, however, that the fair should be held on October 2-3, 1860 the "first day, and second day until noon, in the city of Portland, and on the afternoon of the second day at the Union course, two and one-half miles east of Portland." The fair was held on the date named and was said to be a "very respectable exhibition." The exhibitors were as follows, with the number of awards each person received: Ankeny, Alexander P. ... 1 Hurgren & Shindler .... 1 Albright, Edward 2 Kelly, Clinton 1 Buchte.1 & Cardwell 1 Mead, W. B. & Co Bybee, Miss . 1 Miller, Adolph 2 Chittenden, Miss 1 Morgan, David 1 Combs & Nelson 1 Jacobs, H. S 3 Duf ur, A. J 2 Kingsley & Rees 1 Francis, Mrs. Simeon. ... 2 Ladd, William S 1 Frazar, Thomas 2 Pittock, R. & Co 1 Frazar, Mrs. Thomas .... 1 Pomeroy, F. C 1 Hall, AA T illiam 1 Powell/David 1 Holman, J. D 1 Powell, John 3 Holtgrieve, Henry 3 Prettyman, D. D 1 ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 329 Prettyman, Dr. Perry ... 1 Shattuck, Mrs. E. D 1 Pullen, Andrew 1 Sherlock & Bacon 3 Pullen, George P 1 Sherlock, S. & Co 1 Randall, E. G 1 Starr, A. M. & L. M 1 Bobbins, George Collier. . 1 Stephens, Miss 1 Schenck, Charles 1 Thomas, Benjamin 3 Seymour & Joynt 1 Zimmerman, George 1 Perhaps it will not be amiss to briefly refer to these ex- hibitors, as most of them have been strongly identified with building up Portland and Multnomah County. Sherlock & Bacon were liverymen of the early days. Adolph Miller was the first drayman in Portland, and his widow and a number of children now live in this city. George P. Pullen and Andrew Pullen were Columbia Slough farmers as well as David Powell, John Powell, Henry Holtgrieve, Thomas Cully, George Zimmerman and A. J. Dufur all be- ing among the most resolute and energetic pioneers, who set- tled in that region when it was almost an impenetrable forest. One who passes through that section of country now can scarcely comprehend the amount of energy and determina- tion it required on the part of the first settlers there to make it habitable. J. D. Holman was school clerk of District No. 1, Portland, for many years, and his son, Frederick V. Hol- man, is one of the best and most favorably known lawyers of the present day in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Frazar were the grandparents of Mr. Walter F. Burrell, a well-known business man of Portland. Mr. Frazar was United States Assessor of Internal Revenue during Mr. Lincoln's first term as President. The Standard Mills, alluded to, was the mill at Mil waukie admittedly the best flour mill in Oregon in its day. Clinton Kelly better known as (( Father Kelly" was a pioneer of 1848, and an important personage in the formative period of the country, as he stood strongly for all that goes to make up character in its highest sense. Almost the whole of his donation claim lies within the present city limits of Portland. A. P. Ankeny was a captain of volun- teers during the Yakima Indian war of 1855-56, and a man of great energy and enterprise. His adopted son, Hon. Levi ​330 GEORGE H. HIMES. % Ankeny, is one of the United States Senators of the present day representing the State of Washington. Dr. Perry Pretty- man came to Oregon in 1847, and his donation claim, lying on the western slope of Mount Tabor, forms a highly im- portant part of the region immediately contiguous to this city. He it was who introduced dandelions into Oregon for medical purposes. There was not a dandelion in Oregon prior to 1848. His sons were all accomplished agriculturists. One of them Henry W. lives in Portland at the present time. The name of William S. Ladd is a "household word" throughout all Oregon, even the entire Pacific Coast. ' ' Public spirit," to an unusual degree, characterized his life work, and for many years his name headed every subscription list circulated in this city, which had for its object the promotion of some worthy cause. And his descendants are honoring their father by pursuing the same general policy, and in addi- tion assisting to develop different lines of industrial life, hitherto impossible until within relatively a few years, all of which is aiding in building up the commercial interests of the State in a large degree. George Collier Robbins was an early watchmaker and jeweler in Portland, and was a dis- tinctively public-spirited man. He left Portland in 1862, and for many years lived in San Diego, California, where he died a few weeks ago. H. S. Jacobs was a wagonmaker of Portland. One of his employees, J. M. Howe, invented a device which was of great value in wagon building. Mr. Jacobs sold that in Washington to the government at the breaking out of the Civil War, reaping large profits therefor. Robert Pittock, a brother of Henry L. Pittock, of the Ore- gonian, was a well-known business man here for many years. He died in Southern California recently. Kin^sley & Rees carried on the harness business several years in Portland. Hurgren & Shindler came to Portland in 1857, and were the first to begin the manufacture of furniture on a large scale. Seymour & Joynt and A. M. & L. M. Starr were stove and tinware merchants, and stood high among the business men of fifty years ago. Mrs. Francis was the wife of Simeon ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 Francis, editor of the Oregonian in 1860, and afterwards Paymaster in the U. S. Army with the rank of Major, by appointment of President Lincoln, a lifelong friend. Mrs. E. D. Shattuck was the wife of the late Judge Shattuck, whose service on the circuit bench of Multnomah County for nearly a quarter of a century was conspicuous for ability and up- rightness. Buchtel & Cardwell were among the earliest pho- tographers of Portland. E. G. Randall was, it is believed, the first music dealer in this city. He was Postmaster in 1866. Albert G. Walling, secretary of the Multnomah County Agricultural Society, carried on the job printing business in Portland many years, and in July, 1858, began the publica- tion of the Oregon Farmer, the first agricultural paper on the Pacific Coast north of California, and published it until February 1, 1863, when he was forced to suspend it for want of support. The first meeting in Clackamas County for considering the matter of organizing an agricultural society was held at Oregon City, November 5, 1859, with A. L. Lovejoy chairman, and J. S. Rinearson secretary. Messrs. Amory Holbrook, William Barlow, Samuel Miller, William Aber- nethy and James Officer were chosen a committee to prepare a constitution; and this committee, together with the chair- man and secretary of this meeting, were authorized to rep- resent the county in the State Agricultural Convention, should it be called before permanent organization was effected. After a number of adjournments the citizens of Clackamas County interested finally met on April 28, 1860, and per- fected an organization by adopting a constitution and rules, and electing officers as follows: A. L. Lovejoy, president; James R. Robb, vice-president; Hiram Straight, second vice- president; William Abernethy, secretary; Dr. Alden H. Steele, treasurer ; executive committee Samuel Miller, Henry Miller, William Barlow, Philip Foster, and Maxwell Ramsby. A resolution was adopted placing all the responsibility for the management upon the executive committee. The first fair was held at Oregon City on September 27-28, 1860, and ​332 GEORGE H. HIMKS. the following list indicates who the exhibitors were and the number of awards they received : Jennings, Berryman .... 