Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-08-08
THE COUNTY FAIR IN EARLY DAYS
First Meeting to Organize Held March
I857-Notes on First Two Fairs.

The first meeting to organize an agri-
| culturaI society was held at the court
house in Viroqua, March Z, 1857, under q
petition signed by the following: J. A.
| Soneroy, W. Terhune, Even Olson, An.
anias Smith, s. J. Robinson, ]. E. New
ell, VIM. Reed, James A. Cooke. S. G
Lincoln, J. NJ Rusk, Fl. A. Robinson,
Lewis Sterling, Sidney Harding. John
Gardner, Geo. Dascev, A. K. Burrell,
Milton Owen, T. J. DeFrees, Henry o.
walt, W. c. McMichael. The minutes
of meeting says THE subject of forming
county agricultural society was famil-
larry and pleasantly discussed and 1t be-
ing unanimously decided that such an
organization would greatly tend to de-
velop the resources of our county. A
committee consisting of Geo Spurrier,
J. A Somerby and Olson Keeier was ap-
pointed to report constitution and by
laws for the Badax County Agricultural
society.
At the next meeting, April H. the fol-
LOWING officers were elected:
Presideut-Charles Waters.
Vice presidents-J. NJ MeLees. l.. Sterling.
Secretary-J. A. Somerby.
Treasurer-Alson Keeler.
General committee OF one from each town
as follows: Hartwell Allen, Harmony; w. 5.
-
Mcdonnell, Jefferson; Alyan Chase, wheat
land; l. HOmstad, GDristiana; O. +. Gillett,
Webster; NJ. White, Whttestown; o. A. Hunt,
Masterson; John Warner. Bergen: Geo. Ten
ney. KickaDoO; d. 2, Allison, ViroQua. -
A premium list was made; amount OF
premiums offered 1859 so; fair was held
September 90 "a The stock exhibit was
held In grove on Main street in the
north part of town. The principal at
traction was the exhibit in the court
room in the court house. The following
program was made:
1st-Exhibition of articles in the
court house and the animals In the grove
TO commence at 10 a. m, 1st day.
2d-Dinner from 12 III. TO 2 p N.
3d-Announcement Of committees at
p. m.
4th-Plowing match In the field Of nj.
Decker at o. IN. Best and quickest
blowing of acre of stubble land. LIST,
So; End, 81; 3D., 81, TO be plowed In one
hour and fifteen minutes.
Following was program for second
day:
1st-Exhibition open at g. m
2nd-Address from front window OF
the court house by Hon. w f. Terhune.
3i-Premiums awarded IL 30 q. N.
4th-Dinner from ~ m. 10 2 p. N.
5th-Psrade of premium animals
6th-Psyment Of premiums at score
tary's Office.
7th-"Home Sweet Home"
The blowing match was held as ad-
yertised. G. Gillett taking 1st, E Min
shall End. There were only two entries
Premiums were awarded and paid in
cash except those of 81 or less, which
were paid IN books or periodicals per-
tanning TO agriculture and its kindred
arts. Mote: If any person has now one
Of these books, please take 1t TO the fair.
Single tickets were ten cents, admitting
one person one day; 81 admitted MEM
Der and family at all times during fair.
Amount Of premium paid, k76 There Is
no record or receipts and expenses.
The second fair was held October IL
II 10, 1858, under the same manage
meRt as the year before, st their
grounds west of town Premium Ma&
enlarged and improved There were
- entries In class 1-cattle; "a in class
horses; In class 3 -sheep; 4 in class
4-swine; II of fowls; 80. farm and gar.
den; 3, fruit; 5, farm implements; 10,
dairy products. As. domestic manufact-
urers; Z, sugar and syrup; /, boots and
shoes; l, blacksmithing; 2, addresses R.
G. Blerce winner; 30, miscellaneous
The weather was verr bad; no plow.
ing match was held; receipts very small
winners were requested TO donate their
premiums to the society Officers do.
mated f7S OF their wages to the society.
The next year building 1890 feet was
erected for an exhibition hall.
Mrs Daniel Bolen, who attended the
first fair In Viroqus, says that the court
hoase was well filled with exhibits R.
G. Bierce and wife seemed to have
charge of affairs. There was more ex.
citement over the blowing match than
any other attraction. Her brother, John
Carter, was one of the contest lnts. She
is not sure but thinks he took FIRST pre-
MUM ia blowing.
VIM. Silbaugh attended the first fair
and remembers seeing John Snodgrass
there; also the big red bull that attract.
ed the attention of John Also q small,
hrindle bull owned by Judge De Frees.
Geo. P Taylor and Jacob Dowhauer
owned most Of the stock on exhibition.
Was in the court house IL was well
filed and was the center of attraction
Mrs. Geo, P. Taylor and Mrs Dowhauer
had the best exhibits of quilts and
home made articles. Admission to the
stock show was free. 25c was charged
to view the exhibit In the house and II
was we'll worth it. F. w. A