The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-09-22
Great National Fair.
Held at Chicago Sep, 12-17
100000 VISITORS PRESENT.

100000 VISITORS PRESENT.
Eserv State and Territory represented.
BY far the most imposing as well as the
most interesting and useful meeting ever
held in the West for any purpose, was the
Seventh Exhibition of the United States Ag-
ricultural Society, at Cottage Grove, in the
environs of the City of Chicago, commence
ing on the 18th and continuing until the 18th
ultimo, inclusive. We had the pleasure of
being present four of the six days, in com
mon with very full representation of the
press of the country, and proceed to give our
readers as full an account of the acts and
doings as we can get into one paper.
And first as to the Society whose exhibit
ton this was. It was formed in 1852 by
convention of Agricultuists, at Washington
we believe, and has had Fairs previous to
this at Springfield Mass; Springfield Ohio !;
Boston; Philadelphia Louisville and Rich
mond Va; all of them sclfsustaining.
The present officers are, Tench Tilghman,
of Maryland, President; One Vice President
for eackeStatc, lie Grand Boyington for Iowa;
a large executive committee, j. w. Cannon,
for Iowa; B. b. French, of Washington
City, Treasurer Ben Perley Poor. of Mass.
Secretary Charles Kennicott, of I'll. Local
Secretary Col. Horace Cap'on, of III, Su-
perintendent and Loo Il Agent of the present
exhibition; j. B. F. Russell of Chicago, chief
Marshal. .al 5t."
Cottage Grove, where the Fair was held
this year, is beautiful level plat of ground,
45 acres, on the shore of Lake Michigan, 81
miles south of the business center of Chicago,
and admirably adapted in every respect
for the purposes, having abundance of water;
ample accommodations for exhibitors and
visitors in the city of Chicago, and means of
communication i'm several Railroad tracks,
both Locomotive and Horse passing to and
near the grounds.
The facilities enjoyed by Chicago, ofcourse,
drew together an immense crowd, the larg-
est ever convened i'm the west. All the Is
Railroads brought their thousands, and the
number of different visitors in attendance
could not have been less than 100000, of
whom Illinois furnished large portion, the
residue coming from most OF the other States
and Territories, in proportion to their dis
lance. ' ....
The Fair grounds, enclosed by high,
tight board fence, with numerous entrance
and exit gates, were furnished with numer-
Gus buildings for different departments of
the exhibition, Stalls for Cattle, Horses,
Sheep, Swine &c, race track, stand for
spectators, business Offices, &c. .,
The Fair was opened formally on Tues
day, by addresses from the President, T. Til
gilman, Sen. Douglas, and Hon. J. j. Crit
tenden of Ky. We did not reach the ground
in time for this portion of the exercises, and
must refer to the Chicago papers for the
speeches, not having room for them. The
address of the President was adapted to the
occasion, and contained many interesting al
lusions and valuable suggestions among
others, some reflections upon the changes
which had taken place in that locality since
'32 the year of the Black Hawk war, when
the speaker was there with Gen. SCOTS
army. Judge Douglas briefly welcomed the
multitude in behalf of Chicago, of which he
is resident. Sen. Crittenden spoke II
hours, ably, and eloqently of course, but
''Saved the Union some thought little
more than the occasion called for. If so, it
was doubtless unintentional, for Mr.. Critten-
den is too much of gentleman to purposely
violate the rules of propriety on such ar &C.
casion. ..
As to the most important part Of the Fair,
the exhibition Of specimens in the various
departments of national industry, although,
on the whole, perhaps not what such an ex-
hibition might and should be, yet it was in
most particulars fully up to and possibly IN
excess of general expectation. There were
numerous specimens of the best breeds of
horses, mules, Durham, Ayrshire, Hereford,
and other approved imported cattle, marino,
and other breeds of sheep; several imported
specimens ofth swine family; fat, sleek and
decidedly good looking hogs, a number OF
Elk and Deer, some Cashmere Goats from
Turkey, &c. This department in quantity
and quality, was creditable.
OfAgricultural implements, and machines,
there were several acres of Reapers and
Mowers, plows, cultivators, corn planters,
Rakes, cider mills, &c. A self Raker adapted
to any Reaper or Mower, attracted good
deal ofnotice. twas patent of Sherwood's.
There were three Steam plows, formidable
machines, which kept up tremendous
screaming, and did very little plowing.-
There was countless number of useful in
ventions in the several departments, a des-
cription of which would fill small volume.
The display of fruit was said to be scarce
ly inferior to the great Fruit growers exhibit
ton at Burlington in, we think, 1854. The
display ofpears, grapes, and several kinds of
native wine, was particularly fine.
| Flora was honored with a spacious hall,
with fountain in the centre, decorated with
evergreens and flowers Of rare beauty and
infinite variety. Flora's Bower, might have