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drift deposits of the divide. This and the Greenville system drain the most fertile lands of the county. The once well-known "spread of the Stillwater" has been rendered the richest and most productive of soils by removing obstructions in the water-course and by ditching.

The Mississinawa and the Wabash rise upon the northern slope of the divide. A little further east these streams would be directed toward Lake Erie, but are intercepted by Wabash Ridge and turned westward into Indiana. Not much area is drained by these headwaters in Darke County, where the basin of the Wabash begins in a narrow, gentle valley, which gradually broadens into an immensely fertile belt in its course through Northeastern and Central Indiana. This course of the Wabash to the southeast may be thought to indicate the course of an ancient gap whereby waters and icebergs were borne into the valley of the Stillwater. Upon a different declivity far to the southward in the county, are the sources of Whitewater, Miller's and Twin Creeks, together with other creeks of minor importance. All these streams are shallow in the main, and flow within modern basins, the greatest elevation of Greenville Creek not exceeding about thirty feet.

Many fine springs are found in different parts of the county. The well-water, as well as the spring-water along the water-sheds, is sulphurous and not desirable for use. Near Weaver's Station, New Madison and that vicinity occur numerous springs, which rise upon the surface of the magnesian limestone, and which are in consequence impregnated with carbonate of lime, magnesia and other mineral properties exuded from the rock and the clay. Thus mineral springs exist, some of whose waters are as fully charged with minerals as are the famous Cedar Spring of New Paris, Preble County. The supply of water is of ample volume and good quality. The best well-water is obtained from a depth varying from thirty to fifty feet, and is drawn from the deposits of sand and gravel upon the surface of blue clay. All in all, situation, soil, climate and product unite to make Darke County one of the most desirable portions of the State.

AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND MARKETS.

Darke County has a soil, a climate and a local position which constitute the essentials of a first-class agricultural county. For a time, the wave of immigration swept around her lands and beyond, but ultimately those far seeing selected from her territory their farms and began their work. Half a century ago, Darke County was yet in a state of nature, except here and there where the pioneer had kindled his camp-fire and cut away a small area of timber from about his dwelling; then the settler had at his option the 'best land in the county, and his successors continued to make choice until not only the bottoms along the streams and the more inviting upland was entered, but even the "flats" and "slushes," that the settlers thought "would forever remain unentered, and give pasture and range for their stock." The virgin soil produced in abundance with indifferent tillage, and the woods supplied meats for the table.

The ax was vigorously plied, the deadening was extended, and from spring to spring time again, the smoke could be seen to rise from the clearing. Little by little improvements were made, one succeeding another, and here and there the old settlers died until it is seen to-day, that the foundation and the founders are passing from memory in present labors. As was said by Hon. Abner Haines before the agricultural society on September 18, 1853, "The early settlers had many obstacles to contend with in the development of the country which no longer obstruct the progress of this generation. It required much labor to clear the land and prepare it for cultivation. This labor has been performed, leaving to the present generation time to think and improve, as well as to work." We have in earlier chapters depicted the perils and the crudities of early agriculture. We see the settlers flying in panic from their homes, from dread of the hatchet, suffering from

chills and fever, hindered by insufficient implements from doing good farming, deprived of access to store and shop, without roads, almost without mills, and dependent upon the soil and the forest for the supply of every want. It is well worth a review to note the gradual transition of field, dwelling, habits and persons, machinery, stock and crops, bringing soil and occupant to the front, the one to become celebrated, the other to be marked as independent and progressive. Old times have passed away; the ax, the maul and wedges, the sickle, the scythe, and hoe are relics now of a past system. Splitting rails is no longer an occupation, though the most common fence is still the zig-zag rail fence. The cradle displaced the sickle, to be itself superseded by the Dorsey Reaper, and then others improved to the present perfection. The stumps are gone from the clearings, the log houses have been abandoned, used as granaries and stables, torn away or rotted down, the old well-sweeps have all finally disappeared, and, annually at the old and prosperous agricultural fair, are seen the various plows, chilled, diamond, champion, sulky and others, so of cultivators, corn-planters, seed-drills, harrows, pulverizers, harvesters, hay-rakes, thrashers and separators, each contrasting to the experienced mind, changes of method in agriculture, relieving the husbandman of toil, and assuring in uniformity and perfection in preparation and cultivation a yield of profit and the means of ready harvesting, thrashing and marketing. Contrast the dropping of corn and covering with the hoe, with the swift movements of the planter. the irregular broadcast sowing by lands or landmarks with the seed-drill, the former harrow with the present, the old reaper even with its man to rake off the gavels with the self-dropper, the old method of haying with scythes laying the swaths, with hand-rakes forming the windrows, with forks placing in cocks, and finally the wearisome labor of pitching and stowing away in the barns, in striking contrast to the music of the mower as the farmer rides, always leaving circles about his meadow, shaving and spreading the grasses at each round, the buggy-rake gathering with wide sweeps, the hay-fork and hoisting tackle depositing the fragrant hay in the capacious bay for winter's food to choice breeds of domestic animals.

