|
The
Union County Fair Its Early Origin, History and Mission Union County Illinois Genealogy Trails Transcribed
and submitted by Darrel Dexter There is probably no institution or
agency ever set to work among the people, especially in this locality,
that has accomplished so great an amount of good as that developed by
the Union County Agricultural Mechanical Society from its infancy to
the present time. Prior to its formation in 1855, the
yeomanry of our county were not so well acquainted with all the modern
improvements and appliances so necessary to skillful and successful (to
say nothing of scientific) farming, as at present.
Nor were they familiar with, or in the possession of
those finer breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs with which our
farms are now stocked, and are the just pride of their owners, who take
pleasure in exhibiting them for the encouragement of others, at every
annual opening of our county fair at Jonesboro.
A marked and strong impetus has also been given
through the agency of this institution to the mechanical and
manufacturing industry of the citizens of this region, since the skill
of our mechanics and artisans is not a whit inferior to those of the
cities. Nor is this the only advantage
derived from this association. A
more close and friendly intimacy between our farmers and mechanics,
their wives and families, has sprung up and the people are more united. At each annual fair of the
society an opportunity is offered, so strong as to be irresistible, for
old neighbors and friends, living in different and distant parts of the
country, to come together, exchange congratulations, have in
interchange of ideas, and renew old friendships and former
associations, thus producing a unity or feeling of unity of action,
which will buoy up the spirits, stimulate the energies and brighten and
tighten dull routine of everyday life. On the 22d day of December 1855,
through the instrumentality of Dr. S. S. Condon,
who had paid a visit previously to the state fair at Chicago, an
institution then also in its infancy, and had there seen the advantages
likely to result from such an association, a meeting of the citizens of
Jonesboro was held in the Baptist church in Jonesboro.
Samuel Hunsaker
was called to the chair and Christian G. Flaugh
elected secretary. The
object of the meeting was briefly explained by the Hon. John Dougherty and H. Watson Webb,
Esq., both of whom entertained the audience with eloquent and lucid
addresses in which they so vividly portrayed the many advantages likely
to inure to agricultural and mechanical industry by combination as a
society that seventy-seven names were obtained at once as members of
the association. On
motion of Dr. Condon the
constitution recommended to county societies, and found in the
Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, was unanimously adopted
verbatim et literatim. George
Hunsaker was elected
president, Moses A. Goodman, Jacob Hileman, and William Green
vice presidents, H. Watson Webb,
corresponding secretary, S.S. Condon,
recording secretary, and Samuel Hunsaker,
treasurer. On
motion a committee composed of Walter H. Willard,
Charles Crowell, and S. S. Condon was appointed by the chair to
solicit the farmers and citizens generally to become members of the
society. Thus came
into existence this useful association, which subsequently was
incorporated by an act of the state legislature.
With seventy-seven members and as many and no more
dollars to the treasury, it moved forward, coming onward and onward,
gaining in strength, influence, and importance from the first till the
present time. The first annual fair was held on
the 24th and 25th of
September 1856, on a fine piece of ground adjoining the town and
admirably fitted for the purpose, being well supplied with fine forest
trees for shade and plenty of pure spring water, which was generously
tendered the society by Paul Frick,
Esq. This ground
was beautifully laid out and every necessary building, stalls, sheds,
tables, secretary's office, etc., erected by the general
superintendents, Jacob Hileman,
George Kimmel, Isaac N. Albright, and Thomas C. James,
to whom great praise was certainly due for the admirable discharge of
their duties. The 24th
of September was a beautiful day and seemed to be ushered in expressly
for this holiday and jubilee; finer weather could not have been desired. The attendance at the
first fair was estimated by many at 5,000 but none gave it at less than
3,000. The
deportment of this large assembly was orderly and all seemed to enjoy
this, then to us of Egypt, novel exhibition with an interest and zest
which was shown in the sparkling eyes and brilliant smiles of the fair
as well as the merry ringing laugh of the coarser part of the
assemblage. Owing to want of time few entries
were made, yet the exhibition as a whole was large and very splendid. Sigerson Bros., nurserymen
of St. Louis, exhibited fine specimens of fall and winter apples,
embracing some forty-five varieties and a fine collection of evergreens
well arranged. The
collection of agricultural implements and mechanic's tools exhibited by
Wiley & Frick, were well arranged and presented a fine
appearance. A fine
collection of the relics of the prehistoric man, or aboriginal
inhabitants of the country exhibited by W. Willard,
excited the wonder of all. The
concological display of Dr. H.C. Hacker
was fine and deserving if the admiration and attention of the
naturalist. The geological cabinet of Dr. S. S. Condon,
embracing a great variety and many curious fossils, as well as
minerals, was interesting to all.