1 Latourette, L. D. C 2 Lewis, John 1 Magone, Joseph 2 Moss, Sidney W 4 Machen, John 1 Miller, Samuel 1 Perrin, M. K 1 Rinearson, Peter M 1 Wait, Mrs. Aaron E 1 Weiss, Peter 2 Winston, James 1 Abernethy, William 3 Barlow, J. L 3 Barlow, William ........ 5 Barlow, Mrs. William ... 1 Bunnell, C. B 1 Burns, Miss Laura 1 Chase, H 1 Chapman, A. J 1 Hayes, H. E 1 Howland, Mrs 1 Hunsaker, Miss Araminta 1 Hunsaker, Miss Mary Ann 1 Hunsaker, J. T 2 The Umpqua Valley Agricultural Society was organized late in the summer of 1860, and held its first fair at Oakland, Douglas County, November 2, of that year. In speaking of this event the Oregon Farmer says : Notwithstanding * * * the short time in which the com- mittee of arrangements had to make the necessary prepara- tions, there was a large number of the farmers, with their wives and daughters, in attendance ; and a very commendable degree of interest manifested by all concerned, and all depart- ments of agriculture, as well as many other branches of trade, were handsomely represented in the numerous articles brought forward for exhibition, many of which would compare favora- bly with those of any other county or State in the Union. ' ' Robert M. Hutchinson was president, and J. R. Ellison sec- retary pro tern. A discourse on the subject of "Agriculture," was given by Charles Barrett. Certificates were issued to the following persons for the excellence of their exhibits: Crusan, George W 1 Dierdorff, William 2 Ellison, Mrs 1 Goltra, Mrs. E. J 1 Hall, Dr. Langley 2 Hall, George . 5 Hall, John 2 Handsaker, Samuel 2 Hutchinson, Robert M. . . 1 Long, John 2 McGee, A. E 1 Myers, John H 1 Reed, Resin 1 Scott, Levi 1 ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 333 Shirley, R. P 1 Stevens, Thomas 2 Smith, B. P 5 Stevens, Mrs. Thomas 3 Smith & Beckly 1 Sutherland, Fendel 2 As already hinted, the foregoing summary of the organiza- tion of county fairs has been given in order to lay the founda- tion to a considerable extent for the organization of a State Fair, as it was believed by many that if such an institution could be perfected it would result in great good to the pro- ducing interests of the country. The organization of a State Fair in California probably had something to do in creating a desire on the part of Oregon farmers for a kindred body here, as it had been the practice for several years for a number of our farmers and stockmen to visit that State and compete for prizes, and frequently win them. At the fair at Sacramento, which closed on September 23, 1859, William Meek, of Clackamas County, then doing business at Milwaukie, was awarded the first premium for the greatest number of varieties and best specimen of fruit. Seth Le welling, of Milwaukie, received the second premium. J. W. Walling was awarded the first and second premiums for the best forty varieties of fruit. William H. Rector was awarded first premium for iron ore, and the Willamette Woolen Mills, Salem, was given a premium for cloth. The exact date of the first California State Fair cannot at present be given, but it is believed to have been in 1855; but some years prior to that date the California Agricultural Society was organized, and in the year 1853 it held a fair in San Francisco, and among other awards a silver medal was given to Morton M. McCarver, of Oregon City, for the best display of fruit. As a result of the advent of the Oregon Farmer, the first agricultural paper in Oregon, the first issue of which ap- peared in August, 1858, the question of a State Fair began to be agitated with vigor. In that number of the Farmer the following appears : "To California belongs the honor of instituting the first agricultural fair on the Pacific Coast. This reminds us of ​334 GEORGE H. HIMES. the fact that no move nas yet been made in Oregon towards organizing a State Agricultural Society. "California is wide awake to the advantages of developing to the fullest extent her agricultural resources, and when de- veloped, of letting the world know what they are; and there is no better way of accomplishing both than by the organizing of State and county societies, and the holding State and county fairs." In No. 2 of the Farmer, September, 1858, Amos Harvey, of Polk County, suggested "to the fruit-growers and nursery- men the propriety of holding a horticultural convention this fall at Salem, or some other central place." This idea the editor indorses strongly, and calls for a meeting to be he.ld in Salem on October 20, 1858 ; and asks fruit-growers who are willing to sign a call for such a convention to send him their names. Accordingly in the October number of the Farmer is found a call for a " Pomological Convention," at Salem, October 20, 1858, signed by the following persons : Clackamas County William Meek, Seth Lewelling, Henry W. Eddy, D. D. Tompkins, William Barlow. Marion County J. W. Ladd, Daniel Brock. Multnomah County Ellis Walker. Polk County Amos Harvey, J. D. Walling, William Ruble. Washington County D. J. Schnebley, James Johnson. Yamhill County E. B. Stone. Editor Walling declares himself to be greatly encouraged by the response thus made, and states that he has arranged for the attendance of a short-hand reporter at the convention. The convention was held as appointed, "The Fruit Growers' Association of Oregon ' ' organized, with Amos Harvey, of Polk County, president, and Chester N. Terry, of Salem, secretary. Altogether the meeting was a very successful one, as there were thirty-one exhibitors present, representing seven Willam- ette Valley counties. Among the exhibits there was a pound pear that weighed two pounds and two and a half ounces, and a squash which weighed 10414 pounds. ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 335 The original members of the association were as follows : Barnhart, C. Lewelling, Seth Brock, D. Pearce, Ashby Cox, Joseph Prettyman, - Cox, William Schnebley, D. J. Cornelius, G. Stanton, Alfred Davenport, T. W. Stone, E. G. Gilbert, I. N. Ruble, William Gilmore, S. M. Taylor, William B. EUrvey, A. Terry, Chester N. Ho well, Joseph Walling. J. D. Jones, George M. Woodsides, J. Ladd, J. W. Of these men, but two are now living, viz., T. W. Davenport, Silverton, and Joseph Howell, on Sauvie's Island. The above item is given to show that the idea of organiza- tion in relation to the production of fruit, as well as agricul- ure in its widest sense, was beginning to take hold of the people. During the county fairs held in the fall of 1859 it was agreed that the executive committee of each county society should choose a delegate from each county to form a State executive board to arrange all preliminaries for organizing a State Agricultural Society, and holding a fair in the year 1860, and the editor of the Oregon Farmer was authorized to call a meeting of such delegates, which he did on December 7, 1859, in the following words : "In accordance with an understanding among the different county agricultural societies that have elected delegates to meet and adopt the preliminaries necessary to the inaugura- tion of a State Agricultural Society for Oregon, that the editor of the Oregon Farmer be authorized to call the said delegates together notice is given that they are requested to assemble at Salem on the 22d day of February, 1860, and adopt such measures as they may deem necessary. It is re- quested that in all the counties in the State having no organ- ized society, meetings will be held and delegates appointed to represent them. This is a matter in which we all are in- terested. ' ' ​336 GEORGE H. HIMES. The meeting was held ^t the appointed time and place, and J. Quinn Thornton was chosen chairman pro tern and J. G. Wilson secretary pro tern. J. Quinn Thornton, Thomas T. Eyre, William Abernethy, L. E. V. Coon, and J. Smith were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution for the State society, and Messrs. Page, Coon and Smith were appointed a committee on credentials, which committee reported that the following per- sons were entitled to seats in the meeting : Benton County J. Quinn Thornton, James Watson. Clackamas William Abernethy, Amory Holbrook, and Rev. George H. Atkinson. Douglas L. E. V. Coon, R. M. Hutchinson. Lane A. A. Smith. Linn William Mcllree, John Smith, A. Hanan. Marion Thomas T. Eyre, William H. Rector, Thomas Cross. Multnomah William W. Page, James B. Stevens, Albert G. Walling. Polk E. M. Barnum, William Ruble. Umpqua Dr. Langley Hall. The committee on constitution reported the same and it was adopted. The fee for the first year was fixed at $5.00 ; annual mem- bership thereafter, $5.00. Life membership, $25.00; but if already a member, $20.00. L. E. V. Coon, Amory Holbrook and William Mcllree were appointed a committee to prepare and procure suitable certi- ficates of membership. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : William H. Rector, president, Marion County. William Mcllree, vice-president, Linn County. J. Quinn Thornton, vice-president, Benton County. John Whiteaker, vice-president, Lane County. Thomas Frazar, vice-president, Multnomah County. ​HJSTOKY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 337 Dr. Langley Hall, vice-president, Umpqua County. R. M. Hutchinson, vice-president, Douglas County. John E. Ross, vice-president, Jackson County. Thomas T. Eyre, vice-president, Marion County. Medorem Crawford, vice-president, Yamhill County. William Barlow, vice-president, Clackamas County. President County Society, vice-president, Wasco County. T. D. Winchester, vice-president, Coos County. Capt. William Tichnor, vice-president, Curry County. Riley Hay den, vice-president, Josephine County. Solomon H. Smith, vice-president, Clatsop County. Thomas Smith, vice-president, Columbia County. C. H. Davidson, vice-president, Tillamook County. Jesse D. Walling, vice-president, Polk County. Samuel E. May, corresponding secretary, Marion County. Lucien Heath, recording secretary, Marion County. John H. Moores, treasurer, Marion County. A. A. Smith, Lane County; John Smith, Linn County, and William Ruble, of Polk County, were chosen a board of managers. Committees on finance, library, visiting and publication were appointed. The Oregon Farmer was declared to be the organ of the society. Pursuant to a resolution to that end, J. Quinn Thornton was chosen to deliver the first annual address. The publication committee were authorized to procure 500 certificates of membership and 500 copies of the constitution and by-laws. By formal vote an invitation was extended to the delegates of the " Oregon Fruit-Growers' Association" to merge that body into the " Oregon State Agricultural Society.' 7 The question of selecting the place where the first annual fair should be was decided, after four ballots, by choosing the Linn County fair grounds by 15 votes, to 9 for a point in Benton County, and the time for holding the fair was fixed for the second Tuesday in October. ​338 GEORGE H. HIMES. On motion, it was "Resolved, That a committee be appointed to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Oregon, at its next session, praying that body to appropriate money for the support of this society and the formation of county agricul- tural societies; and that the said committee be, and it is hereby instructed, to accompany said petition with such a representation of facts, as the basis of it, as shall be deemed most likely to accomplish the object sought." J. Quinn Thornton, William H. Eector and L. E. V. Coon were appointed the committee referred to. The foregoing is the substance of the business transacted at the meeting for organization. In response to the invitation by the Agricultural Society the executive committee of the Oregon Fruit-Growers' Associa- tion, composed of Messrs. Thomas T. Eyre, William Ruble and Ashby Pearce, on April 7, 1860, issued a call for a meeting of the entire committee to be held on September 10, following, to take action upon the invitation. This resulted in its acceptance, which act dissolved the "Oregon Fruit- Growers' Association," and its funds went into the treasury of the State Agricultural Society. April 8, 1860, J. Quinn Thornton, chairman of the com- mittee to prepare a petition praying for State aid through the legislature, made a strong plea in support of the measure and quoted the examples of Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio all giving State aid from $2,000 to $5,000 annually. He also declared that he could not vote for any man who would not pledge himself to support such a measure. Among other things Mr. Thorn- ton said: "Most men perceive that some decided action has become necessary to give a new impetus to farming in Oregon. Its languishing condition causes every other industrial pur- suit to suffer. Any measure which tends to place the arts of agriculture upon a solid basis is wise and beneficent. ' ' On September 10, 1860, a second meeting of the Oregon Agricultural Society was held in Salem, with William H. Rector presiding. The constitution was revised to some ex​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 339 tent in order to make it more workable, the