Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-16
Editors Letter Box
Shall the kennebec County AgricuI-
turai Society Be Reorganized and
the Fair Continued?

the Fair Continued?
An Open Letter to the People of West
ern Kennebec County:
Ever since the old Kennebec County
Agricultural Society was forced into
bankruptcy in 1912 and it's annual
shows have ceased to be held, there has
been an insistent demand on the part
OF its many patrons that the society be
reorganized and the fairs continued.
This demand has not crystallized
into any definite form for two rea-
sons: First because there was a con-
| troversy between the owner of the
grounds and the society as to whether
the society had forfeited its lease or
not. This question was referred to the
courts and was heard by Justice Corn
ish who filed a decree in the early part
of the year stating that the owner of
the grounds had waived the conditions
of the lease and that the lease, which
had some twenty odd years to run, was
vested in the society through it's per-
sonal representative, M. S. Holway, it's
trustee in bankruptcy. Second, be-
cause no person or persons has made
an active effort to reorganize and con-
tinue the fair.
In order that the matter may be
finally determined, 1 present herewith
a statement of facts regarding the
present condition of affairs and sug-
gest a plan for reorganization which
can be carried out If the many patrons
of the fair are genuine in their state
ments that they wish the annual ex-
hibitions continued.
The trustee Ing bankruptcy was
obliged to sell all of the buildings in
September to close up the affairs of the
old organization.
The secretary's office was sold to H.
o. Tebbetts and has been removed
from the grounds. The exhibition hall
was purchased by Francis Stevens who
proposes to tear 1t down and utilize
the lumber in building barn. It is
still intact. H. r. Hunton bought
seven of the horse stalls and has torn
| them down. ]. W. Butman bought
about 25 stalls and they are still in
| tact. The writer bought the eating
house. grandstand, vaudeville stage,
ticket Office. some of the stalls and the
judges stand. They are still intact.
These buildings were bought by me
primarily because thought the society
might be reorganized and the buildings
needed for use upon the grounds as
heretofore. l wanted to see the fair
continued and will gladly sell these
buildings for fair purposes. If the old
exhibition hall is removed, the eating
house is sufficiently large for an ex-
hibition hall and secretary's office:
thus there will be ample buildings upon
the grounds for use. The track will
need some repairs. The lease can be
obtained of Trustee Holway for a
nominal sum.
It Is proposed to form a new cor
poration to be known as the Kennebec
County Fair Company and to issue
stock in the new company at 500 per
share which will give every person an
opportunity to assist in the reorganiza-
ton. AS many shares may be pur-
chased by one person as desired and
they will be worcestershire. When
$500 worth of stock has been signed
for. the organization of the new society
will be effected. 1t will start absolute
Iy free from debt. Send subscriptions
to e. E. Peacock, Readfield. Maine. at
once If $500 is not subscribed by Dec.
1, 1916, the buildings will be torn down.
E. e. PEACOCK.