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NORTHWESTERN AGRICULTURAL MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION: Difference between revisions

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Messrs. Stout and Peabody, having purchased the grounds from A. W. Richmond proposed to lease the grounds to an organization, as soon as one was legally created, for fair purposes, with the right to purchase the grounds at cost, adding interest and price of improvements they had made and should make including the fencing, shade trees, and sidewalks.
Messrs. Stout and Peabody, having purchased the grounds from A. W. Richmond proposed to lease the grounds to an organization, as soon as one was legally created, for fair purposes, with the right to purchase the grounds at cost, adding interest and price of improvements they had made and should make including the fencing, shade trees, and sidewalks.


The names of the incorporators included [[COOLEY, D. N.|D.N. COOLEY]], J. W. Parker, [[BURCH, George Benjamin|George Benjamin BURCH]], [[D. H. CONYNGHAM]], E. R. Shankland, M. Kingman, [[COOPER, Augustine A.|Augustine A. COOPER]], [[WILLIAMS, Virgil J.|Virgil J. WILLIAMS]], [[WILDE, George|George WILDE]], [[LANGWORTHY, Edward|Edward LANGWORTHY]], N. C. Ryder, M. S. Robison, [[CONNOLLY, Thomas|Thomas CONNOLLY]], A. F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, C. B. Dean, [[WOODWORTH, W. W.|W. W. WOODWORTH]], P. Lagen, Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood and [[PEABODY, William H.|William H. PEABODY]].
The names of the incorporators included [[COOLEY, D. N.|D.N. COOLEY]], J. W. Parker, [[BURCH, George Benjamin|George Benjamin BURCH]], [[D. H. CONYNGHAM]], E. R. Shankland, M. Kingman, [[COOPER, Augustin A.|Augustin A. COOPER]], [[WILLIAMS, Virgil J.|Virgil J. WILLIAMS]], [[WILDE, George|George WILDE]], [[LANGWORTHY, Edward|Edward LANGWORTHY]], N. C. Ryder, M. S. Robison, [[CONNOLLY, Thomas|Thomas CONNOLLY]], A. F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, C. B. Dean, [[WOODWORTH, W. W.|W. W. WOODWORTH]], P. Lagen, Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood and [[PEABODY, William H.|William H. PEABODY]].


The articles of incorporation named the following officers: D. N. Cooley, President; A. A. Cooper, Vice President; E. R. Shankland, Secretary; M. Kingman, Assistant Secretary; V. J. Williams, Treasurer. Directors—George Wilde, N. C. Ryder, Thomas Connolly, Peter Kiene, Jr., Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood, W. W. Woodworth, George B. Burch, Adam F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, M. S. Robison, Charles B. Dean, P. Lagen, J. W. Parker and W. H. Peabody.
The articles of incorporation named the following officers: D. N. Cooley, President; A. A. Cooper, Vice President; E. R. Shankland, Secretary; M. Kingman, Assistant Secretary; V. J. Williams, Treasurer. Directors—George Wilde, N. C. Ryder, Thomas Connolly, Peter Kiene, Jr., Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood, W. W. Woodworth, George B. Burch, Adam F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, M. S. Robison, Charles B. Dean, P. Lagen, J. W. Parker and W. H. Peabody.
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Once organized, the group leased the grounds, with right of purchase. The erection of the main exhibition building, amphitheater, stables, sheds, pens, offices, and all the necessary buildings, was proceeded with, together with the construction of the track, digging and driving wells.
Once organized, the group leased the grounds, with right of purchase. The erection of the main exhibition building, amphitheater, stables, sheds, pens, offices, and all the necessary buildings, was proceeded with, together with the construction of the track, digging and driving wells.


After the costs to obtain the state fair was taken into account, a large debt remained. The men who had inaugurated the enterprise, and spent their time and money in it furnished the money to carry on the enterprise
After the costs to obtain the state fair was taken into account, a large debt remained. The men who had inaugurated the enterprise, and spent their time and money in it furnished the money to carry on the enterprise.