yearly dues and admission fee were reduced from $5.00 to $1.00, and the life membership from $25.00 to $20.00 ; and if already an annual member, to $15.00. The annual due was made $1.00 instead of $2.50. The time of holding the annual meeting was changed from the second Monday in September of each year to the third Wednesday in September, biennially, and regularly every two years thereafter, the officers so elected to begin their term of service on the first Monday in January fol- lowing their election. At this meeting, Mr. George Collier Bobbins, a prominent business man of Portland at that time, was elected president. The vice-presidents chosen were as follows, representing each county in the State : Benton, J. Quinn Thornton ; Clackamas, J. S. Kinearson ; Clatsop, John Hobson ; Columbia, Enoch W. Conyers; Coos, T. D. Winchester; Curry, Peter Ruffner; Douglas, R. M. Hutchinson; Jackson, John E. Ross; Jose- phine, George E. Briggs; Lane, Avery A. Smith; Linn, Wil- liam Mcllree ; Marion, Thomas T. Eyre ; Multnomah, Thomas Frazar; Polk, J. D. Walling; Tillamook, Edrick Thomas; Umpqua, Dr. Langley Hall; Wasco, Orlando Humason (father of Mrs. John B. Waldo of the present day) ; Wash- ington, Thomas R. Cornelius; Yamhill, William Dawson. The corresponding secretary, recording secretary and treas- urer of the previous year were elected. The committees were as follows : Managers E. M. Barnum, Marion; Ashby Pearce, Linn; Benjamin Stewart, Yamhill. Finance Committee George Collier Robbins, Multnomah; Chester N. Terry and Samuel E. May, Marion. Library Committee Samuel E. May and Thomas T. Eyre, Marion; A. G. Walling, Multnomah. Visiting Committee Henry W. Eddy, Clackamas; Ralph C. Geer and Thomas T. Eyre, Marion. Publishing Committee George Collier Robbins, Multno- mah; Samuel E. May and Lucien Heath, Marion. ​340 GEORGE H. HIMES.
Of the persons just mentioned only one is now alive, viz., Mr. Enoch W: Conyers, of Clatskanine, Columbia County. Mr. Simeon Francis, already alluded to, was made an hon- orary member of the society. By this time it had been ascertained that it would be im- possible to hold the projected State Fair in Linn County, hence it was postponed for this year (1860), after which the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That it is the opinion of this society, the first State Fair should be held at Oregon City, provided the citi- zens of Clackamas county shall comply with the requirements of the board of managers, in furnishing the society with grounds, fixtures, etc., for the said fair, the guarantee for which shall be furnished the president of the society so as to be laid before the board of managers at their January meeting. ' ' The question of State aid was being discussed more or less during these formative days, and when the legislature met in Salem, September 10th of that year, the friends of the move- ment sought .legislative support, To this end A. C. Gibbs,* chairman of the committee on judiciary, on September 27, introduced a bill "To encourage the State Agricultural So- ciety and the county agricultural societies," and this was supported by a memorial from the society. The bill was re- ferred to a select committee of which Medorem Crawford, of Yamhill County, was chairman, which reported it favora- bly, and the report was adopted. This gave encouragement to
being elected in 1862 on the "Union" ticket, and took the oath of office on September 10 of that year. He was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, July 9, 1825, became a school teacher, and in 1849 a lawyer. That year he went to the gold mines in California, but not liking the condi- tions, with one hundred others, on September 12, 1850, he embarked for a new seaport on the Oregon coast called "Umpqua." He laid out the town of Gardiner, and in 1852 was the first member of the legislature from Umpqua (now Douglas) County. After his term of four years' service as the "war Governor" of Oregon, which was a peculiarly trying period in the history of Oregon, he was United States District Attorney for the District of Oregon. He died in London, England, in January, 1887. and his remains were brought to Oregon for burial by act of the Legislative Assembly. ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 341 the friends of the bill. In the committee of the whole, how- ever, prior to this time, Benjamin Stark, of Multnomah; B. F. Harding, of Marion, and R. B. Cochran, of Lane, all in the lower house, opposed the bill, and on October 16 it was indefinitely postponted. Believing it to be a matter of interest I quote the bill that was introduced: Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon : That the Treasurer of the State shall, on the day of , 18 , annually, pay to the treasurer of the Oregon State Agricultural Society, the sum of dollars, out of any money in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated. "Section 2. The sum granted, as aforesaid, shall be ap- propriated by the managers of said society to the payment of premiums awarded to encourage and promote the objects for which said society is instituted. "Section 3. That each of the agricultural societies, not exceeding one in each county, to be hereafter organized in this State, shall be entitled to receive from the State Treasurer, within one year after permanent organization, the sum of dollars; and the State Treasurer shall, upon the filing in his office of proper evidence of such organization, pay to the treasurer, or fiscal agent, or officer of said society, the sum of dollars ; and the Treasurer of this State shall be en- titled to a credit for amounts so paid, in the settlement of his account as such State Treasurer. "Section 4. The said sum of dollars thus appropri- ated to the county agricultural societies, shall be expended in the purchase of premiums to be procured and distributed under direction of said societies, respectively, in the manner prescribed in the constitution and by-laws, or other regulations of said societies. " The friends of the society were greatly chagrined over the result of their first effort to secure State aid, especially so since twenty-eight out of the fifty members of the legislature were farmers. At a meeting of the board of managers held in Salem on January 9, 1861, Chester N. Terry was elected corresponding secretary to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel E. May. A committee of five E. M. Barnum, J. H. ​Moores, B. E. Stewart, Lucien Heath, and Thomas T. Eyre—were appointed to correspond with the officers of the Clackamas County Agricultural Society and ascertain whether that society would grant as favorable terms as had been submitted by Lane and Yamhill counties; if not, then the committee were instructed to locate the State Fair at the Yamhill County Fair Grounds. The date of the fair was set for the first Tuesday in October, to run four days.
