Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1880 — The Agricultural Fair of 1880. [ARTICLE]

The Agricultural Fair of 1880.

Not least important among the enterprises in Jasper county as bearing upon the material welfare of the inhabitants and adding to their happiness, are the agricultural lairs held annually at Rensselaer. Last year tbe society w&s reorganized, or rather, a new society was organized which bought the franchises of the old one, made necessary repairs upon the grounds and buildings and held a success* ful fair. The new society is a joint stock organization, governed by a board of twelve directors, who are elected annually, owning its grounds and the appurtenances in tee sim* pie, is entirely out ot debt and has a small surplus in its treasury suf fioient to- meet current demands. Its affairs arO conducted uponstriot business principles, no debts being contracted without the means in hand to meet them promptly upon maturity. Every dollar that is received by the financial officers (who give good and sufficient bonds for the faithful discharge of their respective duties), mast be strietly accounted for; the system of checks aud counter checks being such that there can be no collusion, if any might be contemplated, of (he officers to defraud tbe society -of its moneys or benefits. Notwithstand ing the satisfaction universally expressed by the patrons of the sor oiety last year, the management feft that they bad been hurried and in eonseqnenee many details were necessarily left in- ah unfinished

condition, or were altogether omitted, and that with more time to de* vote to theii perfection roueb-hould be added to the attractions of the exhibitions. This year a revision has been- made in the list of premiums offered, and considerable pruning out was done in places that did not promts* benefit, either in promotibg the development of tbe resources of the county, tbe pie** sure of visitors, or the advantage of the society ; while other departments have been largefy stimulated by the increase of premiums thus made possible.-

Allen i. Yeoman la thin Tear an- i perintendent of the departments Loot os Strong anperlmendent of the eattle department; Samuel R. NieholHi will bare supervision of the exhibition of sheep and swine ; Dr. I. B. W ashburn is superintend, ent of the poultry department, which, it is confidently expected, will be the moat attractive exhibition of the kind shewn in northwestern Indiana, certainly the most attraetive ever seen in the county; William S. Coen will have general charge of exhibitions in the floral hall, and especial management of the departments assigned to vegetables and roots, grain and seeds, fruits, and productions in. leather; William W. Kenton will superin. tend the exhibition of farming implements, agricultural machinery, vehicles, wooden ware, ete.; Mrs. Cyrus J. Brown is Saperin tend ent of the department devoted to artioles of domestio skill, such as go to mske up the variety for a welllaid dining table and a well sup. plied larder; Miss Mollis Babcock is superintendent of ladies’ work and textile fabrics; Mrs. Alfred Thompson will superintend the ex hibition of flowers, both natural and artificial; John M. Wasson has charge of the miscellaneous attrao. lions that could not be otherwise conveniently classified; County Superintendent Nowels will superintend the school department—a sea tore introduced last year, ‘ which promises to be very interesting this season. These names carry with themselves a guaranty of complete success in each of the several departments. The general management of the fair is in bands that havehadyears of experience in matter of the kind, and they are determined that nothing shall be omitted which energy and enterprise can supply. Not the least commendable feature of these fairs is the entire absence from the grounds of every species of gamb* ling and swindling device. Neither wheels of fortune, pool banks, prize package sales, nor any other thing of kindred character, are permitted within the jurisdiction of the society. Premium lists may be bad by making personal application at the postoffice, or addressing a postal card to Horace E. James,; Secretary, Rensselaer, Indiana.