Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-03
WAPELLO
COUNTY'S
FIRST FAIR
HELD AT oTTUMWA FIFTY YEARS
AGO ON OCTOBER
IA 1858.
EXHIBIT LASTEDONEDAY
Was creditabIe Affair, According to
the Account in the Courier of That
Date-Premiums Ranged From $3.50
Down to Fifty Cents.


Date-Premiums Ranged From $3.50
Down to Fifty Cents.
On October IA. 1853. occurred the
first agricultural fair in WapelIo coun-
~ and the account of the fair and a
sew selections from the list of premi-
0ms as published in the Courier ON the
week following the exhibition will
prove interesting to the readers of the
Courier today and will give some idea
of the primitive methods employed by
The Iowa pioneers. The account of the
Fair is as follows:
"our Fair.
THE exhibition of the Wanello
County Agricultural society held on
October IA, though gotten up in haste,
was one that every citizen should feel
proud of and though it was true, as our
contemporary, the Eddyville Free
Press, said, that there was some con-
fusion as to where the people should
assemble for the purpose OF showing
their stocks and other articles brought
in to exhibit, still we had a show and
a creditable one. too.
"The number and variety of cattle
On exhibition far exceeded our expecta-
tions. Indeed it did astonish almost
every one. Among the exhibitors of
cattle we noticed that Messrs. Abel
Marsh and A. B. Parsons, of Pleasant
township; Jonathan Thompson, of Dab
lonega and William and d. Newell. of
Washington township, had some fine
Durhams that drew the attention OF all
engaged in stock raising.
The Show of Horses and Hogs.
The show of horses was respecta-
bic, although we cannot say it was
more than we expected except in num-
hers. Several very coed stations were
shown but none of them came I'm to
the mark of what we considered per-
feet animals. We have seen better
and much worse than were on exhi-
bition. The exhibition of saddle and car
riage horses was not good as we ex-
pected which resulted doubtless from
want of knowledge of what was expect
ed in the exhibition and want of proper
training. Some very fine two year olds
and sucking colts We're exhibited which
if properly fed and properly cared for
until a proper age will be most beauti-
full animals.
The show of hogs was small, but
those exhibited showed very plainly
what a little attention and proper
training will do. Farmers can just as
easily raise good hogs as bad ones.
Early Farm Implements.
"Messrs. Spaulding and Pease had
their corn planters on exhibition which
engrossed the attention of many of our
Intelligent farmers. Mr. Spaulding al
so had a hay rake on the ground which
1t would be very well for every farmer
to have in his possession Mr.. Spaul-
ding assures us that from trial made
of it, that it will do the work OF al
(. least ten with a hand rake and usually
as well.
'Messrs. Ray and Parkinson of Bur
1ington, showed some center draft
plows of very fine workmanship. These
plows, as many OF our farmers are
aware, work well. and are substantial
IN their construction. We saw a reaper
and mower made by Gray & Ray o.
Fairfield, also a tanning mill Of the
merits of which we are not prepared tc
speak.
The Women's Exhibits.
"T!le exhibition of butter was large
and all we saw and tasted looked vel
and tasted better Indeed we are sorry
that all who exhibited could not draw
premiums. In needle work the eXhibi
was confined to two quilts presented b,
Mrs. Bier, but the needlework of the
exhibition is easily accounted for by the
fact that there We're no premiums of
fered for any thing of the kind W.
think the society will remember tn,
ladies next year. If they don't W,
wouldn't give a dime for all the fair:
hereafter.
"We are an advocate for woman'
rights that far anyhow and we mus
. say to the ladies that il they presen
quilts for the premium next fall tina
they must be nice ones, or Mrs. Bize
will take their premiums again,
The Premiums.
"The list of premiums covered prac
tically every article and animal raiset
by the primitive farmers of those days
In amounts these premiums range,
from $3.50 offered for the best three
yearold stallion, won by ]. G. McClune
down to fifty cents and patent office re
ports.
"The following is few of the article
and animals exhibited and the prize
won:
Best beef steer. j. M. Peck. 49,. $40
Best fatted hog. S. d. Owen ...... 10
Fatted pig, Horace Risley ...... 10
One pair of boots, A. l.. Graves. 10
Five pounds of butter, ]. McIntire 10
Five pounds packed for winter,
Mrs. W. NJ Chesney ...... :. 10
IT