A favorable reply having been received from the Clackamas County Agricultural Society by the committee having the matter in charge, the board of managers, at its meeting on June 6, 1861, decided to hold the fair at or near Oregon City. At this time the premium list was adopted, of which the following is a condensation:
Class I.—Cattle.—1—Short Horns; 2—Devons; 3—Herefords; 4—Ayreshires; 5—Alderneys; 6—Graded cattle (cross breeds); 7—Working oxen; 8—Fat cattle; 9—Sweepstakes. Premiums, $459.00. (Exhibitors of animals in Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 must furnish satisfactory evidence of age and pedigree. The judges will exclude over-fat animals, should such be exhibited, the object of the society being to encourage animals suited to breeding purposes. Competitors for No. 8 must file with the secretary affidavits stating the age of the animal, time, manner, kind, quantity and cost of feeding, and all expenses connected with the fattening.)
Class II.—Horses.—No. 10—Horses of all work. (The "horse of all work" should be 15 hands; quick, lively ears; broad between the eyes; round barrel; short loins; well up in the shoulder; deep chested; square quarters; flat legs; short between knee and pastern, and hock and pastern; hind legs well under him; speed equal to eight miles an hour on the road; and at least three miles on the plow; with sufficient blood to insure spirit and endurance; and no horse in this or any other class shall be allowed to compete for a premium unless he be sound.) No. 11—Draft horses; No. 12—Thoroughbreds; No. 13—Roadsters; No. 14—Colts, without reference to blood; No. 15—Matched carriage horses, 16 hands or over; No. 16—Matched carriage horses, 16 hands or under; No. 17—Matched roadsters, with reference to speed; No. 18—Speed; No. 19—Speed and bottom; No. 20—Mares and colts; No. 21—Jacks and mules. (The exhibitor who, on the first ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 343 and second classes, shall receive the greatest number of sec- ond premiums, shall receive an honorary gratuity of the society's large silver goblet.) Premiums, $549.00. In addi- tion, 12 large silver medals and 12 small ones were offered for competition. CLASS III. Sheep, Swine and Poultry. No. 22 Saxons ; No. 23 Spanish Merinos ; No. 24 French Merinos ; N O> 25 Southdowns ; No. 26 Cotswolds ; No. 27 Fat sheep ; No. 28 Best shepherd dog; No. 29 Swine; No. 30 Poultry, Dunghill fowls, turkeys, ducks, geese, swan, guinea fowls, pea fowls ; No. 31 Rabbits. Premiums, $374.00. CLASS IV. Plowing Implements and Machinery. No. 32 Plowing match ; No. 33 Agricultural implements. Premiums, $18.00 and two large silver medals. CLASS V. Grains, Seeds, Vegetables and Dairy. Premiums, $146.00, and a number of large, medium and small silver medals. CLASS VI. Domestic Manufactures. Forty-one articles were embraced under this subdivision, and the premiums of- fered were $66.00, one large and one small silver medal, and thirty-one diplomas. CLASS VII. Natural History, Mining Products, Art and Home Work. The first, twenty-one articles ; second, twenty- one; third, twenty-one; fourth, eighteen. Premiums, natural history, first and second, $36.00; mining products, diplomas; works of art, $21.00, seven plates and thirteen diplomas ; home work, $73.00, fourteen plates, and one diploma. CLASS VIII. Fruits, Flowers, Plants, Designs, Etc. Prem- iums, $149.00. CLAS: IX. Miscellaneous. Equestrianism, Music, Essay. Premiums, three large silver medals, four medium silver medals, one small silver medal, eight plates, and $65.00. The cost of membership ticket, admitting a person during the fair, $1.00; single admission, gentleman, 50 cents; lady, 25 cents ; children coming with their parents, free. A general invitation was extended to the citizens of Wash ington Territory and California to be present. The cash premiums offered aggregated $1,881.00. On September 7, 1861, the board of managers met on the fair grounds near Oregon City, and made the final arrange- ments for the fair. Jacob S. Risley was contracted with for two tons of straw at $7.50 per ton ; Peter M. Rinearson agreed ​' 344 GEORGE H. HIMES.