At a regular meeting, held March 30; 1875, a committee of eight was appointed to canvass the city for stock subscriptions, and the following names comprised the committee: Messrs. Burch, Williams, Wilde, Waller, Cooper, Hetherington, Ryder and Robison. This committee went to work vigorously, and in a very few days the amount required to make the purchase and the necessary improvements of the grounds was secured.
At a regular meeting, held March 30; 1875, a committee of eight was appointed to canvass the city for stock subscriptions, and the following names comprised the committee: Messrs. Burch, Williams, Wilde, Waller, Cooper, Hetherington, Ryder and Robison. This committee went to work vigorously, and in a very few days the amount required to make the purchase and the necessary improvements of the grounds was secured.

Revision as of 18:23, 30 September 2016

Diploma. Photo courtesy: Merrillyn Shaw

NORTHWESTERN AGRICULTURAL MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. Throughout a period of about eight years from the end of the Dubuque County Agricultural Society to the organization of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association in 1874, there was nothing in the shape of a fair held in Dubuque.

During the winter of 1873-74, a number of citizens organized an effort to secure the location of the State Fair at Dubuque. A delegation was sent to Des Moines, to represent Dubuque at the annual meeting, to secure the State fair, but were not successful.

The people changed their plans and went to work and got the consent of about all the subscribers to the fund before having it apply to the fitting-up of the grounds for a local exhibition.

Messrs. Stout and Peabody, having purchased the grounds from A. W. Richmond proposed to lease the grounds to an organization, as soon as one was legally created, for fair purposes, with the right to purchase the grounds at cost, adding interest and price of improvements they had made and should make including the fencing, shade trees, and sidewalks.

The names of the incorporators included D.N. COOLEY, J. W. Parker, George Benjamin BURCH, D. H. CONYNGHAM, E. R. Shankland, M. Kingman, Augustin A. COOPER, Virgil J. WILLIAMS, George WILDE, Edward LANGWORTHY, N. C. Ryder, M. S. Robison, Thomas CONNOLLY, A. F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, C. B. Dean, W. W. WOODWORTH, P. Lagen, Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood and William H. PEABODY.

The articles of incorporation named the following officers: D. N. Cooley, President; A. A. Cooper, Vice President; E. R. Shankland, Secretary; M. Kingman, Assistant Secretary; V. J. Williams, Treasurer. Directors—George Wilde, N. C. Ryder, Thomas Connolly, Peter Kiene, Jr., Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood, W. W. Woodworth, George B. Burch, Adam F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, M. S. Robison, Charles B. Dean, P. Lagen, J. W. Parker and W. H. Peabody.

Once organized, the group leased the grounds, with right of purchase. The erection of the main exhibition building, amphitheater, stables, sheds, pens, offices, and all the necessary buildings, was proceeded with, together with the construction of the track, digging and driving wells.

After the costs to obtain the state fair was taken into account, a large debt remained. The men who had inaugurated the enterprise, and spent their time and money in it furnished the money to carry on the enterprise.

At a regular meeting, held March 30; 1875, a committee of eight was appointed to canvass the city for stock subscriptions, and the following names comprised the committee: Messrs. Burch, Williams, Wilde, Waller, Cooper, Hetherington, Ryder and Robison. This committee went to work vigorously, and in a very few days the amount required to make the purchase and the necessary improvements of the grounds was secured.

On April 10, Messrs. Burch, Williams and Robison were appointed a committee to settle and arrange with Messrs. Stout & Peabody for purchase of the grounds, to fix terms of payment, etc., and at the next meeting, held April 27, the committee reported the purchase effected, and terms satisfactory.

On May 22, the committee reported further that they found the grounds and improvements would cost the Association $17,296.43. The report was adopted, and it was ordered that an order be drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Messrs. Stout & Peabody, for $9,296.43, and that two notes of $4,000 each, one due February 1, 1876, and one due July 1, 1876, be given, payable to Messrs. Stout & Peabody, for the balance of the purchase money. Thus the purchase was completed, and the Association owned their property, subject to the $8,000 incumbrance, which was amply provided for by the amount of subscription notes held by the Association. It was further ordered that the parties furnishing funds to close up the business of the previous year, be reimbursed, with interest, and orders be drawn for the several amounts.

On June 8, the expediency of erecting a power hall, in which to exhibit machinery in motion, was discussed, and Messrs. Burch, Cooper and Dean were appointed a committee to secure plans and estimates, to be reported at a future meeting; also the street-railway extension to the fair grounds was agitated, and Messrs. Peabody, Walker and Peaslee appointed a committee to work up that project, and at the next subsequent meeting, held July 6, the committee was clothed with full power to push the horse-railway project to completion.

