Newspaper Clippings for
October, 1859
8 October 1859
THE TOWNSHIP FAIR
AND STOCK SALE AT MILLBURN
The new era for Millburn and which we have so frequently spoken in
our paper of late came off as announced on Wednesday last at
Strang's Corners.
We did not get so early a start as we intended consequently did
not arrive on the ground until about noon.
Some distance from the lively scene on our way thither, could be
observed a lively crowd, for it was a crowd of people bustling
about and going to and fro, the younger portion of the male
members trying the metal of their favorite Bays and Greys, and
each striving apparently with the other as to who could contribute
the most in making the first fair a lively, merry one. The sight
in the distance was truly enlivening and invigorating, and we
longed to be on the spot to take part in the exercises of the day
and mingle with our solid friends of the Millburn neighborhood, a
great majority of whom we have know long and well, and the
acquaintance has been a very agreeable one on our part, and we
trust the same can be said from the other side.
We were very soon on the ground, and were never more surprised
than to the number of persons there were present to see the show,
and the large quantity of stock and other articles to be seen.
The area marked out for the Exhibition was in the large field
bounded on the north by Mill Creek Road and on the west by the
highway leading north through this thriving village and nearly in
front of Mr. George Strang's residence.
A track was staked off and a furrow plowed round so as to indicate
distinctly its size, as well as to admonish all those who had
"blood to show off," that they must "keep within in the ring".
Several acres just at the corner were taken up with the cattle and
sheep stalls; the temporary building for the exhibition of Fruits,
Vegetables, Grains, Fine Arts, Textile Fabrics, Embroidery and
miscellaneous articles; the Refreshment Stand and the FIFTEEN
HUNDRED PEOPLE who came to see the sights. Everything was well
arranged so that all persons could have an unobstructed
opportunity of viewing what there was on exhibition, a comfort not
always evident at Agricultural Fairs, so far as our experience
goes, at least.
We saw some excellent stock on the ground; many of the animals of
half, three-quarters and a few full blooded, the Durham
predominating, still, some of the Devon blood was observable. We
notice one young Devon cow, that was a perfect picture. Whose
property she was we could not ascertain,--no name appearing upon
the entry cards. Grade cattle of excellent points, running into
the two varieties named above, were the most numerous While
Natives were none the less noticeable, as possessing qualities
______ as requisite. The stock, as a whole, was quite thin in
flesh; we expected that indeed, how could it be otherwise after
passing through such a dry season as we have experienced. Still
this did not distract from the good points which were _______ by
the cattle we saw. A goodly number of fine looking bulls were on
the ground, more and better than we had any idea there were owned
in that vicinity. The President of the Society, Peter Stewart,
Esq., had on exhibition his two year old Durham Heifer and her
calf, which took the premium at our County Fair last week. We do
not ever recollect of seeing a larger two year old than this. If
she had the flesh upon her, suscriptable of being put upon cattle
of her breed of any age, she would weigh very heavily indeed. We
regret being unable to say who were the owners of several fine
creatures we saw upon the ground and of which we took especial
notice; the entries being made by numbers entirely, debarred us
from getting names.
The Sheep were in very fine show indeed: our friend Geo. Purvis,
who knows probably more of the points and habits of this domestic
animal than any other man in the county, had several of his flock
at the Fair; among them we noticed two as fine looking Bucks, one
a full blooded Spanish, the other French and Spanish mixed, as any
we ever saw. He also showed several Grade sheep, a fair average
of his entire stock, as he assured us. They were a Grade
possessing a good quality of wood, and looking in good order.
Harvey S. Shepard, of Antioch, showed us three fine looking Bucks
and several Pigs of the Suffolk variety, we should say. Who the
other exhibitors of sheep and swine were we could not ascertain
from the cause assigned above; there were quite a number of
exhibitors, however, besides the two we have named.
The show of Horses was large and creditable mostly consisting of
horses of all work. Very few either single or matched carriage
horses were shown, and a very small show of Stallions. We noticed
a few Stallion colts and but a few. Geo. A. Wright paraded his
fine, large team of roadsters, the same that took the premium at
Libertyville last week. They are indeed a noble team of horses
and George knows it too. Our friend John K. Pollock the efficient
Secretary of the Society exhibited two very large two-year colts
of the Messenger breed, one of which weighted 1312 lbs., the other
1100 lbs.; they are mammoth fellows, and when they get their
growth, will do, we think, so far as size is concerned.
The sale of stock which was to be a prominent feature of this
Fair, came off during the day. We heard of something like a dozen
sales being made, some to farmers present, the balance to the
butchers of the city, Messrs. Peters & Co. and Richard Hook. We
also saw a team of two or three year old colts sold. They were
put up at auction and brought $116, a very low price, we should
say, for horses that looked as well as these did. They belonged
to a Mr. Webb.
