Jefferson County, Iowa The Fairfield Weekly Ledger

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Fairfield, Iowa "WEEKLY LEDGER"
Jefferson County
Transcribed by Joey Stark

Real Estate Transfers.--The following deeds to lands and town lots in Jefferson county. have been placed on record in the Recorder's office, from July 17, 1871, to Sept. 18, 1871 :
  Annexed is a plat of Jefferson county The dates in the following transfers refer to time of signing of deeds; the figures following to price paid.

B. & M. R. R. Co. from S. E. CULBERTSON, lot 7, blk 8, railroad ad to Fairfield. March 18, 1871. 200 00
M. L. BLANCHARD from Joseph A. FORD and A. DUSTIN and wife, lots 29, 30 and 31, o p Batavia. Aug. 22, 1871. 149 55
Peter COMPO from C. NEGUS and wife, lot 4, blk 1, Oakland ad to Fairfield. March 20, 1871. 125 00
Independent District of Libertyville from E. A. and F. G. FLOYD, lots 1 and 2, blk 3, Keech's ad to Libertyville. Aug. 13, 1871.
85 00
Wm. H. DAVIS from P. N. WOODS and wife, lot 3, blk 26, n p Fairfield. April 15, 1871. 225 00
Wm. W. DINGMAN from Isaac F. HOWELL, lot 7, blk 3, Glasgow. July 24, 1871. 700 00
Isaac W. ELLIS from Wm. PACKARD and wife, lots 1 and 8 and east half of 2 and 7, Pleasant Plain. Aug. 5, 1869. 400 00
Joseph P. FORD from Hohn H. HILTON and wife, lot 9, Whitwood's ad to Batavia. July 12. 1871. 95 00
Wm. A. FRUSH from S. M. BICKFORD, lot 1, blk 3, Temple & Bickford's ad to Fairfield, Sept. 8, 1871. 308 00
Moses McCOID from E. J. HALE, lots 1, 2 and 3, railroad ad to Fairfield. Aug. 26, 1869. 175 00
John A. McELDERRY from M. A. McCOID and wife, lots 1, 2 and 3, railroad ad to Fairfield. June 24, 1871. 500 00
G. D. McGAW from Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery, lot 155. July 25, 1871. 22 50
John W. McELROY from Phillip BAUGHMAN and wife, lots 21, 22, 23 and 24, Batavia. July 11, 1871. 1,200 00
James McDONALD from Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery, lot 313. August 19, 1871. 25 00
Christopher NEAR from Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery, lot 342. August I9, 1871. 25 00
John W. QUILLEN from W. A. FRUSH, north 1/3 lot 1, blk 3, Temple & Bickford's ad to Fairfield. Sept. 8, 1871. 175 00
Elizabeth SHUMAKER from John HICKENBOTTOM and wife, lot 3, blk 8, Parsonsville. Aug. 24, 1871. 375 00
C. O. STANTON from Isaac W. ELLIS and wife, east ½ lots 2 and 7, blk 4, Pleasant Plain. Aug. 24, I871. 600 00
Joel VEST from Capser DURR and wife, lot 17, Crease's 1st ad to Batavia. Oct. 28, 1871. 5 00
Margaret WALKER from Kimball MOODY, lot 2, blk 5, Glasgow. Dec. 14, 1866. 100 00
Wm. VIOLET from Margaret WALKER, lot 2, blk 5, Glasgow. April 3, 1871. 101 00
Samuel C. WALKER from Joel VEST and wife, lot 17, Crease's ad to Batavia.-- Sept. 4, 1867. 10 00
Same from C. R. McGUIRE and wife, lot 18, Crease's ad to Batavia. March 4, 1871. 5 00
Samuel ABEY from Henry W. HESTON and wife, 9a, sec 21, 73-10. June 3, 1871. 140 00
Geo. W. BALL from Joseph BALL and wife, 200a, secs 24 and 19, 72-10 and 72-11. Aug. 11, 1871. 7,600 00
Samuel BEATHERS from Martin L. CREEK and wife, 40a, sec 71, 71-10. Aug. 31, 1871. 250 00
Lafayette COOPER from Susanna BEAVER, 8a, sec 29, 73-9. Jan. 6, 1868. 120 00
Wm. H. COOP from C. H. LITTLETON, tract in sec 20, 73-9. Jan. 10, 1871. 800 00
Wm. H. COOP from Nancy Ann and Silas PARK, 8a, sec 20, 73-9. Dec. 28, 1869. 100 00
Same from John J. McKEE, 10a, sec 20, 73-9. [No date noted.] 75 00
Martin L. CREEK from Hugh McCASHLAND, 40a, sec 31, 71-10. Aug. 23, 1869. 300 00