At the same meeting, the committee on power hall reported, and it was voted to build power hall, at a cost not to exceed $2,500. The committee was discharged and the Secretary instructed to advertise for bids. Suffice it to say, that both the power hall and the street railway were completed in time for the September meeting.

For this fall meeting very extensive preparations were made, embracing liberal premiums on all exhibits of farm products and stock of all kinds. While no expense was spared in the matter of advertising and the scattering of posters throughout the Northwest, these, together with the fine grounds and ample accommodations the Association was known to possess, altogether drew an unusual number of exhibitors, a very fine field of fast horses and an immense crowd of visitors. In fact, everything that money, labor and brains could accomplish was done, and the fair opened splendidly in all respects, and progressed very satisfactorily during Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and until noon Thursday, when the business houses generally closed and the manufactories suspended operations to allow the employees to attend the exhibition. When the large excursions from all directions, were arriving at about noon, Thursday, Sept. 10, it commenced raining, gently at first, but steadily increasing until the rain came down in torrents, flooding the grounds and causing the crowd to seek shelter in the various halls, offices, and especially in the spacious amphitheater, which thoroughly protected the occupants, there being but very little wind, notwithstanding the heavy rainfall and vivid lightning.

The principal event of the afternoon was the famous trot in the thunderstorm, the like of which never occurred before and probably never will again. There were fourteen entries in the three-minute race, thirteen of which responded as starters, and among the lot that prince of ringers, Lothair, navigated by that unmitigated fraud, Bill McGuiggan, the performances of which —horse and man—here and elsewhere are of national, and, as far as the man is concerned, of unenviable notoriety. To return to the storm, the trot and the fair in general, the whole presented one of the strangest scenes ever witnessed; the events of that afternoon are about incredible, and only those who actually saw and shared in them could at all appreciate the situation.

The crowd, having gotten inside the enclosure and being generally well protected from the rain, were at first not disposed to escape, and were enjoying the sport, the horses and drivers apparently being the only ones suffering, and they were unanimously for going ahead and trotting it out, and trot it out they did.

Between 4 and 5 P. M., the sport was brought to a close by McKellar, alias McGuiggan, letting Lothair, alias Small Hopes, loose and distancing the field, which was worse than rain, thunder and lightning all combined, to the other twelve fellows in the race. This episode actually diverted the attention of the crowd from the storm raging to the deep mutterings and louder explosions such as are only heard among that class of persons interested in such sport, and a very minute and exact report of which would not look well in print.

When the time arrived to disperse and collect friends preparatory to leaving, it was found impossible to get back and forth from the amphitheater or from the art or power halls to the gate, there being a swift-flowing current of water over a foot deep flowing around the old Alf. Richmond track, cutting off all approach to the gates except by fording this stream. The country lads and lasses were bound to make for home by wagon or train, and many of them plunged in, few of whom got safely over without stumbling headlong in the stream. Outside the gate until near sundown, the roads were all under water and sidewalks floating away, while the street railway was so washed and the culverts so damaged that no cars were run that evening, and persons had to get home or to the trains as best they could.

Such was the nature of the grounds where the horses and other stock were sheltered, that they did not materially suffer from the flood, while the .admirably constructed halls and other buildings sheltered most of the visitors. Surprising as it may seem, there was no excitement, no panic, no accident, and no one got angry or seemed out of humor. On the other hand, there were so many ludicrous scenes and incidents that most of the crowd were actually

An excellent sketch of the scene was made by Dubuque's home artist, Alexander SIMPLOT, and published in the Day's Doings, of New York, which number had an extensive circulation in the Northwest, and was an excellent advertisement for the Association.

After this experience, almost any other association would at least have suspended operations for the season, but not so with Dubuque. It was found that the rain had actually improved the track, and Friday's races were called and trotted, and the whole program was fully carried out. All premiums and purses were paid in full, and exhibitors were well satisfied, the horsemen also, with the exception before stated.

By reference to the Annual Report of the Secretary at the meeting in December, that the sum of $34,187.13 was received during the year, which, of course, included the amount actually collected on subscription or stock notes ($16,776.44), of which $9,890 was received at the main gate and amphitheater, and the remainder from the other sources of revenue during the fair.