The Temple of Art was the attractive feature at this
fair, filled as it was with choice paintings in oil and water colors,
crayon sketches of the surrounding scenery, and some fine monochromes,
it could not be otherwise. Besides,
there was a respectable display of fine horses, fat cattle, and plenty
of specimens of the ladies' handiwork.
There were also on hand bears, foxes, raccoons,
squirrels, rabbits, and rattlesnakes.
Nothing during the two days occurred to mar the
pleasure of the large assembly. There
was taken at the gate $500 for entrance fees and $250 for membership,
making $750 as the result of the first experiment, which was amply
sufficient for all expenses then incurred and left a handsome balance
in the treasury. Andrew J. Nimmo
was elected the present for 1857.
James Craver,
Jacob Hileman, and W. C. Pender vice presidents, T. J. Finley, corresponding secretary, S. S. Condon reelected recording secretary, and
Samuel Hunsaker reelected treasurer. A good fair was held in
September 1858. The
officers elected were John C. Hunsaker,
president; Moses A. Goodman and
Benjamin Vancil, vice presidents;
T. J. Finley, corresponding
secretary, and C. G. Flaugh,
treasurer. A
splendid fair was held in September following at the present grounds. In 1859 William Green became president, David Craver and M. G. Stokes,
vice presidents; L. H. Ferguson,
recording secretary, S. S. Condon
corresponding secretary and C. G. Flaugh
treasurer. David Craver was elected president in 1860,
Jacob Hileman, Lorenzo P. Wilcox and Peter Casper
vice presidents, Joseph H. Samson
recording secretary, S. S. Condon
corresponding secretary and W. H. Willard
treasurer. Jacob Hileman was elected as president in 1861,
with Charles Crowell, Caleb Hartline and Benjamin Vancil
vice presidents, S. S. Condon recording
secretary, H. W. Willard
corresponding secretary, and F. M. Sumner
treasurer. A three
day fair was held this year in September and was an improvement over
all the other exhibitions by the society.
In 1862 Moses A. Goodman
was made president, Samuel Hargrave,
J. L. Ury and F. M. Sumner
vice presidents, W. B. Hunsaker
recording secretary, J. C. Hunsaker
corresponding secretary, and Charles A. Cruse
treasurer. About
this time the society purchased of the McElhaney heirs a fine tract of
land north of the square and was on a permanent and prosperous footing. In 1863 Samuel Hargrave was chosen president, in 1864
John Grear, 1865 Samuel Hargrave, 1866 A. J. Nimmo,
1867 John E. Naill, 1868 Daniel Hileman, 1869 James P. McLain,
1870 Silas H. Spann, and in 1871 J.
S. Lawver. The grounds having been greatly
enlarged by purchase now embrace twenty acres or more.
A most munificent bequest of real estate left to the
society by John C. Hunsaker, one of
its former presidents, and a bequest by J. A. Carpenter,
deceased, one of its warmest friends, while living, has enabled the
society to put the grounds in excellent order.