W. A. CANTERBURY from Isaac R. ALTER and wife, 20a, sec 28, 72-10. September 5, 1871. 200 00
Wm. A. DINGMAN from Isaac F. HOWELL, tract in sec 21, 71-10. July 24, 1871. 700 00
Isaac EVERETT from Jonathan C. LAUGHLIN and wife, 114¼ a, secs 16 and 9, 72-I1. Dec. 3, 1870. 2,300 00
L. P. EMERSON from W. D. CLAPP and wife, tract in sec 19, 72-8. Sept. 10, 1870. 200 00
E. W. ERICKSON from George STEVER and wife, 6-7 interest in 80a, sec 12, 72-8. July 13, 1871. 548 57
Samuel A. ELLIOTT from Phillip BAUGHMAN, Sr., and wife, 40a, sec 28, 72-11. June 30, 1871. 400 00
Henry FORD from John McCRILLIS and wife, 40a, sec 28, 72 8. March 3, 1870. 800 00
W. A. FRUSH from Henry FRUSH and wife, 200a, sec 34, 73 9 and sec 18, 72-9. Aug. 21, 1871. 7,000 00
Francis GARDNER from D. P. STUBBS and wife, 40a, sec 1, 73-11. July 25, 1871. 800 00
Isaac F. HOWELL from Jacob KIRKHART and wife, 20a, sec 21, 71-8. Feb. 27, I868. 150 00
Isaac F. HOWELL from B. D. WORKMAN, and wife, 20a, sec 21, 7I-8. April 5, 1867. 325 00
Noah S. HADLEY from Lot M. JOHNSON and wife, 40a, sec 9, 73-10. Feb. 8, 1871. 1,200 00
Sarah F. HEFLIN from E. W. GAGE et. al., lot adj Fairfield, Aug. 7, I871. 175 00
Henry HITE from Henry CLINE and wife, 20a, sec 33, 73-11. Sept. 8, 1871. 625 00
Noble J. ISRAEL from Joshua STEWART and wife, 40a, sec 4, 73-10. Aug. 3, 1871. 1,550 00
M. J. JOHNSON from Joseph DAVIS and wife, ½a, sec 33, 73-11. Aug. 8, 1871. 200 00
Lot M. JOHNSON from J. G. STEWART, 40a, sec 9, 73-10. June 24, 1869. 950 00
Andrew P. JOHNSON from Louisa HILLGREEN, 20a, sec 5, 72-8. Sept. 9, 1871. 475 00
Jesse M. JONES from Miles M. MILLER and wife, 90a, secs 30 and 8, 73-11. Sept. 5, 1871. 3,250 00
Jefferson County Coal Company from J. R. WALKUP's heirs, 10a, sec 33, 72-9. Sept. 12, 1871. 375 00
Thos. S. and Floyd K. LAUGHLIN from H. P. LAUGHLIN and wife, 307a, secs 14, 15 and 23, 72-11. Jluy 24, 1871. 6,675 00
Asa LEWELLING from T. C. HARTLEY and brother, 80a, sec 36, 71-8. January 12, 1871. 1,000 00
R. R. MILLS from John S. WALLACE and wife, 80a, sec 21, 71-10. June 6, 1871. 800 00
Franklin MEEK from John M. BRYAN, 80a, sec 31, 73-10. April 4, 1871. 1,475 00
J. W. C. McREYNOLDS from S. H. and F. E. ROBB and wives, 10a, sec 22, 73-11. June 24, 1871. 100 00
James McMULLEN from Lorenzo D. WYMAN and wife, 83 and 92-I00thsa, sec 18, 73-10. June 24, 1871. 1,846 00
John R. McMURRAY from Joseph JINKINS and wife, 52a, sec 12, 72-8. February 6, 1865. 200 00
Samuel McWHIRTER from Samuel and Gustina CHAPIUS, 80a, sec 14, 71-10. Aug. 3, 1871. 550 00
Ralph R. MILLS from Alvin T. WELLS, 80a, sec 14, 71-10. Aug. 26, 1871. 1,500 00
Swan NELSON from O. P. BARR, 20a, sec 22, 73-11. Aug. 19, 1871. 475 00
John OHRN from Andrew G. ANDERSON, 2a, sec 22, 72-8. Jan. 2, 1869. 50 00
Andrew RYMAN from D. P. STUBBS and wife, 80a, sec 14, 73-11. Aug. 19, 1871. 2,000 00
J. J. RANDALL from Johnston MOORE and wife, 40a, sec 13, 73-10. March 11, 1870. 500 00
Herman SAEUGER from Wm. HUCHISON and wife, 40a, sec 31, 73-9. Jan. 12, 1871. 800 00
George STEVER from Jacob MILLER, et. al., 320a, sec 14, 72-8. 480 00
Sylvester R. SMART from N. J. ISRAEL and wife, 81a, secs 8 and 9, 73-10. Aug. 3, 1870. 280 00
John J. SMITH from Henry DAVIS and wife, 80a, sec 15, 71-10. August 17, 1871. 800 00
S. B. TURNER from Ezra DAVIS and wife, ½a, sec 21, 71-8. Sept. 13, 1869. 400 00
Cornelius TAIT from Amanda TAIT and husband, 80a, sec 32, 73-10. August 3, 1871. 1,600 00
Marion TRACY from Wm. MARION, et. al., undivided 4-5 of 2/3 of a tract in secs 13, 14 and 22, 72-11. November 29, 1870.
2,900 00