The foregoing closes the eventful year of 1875.

The annual election resulted in returning the old Directors, mainly, and the first meeting of the new Board elected the old officers, and voted to hold the next fair commencing the first Monday in September, 1876. The question of protecting the grounds from overflow, such as occurred at the last September fair, was the most important matter the Association had to consider, and was of vital importance. Those owning property southeast of the fair grounds were opposed to running the water in that direction, and claimed that it should run through the fair grounds and into Faulhapper's Lake. While this matter was under consideration, the memorable flood of July 4 occurred, which so damaged the horse-barns that it was found necessary to rebuild them entire. With the aid of the city and county, a sewer was constructed through the grounds to the lake, at a cost of over $2,000.

The Association, this season (1876), erected 100 barns for speed horses, large and substantial, and, probably, the best west of the Mississippi, north of St. Louis. The Association also built 100 other barns, with shingle roofs, for class or farm horses.

The Association suffered a severe loss in the death of George Wilde, Esq., a Director and one of its ablest and warmest supporters, which event occurred in August, 1876.

This being "centennial year," extra efforts were put forth to make the fair one of more than ordinary importance, and very liberal premiums and purses were offered in all classes and all departments, and, with the extensive improvements in accommodations, it was hoped that the fair would be a success. Again were the expectations doomed to disappointment, on account of unfavorable weather, for, while there was no flood, there was rain almost every day during fair week, and the result of the year's work was that the Association had increased its indebtedness considerably over what it was previously, which resulted from three main causes, namely: First, the construction of the new barns, which was absolutely unavoidable; secondly, the unwise purchase of twenty acres of land on the northwest of the grounds, at a cost of $300 per acre, which was fully double its value; thirdly, the unfavorable weather fair week. These three causes, occurring in 1876, account for the present indebtedness of the Association.

At the annual meeting in December, 1876, there was no important change in the directory, and the Board, at its meeting for the election of officers for the ensuing year, chose the following; President, A. A. Cooper; Vice President, II. L. Stout; Secretary, M. S. ltobison; Treasurer, V.J. Williams. Mr. Cooper declining to serve, H. L. Stout was elected in his stead.

The Association gave two meetings as usual, in June and September, but made no money, and thus failed to reduce the indebtedness, although the weather was all that could be desired. The show of horses, cattle, hogs, poultry, and farm products generally, was fair; but there seemed to be a lack of interest on the part of the people in the city as well as the country, which told very decidedly on the gate receipts.

1878.—There was again no important change in the management at the annual meeting in December. The Board, at its first meeting, elected the following for the year: President, H. L. Stout; Vice President, Geo. B. Burch; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington; Treasurer, V. J. Williams.

The Board thus organized made the usual appointments of committees and Superintendents, and the next important move was the joining of the Great Western Circuit, which embraced Minneapolis, Kansas City, Quincy and Dubuque. The principal object of this combination was to secure the patronage of a class of horsemen that had never attended meetings west of the Mississippi.

Col. King, of Minneapolis, and D. L. Hall, of Kansas City, were the prime movers in this enterprise, and these gentlemen came to Dubuque and laid their plans before the Board, and it was thought advisable to go into the arrangement and bear our proportion of the expense, which, it was evident from the start, would be heavy, as it was proposed to secure Rarus, Great Eastern, Lula and other horses of national reputation, and that something more than the ordinary purses would have to be offered in order to secure them.

It was further proposed that free transportation be provided from Chicago throughout the circuit to all horses entered through the circuit. Advertising was done without stint, and the Secretaries and Managers traveled from the Mississippi to Hartford, Conn., following the horses and horsemen through the Great Eastern Circuit, from Cleveland to Hartford, and succeeded in turning them westward, and by this means the best fields of horses and the most noted horsemen in the land were secured for these meetings.

There was an incredulous spirit, however, prevailing in this region, many not believing that such horses as Rarus, Lula, Great Eastern, Little Fred, Bonesetter and other noted ones were coming to Dubuque, and stayed away, fearing disappointment.

