The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-02-18
ANNUAL MEETING
La Sale County Agricultural Society.

La Sale County Agricultural Society,",
The La Sale County Agricultural Society
held its annual meeting at the court house,
in this city, Saturday last, in pursuance Of
notice, and was called to order by st vice presi-
dent 2. C. Watts, president Bruner being ab.
sent owing to his severe sickness.
The minutes of the last meeting were read
and approved.
J. +. Shaver called for the report of co smittee
on leasing the fair grounds. The Secretary
stated that the grounds had been leased for 3
years.
Mr.. j. Il. Shaver moved to take mp the sub
ject of amending the constitution, so as to per-
NIT all to vote who have regularly paid their
annual dues Of S1.5O, as proposed by J. w. Arm.
strong at the last meeting.
Mr., Armstrong said there is some doubt as to
eur chartered rights, and thought the subject
ought 70 be referred to committee to examine
and report.
Those who have become mem bers by paving
$40, have paid nothing for visiting the fair
since, and have received their money back, and
should have no advantage over those who have
regularly paid every year; but let this commit.
tee examine and ascertain VIII, own the land
We have too many dead hoad- in the society.
j. Ii. Shaver was sorry to hear the word dead
head used d. to these men, for they saved the
far grounds when they were swamped in debt.
Ile'r SO at Interest is worth $ d., year at least
We not dead heads; we pay our way. The
resolution il that any one who la, regularly
paid $50 shah be u member. .ve no ohjec.
ton to the resolution, and ready to vote for it,
Mr.. Armstrong-We differ only d very little.
l do not wish to include those whp may wish TO
come in to-day, but those who have annually
paid up.
Nr R,ck Had NJ l., 20 he, hot !
was nothing before the meeting.
Mr.. Fiske called for the ret.ins Of the con I'll
tuition voice. at il lost"
Mr.. Courtney came forward and preseuttl IT,
1t had been placed in his hands Tor safe keeping
several years ago. 1t was read 10y tne Secretary
f. c. Lewis called for the reading of the re.
ports OF the Treasurer md Secretary The See.
rotary report was read as follows:
10 tie membelS IF the La .Saiie Cyphty Agric,dti-
ttrGl Society,".
In submitting herewith my annual report
would briefly state that one year ago we had
debt of nearly tIceIce huadred doi}trs hanging On
our society. Since that time with the generous
aid given by yoU and other citizens of tie conn
ty. and our city IN particular, we were induced
to hold special exhibition in June, which wee
confined to speed or races exclusively.
After paying every premiums awarded, and all
other expennes, We found our net receipts were
S1l3.Sl, and from thi. amount We pad $4,000
on note held by Mrs Brown against the society
Had 1T not rainel the last day Of our annual
fair III September, We would have been able 70
show greater financial success. As i, was,
our net receipts were $, after paying our
usual amount in premiums, and for new cattle,
sheep and hog stallsl
In October four OF oar citizens made up a
small purse to b ,rut'ed for by their own horses,
which WAS CALLED ..h.uaft 4
no person, officer otherwise, was admitted for
less than t'centyttce cents The net receipts
were S42 80, which was equally divided between
3. b. Crooks, the keeper oi the fair grounds and
the society. All premiums awarded have been
paid dollar for dollar in money, except two or
der- remaining in my hands uncaled for The
amounts are ~ and 81 eigh. dollars.
Our grounds, fences and buildings are in as
good, ii not better condition than they were one
year ago. and our society i. to-day, ouce more,
free from debt, with S2299 in the treasury as
appears by the Trea>urers and Secrctary's re-
ports herewith submitted.
The general order a. our exhibitions has been
| unusually good-but little drunk ,nness, and
think not n fight has occurred on our ground.
during the year, making the conduct better than
tho average for uoh large miscell tueous gather.
| iugs.
Ou- society is under lasting obligations to the
publishers Of the various newspapers published
IN the county land many in adjoining counties
for the frequent and favorable notices given in
advance, and the courteous mention in their
several papers after our exhibitions.
Through the energies Of AIR. o. o. Wakefield
our ground has new; handsome and perna.
nent jun Do'5, one hundred feet in length and
this beautiful flag We have here to-day, which
originally cost about SO, is also the property Of
our society, which Mr.. Wakefield and a few
othcrs have purchased and donated TO us. A.
the pole cost more than was anticipated, 10 say
nothing oi the time and labor Mr;W. has ,pent
1 think it bat justice and woull recommend
that the society Voluntarily pay to Mr.. Wake
field the amount said pole cost, (which WA. about
$I4 Co., in two or more annual payments.
The special prsmiums offered by individual
stimulated competition to great extent, lexcep
perhaps in the case Of the one offered by you
Secretary adding materially TO the success
our exhibition. Ibelieye and would recommend
that special premiums should be kept mp unit
ths finance. Of our society will Justify us Il
Offering larger premiums
Many improvements are very much needed h
put our t.ir grounds in the condition Il shout,