The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-11-17
Agricultural Society.


ARrfcuIeur RAJ Society.
: Some of our good citizens have recently be-
o,ns some what interested in the manner 10 WHICH
the affairs of the Agricultural Society have been
Administrative hope they will continue to feel
the same interest in its future success. That sue
cess is only to be secured by harmony aad united
action This harmony only be secured by fair
and honest dealing one with an other and with
the Society No extraneols questions ought to
be allowed to SOW discord among the members
nor should any political Tets be required IN the
election Of its officers. SO far we know there
never has been-hence its success
IN consideration, however, OF charges which I
have been made by certain dsafected aud IN
truthful persons, We beg leave to refer briefly to
the history of the Society and other matters
pertaining thereto.
In 1850 the citizens Of Richmond and the far
mers 10 the vicinity were invited to attend
meeting, on day named, for the purpose OF or
ganizing an Agricultural Society The day ar
rived, and not half dozen persons were present
Our venerable friends Thomas Bulla, Jacob San
deis. Daniel Downing, together with two or three
others were all that were present. 1t was deem
ed nexpedient to attempt such an organization
in such u small meeting and it was adjourned to
meet in Centreve, on that day two weeks for
tie purpose of organizing County Society.
On the Both of Nov, 1850, meeting was
held in the Court House, Daniel Clark, presiding
and w. T.. Dennis nc ting as secretary 1t was
determined to organize Society and Daniel l
Downing submitted a constitution which was
adopted On motion committee appointed
49, J. I.
as officers. The CO 1imittee male "a full report,
and on motion The report teas accepted and aedop-
fed-thus electng its officer, aud we may as well
say here that this has been the uniform manner OF
electing officers Of the Society from that meeting
10 the last At this meeting, Daniel Clark was
elected President, A. NJ. bradbury aud Joshua
E!iason Vice Presidents w. H. Dennis, Secreia-
~ and Achilles Williams Treasurer. I be D.
iectors were Jacob Fender, William pruley,
John p. Doughty. Danie Bradbury, ID. Thorn
burg, VIM. Fulghum, Robert Murphy, Or. > :
Boyd, b. L. Hurts Ed. Lawrence j w. Will
hanson, David Willcutts, William Rnssey and ID
+. Holloway. At this meeting definite ar-
Iangement was made for holding Fair. In tn G
spring following a meeting of the Board of d..
rectors was called to make out premium ist,
&c, but none of them attended and Mr.. Dennis
and ourself took the responsibility Of offering a
premium list amounting TO about 500 appoin-
ted committees, rented aud enclosed grounds, 10
short held the Fair. 1t was successful The
premiums and expenses we're all paid, and sur
plus of several hundred dollars made.
The next Fair was held ut Centreville, but un-
der most uniavorabe circumstances The wealth.
er was very unpleasant with rain every day du-
ring the exhibition. The receipts failed to pay
the premium list and other expenses by more
than $500.
The next Fair was held at Cambridge city
The premium list bad been enlarged and heay,
expense wos incurred in fitting up tho grounds
and another loss attended the Society.
The next Fair was held 10 Richmond, and pail
something expenses.
The next Fair was held at Centreville aad de-
ring the prevalence of most severe equnoxia
storm. The storm heavy that it was I'M
possible to make the awards through the entr
list of premiums. Many of those Interested i
the Society became discouraged aud advised tia
the association should pay their debts As Tar a
possible-go into insolvency and dis5and. Be
lieving that the unfavorable weather the onl
cause Of the want of success, we discourage
any thing Of the kiud and it determined {
go on. The indebtedness OF the Society at tbs
time was not less than $1,000.
The next Fair was he'd at Cambridge city, an
did not quite defray expenses-at least did nc
pay any Of the debt.
The Fair was then permanently located a
Richmond, aud arrangements made TO fit u
permanent grounds. The continued exne use
fitting up grounds each year induced the Societ
TO believe that permanent enclosure was indi.
pensable to make the Fair pay expenses. Tn
groauds were fitted up at expense of SON
50 500, which, with the old debt of from $500
$4,000 the entire debt was from 81, 600 to 81 so
Within two years that entire debt has been pa
off, and the Society has grounds fitted up in
style unsurpassed by but few in the State.
This Society has been carried on at the sacr
fee Of much time aud money. and so far as Il
officers are concerned wilhou. one cent of cen
pensation.