However, they came in large crowds, and, with the exception of the performance of Rarus, they were well satisfied. All the horses that were advertised were here, and some of the contests were the most spirited ever witnessed in the United States. Especially grand was the stallion race, in which four better horses never started in one race, namely, Indianapolis, Scott's Thomas, Bonesetter and Woodford Mambrino.

In this race, seven heats were trotted, and all for blood, Woodford Mambrino winning the race, taking the last three heats.

The fair was so eclipsed by the attractions of the speed-ring that comparatively few took the trouble to look at the excellent cattle, farm horses, hogs, sheep, implements, machinery and the best collection of original oil and watercolor paintings ever exhibited at any fair in the Northwest.

It should have been stated before that there was a June meeting, with a fine field of good horses entered, but the weather was bad and caused a loss of $1,000. This was about made up at the fall meeting, and the year's operations left the Association about where it stood at the beginning of the year, financially.

The lack of interest in regard to the common exhibits at the average fair, as clearly shown at this September Fair, 1878, set the Directors to thinking whether or not the Association could afford to offer and pay from $4,000 to $5,000 annually, for exhibits that did not either interest the masses or draw revenue at the gate, and, after carefully considering the matter, it was decided that in 1879 no money premiums be offered except for speed.

At the annual meeting in December, 1878, the large debt, a portion of which was then due, had to be provided for. Various expedients were proposed looking to the extinguishment of the debt, while an influential minority favored selling out the property for the amount of indebtedness upon it, and it seemed for some weeks as if that would be the final termination of the matter. After several meetings of the stockholders and friends of the institution, it was decided to make another appeal to the friends of the Association, and ask them to subscribe to a loan of $3,000, secured by a second mortgage on the property. Notes bearing 10 per cent interest, in different denominations, from $20 to $80, were prepared, running for three years, and these were readily taken by citizens. The amount thus raised and the $10,000 loan of Maurice Brown, running five years, comprises the whole indebtedness of the institution.

At the annual meeting of stockholders last referred to, there was no change in the directory worthy of note. The officers elected by the Board for the year were as follows: President, George B. Burch; Vice President, A. A. Cooper; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington: Treasurer, V. J. Williams.

As before stated, the policy of giving no money premiums was adopted. A catalogue providing for diplomas for the best exhibits was prepared and published, and as good an exhibition as the society had any right to expect was had.

The horse department was fair throughout, and in some of the classes the horses entered were superior, and some excellent contests were exhibited, but a repetition of September rainy weather came, which struck the show" just in time to spoil the "big day," when everybody was prepared to attend the fair, the stores and manufactories nearly all having closed for that purpose, and the city was thronged with visitors from abroad.

Without further dwelling on the weather, let it suffice that, with economy, the Association was spared any increased indebtedness, which was a surprise to almost every one, after Thursday's failure.

The annual meeting of stockholders December, 1879, amended the articles of incorporation, reducing the directory to nine instead of twenty-four members, the reduction to be gradual, that is, instead of electing eight they elected but three, and no vacancy caused by death, resignation or from any other cause shall be filled until the whole number comprising the Board shall be reduced to below nine.

The new members thus elected were H. Markell, Alpheus Palmer and S. M. Langworthy. The Board elected their officers as follows: President, H. Markell; Vice President, John R. Waller; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington; Treasurer, V. J. Williams.

The Association at present has no floating debt or outstanding bills. The only problem for solution at present is how to pay the interest on the mortgage debt, the running expenses incident to the Association, and eventually meet the principal when it becomes due.

With a population such as is embraced within twenty-five miles of Dubuque, with such grounds and improvements as the Association owns, the facilities for reaching the fair grounds, and the fact that over three hundred of our own citizens are stockholders, and, furthermore, considering the benefit derived from these annual or semi-annual gatherings to a city like Dubuque, there ought not to be any question as to the future of this institution.

See: DUBUQUE COUNTY FAIR

--

Source:

Oldt, Franklin T. The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880, Online: http://books.google.com/books?id=u9xDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA464&lpg=PA464&dq=Burton%27s+Furnace+%28dubuque+history%29&source=bl&ots=0CkCGLFR0v&sig=a0Ou1vN3ew6nQUYoq2aOJsXF9Mg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=j3HVT5XALaP42QXVp9iFDw&ved=0CGgQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Burton%27s%20Furnace%20%28dubuque%20history%29&f=false (p. 507)