MARRIAGES.
MACY--PEARSON.--At Friends' meeting house, Center, Ohio, on the 18th of Eighth month, 1871, E. O. MACY, of Pleasant Plain, Iowa, to Anna J. PEARSON, of the former place.

HEATER--MOW.--September 5, 1871, at the residence of the bride's father, by Rev. B. F. DOUGHTY, Mr. Austin HEATER and Miss Lavina C. MOW.

GABRIELSON--JOHNSON.--Sept. 5, 1871, at the Swedish Church in Lockridge township, by Rev. J. E. REHNSTROM, Mr. John GABRIELSON and Miss Heddo C. JOHNSON.

EQUALL--SALIN.--September 7, 1871, by Rev. J. E. REHNSTROM, Mr, Peter A. EQUALL and Miss Thilda SALIN.

SMITH--BUTLER.--September 12, 1871, by T. D. EVANS, J. P., at the Court-House, Mr. Lafayette D. SMITH and Miss Annie BUTLER.

STONER--HAMPSON.--September 7, 1871, by Rev. J. C. DARBY, at the residence of the bride's mother, Mr. Ralph J. STONER and Miss Annie HAMPSON.

RODABAUGH--BRANTNER.--September 7, 1871, at the Court-House, by T. D. EVANS, J. P., Mr. Henry RODABAUGH and Miss Ella V. BRANTNER.

John S. ECKERT and daughter, former citizens of Fairfield, are here on a visit. They hail from Helena, Montana, and report several former residents of this place in good health.

THE WOMEN FOLKS LIKE IT.
  The Steam Flouring Mill of
      Wm. M. READ,
          ON CEDAR CREEK,
Manufactures the best Flour in
            the market. The
"READ BRAND"
   Is known all over the country.
FLOUR, MEAL AND FEED
       At the lowest rates
Custom Work Promptly done.
  April 13, 1871           16tf

                        T H E
NOVELTY    CLOTHES    WRINGER.
[Picture of a hand-cranked clothes wringer.]
  Nothing except the Sewing Machine has ever been invented which so much relieves the labor of the household as the Wringer. But its usefulness does not end here. The saving of clothing is of much greater importance. It is often remarked that articles of fine texture last twice as long when wrung in a Wringer as when wrung by hand, The Novelty has Cog wheels on both ends.    *    *    The rolls are allowed to separate freely at either end.-- These, besides other advantages, seem to be indispensable to a practical wringer.--New York Independent.
  THE NOVELTY WRINGER--Has become an indispensable institution in thousands of families. And we believe its great and increasing popularity is fully merited--for the Novelty evidently possesses all the requisites of a first-class, practical machine. Indeed, after using one for many months in our own family, we are prepared to indorse the Novelty as unsurpassed (the laundress says unequaled.) by any of the several wringers previously tried.--Moore's Rural New-Yorker.
  Sold everywhere. N. B. PHELPS & Co.,
4w37        Gen. Agts. 102 Chambers St. N. Y.