to furnish five tons of hay at $12.00 per ton ; A. G. Walling was appointed to arrange for half -fare with the Portland ferry for all persons who intended to go to the State Fair, and Jacob S. Rinearson was appointed a committee to make the same arrangement with the Oregon City ferry; it was ordered that an entrance fee of $10.00 be charged for trotting horses over three years old; $2.50 for horses three years old and under ; a premium of $50.00 was fixed for the best trotter entered over three years old ; the trotting to take place on the third and fourth days of the fair; Jacob S. Rinearson was appointed marshal-in-chief of the Fair Grounds, with power to appoint as many assistants as he thought necessary in order to preserve good order; he was also appointed to contract with applicants for an eating table, meals not to exceed 25 cents, exclusive of coffee that to be an extra charge. The following persons were appointed superintendents of classes : Class No. I Jacob S. Risley, Oregon City. Class No. II D. C. Stewart, North Yamhill. Class No. Ill William Abernethy, Oregon City. Class No. IV M. S. Burrell, Portland. Class No. V T. G. Naylor, Forest Grove. Class No. VI S. D. Francis, Oregon City. Class No. VII Joseph Buchtel, Portland. Class No. VIII Thomas T. Eyre, Salem. Class No. IX W. Carey Johnson, Oregon City. Of these persons there are three now living, viz., William Abernethy, Forest Grove, and Joseph Buchtel and W. Carey Johnson, Portland. At the meeting of the board of managers on September 30, 1861, George Collier Robbins tendered his resignation as president of the society, and Simeon Francis was elected to that position. W. Carey Johnson, declining to serve as super- intendent of Class IX, John Gill Campbell was appointed to fill the vacancy. It was voted that an entrance fee of $1.00 be charged for running horses. ​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 345 The annual address was made by the president oi the society, Mr. Simeon Francis. Although he had not been a resident of Oregon but two years, he had become keenly alive to its possibilities as a State of unsurpassed resources. His entire address is worthy of repetition at this time, in view of its forecast of what was to be from his then point of view; but I content myself with reproducing the closing paragraph, which deserves consideration today as much as nearly half a century ago: ' ' I wish to say a few words which shall sink deep into the hearts of the farmers and mechanics, and other men inter- ested in agriculture, now before me. The great interest of this State is agricultural. The welfare of all other interests depend upon its success. A very large portion of the property of this State belongs to the farmers. You pay a large propor- tion of the taxes. It is from your pockets that the treasury is filled. At the last session of the legislature, this society and its active friends asked for a small pittance from its hands to give this society a start upon what I believe will be a glorious career. We told them that this had been done in all the States, and that it had operated to stimulate industry, to increase the amount of taxable property, and would pay back to the treasury a hundred-fold for the means that thus would be withdrawn from it. We pointed them to the action and results in the richest and most prosperous agricultural States of this Union. We pointed out to them the weakness of this society, its needs, and to the advantages that such justice would secure to our people. Their answer was No ! I now say to you that when such men again seek your suffrages for the legislature answer them. No! When men come to you and tell you of your high position as American farmers that you are the bone and muscle and the sinew of the country, and solicit your votes for seats in the legislature, and will not pledge themselves to measures for the great interest of Oregon, in every form in which they can be presented answer them, No ! Could my voice upon this subject reach the farmers of every mountain and valley, hill and dale of Oregon, I would say to them, Send men to the legislature in whom you have faith, who will act for your interests who will respond to your reasonable requests and to those that hesitate who speak doubtingly, answer with all the energy of free men, No! No!!" ​346 GEORGE H. HIMES. . <fc The annual address was given by J. Quinn Thornton, a lawyer by profession, and a pioneer of 1846, who was an im- portant character in Oregon for more than thirty years. His address was well received and generally characterized as an exceedingly good one, but was criticised at the time as being more the result of theory than of practice. Notwithstanding this criticism, the few brief quotations here given will indicate that the speaker had many thoroughly practical ideas which lie at the foundation of successful farming: "Agriculture is now everywhere recognized as the com- manding interest of enlightened States. "
land as Oregon never before suffered so much in consequence of the numbers of persons in it who are unwilling to work." ' ' In order to success in agriculture as a pursuit there must be a concurrence of three things, the will, the power, and the skill." "To be a successful farmer one must understand the phi- losophy of the rotation of crops, which is built upon a knowl- edge of the laws of vegetable nutrition. ' ' "A man who expects to conduct a farm profitably must attend to several particulars. He must have good implements of husbandry and plenty of them. They must be of the improved kind. They must be kept in order and in their place of course under shelter." "Although the manure pile and the muck heap are a mine of wealth, it is to be regretted that few farmers in Oregon realize their value ; and it is shameful that most of it is suf- fered to be lost by evaporation and by being exposed to rains." "Hiring under any circumstances will require the personal superintendence of the proprietor of the premises as essential to productive farming, the presence of the head of the farm and the use of his eyes being necessary to quicken diligence, and is of much more value than the services of the very best manager. ' ' ' ' It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the mind that what is worth cultivation at all is worth a thorough cultivation. More bushels of wheat can be obtained from ten acres deeply plowed, seasonably planted, and kept clean and loose, than from forty acres, put in and tended as is customary with so many men who have no proper appreciation of the true posi- tion of the American farmer." ​On October 4, the last day of the fair, the board of mana- gers held a meeting and a number of complimentary resolu- tions were passed, tendering thanks to various persons for services in aiding to make the effort a success, it having sur- passed all expectations, in almost all directions.
Almost every comment made upon the enterprise was favorable. One party said : "I liked pretty much everything I saw at the fair but the grounds. We must have smoother and better next year, and where we will not have to cross so many rivers."
Another party said: "We all feel proud of the first State Fair in Oregon, but we must learn to begin in time."
After the lapse of forty-six years it is a matter of interest to be able to state nearly the exact spot where the first State Fair was held. It was on the north bank of the Clackamas River, about half a mile from its junction with the Willamette, and about two miles below Oregon City. The area occupied was about four acres, and was upon the land owned at that time by Peter M. Rinearson, a pioneer of 1845. "The ground includes shade trees and the excellent springs on the bank of the river. The river is easily fordable opposite for carriages and horses; a bridge can be used by those who desire it, and boats can land near the grounds. There are good camping grounds with wood and water convenient. For the exercise of horses, trotting, etc., and lady equestrianism, a large field has been enclosed. On the whole, we think the arrangements very good for the exhibition."
