Daily Republican., 1879-09-15
WILMINGTON, DEL. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER Is, 1879
AGRls ULTURAL l. ASSOCIATION.


AGRls ULTURAL l. ASSOCIATION.
The Mesnbe = RDthusiastie - Tho
Event tO be an Era In the Mtsfery
Of the PeMins0lA.
Special Cor espondence OF tho Republican.
DOVER, DEL Sept. l3.
One Of the most enthusiastic gather
ings ever held in this vicinity took
place on the fair grounds to-day upon
the occasion Of the mesting Of the State
Agricultural Board. There was q full
Of the Directors, mostly all
coming in the morning. trains. They
we're taken to the grounds In convey
ances provided by Mr.. Richard Harring-
ton, Secretary Of the Association.
At twelve O'Clock, the hour announc
ed for the meeting, the members were
shown around the grounds. They OK.
amined the track, looked over the
buildings, commended this and extoll-
cd that, and altogether seemed in per-
feet raptures over the appearance of
everything. The new buildings are all
up, and nothing but the restaurant
aud outbuildings are under way, which
fact gavr the members full idea Of the
general design Of the arrangements
ami an indication Of the extent and
character Of the coming fair.
After all had satisfied themselves
they assembled In one Of the restaur.
ants, and at two O'Clock sat down to
dinner. There were number Of invit-
I'd guests including Judge Houston,
hon. James l.. Wolcott, Gen. A. T.
Torbert, Isaac N. Mills, Superintendent
Of the Delaware Railroad, Mr.. Page,
Superintendent Of this District, and
member OF the Turf Association; Will.
liam T. Croasdale, Of Every Evening"
and Arthur F. Francis Of DAILY REPUB-
LIcAN, of Wilmington, John f. Sauls-
bury of "D-lawarsan" and Henry Can
non of "Sentiuel' Of Dover. The pro-
visions for the occasion were varied and
abundant and were served up entirely
from appurtenances supplied especially
by the Association Tor the better accom
modation of the masses who may at
tend the fair.
After dinner speeches were in order.
Mr.. Ebe. Tunnel called the members
TO order. He spoke pointsdly though
hri, fly and in his remarks alluded to
the improvement which had taken
place. As a citizen of the State he felt
proud ofthe Association, and his graf.
ification at being a member Of its oard
Of Directors was oily -qualled by the
spirit and ardor which he felt. He
returned his thanks and those of the
visitors for the kind entertainment
which had been afforded them and
closed by raising his stock subscription
hundred dollars. This announces
m.nt was received with applause.
Judge Houston followed, alluding to
the intent and aim Of the Delaware Ag
ricultural Association. 1t was a nom
money max ing and non dividend pay
ing institute, and as such hs though it
had a special claim upon the people OF
the commonwealth. Was 1t not for a
legal debarment he would be- member
the association. His interests wers
identical with its interests, and th"
same comme1dable spirit that actuates
it, actuates him, although probably in
less degrees. He reiterated his formrr
averment as to th4 character of the
association and dwelt at length upon
the benefits that will naturally accrue
therefrom. He prophesjed the success
Of the enterprise financially and placed
the accomplishment of that end within
few years.
The Secretary Of the Society, Mr.
Richard Harrington, being called on,
gave short history of the organization
Of the society. He stated that few
years ago in front OF segar store in
Dow r, few men suddenly conceived
the idea of forming an agricultural as
scciation The idea was acted upon,
and the gentlemen going in bank to the
amount Of $4,000 purchased the Fair
view Grounds on their own risk. They
then erected Il few buildings, and the
first fair was held last year. On this
they cleared over $4,000. 1t was a
grand success. After this fair was held,
provideutialiy, a wind storm bl W down
the buildings. Phe next o'ning the
members gathered together. and with
despair written on their countenance>
exclaimed, "what shall We do |" Th-
'h.n n new sncipty was with no buildings
and owed $4,000. Acting on new
resolve, they went in bank $4,000
more, and now what is the result? You
sea it before you. The buildings are
new tn. improvements are extensive
and numerous, and everything is in a
smiling condition.
Mr.. William 7. Croasdals of the
"Every Evenin,g &" being called on.stat-
Ell that the interest among the citizens
Of Wilmington in the fair that is soon
to be held is unusual. They are aux-
ious for its success. They will attend in
numbers if Mr.. Mills will help them.
There is no other fair going on as far as
Wilmington people are concerned and
it will he natural for them to attend.
Mr.. Mills replied that if the newspA
pers will do as much az the railroad
company is doing then there need be
no fear of failure at least as far as they
are concerned.
Mr.. John Higgins said as far as the
people in his vicinity are concerned,
they will, most likely, do all they can
towards the success Of the MiddletOwn
fair. This was natural, but yet, not
withstanding this he thought that the
sympathy for State Agricultural AS
sociation was genuine and wouii give
all the encouragement possible. Ii.
thought that the prominent feature of
the Dover fair was its fine racing, to
which fact he thought its great success
can be attributed.