The staple grain product of Darke has constantly been corn. Fully twice as many acres have been devoted to this cereal as to any other. It has always played an important part in the agriculture of the country. From being the almost sole dependence for food to the farmer, it has become the source of an important Next in order came wheat, always income by export, as well as food for stock. desirable for food, not so certain as corn, and of later years a second great source of profit to the farmer. In the earlier day, the market was at the mills of Piqua, where the farmers went with doubled teams upon a three-days trip to realize from 35 to 40 cents a bushel. Reports were circulated of good prices, a rush of teaming followed and the market was overstocked. About 1837 or 1838, a colony of Germans moved into Darke and bought rejected lands, entered some and paid as high as $12 to $16 per acre for farms partially improved, and gave a stimulus to farming, but it was not till after the completion of the first railroad, a dozen years before the pikes began to have an existence, that that the most powerful stimulus was given to agriculture.

ment.

We have elsewhere noted a variegated soil, well adapted to wheat, corn, rye, flax, potatoes and various grasses. The improved facilities for market of surplus products and the influence of a newly formed agricultural society, produced a marked and favorable change in farming, and became apparent in every departThe year 1853 may be regarded as the revival of agriculture. The fertility rotation of crops was considered, farm lands were extended by clearing woodland and by bringing into cultivation swamp lands, much of which had been deemed valueless, through the application of judicious draining; there was improvement in agricultural implements, and the greatest interest and progress seems to have been made in the breeds of domestic animals. The building of the Pan Handle enhanced values, bringing wheat to 75 cents a bushel and making prices for land.

It will be seen that this year the county was rapidly growing into note and importance, growing out of an ability to enjoy natural and local advantages. Farmers from the Eastern States, and industrious foreigners, were constantly moving in and occupying the new lands. Now, at last, the capabilities of Darke were to be realized. Her territory was extensive, fertile and mainly serviceable. The crops of small grains were generally sure and abundant, and confidence not altogether devoid of speculation seized upon the minds of the residents of towns and the dwellers upon the farms.

To present at a glance the condition of agriculture in Darke twenty-seven years ago, we refer to the following table of

THE STATISTICS OF 1853.

The valuation of the 371,053 acres of land in the county was placed at $4.211.858, or an average of $11.35 per acre; the value of buildings was estimated to be $399,734, while the aggregated value of all taxables was nearly $5,000,000. This was a net increase over 1846, but seven years previous, of $2,297,144. There were now of arable or plow lands, 98,542 acres; of meadows and pasture, 22,469, and of woodland and uncultivated, 250,863; this gives us about 60 per cent yet in a state of nature. The wheat crop of 1852 was 324,958 bushels, and of corn, 661,019. There were of domestic animals 8,798 horses, 14 mules, 19,717 cattle, 23,731 sheep, and 45,010 hogs.

Four years later, improved farms about Greenville were held at $40 per acre, at which figure several changed ownership. Among them was the sale of 152 acres by W. A. Weston to John C. Schmidt, for $6,100; L. H. Byran sold 97 acres for $4,000; and Tunis Denise disposed of 80 acres at the same rate. These figures premise rise in values and wealth of purchasers.

The future was not less prosperous than the past; an aroused intelligence, increased numbers, ready appliances and the command of means brought Darke County, during the years up to 1860, and thence to 1868, into the front rank in all staple products of the State. In the yield of wheat for the eight years from 1860 to 1868, Darke stands fifth among the foremost ten counties, and in average per acre the seventh. She had during these years turned her energies to the construction of pikes, and speedily advanced toward the van. A writer of that day thus depicts the local feeling, "Ours is a level county, a rich soil susceptible of easy, rapid, cheap cultivation and yielding bountifully to the husbandman who is up with the day, in the purchase and use of improved farm machinery. Darke is not dark, but as smiling, beautiful, healthy and pleasant a locality as can be found in the country, possessing good schools and fine dwellings."