It would extend this paper to undue length to give the full list of premiums awarded, hence only the names of the competitors in the several classes are given :
Class I. Wright, King & Co., Ralph C. Geer, Thomas Cross, M. Wilkins, and W. T. Newby.
Class II. Hardin McAllister, F. Shoemaker, E. L. De- Lashmutt, W. T. Newby, J. W. Miller, Cyrus Smith, M. P. Gilliam, John G. Baker, E. Bedwell, J. Sanders, D. J. Coffey, J. Laughlin, M. Fountain, Sanford Wilcox, G. Klingly, Wil- liam Barlow, R. Arthur, Joseph Knott, John Downing, S. and ​348 GEORGE H. HIMES. ) I. Durbin, I. A. Austin, Emery & Rickey, C. Plummer, R. C. Geer, S. Coffin, J. VVatt (Salem.) Class III. Spanish Merinos, William Abernethy, W. B. Magers, J. L. Parrish, John Minto, John B. Roberts; French Merinos, John Minto, A. Carey, J. L. Parrish, T. G. Naylor; Southdown, Ralph C. Geer, M. J. Lane, Archibald McKinlay ; Swine, R. C. Geer, Thomas Cross, Henry W. Eddy; Poultry, William Holmes, Benjamin Roop. Class IV. L. & S. W. Rinearson, Oregon-made plow; Kiiapp, Burrell & Co., H. W. Corbett, William Barlow, Joseph Jones, George Coggan, and John Downing. Class V. L. D. C. Latourette, William Barlow, Joseph Magorie, L. W. Morgan, Martin Luper, Knapp, Burrell & Co., Dr. Perry Prettyman, W. C. Laughlin, H. Johnson, Joel Palmer, C. Deardorff, Miss Isabella Laughlin, John Laughlin, A. J. Durfur, Mrs. G. W. Taylor, A. J. Chapman, Morgan Gleason, John Nacend. Class VI. J. Harbison, beehive; L. D. C. Latourette, honey ; Darius Smith, telegraph churn ; Mrs. Charles Walker, domestic soap ; Miss Mary L. Holmes, domestic soap ; F. Fisher, one pair boots; Mrs. M. Deardorff, stocking-yarn; Mrs. E. G. Waldron, potato starch; L. Behrens, keg lager beer; Dr. P. Prettyman, beehive. Class VII. Mrs. W. W. Williams, Dr. J. H. Black, Buchtel & Cardwell, Dr. J. R. Cardwell, Miss Emma Johnson, Mrs. A. A. Hodges, W. Lynn White, Mrs. L. D. C. Latourette, Mrs. E. G. Rogers, Mrs. A. H Steele, Miss M. E. Skaife (now Mrs. Eugene A. Breyman, Salem), Dr. L. S. Skiff, Mrs. Julia Ann Lewis, Thomas T. Eyre, Mrs. J. Byrne, Mrs. Charles Walker, Mrs. M. L. Sawtelle, Mrs. M. S. Lansdale, Miss Frankie Holmes, Miss Philomene Matthieu, F. C. Pomeroy, Miss Ellen Wilcox, Mrs. E. D. Kelly, Mrs. D. W. Craig, James Wise, Mrs. M. C. Geer, Miss Lucinda Deardorff, Mrs. Cyrus Smith, Mrs. Alfred Stanton, Mrs. William Barlow, William Abernethy, J. C. Franklin, Walling & Carter, Miss Jane Walling, G. W. Walling, Mrs. G. W. Taylor, Mrs. E. S. Francis, Mrs. Emily Hunsaker, Mrs. Aaron E. Wait, Mrs. N. M. Thorton, Miss Henrie S. Moss, Miss Amy Gaines, Miss Jennie Gaines, Mrs. S. Francis. Class VIII. -D. D. Tompkins, S. Miller, Seth Lewelling, William Abernethy, John Mathiot, C. N. Greenman, W. C. Laughlin. Floral Designs Mrs. A. H. Steele, William Sim- mons, Miss Effie E. Morgan, J. T. Hunsaker, L. C. Burkhart, Charles Walker, Joel Palmer, Peter A. Weiss, P. P. Pretty​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 349 man, G. W. Walling, Thomas T. Eyre, Eddy, Miller & Lam- bert, E. S. Jocelyn. Class IX. Hardin McAlister, James McNary, Dr. Perry Prettyman, William Holmes, J. W. Lewis, Barney Fitzpatrick, Martin Luper, F. C. Pomeroy, Mrs. M. C. Geer, Mrs. Aaron E. Wait, Mrs. N. M. Thornton, Miss A. E. Thornton, G. W. Walling, Frank Dekum, E. G. Bryant, L. E. Pratt, C. Roop, J. Quinn Thornton, Joseph E. Hurford, Miss Sarah Hunsaker, Mrs. Ezra Weston, Dr. William Keil. In all there were one hundred and forty-two exhibitors and two hundred and sixty-two premiums were awarded. Many of the exhibitors became permanent patrons of the society as long as they lived but not many of them are alive at this time. Personally, I can only recall the following: Breyman, Mrs. Eugene A. (formerly Miss M. E. Skaife), Salem. Craig, Mrs. D. W., Salem. Durbin, Solomon, Salem. Minto, John, Salem. Holmes, Miss Mary L., Oregon City. Kelly, Mrs. E. D., Oregon City. Greenman, Clark N., Oregon City. Buchtel, Joseph, Portland. Cardwell, Dr. James B., Portland. Lambert, J. H., Portland. Hodges, Mrs. Annie Abernethy, Buffalo, N. Y. (She was a daughter of Governor Abernethy.) Currey, Mrs. George B. (formerly Miss Jennie Gaines), La Grande. Abernethy, William, Dora, Coos County, but temporarily liv- ing at Forest Grove while educating his children. The detailed report of the fair closes with the following reflections : "The principal and only just cause of complaint in the management of the fair, was that there was no specific pro- gramme of each day's proceedings conspicuously posted, so as to inform the spectators of what was to be done, and when and where it was to be done. We would suggest that the ex- hibitors should hereafter appoint a certain hour in each day to go about with reporters, so that a fair understanding of the merit of each article can be arrived at; for it would be ex​f 350 GEORGE H. HIMES. pecting too much to suppose that one should discover of himself all those things which should be made public. This plan will insure a fair notice, and prevent mistakes. " The editor of the Oregon Farmer, Albert G. "Walling ostensibly, but really Simeon Francis, who did most excellent work in assisting to stir up public sentiment in support of the Agricultural Society, in commenting on the fair, says : "The first Oregon State Fair has come and gone. The weather was good the fair well attended the exhibition fair and take it all together, we are satisfied with our first effort. There were some errors which will hereafter be cor- rected some improvements which experience has taught can be made and we have no doubt, with a good location, the second fair will greatly exceed in interest and importance, the first, though with that we are satisfied. We