Our citizens, farmers, as well as mechanics, may
well feel a just pride when they look back sixteen years and contrast
the conditions of the county and its resources at that period with what
it is today. Those
who have ever stood by the association through the early period of its
formation and have been instrumentally in promoting the advancement and
prosperity of the whole county in the development of its agricultural
and mechanical resources, may and should be regarded as public
benefactors, more meritorious than those would be great men who are
distinguished for their prowess, on the battle field.
Such men as George Hunsaker,
the first president of the society, and one of the best men and good
farmers of our county, S. S. Condon,
its first recording secretary who was indefatigable for the first two
years in the formation of the society, etc.
Samuel Hunsaker,
John C. Hunsaker, A. J. Nimmo, J. A. Carpenter,
Benjamin Vancil, William Green, Matthew G. Stokes,
Lard H. Ferguson, H. W. Willard, Caleb Hartline,
F. M. Sumner, William Noble, David Craver,
Jacob Hileman, L. P. Wilcox,
P. Casper, J. H. Samson,
Charles Crowell, Moses A. Goodman, Daniel Hileman,
John E. Naill, Jesse Ward,
Jeff L. Ury, Charles A. Cruse, Charles Klutts,
C. Barringer, John Grear,
Ephraim Kimmel, E. Mackinder,
W. C. Rich, James Evans,
A. P. Jones, Alfred Misenhimer,
Silas H. Spann, all honor to these
and other noble spirits who have made it the best institution in the
county. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 24 May 1912)
LETTER FROM TEXASHouston, Texas, August 20.—Readers of the Gazette:--As the time draws near for holding the great Southern Illinois fair at Anna, the occasion arouses a multitude of happy memories that are forever stored in my mind. Closely associated with the memories of the fair at Anna are those never-to-be-forgotten experiences gathered at the old Union County Fair at Jonesboro. These annual events were bright spots in the life of a country boy, and nothing, not even time, will ever erase these tender and almost sacred impressions stamped indelibly upon a young mind, not then disturbed and worried by the many social economic and political problems that confront the youth of today. That these fairs had much to do with the progress of our county, and with all Southern Illinois, there can be no doubt. At these annual fairs, the farmers, fruit growers, stock raisers, artists, housewives, and all groups of those who produced and sold the things upon which the prosperity of any community depends, received a fresh enthusiasm and an added impetus to do better work and to improve the quality of their products the coming year. These fairs have had more to do with making Union County the banner county in the state, and in some respects the garden spot of America, than any other similar institution or influence. The writer has been in nearly every one of the forty-eight states in the Union, and it is his opinion that few, if any section of the country can show a better and greater variety of the products of the soil than can Union County. These occasions brought the people together as one family in a great reunion; they were annual love feasts for all the people. In those good old days the people were not too busy to take a few days off and go to the fair. The came long distances over dusty roads, not in easy riding cars, but in wagons and buggies, on horseback and on foot. The whole family enjoyed meeting old acquaintances and seeing the sights at the big fair. As a small boy I pushed my way through the throng of “dressed up” dusty, perspiring, happy people. I wondered where all these folks had come from. I didn’t know the world was so big as to provide room for so many people. Well do we recall how the people moved from building to buildings inspecting the thousands of exhibits. There was the tall stalk of corn that made one wonder as he stood looking up at the tassel, if somebody had not performed a nice piece of corn stalk surgery and added a few joints for good measure. There was the big pumpkin and the hundreds of farm products on exhibition, that would make a farmer in some of the drouth areas of the Middle West at this time, feel like a million dollars if he had them. There was the building that housed the innumerable articles of women’s wear, canned fruit, jellies, cakes, oil paintings, etc. There was the section provided for farm implements where T. E. Williams was always a conspicuous figure, and where one could see everything from a garden hoe to a threshing machine. Over yonder were the long rows of stalls, pens, and sheds housing the fine horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, at one time the pride of Union County. When the time came for all this fine stock to be brought out and paraded around the