Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-02-19
TO Stockholders of orangeburg Agri-
cultural and Mechanical Association.

cultural and Mechanical Association.
ORANGEBURe, S. G. Feb. ii, 1874.
The Board Of Directors nine months
ago, took charge of the affairs of this
Company, having the Fair grounds pur.
chased, and to be paid for, and buildings
to be erected. After much deliberntien,
site Was chosen for the main building,
and plan, prepared by Mr.. Lucas, was
adopted, which, by close estimate, was
within our means, and at the same time
was that ofa building large enough to
meet our present requirements for space
The experience of our first fair showed
that it was just barely equal to our re.
quircments for exhibition, rs it .sas com
pletely filled. Owing to the difficulties
in the carrying cut Of contracts, by the
default of contractors in material and
work, the erection wussomcwhat retarded,
and i'll the scarcity Of workman, the cost
was somewhat enhanced, i'll order to be
ready for sao fiji; of 1873; but by urgent
efforts, we We're able to hold that fair at
the appointed time
The Cornc" iene oftha Fair Euldne
WAS laid with appropriate Masonic core
monic5 under tlie direction ar Dist. Depv.
Grand Mas,er.I L. Iz!ar, and sl,ibhp-
letl Lodge 30. 28 Of tb,t anciont order,
which w;,a III occasion Of much interest,
and there WAS Il large attendance from
all parts Of the County.
In the midst Of the work, the con!rac-
tor retired, and the Board w;.s under the
necessity on the emergency OF making the
best bargain possible, u complete the
building in time, and i'll proper style.
This WAS effected ut an increase of about
$500, on the original estimate, which was
unavoidable under the circumstances.
For this cause, and from other circum-
standes, especially the dasirc ofthe tlret-
tors to put the entire grounds under g
proper fence, and TO lay out proper reads
and courses for the trial OF stock, it was
deemed proper to call the Stockholders
together for the purpose ofvoting on an
increase Of stock. This was done, and
the stock increased to 800 Shares. The
directors have addressed the various
oranges and agricultural Societies in the
County, soliciting subscriptions of stock;
but in only few instances has there been
any response from them. Owing to the
financial panic. it has been difficult TO
obtain subscribers for the stock, and some
of the original Shareholders have failed
to pay in full their subscriptions. The
result is that tic directors have been
unable to carry out several desired inn
provcments, which. would add to the
value Of the property, and enhance lis
capacity for profit to the Association.
The Association has also been compelled
to remain in debt to the amount of s1O96
while there is now owing to it from its
shareholders the sum ofS500.
If the additional stock were all taken
up, and the same paid, there would Le no
difficulty i'll carry ing out the projected
improvements. The last Fair, in such
hard times, realized profit of over $500
above expenses, and parts OF the Building
are now rented at SlS5, for the present
year, and there is chance for other rem
tai. In an ordinary season, fair will
pay rroGt Of $500to 500, ard rentals,
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