, 1873-03-28

so far as known, Tas nourishod
into being. by Dfr. N. L. Dunlap,
tho "Rural" Of The TRIBUNE, who resides ut
Champaign. Tho second is bolievod to have
been organized at Avon, in Fulton County.
Others woro subsequently formed hero and thoro
throughout tho State. Thebonefit5 sought wore,
In n measure, roalized. Tho proAta Of mildte-
men were greatly reduced, and tho money saved
went into tho pockets Of tho farmers, whore 1t
belonged. Tho psthetio and rural benefits Of CO.
operation aro 1esa susceptible Of proof, but they
wore donbtless considerable Tho number Of
clubs, With tho stimulus OF these advantages,
novor became great. In September, 1879, II was
thought that the aggregate III Illinois did not
reach forty.
About this timo, ahrowaer men among tho
farmers began to
FIND NEW GRIEVANCES,
Pricoa Of farm products Ind fallon to tho min
in,um, and the prohta Of rural lahor woro IN
considerable. While farmers received little re-
turn for thor toll tho pricoa paid for articles of
necessary consumption, especially thoao contau-
ing imported material, remained unchanged.
Although tho fcoling was doep md strong in tho
breasts OF many Individuals aud communities, it
needed something to give it taugiblo allape aud
definite form.
Tarmers' Club OF Avon suggested to other Clubs,
With whom thoy woro In correspondence, tho nd
visibility OF holding
CONVENTION OF DELEGATES
from US many farmora clubs Of tho State as
could be renchcd, at such timo mud place 80
might bo agrood upon, for tho purpose Of com
pairing views, discussing s11ch objects as
Interested thcm aa farmers, and inquir-
ing into the cauBea Of, and, IL possi-
bio, discover como renedy for tho
present depressed condition OF tho agricultural
interests Of tho WoBt. A correspondence onsucd
nmong mon prominent il the clubs, In which. II.
H. f%t basa T fon County H5a oas Of
Avon ]. Howard, OF Smithfleld A.: II. Car
land OF Springfield, Secretary Of tho State
Board Of Agriculture; y. T. r. Finnessy, Of
Kowaneo John priclott, of Lowistown, md
others, participated. Mr. ,Finnossy thought that
tho movement would place farmers in q 7Aighor
poHision." Nlr. Garland expressed tho opinion
that the idea concerning unity Of effort
among farmors' clubs, etc.,. was !" in the right
direction.,n' hlr. Howard deemed something Of
tho kind Every necessary" 1Ir. a1cAdams Do
sired greatly the "more thorough organization
Of our farmors." It was tho hope Of AIr. Maynard
TINT thoao having tho n'atter IN charge would "nct
Inof11bpr was "deoidedy in favor Of tho moas-
ure." Many others addol portinout and on
couraglng words. 4 few disapproyoa of tho
proposition, but tho notos Of dissent wcre
drowned IN tho general una.'imity. II was
Kowanee, US o convenient md accessible point.
4 FonatAL GALL,
enanating from AIr. 8. 1T. Smith, was published
in tho pnpors. The object OF tho mooting was
views, consulting togethor OIL tho beat rnoana of
organizing general union Of farmers for thoir
| mutual benoht and protection against tho mon-
opolizing toudonclos Of tho ago." Tho call
~
"Como then, farmers, md holp us to mako the
j meeting d SUCCESS in numbers, intelligence, and
rcaultH." Tho date fxol Saa tho 1Gtl and 18th
OF October, 1872.
ABOUT FIFTY DELEGATES ASSEMBLED At KE-
WANEE,
representing q largo majority Of tho farmore'
clubs then in e1i8tenco. TAoy wore all atrangera
| to each other. Their opinions wore immatnre,
or remedies devised for Tie future. The Con-
vention is tile historic ono OF tho farmers move
mont, and therefore u1orita apucial mention. Tho
membership included many mon of local, agri-
| cultural. and political prominence.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT
| were tho lion. L. D. Whiting, of Bureau County,
| State sonator; Henry. q. Lawrence, brother Of
Judge Lawrence and Q. @. Buell., not long ago
| prominent educator, but now q farmer Of 1sooh
Falls, Whltesdo colity. Senator Whiting and
| Mr.. buell. were tue two principal oratora Of tho
occasion. Col. A. Woodford, another delegate,
WAS ono OF tho originators of tho grange III
IllinoiH. james Smith, Jr., all active Participant
| III tue proceedings, IL young aud wealthy
| farnor OF Madison County. Mr.. @. A. Barney,
OF Providence Bureau County, 10 we'll known
! by his contributions to tho Chicago papora. d.
| II. Goran il argo stook-raisor Of Fulton Ooun-
ty. H. D. Carson iB An extensive stook-groWer
Of Weathora1cld Horny County. This rieh
is eaid to " feod moro cattle " than any man In
this part Of tho stato; II: B. PotIor large
| farmer; G. II. Loomis who "farmB $40 acres !"
aud &. N. Palmer, celebrated he1go~rasor.
| Ono OF tho most characteristic representatives
| of tho county wna 8. NJ. Smith, Of Kowanoo, af-
forwards choaen Secretary Of tho State AsHoca-
tion, and sinco Lila frat introduction to tho pub
lio, IN nbe aud eloquent advocate Of tho cause.
| Mr. Smith Is gontloman Of more than ordinary
literary oulturo. uo waa q friend Of
Hia'' With pride tic bound NV volumes o, Of
tha old Nelp- Yorker, to which ho was u subacrib~
or from tho frat. Character was also given to
tho moetiug by tho proscuoo of eaoh men ~
Moaers. King, OF Madison Mc1Slroy, Of Cham
| patg1l; Baildoria, OF Rock 16laul; aud Prickott
and Campbell, Of Fulton. hrany other gentle.
mon OF equal local prominence wore In attond~
ance. all tho delegates were farmers. Tho bono,
Binew, and brain Of tho agricultural population
Of tho State wore fairly represented.
| Lett0rB wera remi from Gon. ll0aa, OF Avon !;
A. NJ. Garland, OF Springfield; aud II. L. Dun
lap, OF Champaign. who were unabln to 30 pros-
sont, but who fully sympathlzea With tue ends
in Wow. L. 0. Whitney waa clI0Bon President ;
COL A. Woodforl, Vioo-Prosidont; aud y. H.
Smith and l.. ". Beer, Secretaries.
| THE RpEROuES
wero auoll as might have boon expected IN a
~. H.