arena, there was a rush for a choice seat, or even standing room at the ringside. This exhibition was a big drawing card, bigger than any modern prizefight of today, that is to some of us. Some small boy or girl who happens to read this article may want to know if they had any amusements in those days. Well, I say they did. They had some mighty fine horse races at these fairs. (I don’t think they had any “bookies” then.) Some of the mule races were good, even if they were sometimes quite humorous. Bull races, chariot races, sack races, foot races for men and boys of all ages, added to the program of amusement. Usually about the closing day of the fair a balloon ascension and parachute leap was pulled off to hold the people to the close. I shall never forget when Tony Drexler, a Jonesboro boy, was the hero in one of these ascensions. He made the ascension and the leap successfully, just like an old hand at the business. To some of us, who as boys and as grownups had the pleasure of attending these annual fairs, there is a note of sadness and regret that the historic old Union County Fair at Jonesboro was allowed to die. Those beautiful grounds, once covered with stately poplar, oak and maple trees, was honored in the long ago in being chosen as the place for one of the famous debates between Lincoln and Douglas. Those grounds, hallowed by so many historic events of the past, and so associated in our minds with so many undying memories, has become almost a sacred spot. We hope that the people of Anna and Union County will continue to support the great old Southern Illinois Fair. We have heard no announcement of the fair for this year, but we are presuming that it will be held as usual. Now if you will permit me to speak a little more personal about the old Jonesboro fair, I will tell you of some of the things that impressed me the most as a small boy from the country. I usually could attend the fair but one day, and on that particular day I wanted to go there early and stay just as late as possible. One of the greatest personages connected with the whole fair, in my mind, was the master of the arena. It seems to me now that either Col. S. D. Hurst or W. J. Harrison, was always in that position. As a little boy I stood for hours holding to the rope at the ringside, literally worshipping and admiring the master of the arena. I thought if I could ever get to be the master of the arena like Sam Hurst or Bill Harrison, my ambition would be satisfied and my fortune made. I never did get to hold that position and now the fair is no more. I shall always remember an experience that I had when about 5 or 6 years of age. In that “great big crowd” my father warned me not to get lost from him, but to keep a firm hold on his coattail. Somehow in the crowd, probably while changing hands with a stick of striped candy or a popcorn ball, I turned loose of father’s coat and got hold of the coat of a stranger. The first thing I knew I was “lost” at least my father knew it, even if I was perfectly contented holding to a stranger’s coat tail and taking in the sights. But at last my father caught up with me and, well, I’ll not tell you the rest of this story. But anyway, I didn’t get lost any more that fair. Then a little later in my annual visits to the fair I wanted to get into that arena and show the crowd how I could run. I thought I was a pretty good sprinter for a 10-year-old boy. I entered the foot race for boys under 12 years of age. There were other boys in the race, and I thought then, and now, that they must have been not less than 16. They stood head and shoulder above me. The race came off and I came out second. I tried to convince the judges that the boy who crossed the line first was over 12 years old, but I didn’t get the prize. This was my last entrance into any kind of an athletic contest. I remember now, just as vividly as if it had been yesterday, the attractive little octagon-shaped cottage owned and used by the Jonesboro Gazette at these annual fairs. Here Mr. Boston and a group of courteous helpers, made all visitors welcome. One could come in and rest, examine copies of the Gazette, get acquainted with the editor, and pay up past due subscriptions, and renew again. It was a great convenience for the people and the Gazette made friends through these annual contacts that have remained true through the years. It was so homelike and democratic. A friend from another state, one who enjoyed these hospitalities, said to me just recently, “I have never through the years allowed my subscription to the Gazette to lapse.” “It is,” said he, “so loyally democratic that I shall never stop my subscription.” Well, those were good old days, but “them days are gone forever.” Adieu until we meet again. W. D. LYERLE (Jonesboro Gazette, Friday, 24 Aug 1934)
|
