The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-10-13
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
Annual Meeting,

this city on Saturday last, at o'clock p. m., and
was called to order by j. r. Shaver, president,
who stated, in substance, that after the uncXpect
ed and most gratifying success of our county fair
held here last month"; there need be no fear of
failure next year, nor at any time in the future
Our society had been cramped, and in fact over
whelmed with debt, the legacy of the State Fair,
but by earnest work and indomitablc perscvcr
encc and energy on the part OF few men and
women, we had succeeded beyond our most SAN
! guine expectations. We have established the
fact that people will not only freely aid Us in
holding good county fairs, but they deDtaad Us to
have fairs in this county. When they voluntar
| lily and cheerfuly back us and work with us for
this purpose we are sure to succeed. Our
grounds, it is true, are badly cncumbcred, but
with united effort we can secure them free from
debt There are two plans by which this can be
attained: one to buy them by subscription, and
have them decided to the county or some safe
trustee to hold them for the people for annual
county fair purposes forever. Another is, for the
stockholders thcmsclves-the present legal own
ers of the ground to sell much of the land as
we do not need and organize themselves into
stock company, run annual fairs, and make us
| pay for admission In any event we must have
good county fair every year. We are proud Of
our achievement this year, as ii was to this end
that worked-that we might have Il good fair
in spite of all adverse circumstances.
| He thanked the society for courteous treatment
as its presiding officer during the year. He de-
clned to serve longer, except as Il private IN the
| ranks
| 5. r. Lewis said he regretted the condition of
our affairs respecting the fair grounds. We have
everything and nothing; we have fine grounds
and convenient buildings, but the debts distract
us. The success of the last fair insures great
er triumph next year, but in the meau time the
grounds may be swept from our control by law.
the owners of the land had kindly permitted us
to occupy the premises this year, rent free, but
we can expect no such generous conduct next
year. 1t would be unreasonable TO expect it,
We must do something at once. We can hardly
expect outsiders to come to our aid do not
believe man in my town (Fall River would take
a share in buying these grounds; believe in the
stock plan, the shares $50 each, but the present
owners would have to take 1t all-Or the most Of
| it. We must, however, do something at once
and whatever you agree upon | will chcerfuy
do my share.
A. NJ. Ebcrso preferred to wait until next win
ter before organizing.
| Shaver thought committees should be chosen
! to canvass the county for subscriptions.
On motion Of Neclcy the Board proceeded to
elect officers.
| Some debate followed relative to the time Of
the election and the official year. but finally it
was understood that the new officers are to reor-
ganize the society and then, if they choose, re-
sign and let the permanent society choose for
| itself
Neelcy's motion prevailed, and Green and
| Pickens were appointed tellers.
A ballot was taken for president, as follows:
| + c Lewis D. Sam X Lewis 2, - Lewis 2, } r
Shaver ), G II Green g.
Another ballot was had, Shaver and S X Lewis
positively declining. Result: + c Lewis 10, j Il
Shaver2, c II Green TO- No choice.
| Third ballot: + Lewis 10, j r Shaver !, G. II
Green r. c II Green was declared duly elected
president, and, on motion of Lewis, made unani-
nous.
f c Lewis, j Shaver and d J Price were
made lst I'd and Sd yicc-presidents in the order
named, and one ballot cast for each.
| On motion Of Sam r Lewis, Asa VI Hoffman
was chosen secretary, and L II Eames treasurer,
| by reclamation, and ballot cast for each ac-
cordingly.
| Sam Lewis moved that a committee of three
be appointed to select and report the names Of
nine persons for the executive committee. They
named Sam r Lewis, J B Barnes and Peter DON
levy who, after due dclibcration, reported for the
executive committee the names Of Ransom Pal
mer, Grand Rapids; o o Wakefield, South Otta-
wa; J b Barnes Rutland; Samuel Grove, Utica
Samuel Dickerman, Bruce; VIM II Hull, Ottawa
II Parr, Serena; Z Rowland, Fall River; l. A
Rising, Ottawa.
| On motion the report was adopted.
! c II Green, the president elect, being present
ed to the Board by the retiring presiding officer,
made brief speech, thanking the members for
the honor and their expression of confidence in
him, He had the interests of the society at
stake, and would work for the complete financial
ucccss of the association and to prepare for the
public the largest and best county fair ever held
in La Sale county. We have abundant resources
10 do it, and to even surpass the State fair We
have splendid stock, Of all varieties as fine as the
country can prOduec-as fine as the world can
show; We have a fine rich soil, the products of
which cannot be exceeded, and a large popula-
ton eager to visit our fair if we make it worthy.
There is no reason why we should not have u,
O05 to 1900 people on these grounds at our next
! fair, The success Of the last fair guarantees it
and shows us what to do. To make the next fair
the best ever held here is my aim, and will be my
labor from this moment. (applausc.) / know
that YOU will aid me, and the people Of the coun-
IA, f,lIn
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned, subject to the call of the President.
- cents buy an undcrshirt worth 20 cents at
VI. Sticfcl y Cos.
La sale Miners.
The labor troubles in La Sale are virtually
ended" says SiogIg, Of La sale. 1t is now
four months since the miners OF this city struck