P R O C L A M A T I O N .
To the Qualified Electers of the County of Jefferson, in State of Iowa.
  Whereas, At the June Session of the Board of Supervisors of said county, begun and held on the 5th day of June, A.D. 1871, it was ordered and directed that an Act entitled an Act to restrain stock from running at large, approved March 17, 1871, (Chapter 26 of the laws of 1876, [sic]) be submitted to the legal voters of said county at the General Election to be held in said county on the 2d Tuesday in October, 1871, for the adoption or rejection of said Act, in the following form, to wit : All those voting for said act shall have written or printed on their ballots, "For the Act restraining stock from running at large." All those voting against said Act shall have written or printed on their ballots, "Against the Act restraining stock from running at large."
{L. S.} In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and official seal this 8th day of September, 1871.
                    D. B .MILLER,
  3w37          Auditor Jefferson Co., Iowa.

  Kicked.--We learn that a son of William WOODSIDES was kicked by a mule on Wednesday of last week. The cheek bone on the right side was crushed in, forcing the eye almost out of the socket. Doctors WOODS and MOHR were called on Sunday last and removed the broken pieces of bone and placed the eye back in its place as well as the swollen condition of the face would permit. The young man was resting tolerably easy at last accounts.

  School Fund.--The semi-annual apportionment of the school fund of the State has been made by the Auditor. Mr. RUSSELL's September apportionment gives $70,986.72 to 97 organized counties, in which are 443,667 persons between the ages of 5 and 21 years of age. the average distribution of the fund is $731.82 per county. Jefferson county contains 6,743 persons of school age, and received $1,078.88 of the school fund interest. Including the noted Eads' loans, which now amounts to $100,000, the entire delinquent interest is $188,179.83. All but seven counties owe something, and Benton county owes the most, $3,597.89.

  Fresh Oysters.--All lovers of the bivalves are informed that W. G. WILSON has now on hand, and intends to keep the supply full, fresh Oysters. They are in splendid condition. He will sell by the box, can or dish, at the lowest price, either to parties or private individuals. Call at his Restaurant, where you can also get a square meal.

NEW LUMBER YARD!
            CHICAGO
GANG-SAWED
            LUMBER.
    BRYSON & ASHBY
Would respectfully inform the public
they have established, at the Depot, in the
    CITY OF FAIRFIELD,
A new and excellent Lumber Yard. Their
stock consists entirely of First-Class Chicago
Lumber, which they will sell at as
    Low Figures as River Lumber.
  This Lumber has never been in the river,
and is free from sand and grit. Their assort-
ment is perfect, consisting of all descriptions of
Lumber.
Shingles,
            Lath,
                  Sash,
                        Doors,
                              Blinds,
                                    &c., &c.
  They ask the public to give them a call
and they will guarantee
  Satisfaction to All.
  Augus 13, 1868.-33tf

