Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-07-20
ONE OF THE 'oLD-FAsHIOsED' FAIRS.
There We're Many ODD Things as Compared With
Up-te.Date Preparations.

! It is none too soon to think seriousl,
of exhibiting at our county fair. Prize
more liberal than usual have been offer
ed, and there is no reason why yoJ
should not have a share of the priZt
money. By giving your crops the bes
! cultivation and seeing that your live
stock is we'll taken care of you can pro
duce exhibits that will win prizes. Il
vou do not win the prize you will bt
more than repaid in the information
| gained concerning the culture Of such
crops and will become acquainted with
| the newest and best varieties. Many
consider a fair simply place of amuse.
| ment While ,that feature will not be
overlooked (having already secured the
best talent that has ever been upon our
grounds the fair is great educational
institution, and this should always be
kept IN mind.
The earliest record of the fair that /
have is in 1859. The Vernon County
Agricultural society was organized and
chartered April II, 1857, each member
paying an initiation fee of one dollar
and an equal sum per annum. The pay
ment of ten dollars constituted life
membership. The society in 1859 pur-
chased ten acres of ground and enclosed
it with a tight board fence, seven feet
high In 1859 800 was paid for prem
iums, the largest being SIS each for the
best stallion and the best acre of wheat,
and "a for the best bull The officers
for 1859 were: Charles Waters. presi-
dent; G. Sterling, w. T. Mcconnell, J.
M. McLees, vice presidents. Ananias
Smith, Geo, Spurrie and W. s. Purdy,
together with the other officers Of the
society formed the executive commit
tee. General Bergen, p. N.
Shumway Coon, Peter Olson; Christi
ana, p. Olson. Clinton r 2. Gillett;
Franklin, r. Williams: Fores, J. G, Ta-
Dor; Greenwood, N. Gregory; Harmony,
Fl. Allen, Hamburg, J. T. Brinkman
Hillsboro. J. NJ Bennett, Sr. Jefferson,
A. Mcconnell; Kickapoo, T. n. Taylor;
Liberty, Allen Rusk; Sterling, C.G. Al
len; Stark, Thos. DeJanes Union, ].
Newburn Viroqua, John Dawson; ;
Whestland, Ira Stevens Whitestown,
W. w. Joseph.
Among the premiums offered was one
for a plowing match, which was to take
place on the afternoon Of tine second day.
Some Of the rnles were as follows ''Ex-
kibitors will have ticket to admit their
hired man, but not transferable. Pri-
vate carriages 80 cts; each passenger
therein Is cents. Farmers who contest
sor premiums on wheat, corn, oats and
pOtotoes will be required to furnish a
statement of the manner or raising,
kind of seed used, conditions and kind
of soil and the kind of crop raised and
the condition of the land the previous
year, also must state the number Of
bushels raised on the required amount
of land and bring an average sample
bushel to the appropriate committee IL
possible at the fair in September. The
above statement must be signed and
sworn to by the party applying for the
premium before justice OF the peace.
The committee will award the prem
iums on the best acre of wheat, oats
corn, 4-acre of potatoes anG carrots, and
they will hold themselves in readiness
to examine the growing crops when
called on and will receive the statements
| of the result at any time before or after
| the fair. The premium on the same will
not be awarded until the annual meet
! ing in December.
There will be on exhibition one or
will we'll pay people for coming from
the most distant parts Of the country TO
see.
The following amounts were TO be
paid as premiums in the several depart
ments: Cattle $29, horses $50. Sheep ST.,
| Swine sc. poultry "a premiumsl 81, in
books: farm aud garden $50, fruit S11,
| farm implements $24, dairy s., doors
l 4 / IL 1ns,aaut}t gYfanr4fap-
| ture 500, rs.
Flowing match-best plowing 4-acre,
$3, second best, in books, 81; third best
diploma. Tobacco, best 10 pounds leaf
In books 81. sugar and syrup 3l3, boots
and shoes Sc, coopering 81, sheet metal
| hollow ware 81, blacksmithing ST. Best
address to be delivered at the fair in
September S. Besides the above there
was a ''trotting match as follows
quickest trotting g. End, in books, 81
| 3rd 81. Best quickest time in dfClo,e
harness So, End, in books, 81. 3ii 81:
| Ladies equstian match-best display of
horsewomanship 81, End best, IN books
| 81, 3nd best diploma. One half OF the
above premiums were to be PAID IN
books.
We find that 30 per cent of the prem
| iums awarded st the 1883 fair were do
mated back TO the so iety.
Even at that date the Badax fair was
considered one of the best in the state.
I often wonder If the patrons would
be willing to have an old fashioned
fair" as ! have hoard many declare
The next article W give further his
tory Of our county tair. We will gladly
welcome any thing bearing on our early
fairs. T. w. a.