Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-17
GRANT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
a brief sketch Of its organization.

this city to hold Fair Farm pro-
ducts formed The chief articles of ex-
hibition. The show was not elaborate
but It was the nucleus around which
was to be gathered in future wears a
permanent organization of successful
eilortS.-an organization that as 4
county affair, should stand second to
none IN the state The first exhibition
was small, but the interest increased
with each year The little gathering of
farmers that first assembled Ia hold a
fair steadily multiplied in numbers.
TIL the visitors are now counted bv the
thousands. To the stranger. and the
younger generation, it seems almost in
credible that the early Fair Ground
once occupied what is now included as
The business portion of the city. But
such was the case. The first exhibit of
the Grant County Agricultural Society
was made where the Rock Blacksmith
shop, and Greene & Abrams Livery
now stands.
Among the prime movers in getting
an association of this kind started. were
such men as James Prideaux, DR.. John
Dodge, j. f Dodge, Judge Cox. Major
Horner, ID. K Burt. H. A. Moore, who
acted as secretary for many years. and
many others, most of whom have
passed beyond the cares of this world.
A permanent organization was effected
by the aboYe gentlemen at a meeting
held IN Beetown, November 6. 1855 and
James Prideaux was elected President
The early history is an account of hald
labor and arduous struggle on the part
OF those who took leading part ami an
interest in its permanent success.
But success finally came, 10 acres of
land were purchased, at the present
location east of the city and racing
added to the attractions. The ten acres,
however, only admitted of one third
mile track. An addition of five acres
was taken in and the track extended TO
one-half mile. From that time. the
attendance, exhibits, and all that went
to make success, increased. As the
business transacted by the society grew,
and exhibits became larger and finer.
ground has been constantly added. Be-
sides the annual Fairs, the management
made use of Stock Sale and Horse Fairs.
where stock was brought in for ex-
hibition and sold. occupying several
days. Sports and trotting for liberal
purses helped to attract the crowds.
For quarter of a century and more,
the Society has been sound organiza-
ton Of increasing business. 1t has out
lived the other agricultural societies of
the county. In earlier days there was
competition between it and the Platte
vile Far and hazel Green Fair. both of
which have long since been extinct.
The Blakes Prairie and Boscobel Fairs
are younger competitors.
In looking up the matter of Fairs in
publications issued 20 years ago glow
ing accounts of the exhibits were found.
Blooded stock, though not up to that Of
the present day, was the pride of the
stockman and farmer. The displays in
all departments were large and prais-
worthy. In the fine art department the
ladies have always offered very large
and fine collection of their handiwork,-
the product of the needle and brush.
The Society has been valuable
factor in developing better horses, -
roadsters. horses OF all work, carriage
horses and draft horses, by the Offering
of liberal premiums, and the selection
of careful and competent Judges The
lover of line horseilesh always has an
opportunity for feastipg his ewes at the
Lancaster fair. The best of the county,
(and that means a great deal in this
age on horse breeding), is always to be
found ON exhibition, and the competition
has become close and sharp for the
awards.
Among the cattle are to be found the
Shorthorn, Hereford, Holstein and
Jersey, beautiful specimens of the
bovine tribe. The Deyons once found
a prominent place among the farmers.
but have been superseded by others.
The development in this line has gone
so far that 1000 pounds avoirdupois
is not rare
Sheep and Swine raisers have also
felt the influence; all old breeds being
rapidly discarded for the better and
more profitable ones.
The exhibits in mechanical work have
been encouraged by awarding diplomas
to meritorious product. Farm machin-
cry set up and at work on the grounds
ct