were greatly pleased that many of our friends adopted our suggestions of coming to the fair with their families and forming camps within the vicinity of the Fair Grounds. That was done to a great extent, and young and old enjoyed the instructions and pleasures of the fair, and were well satisfied. So we thought, and we feel certain that if there were 500 people in camp at the fair just closed, there will be four times that many at the next State Fair. "On the whole, we congratulate the farmers of the State, the members and officers of the State Agricultural Society, that the labors expended in getting up the first fair, resulted in distinguished success! With proper industry and good management on the part of the officers, we believe the State Agricultural Society will, hereafter, in its efforts to advance the farming interests of our State, go on its way rejoicing. ' ' The Oregon City Argus of October 5 said : "This fair was a decided success and has given a decided impetus to the march of agricultural improvement in the State, and will no doubt be followed by many succeeding State Fairs, all marking a steady ratio of onward and upward progress. We hope the next State Fair will be held on grounds selected with a view to the comfort of thousands who may be expected to go there. It ought to be held in some beautiful grove, such as Marion, Polk, Linn, and other counties boast many of, contiguous to a small prairie, with wood and water handy, so as to enable families to camp out we ought to have a regular camp-meeting fair, where old folks can meet to​HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 351 gether, and have a jolly good time sitting around a board covered with bright tin dishes, and loaded with nicely cooked products of the farm. ' ' According to the same paper, one of the most interesting features of the fair was the competition of sixteen young .ladies and the same number of young gentlemen for the premiums (first and second large and medium silver medals) for equestrianship. The ladies who competed were as follows:' Miss Belle Case, Polk; Miss Delma Belknap, Mrs. Poole, Washington; Miss Susan L. Gearhart, Clatsop; Miss Dear- dorff, Mrs. Edmonds, and Miss Paulina Tompkins, Clackamas; Oregon City ladies: Miss Frankie Holmes, Miss Mollie L. Holmes, Miss Susan Jackson, Misses Julia and Amy Johnson, Miss Henrietta Miller, Misses Amanda and Jennie Gaines. Miss Case, of Polk, and Miss Jackson, of Clackamas, were awarded the first and second premiums, and among the gentle- men Mr. Post, of Polk, and Samuel Headrick, of Marion, first and second premiums. The receipts were as follows, according to the statement rendered by Lucien Heath, financial secretary: Tickets and admissions . . . $1,321.17 Licenses 125.00 Expenditures. Amount paid for premiums $ 758.00 Amount of bills paid '. . . . 442.67 Amount of cash on hand to balance . . 245.50 $1,446.17 $1,446.17 At the close of the first fair there were on the secretary's books sixty-six names as members, seven paying $5.00 each, and fifty-nine paying $1.00 each, aggregating $94.00 from that source. The grounds at Oregon City not being satisfactory, at the meeting on the 4th of October, 1861, the board of managers decided to advertise for proposals for a place to hold the second State Fair; accordingly the following notice was sent out by Chester N. Terry, corresponding secretary: ​352 GEORGE H. HIMES. "CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S OFFICE, "Salem, Oregon, October 9, 1861. 1 ' Proposals will be received at the office of the correspond- ing secretary until January 1, 1862, for the place of holding the second annual State Fair. Said proposals must state the situation of the ground, the amount of land enclosed, which must include the track ; the amount of shedding for stock, with the number of stalls, with size of building for the reception of fruits,- machinery, and other articles; also, seats on the ground to seat ladies during the exhibition of horsemanship, etc. ; also, a small building, suitably finished inside, with ade- quate fixtures, near the gate entrance, for the secretary's office ; and how the grounds are situated as to water for stock and other purposes; also, judges' stands. The proposals must be signed by responsible persons, with a guarantee that the grounds will be fitted up according to the proposals." In response to the foregoing the agricultural societies of Yamhill, Lane and Linn counties made proposals for the fair ; and on December 2, 1861, W. J. Herren, president of the Marion County Society, sent out a call for a meeting of that body to be held on December 28, "to make such arrangements as to secure to this county the State Fair of 1862." At this meeting it was found that the Marion County So- ciety owned eight acres of land about a mile northeast of Salem; that there was an indebtedness of $3,714.50 against it $2,100.00 for land, and $614.50 for improvements. A committee of three was appointed to provide relief, and at the same time to secure the location of the State Society at Salem, and accordingly a proposal was submitted to the board of managers of the State Society, which was accepted by that body on June 17, 1862, and on July 15, 1862, it was an- nounced that the second State Fair of Oregon would be held on the Marion County Fair Grounds on ' ' Tuesday, September 30, 1862, and continue four days." On September 18, 1862, at a meeting of the State Society, the question of permanent location was considered, and a vote thereon taken, which resulted as follows : Salem, 65 ; Oregon City, 2 ; Eugene, 1 ; Corvallis, 1. Salem having received a majority over all other places, was declared to be the perma- nent location.