Report of the Condition of agriculture in Jefferson County.
      BY JOHN R. SHAFFER.
  The cereals, in general, afforded a less average yield than usual in quantity ; but the quality is unsurpassed.
  Winter Wheat, on account of the mildness of the winter, produced a large yield and of excellent quality.
  All the grain crops were retarded by the remarkably dry weather of the growing months, but it gave an opportunity to cultivate the corn and clean the fields of weeds, such as has rarely been vouchsafed.
  Hay.--The hay crop is light ; average 1½ tons, but of splendid quality ; it was generally secured without rain, and in much better condition than for years.
  Potatoes were a splendid crop, their abundance being indicated by the common price of 25 cents per bushel.
  The Colorado and Striped beets no damage.
  The great length of time between frosts helped the crop to mature, and it was gathered in fine order.
  Much might have been gained by the introduction of new varieties of seeds, had the farmer been careful to note his experience and publish the results : as it is, very little practical good is accomplished in this direction. Much could also be achieved by a careful and systematic selection of seed to be planted. There is entirely too great laxity in this regard. It is believed that a thorough scrutiny into the quality of the seed, with every effort to cleanse it from all impurity will soon tell on the general average of the crop.
  The agricultural mind runs mostly to swine, at the present. Only a few years ago sheep were the hobby, and every one was willing to pay fabulous prices for Merinos ; but what with the want of diseases, and want of care, and the incursion of dogs, the flocks have diminished and the owners have become disheartened.
  Hogs have taken their place in the popular mind, and dealers and growers ring all the changes in the new and improved breed. The losses from cholera have been grievous and they promise to continue to be so until some adequate means are taken to discover a preventive and a remedy.
  Fruits continue to be cultivated everywhere and with tolerable success.-- The smaller fruits dried up on the bushes from the drought, and cherries, currants, berries, &c., usually an excellent crop, and furnishing an abundance for the wants of all, were very scarce ; their absence was supplied by a fine crop of grapes, the best we have had for several years.
  Apples and Pears promised, from the luxuriance of the bloom, a large crop, but they were almost a failure, from heat and drought. The result may be beneficial in the general result, giving the trees a firmer growth and preparing them for a full crop in the future.
  The advantages are numerous and not to be despised. The prairie and timber are easily and naturally divided, and the Des Moines river and Cedar creek at the west and south, and Skunk and Walnut to the north and east, afford bodies of timber of great value for fuel and building. There is an abundance of lime and stone in the streams, and yearly new discoveries are made that promise the largest returnes in due time. In many places the soil is admirably adapted to brick making, and there are many manufacturers who have a good article, and yet can hardly supply the demand.
  The coal has achieved a wide reputation for its valuable qualities. The mines seem inexhaustible. We quote the language of a correspondent of a Missouri paper, speaking of Iowa in general :
  "The veins are often found to be from six to ten feet in thickness, and seldom more than a hundred below the surface. A comparative analysis has shown that specimens from Bohemia, from Silicia, from England, from Pennsylvania anthracite, but six parts in a hundred and ten fell below the standard of the best coal in the world.
  Already those rich deposits are being drawn upon. In 1868, over six million bushels were mined. This is nearly four times the showing of 1865. The mines are but just fairly opened. Hereafter, as railroad facilities multiply, these mines will be worked on a more extended scale, yet the greatest drain it is practicable to make upon them for all home uses, and for shipments as well, can hardly so much as suggest their exhaustion before the importance of coal as fuel is rendered insignificant by the utilization of oxygen as a heating medium."
  In the vast wealth and importance of the interest so eloquently spoken of, this county has a very large share.
  The completion of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad, being an extension of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, from Washington through Brighton and Fairfield, crossing the Des Moines Valley Railroad at Ashland ; thence southwest to Centreville, during the year has already been of marked benefit. During its construction it gave employment to hundreds of our own people, and to many strangers ; and the money expended had effect upon all branches of trade. By its intersection of the Des Moines Valley Railroad at Ashland, and the North Missouri at Belknap, it affords us an easy outlet south or southwest, as well as north and northeast. Whether the competition between this and the B. & M. road will materially affect the rates of transportation, or make any appreciable change in the course of traffic, remains to be seen.
  Improvements on the farm are especially noticeable. Snug and often elegant residences supercede the apochryfal log cabin. Fine barns have supplanted straw sheds. Orchards are better cared for. The vegetable garden is not so generally neglected, and front yards ornamented with flowers and evergreens are by no means a curiosity.-- Small fruits, which grow luxuriantly and conduce to health and comfort, are more extensively cultivated, and everywhere the houses of farmers are putting on an air of refinement and taste--elements not largely cultivated a score of years ago. School houses and places of workship multiply with a large degree of pidity, showing a liberal spirit in the hearts of the people, and an education of the higher moral attributes. It is pleasant to record also that in several of the townships literary societies have been organized, and a course of lectures once a week, from home talent, uniformly calls out a large, thoughtful and attentive audience.
  By this means the minds of the farmer and his family are called from the daily routine of labor in the field and kitchen, and are taught to roam the wide fields of thought, and induced to read more, think more, and have a higher appreciation of those imperishable principles that belong to the domain of intellect. There are no Farmers' Clubs. There should be ; for in such associations the ideas are enlarged, and the thought quickened, even as "iron sharpeneth iron." Several attempts to organize such clubs have been abortive ; and there is no time or place where the farmers meet and discuss their own profession.
