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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 401
charged to the Lockwood Temple, where vegetables, grains and domestic
articles were exhibited.
The fifth annual fair was held at Norwalk, in 1852, October 5, 6 and
7. The members of the society numbered at this time 800. The amount
received from all sources $2,129.75; amount expended $1,083.53; amount
on hand at end of fiscal year $1,046.22, a very good financial showing.
At the annual meeting January 20, 1852, two resolutions were offered
to the effect that the connection between the two counties in this society
be dissolved, and that the board of managers be requested to settle up the
affairs of the society. These resolutions were referred to a committee,
and the committee, at a subsequent meeting, reported adversely and the
resolutions voted down. The fair in 1852 was held October 5, 6, and 7, at
Norwalk, and over $1,000 was offered as premiums on a largely increased
variety of articles. The entries numbered 700. The best one acre wheat,
45i/> bushels; one acre corn, 101 bushels shelled; one acre oats, 74 bushels
; o.ic acre potatoes, 382 bushels. No manure was applied to the soil
to raise any of these premium crops.
In 1853 I. T. Reynolds was president, L. S. Stow, secretary, and the
fair was held at Monroeville.
The seventh and last fair of the two counties, jointly, Avas held at
Norwalk, October 1854, and like its predecessors was profitable and successful.
At the annual meeting January 2, 1855, after a spirited debate the
following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That in the judgment of this meeting the general interests
of agriculture will be best promoted by the existence of separate societies
in each of the counties of Huron and Erie.
Resolved, Therefore, that Avith a view of separate organizations in
these counties this society be dissolved as soon as the financial matters
can be closed up, and that a committee of three from each county be now
appointed to adjust the funds belonging to the society.
A commitlee was appointed and $511.10 was the amount found in the
treasury. This was divided according to the population of each county,
Huron County receiving $299.06, and Erie County $212.04.
Thus closed the pleasant associations, as a society, formed through
seven years of intimate labor together, years that had seen the formation
of the society, its unexpected groAvth, and the still more surprising advancement
of agricultural and mechanical industries. The separation
was not made without pain, for the annual reunions at the fairs had
been seasons of glad fraternal greetings and pleasure. The ties Avere
strong that mutual friendship and labor had Avoven, and united the
two counties as one family.
By the dissolution of the old society, Erie County was thrown upon
her own resources, Avith only $212.04 in her treasury. It seems hardly
possible that the Erie County Agricultural Society could attain to its
present gigantic proportions from so modest a beginning. As early as
February, 1855, immediately following the dissolution, Ave find the leadvoi.
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