The following was the annual yield of wheat from 1860 to 1868, inclusive: 554,149 bushels, 437,004, 671,355, 505,972, 493,513, 340,611, 260,611, 337,550. During 1863-64, the yield brought Darke to the fifth from the first in the State. The total yield for the eight years was 3,610,756 bushels. The county stood ninth in corn product in 1866, with a yield of 1,397,968 bushels; in barley the sixth, and in flax culture the fourth. She stood second in the number of turnpikes, there being 34, with an aggregate length of 293 miles, and, in 1868, ranked eleventh in the number and value of horses, there being 11,300, valued at $756,139.

We come now to the statistics of the year 1878: Acres of land, 377,430 ; Their valuation, $10,937,000; real estate in city, towns and villages, was assessed at $1,902,250; chattel property at $5,659,180; the grand total of the assessment is, therefore, seen to be $18,498,430; the total amount of taxes assessed for all purposes was $248,330.50; the county levy was $24,048; for the poor, $9,100; bridges, $89,000; roads, $21.000; townships, $18,000; for school purposes, $66,000, and by city, towns and villages, $17,000. The value of merchant's stock was $296,185; of manufacture, $35,775; of moneys, $209,781; credit book account, etc., $1,354,229; interest on the irreducible State debt on account of Section 16,

for school fund, was $5,135.92; debt of separate school districts. $38,850; the total debt in 1878 amounted to $42,550, which was a reduction as compared with 1877, of $48,341. The banks gave as capital, the national, $84,000; three private, $59,500—a total of $143,500. The sale of lands for the year ending June 30, 1878, was 28,540 acres for $1,068,412. Three hundred deeds were recorded, for which the consideration was $207,192; 782 mortgages were made to secure $501,936. There were canceled 237, releasing $543.327. Reverting particularly to the source of all these values, we find the following agricultural showing: Acreage of wheat, 35,423, product, 513,105 bushels; acreage of rye, 2351. product, 36,591 bushels; acreage of buckwheat, 378. product. 4,354 bushels; acreage of oats, 18,044, product 627,495; acreage of barley, 2,666, product. 77,182; acreage of corn, 71,416, product, 2,013,594; total acreage, 133,278, total product, 3,172,321 bushels; acreage of timothy, 1.053. product in tons, 13,684; acreage of clover, 10,180, product in tons, 5,527; bushels of seed, 3,711; pasture lands, 2,611 acres; flax product from 2,481 acres, 21,270 bushels, 55,850 pounds fiber; potatoes product from 1,659 acres, 114,264 bushels; sweet potatoes from 38 acres, 2,229 bushels; tobacco from 793 acres, 836,296 pounds; sorghum from 552 acres, 168 pounds of sugar, 37,020 gallons of sirup; maple sugar, 1.736 pounds, and 5,614 gallons of sirup manufactured; hives of honey-bees, 2,144, producing 17,186 pounds of honey. There was of taxable land cultivated. 190,935 acres; pasture, 14,578 acres; woodland, 100.279 acres; uncultivated or waste, 9,310-total, 315,111 acres. It is most remarkable that the remnant of waste land should have been reduced to less than 10,000 acres. The following were the dairy products butter, 714,036 pounds; cheese, 245 pounds. Of stock there were 13,157 horses, valued at $724,198; 21,189 cattle valued at $293,699; 462 mules valued at $29,196; 51,605 hogs valued at $110,894; 7,787 sheep valued at 18,967; wool product was 18,981 pounds. The assessment of dogs is a curious feature, bearing the following showing: There were listed as worth $50 and under, 241 valued at $2,724, and exceeding that figure, 2,514 valued at $134,824. Horticult ural interests do not make much prominent showing, there being, however, 5.548 acres devoted to orchards, principally apples. Associations of persons engaged in like pursuits furnish opportunity to disseminate information, compare experiences, examine machinery and stimulate exertion.