  Fairfield, always behind the country in its development, is making a careful but certain step forward. Very many comfortable residences have been erected, and a larger proportion of substantial business houses than in any one season for a dozen years. The system of sidewalks is an honor to the city, and the admiration of every stranger, and the town, though it has many "tumble down" shanties and hovels--the relics of a past age--yet, for general neatness, for ornamentation in fences, gardens, shrubbery, shade trees, and all those matters that make a home attractive, will compare favorably with any city in Iowa.
  The foundry and machine shop of A. DEMARCE, is a permanent institution ; capital invested $15,000 in material.-- At this establishment can be made any sort of machinery in use in this region, from a steam engine to a bob sled. Mr. DEMARCE's improvement in upright boilers, which he has patented, promises to be of great utility for economy, safety, and simplicity. In 1869 Mr. DEMARCE manufactured 120 cane mills, at $60 each ; two 30-horse power engines, at $1,000 each, and one I5 horse power engine, at $800 ; and in other work $8,000, or a business of $15,000 -- Eighteen men are constantly employed, wages $2.50, average per day of 10 hours. Mr. DEMARCE's cane mills have a reputation for doing good work, second to none in the country ; and if he would extend his business, he could sell hundreds where he now sells one. It has every advantage, and besides is cheap, simple and effective.
  David LOCKE has a capital of $10,000 invested in the manufacture of wagons and plows. He employs 15 hands, wages $2.50 per day. During the year he finished and sold 250 wagons, at an average price of $90, and 200 plows, at from $6 to $20 each. Very much of the rough material is brought from Indiana and beyond, illustrating the prime necessity of cultivating timber appropriate for the use of his establishment. Hard wood will grow here as well as in the same latitude east, and if at hand the cost of transportation would be saved to the purchaser of the implement ; and more than this, it would insure us that proud feeling of independence which is so refreshing.
  John C. KECK is engaged in the manufacture of threshers and separators.--He employs 15 hands, wages $2 50 per day ; capital invested $15,000 ; in the foundry attached, $3,000. Last year he finished 15 machines, sold at $640 each, besides doing a vast amount of repairing for persons in this and the neighboring counties.
  Johhson (sic) MOORE finished 90 wagons at $95 each. He employes about a dozen hands in the business.
  Wm. LOUDEN has $15,000 invested in building a manufactory for the manufacture of hay pitchers. 2,000 can be made annually. They retail at $20.--He works seven hands ; wages $2 00 per day.
  These, besides some minor establishments, do not nearly supply the demand for implements in this line for this market. There are a half dozen heavy dealers who sell immense quantities of plows, harrows, reapers, mowers, and smaller implements ; and this brings us to one of the principal wants of the county, namely : capital to manufacture at home, and bring the manufacturer and consumer face to face. With untold wealth in water power, in coal, in stone for building, every access to market, an abundance of wood for fuel, and by economizing, a fair supply of hickory, oak, walnut, ash, and other varities of hard wood, this is all that is needed to make the city rival Massillon, Akron, Canton, and a host of other places that are being built up in population, wealth, and social and commercial importance.
  Prominent among the wants is some radical change in the law, or administration of it, in regard to roads and public highways. In several rare instances, after thousands of dollars of the people's money have been expended in worse than worthless wooden bridges over the larger streams, substantial iron structures have been erected. These should be greatly multiplied. The plan of working the roads to pay the poll tax is an unmitigated nuisance. The work represents not less than $15,000 per annum. This is frequently worse than wasted. Culverts and bridges are put down in the most unsafe and unskillful manner, and of the most perishable material. Not a single wooden culvert or abutment of a bridge should be henceforth allowed. Stone will cost more at the start, but will last for generations ; and if true economy were practiced in the disbursement of the road fund, in ten years the tax might be almost abated. There is a want of proper tools. For instance : a road excaxator (sic), which will do the work of 20 men in each township ; and a lack of sound discretion in the application of the forces at the disposal of the supervisor. With proper tools, a handful of men who are hired and paid the cash, under the control of an intelligent, active superintendent, will accomplish more than half the inhabitants of a township who are "warned" to work the roads. Everybody knows that in the majority of instances, the labor performed is a farce of the broadest magnitude, and the result is execrable roads, which, without drainage or proper elevation, have nothing to protect them from being impassible in a time of rains, or when the frost comes out in the spring. We cannot think of macadamizing all our roads, neither is it desirable ; for a prairie road is the best in the world when properly made, and the very worst on the face of the earth when not constructed on correct principles.
  The grounds of the Society, where the exhibitions have been held for sixteen years, are the same that were fitted up for holding the second State Fair in 1855. By reason of the encroachments of neighbors, no room was left outside for hitching purposes and camping.-- The grounds are too rolling for the purpose of a Fair, and no water could be obtained--an essential matter in the comfort and convenience of an agricultural exhibition. There are but ten acres, and the close proximity to the town made it the rendezvous of certain lewd boys and men, who frequently committed acts of vandalism and meanness. For these, and other weighty reasons, the Society changed it for forty acres of splendid prairie, lying two and a half miles north of town, and within a quarter mile of the track of the Chicago and Southwestern railroad. The intention is to enclose this tract and improve it as rapidly as possible, and it is confidently believed that the Fair will be more largely attended, and will afford a greater measure of satisfaction.