The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-10-15


for this county was first brought before
the people in the month of June last.
Since that time public spirited men have
had the matter in hand, and to-day we
are able to inform our readers that the
Society is a well-organized institution, in
good working order. During the past
week Fair has been held in this city,
under its auspices, which would do credit
to much older Eastern communities. The
Fair was success. It was a beginning
which promises noble future for the ag-
ricultuFal and mechanical interests Of
Douglas county. Though the officers and
leading members of this Society met with
great opposition when the idea of holding
Fair was suggested, they have succeeded
in carrying it out with honor to them
selves and the people.
The grounds selected by the Committee
were those Immediately adjacent to the
Congregational church, that building hav.
ing been generously profered as an exhi-
bition room. The space inclosed was
about ten acres, the church building rest
ing in the center.
The first day opened with clear sky /;
the Fair grounds were soon occupied by
people from all parts of the country, and
the various classes and departments COM
menced filling up rapidly. Nearly the
whole day was consumed before the stock
and articles for exhibition were arranged
according to the programme, though the
receipts at the gate were large, and the
company assembled entertained. We no.
ticed several gamblers, who attempted to
set up their "wheels of fortune" turn the
"little jokers," and various other amuse-
ments, all of which they asserted would
not fail TO return to man more than he
laid down. Just as a few of the less
knowing fishes commenced to nibble
Mayor Blood interposed to save them, and
succeeded in closing all the concerns fol
the day. During the afternoon the out.
siders were entertained by wrestling, horse
racing, &c.
The second day opened with clouds
and one or two slight showers. The sur
came out early, however. The road
, leading into the town were soon thronget
, with every kind of vehicle, and the Fai
; grounds at once swarmed with visitors
The various Committees were filled up
and proceeded to perform their duties
> the forenoon being occupied in exhibitin,
stock, and examining the articles in tn
! exhibition room. The afternoon was ia
, ken up, to the amusement of the larg
: crowd, by the address, baby show, ladies
f equestrian match, horse racing, etc.
We took a general survey of the prem
ises on the morning of the second day
after everything was arranged, and, t
give our readers an idea of what the Firs
3 Annual Fair of the Douglas County Ag
t ricultural Fair amounted to, we will pro
+, ceed to note the more prominent feature
of the day, in the order in which the pre-
: miums were offered.
The first class was very we'll stocked b
excellent specimens of blood cattle. w
were much gratified to see representative
9 from other counties competing for tn
premiums, which were announced as ope
Ito all. II. G. Seaman, of Linn county
exhibited noble looking Durham bul
r which we notice received the first premi
q um. This gentleman also exhibited sew
eral other animals which looked well. A
n j. Farnsworth, of Bourbon county, enter
a ed fine Devonshire bull, which carrie
8 away the first premium under that head
{ the age being the basis for awarding pre-
| miums. We are unable to give the age
I of animals, as nothing was attached t
D them except a card with the number @
a the entry, and occasionally the name. In
r deed, this failure ran through all the de
4 partments, and rendered it difficult to OF
n tain the necessary information. We spea
of this, not complainingly, as we hav
i scarcely ever seen any new enterprise S
q well carried forward as this, and we con
e tidently expect next year to see every
thing arranged in as good order as in an
Fair in the country. G. s. Houghtor
Douglas county, took the first premium
r on mixed breed bull exhibiting nun
ber of other animals beside. There wer
q some twenty entries in this class, the thre
q competitors named above taking the lead
4 ing prizes.
o The second class consisted of workin
! oxen, and was not so well stocked as tn
= first, though those exhibited were yer
1 fine cattle. w. w. Randolph had tn
: best yoke of cattle on the ground, an,
took the first premium and sweepstake:
8 Several other entries were made unde
4 the various heads, and the premium
s awarded will be found in the list on th
D first page of this paper.
In the third class several entries wer
made of blood hnrses from this and T.ao,,
enTorth counties. II. C. Muzzey. o
Lawrence, exhibited noble black stal
3 lion, eight years old, which took the frs
premium and sweepstakes. Anothe
black stallion was entered by Gopf
Switzer, Douglas county, which was no
far in the rear. B. F. .Akers, of Leayen
worth, carried away the first premium OIL
fine pair of sorrel horses. Joel Thoma
I took the premium for best horse for al