It was not until 1852, that leading agriculturists conferring, resolved upon the organization of an agricultural society, of which we have the following:

HISTORY OF THE DARKE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

On November 16, 1852, some thirty citizens, from all parts of the county, met at the court house at Greenville and organized a county agricultural society, by appointing N. Gard, President, Alfred Kitchen, Treasurer, and Noah Arnold, Secretary. A committee of one from each township was appointed to procure subscrip tions, and Messrs. Wilson, Northrup and Kitchen were appointed to report a constitution and by-laws. The society was organized November 24, 1852, and within a year numbered 320 members. The first annual fair was held at Greenville on the 7th and 8th of September; attendance large, competition spirited. exhibits respectable. The Greenville ladies made it attractive by a leafy bower for the reception of dairy products, domestic work and flowers.

As early as 1853, the local press was earnest in the use of its influence to interest the public in the support of such a society as would be of service to town and county, in a less or greater degree, and, on April 10, the Greenville Journal contained the following editorial: The officers and managers of this association are using every effort in their power to insure to their fall exhibition a character of interest that will call together a very great assembly of competitors and spectators. Their list of premiums is extensive and liberal. They contemplate making a large inclosure. The various committees are attending faithfully to the discharge

of their duties. From present indications, the first Darke County Fair will be quite creditable to our producers. The spirit of emulation awakened by this move will leave its impress. Darke County has the soil, has all the advantages of a great producing region, and all should conclude to be present on the 7th and 8th of September next.' This was followed by other timely articles during the months of July and August. In a paper called The Mad Anthony, published in Greenville September 14, 1853, we read: "The Darke County Agricultural Fair proved to be all that its friends could have wished. The occasion is one that will long be remembered. We have had the pleasure of attending several old-established county fairs throughout the State, and can safely assert that we have never yet witnessed a better display of stock than was exhibited in Greenville on the 7th and 8th. The committee had spared no pains to fit up the grounds in an appropriate manner, and had ample accommodations for every article offered. On the whole, the exhibition reflects great credit upon our county, and should inspire every citizen with zeal in the cause. We anticipate having one of the largest county fairs ever held in the State next fall." In the same paper, two weeks later, the following paragraph appeared: "We understand that Darke County was not thrown altogether in the shade by her more stately neighbors at the State Fair. She was awarded the first premium on flour, wheat, poultry, apples, potatoes, the best quality of white lime and other articles. Don't be ashamed, now, to admit that you hail from 'way out in Darke County." The Mad Anthony must have been propitiated by the receipt of two specimen apples grown by William McKhann, of the county, one of which weighed one and three-fourths pounds. The records have not been accessible to us till 1857, when, on November 25, pursuant to notice, the Board of Directors met at the office of M. Spayd and organized, pursuant to their election September 25 previous. Members present, Moses Hart, President; J. W. Shively, Vice President; M. Spayd, Secretary; Joseph Bryson, Treasurer, and Managers George Elston, Isaac Funk and Reuben Lowry. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and code of by-laws. The bond of the Treasurer for $1,000 was accepted April 17, 1858, and approved, and the annual fair appointed for the 23d to the 25th of September following, at the old fair ground south of Greenville. A "complete set of good, substantial books for the use of this society was also authorized. Committees were appointed to purchase lumber for a fence around the said grounds, and to arrange a premium list. At a meeting held on the 22d of May, the Secretary was instructed to get information from parties resident of the counties of Preble, Miami and Montgomery, regarding the selection from those localities of persons suitable to act as judges on stock. On the 3d of July, the new constitution and by-laws were adopted. The following preamble will be of interest to the reader in this connection: "Whereas, it appears, from the constitution heretofore adopted by the Darke County Agricultural Society, that the same is inefficient and defective, and, for the purpose of more thoroughly and effectually promoting the general interests of said society in our representative capacity, we do alter and amend said constitution." Alterations rectifying defects were accordingly made. On August 25, there was held a meeting, at which delegates were appointed to confer with like parties from Miami and such other counties as might be represented, concerning a plan for the establishment of a district agricultural society, and the report of this committee was thereafter approved, and it was recommended that a district fair be held in rotation in each of the several counties.concerned, in lieu of the fair for that county the same year. The number of entries made for live stock, grain, etc., prior to the opening of the sixth county, or first district, fair, held in the fall of 1858, was not promising, but on the first day the rush to make entries was remarkable. The Secretary, with the regular aid of two assistants, and the occasional aid of a third, was tasked to his utmost to wait upon exhibitors and make the number of entries desired. The attendance, apart from exhibitors, was meager. About one hundred day tickets were sold, and about three times as many family passes. Considerable

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