This society was incorporated in 1856, and its name has been changed to that of the Wmson Co Agricultural Board. The first officers of the society were Willis Allen, president; John H White, secretary; James D Pulley, treasurer; and directors, John Goodall, JH Swindell, OH Pulley, RM Hundley and George Willard. These officers and MC Campbell, George W Binkley and JM Cunningham bought of TA Aikman, ten acres of land on the west side of the corporate limits of Marion, and fitted the same up for the holding of annual exhibitions of the society. These gentlemen expended $50 for the land, and expended their own labor and money in fitting it up, and then donated the whole to the society, and to then the credit is due for inaugurating the society which has since proved a great success. Annual fairs were held on this ground until after the commencement of the late war, and at the close thereof, the society sold this tract containing 28 acres, laying on the east side of the corporate limits of Marion, and about 1 mile from the public square. Here a beautiful fair ground has been fitted up in a natural grove, and ample buildings have been erected, and a race track had been made, which is said to be the best one in southern Illinois, and the whole is enclosed with a tight, high board fence. The amphitheater will seat about 1000 persons. AT the first exhibition, which was held in 1856, every man paying to the society $1 became a member thereof, and that is still the condition os membership. Splendid annual exhibitions have always been given by the society. The average attendance, as shown by the gate receipts for the year 1886, was, after the first day, from 5000 to 8000 persons; the receipts were about $3100, and the expense, including premiums, about $2600. The surplus receipts above the expenditures were paid on an old debt which left only an amount between $50 and $100 and the interest thereon, as the total indebtness of the society. The present officers are Dr Charles H Denison, president; Wm F Westbrook, vice-president; WH Eubanks, secretary; CM Kern, treasurer; and directors, OS Tippy, Shannon Holland, John H Sanders, Thomas N Cripps and Dr Theo Hudson.
The mining of coal has become one of the leading industries of the county. About 1869 Laban Carter opened a coal mine ½ mile east of the present site of Carterville, and afterward gave a lease to 99 years to the Carbondale Coal Coke Company to mine the coal, on 120 acres adjoining the aforesaid town. The company entered into the lease in April 1872, and began operations in Nov following. They sank a shaft about 60 feet deep and from this and a "Slope" which they are now working, they mine and ship from 300 to 400 tons of coal per day. The usual price when they ship it is from $2 to $3.50 per ton, and when sold at the mine $1 per ton. The coal of this vein is No 7 and is the best steam and house coal in the State. This company employs about 85 hands at the present writing. In Dec 1886, The Crystall City Plate Glass Compnay of Missouri opened a coal mine and sunk a shaft 1 and fourth miles north of the railroad and at a point about the same depth as the latter place, and strikes the same vein. This company has about 75 men employed, and mines and ships about 300 tons of coal per day. About 2 miles north of Marion several mines have been opened by Messrs, Reed, Spiller and Tippet. At this point the coal lies near the surface, and a large amount is being mined to supply the local trade. WW Woods has opened a mine near Creal Springs, from which the local trade of the vicinity is supplied. At Crab Orchard and other points in the county, several mines have been opened, but for the want of railroad facilities, they have not as yet been worked to any considerable extent. The quantity of coal, mined during the year ending in Jul 1885, was 76,208 tons. For the last fiscal year no report has been made, but the quantity of coal mined in the county is greatly on the increase.