The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-08

f. I. SPENCER.
J. A. SHELDON,
K. NESBITr,
w. II. HURLBUTT.
Executive Committee.
W. II. HARRISON, Secretary.
The first Annual Far of the society was held
in the Court House Square. The stalls foI
sheep and swine were constructed along the
west side OF the fence enclosing the public
grounds, while the cattle and horses were tied
to trees standing on the unoccupied lots be-
tween the fence and kalamazoo street, which
at that time, were all vacant and used in COM
moR by the dealers Of the village, as place
whereon to deposit the soundest and most TO
be relied on currency received for goods sold
namely "Pine Shaved Shingles" the only cur
rency whose value did not fluctuate and change
from week to week.
The Court room was used a. Floral Hall, I"
and to it came good exhibition of domestic
manufactures. The collection attracted much
attention for its variety and the excellence Of
the workmanship. The display had but few
specimens Of fancy work, but was made up, for
the most part, of articles of usefulness and
prime necessity-such as home manufactured
cloths and fiannels, clothing manufactured IN
the household, counterpanes quilts of patch
work, yarn mittens. socks gloves and under
wear.
In the vegetable department, good show
ing was made.
There were but few horses and cattle, and
they were regarded good for the time, but we're
;ngo 30 tt,o -
late years.
There were but few sheep Of very inferior
quality, and the swine were Of the variety
since known as the " Land Pike"
The annual address was delivered by Hon.
CHARLES E. STEWART, in his best STYLE from a
dry-goods box under the Oak tree at the north
west corner OF the Court House.
Although many misgivings were entertained
as to the result Of this first venture, it was
voted Grand success"
Tie cond Annual Fair was held on the
same crounds, and the showing was very much
larger IN every department, and in some a
marked improvement as to quality was notice
able. Some very good specimens OF horses
and cattle were exhibited. And we may remark
by the way that these have steadily grown bet
ter from year to year, until we can now make
as good a showing as any County in south |
western MicAIgan-tbe impetus given at the |
first exhibition never having relaxed FOR an |
hour. Perhaps the most marked and decided /
Improvement has been IN sheep. At the first |
show few specimens OF poor scrawney and
coarse wooded ones were all there were to ex-
hibit. which we're utterly valueless when COM
pared with the splendid samples of the Ameri-
IAN 1Ieuno on exhibition ct the Fair last week.
The grounds about tho Court House not
lf'ording sufficient room, the third Annual
Fair was held on common adjoining the Mil
pond and between the Lawton, or as 1t was
hen called. the Little Prairie Rcnde Road,
md the race leading from the pond to the Paw
'awfmill, but then called the "Big Mil, we
suppose because it was the largest and most
extensive mill within one hundred miles.
At this Fair a marked Improvement in SWINE
va noticeable; improved breeds had been
ought aud propagated The cattle, ALSO were
If better type than had been previously
hown. Our English citizens carly manifested
taste for the better kinds and commenced
,ropagating the Durham or short Horn and
Devon varieties. These have crowded all
,thor5 out and have become the common
attic" Of the County, Of which excellent sam.
lies are to be seen on nearly every farm
This exhibition proved entirely and emil
ently successful. The society had, from it's
mall beginning, become an Institution" OF
and Importance. It's influence be-
an to be felt. and its benefits were fully appre-
lated. Immediate steps were taken to secure
location whereon It could establish fixed
bode. Negotiations were opened, and piece
f ground was leased OF Peter Gremps, aud
18th the surplus on hand, fitted up and used
5 a Fair Ground until 1t became too small for
be accommodation Ct the enlarged and increas-
~ exhibitions, when the Society purchased
he present grounds which have been sub
antially fitted up in the winter OF 1S69-70,
nd held their Twentieth Fair on the new loca-
on IN the fall OF 1870.