Although the transaction in cattle were small, still it was a good
beginning and will ultimately grow into something much more
important, now that the principle has been so successfully
inaugurated. There would no doubt have been many more sales made
had the number of fat cattle offered, been larger. These fairs for
the purpose of effecting sales of stock are quite a common thing
in Great Britain. They afford an excellent opportunity for
butchers and drovers to make large purchases without crampling all
over the country to find the cattle, and we are told, by those who
know of them that the system works well. That they can be
conducted here as well as in England or Scotland there is now no
further doubt, and our friends at Millburn have the full credit of
being the first in the West, so far as we know, of establishing
public Fairs for the sale of Stock. May they have the pleasure of
seeing the pattern they have so wisely set imitated by other
communities.
The Plowing match came off about noon, four persons entering for
the championship, each to plough a certain piece of soil land in a
given time. Those entering were James Thain, Ebenezer Stevens,
George A. Wright and Henry Lewin. The two first named certainly
did by far the best work, and to us it would be a difficult task
to decide which was the best. James Thain's land appeared the
smoothest of the two, while Mr. Stevens turned the deepest furrow.
We never saw finer plowing than that done by these two gentlemen.
Mr. Thain did his work with a common plow, while the other had the
advantage of a plow designed on purpose for sod.
Of Fruits and Vegetables, there was a first rate display better by
far than was shown at our County Fair last year. Among the
exhibitions of the former were Alfred Payne of Fremont and B. F.
Steadman of Millburn, the names of the others we could not
learn.
Daniel H. Harmon had the best show of potatoes, consisting of
eight distinct varieties; many of which were very fine examples.
Geo. Purvis had several kinds of Vegetables; all of which looked
well. Indeed, the show of Vegetables was as good as we could
wish, or hope to see, and far better than we had any reason to
expect. Our friends at Millburn deserved much credit for the
fullness of these departments. The show of Grains was large. We
counted _____ samples of Wheat of the different Spring and Winter
varieties; some of which could be called poor. There were two or
three samples, each of Barley and Oats, all good. We noticed also
appearing the grains samples of seed corn, rye and grass seed; all
of which looked well.
In the Textile Department was a large collection of Worked Bed
Quilts, Crochet and Worsted Work, ________ the best handiwork of
the women and girls of Millburn and vicinity, and they may well be
proud of such production. We never saw so good a general
collection of these things at any Fair before which is saying a
good deal, but no more than we are justified in expressing. Added
to this department was also a fine lot of Embroidery of exquisite
workmanship, such as would do credit to any exhibition. To whom
we should give credit for all this fine work we cannot say for
reasons already explained.
We noticed some very fine oil paintings exhibited by Wm. Buffum,
Esq., also by others some Electrotype Casting, of bronze
medallions, and a fine specimen of wood turning in the shape of a
raised medal, the most perfect thing of the kind we ever saw. The
bust and lettering on the medal were perfect. Miss L. Shepard
showed several very fair specimens of Oriental Paintings, enclosed
in rustic frames of her own construction. They were every way
meritorious. The Hair Work by Jenny Trotter was very fine indeed.
Mr. Puvis exhibited two antique snuff boxes, and a checker board.
The former are choice old relics brought by him from Scotland.
One contains a fine female miniature, painted on ivory, probably
the early love of our friend George, as he is very choice of it.
The Board was a present to him from Edward Hearne, Esq., on
account of his being the champion of the neighborhood at the game
of checkers. Robert Pollock, Esq., pointed out to us a family
record, very neatly executed by his youngest daughter, Sarah, with
worsted upon perforated card board. It gives the complete
genealogy of his immediate branch of the Pollock family, and as
such is held in very high estimation by him.
Richard Pantall had a quality of Boots Shoes of his own make on
exhibition; and we noticed near them a lot of very fine domestic
Woolen Socks and Stockings, also several bunches of Yarn.
Some good housewife had upon the table several prints of beautiful
looking butters; another had a crock of the same article of equal
merit; while another presented a loaf of bread, affording the
committee good opportunity of testing both.
Mrs. Joshua Wedge's premium Currant Wine was splendid. We can
qualify as to this having had tasting proof of its excellence.
G. M. Hasting, the Shakerman, had a large collection of his Herbs
at the Fair. They are infinitely ahead of any we every saw put up
by the Shakers, and the Western Druggists are beginning to find it
out, as he sells all he can put up. His brother, Charles
Hastings, exhibited Broom Corn and Sorghum Cane, both fine
samples. Some other person had a quantity of corn in the stalk
that for height would do credit to any _________.
We do not remember of ever attending a gathering of any kind,
where more general good feeling appeared to prevail then at the
Fair in Millburn. All ______ to enjoy themselves heartily. We
were sorry to not being able to remain for the address, which we
learn was an able one delivered by Edwin Hearn, Esq. For the
kindness and cordial hospitality received from our friends at
Millburn, we return our sincere thanks. We hope to meet them all
again, on similar occasions, but whether we do or not, the
pleasing remembrances of this occasion will never be effaced from
our memory.
P. S. The address of Mr. Hearne will be published next week. It
would have appeared in this issue but for a dirty trick played
upon us by a supposed friend to whom the copy was entrusted for
deliverance to us. It's a long life that has no turns. Mr. P.
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