HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 4

THE FIRST FAIR

This was held at Livonia, October 5, 6 and 7, 1853, and over 4,000 persons were present on the best day at one time. An excellent exhibit of all kinds was made. The Rattler stock took the premiums on horses. A sucking mule colt fifteen hands high was sold for $103. Mr. Porter, of Orange County, exhibited a calf nineteen months old which weighed 1,460 pounds. William McPheeters exhibited a mammoth ox, weighing nearly 4,000 pounds. Judge Wible, of Orange County, had formerly owned a heavier one - a brother - which was sold for a high price to Eastern showmen. The following persons among others took premiums on domestic manufactures: Mrs. E. McPheeters, Mrs. Priscilla Benton, Miss M. S. Sales, Miss H. H. Brown, Miss Lizzie Vancleave, Miss Ann McCoy, Mrs. Matilda Martin, Mrs. Eliza E. Lynd, Mrs. H. W. Hobbs, Mrs. Matilda Tegarden, Mrs. Rebecca McPheeters, Mrs. J. C. Wible, Mrs. Martha Johnson, Mrs. Jane Hungate, Mrs. Wash. Wright, Mrs. James Craig, Miss L. J. M. Holmes, Mrs. Martha Lucas, Mrs. William Glover. H. W. S. Kearby took premium on fruit; John M. McPheeters on potatoes; Smith & Knight, best flour; John Baker, Mrs. Silas Moore, Mrs. M. S. Lucas on fowls; Thomas W. Knocks, James Darnell, Jonathan Braxtan, David Jones, Cornelius Mitchell, Mason Martin, Robert Strain, Findley Hollowell, J. F. Rodman, David S. Huffstutter, John A. Wible and others, on horses; Leonard Wyman, McCoy & Wolf, H. Brown, J. P. Campbell, John Bates, John McMahan, Fleming Perigo, John Hungate, James C. Kelso, Hiram Speer, Robert Strain, Evan Deweeseon mules and jacks; Wash. Wright, W. L. Galloway, Thomas G. Denny, C. D. Green, Griffin McKinney, W. B. Hancock, Allen Perkhiser. Alexander McPheeters, John Barker, D. S. Huffstutter, Samuel Wible, Daniel Murphy and others on cattle; T. W. Knocks, J. A. Cravens, W. L. Galloway, C. Tegarden, D. S. Huffstutter on sheep; S. G. Lynd, J. B. Hewett, Robert Doak, Nathan Kimball, Griffin McKinny, G. W. True on swine; Jesse Hampton, W. M. Vance, A. W. Lynd on grain; W. C. Lucas, Robert Alexander, Robert Cornwell, I. H. McClure, J. C. Kearby, G. P. Lynd, A. S. Wiggins, Daniel Knight on farm implements; John M. Wible, best cultivated farm; John M. McPheeters, second best; Joseph McCrary, best plowing; John McPheeters, second best; S. E. Barr, of Livonia, best essay on farming. Gov. Wright was the orator. The following were the receipts and expenditures of this first fair: Received from Washington County, $85; from Orange County, $20; from members’ fees, $194; from premiums donated, $5.50; proceeds of fair and sale of property, $402.95; total receipts, $707.45. Expenses - premiums awarded, $217.15; printing, $54; Sundry expenses, $6.65; contingent expenses, $191.47; total expenses, $469.27. This was a flattering showing. The fair was held on the grounds of Alexander McPheeters, adjoining Livonia.

THE SECOND FAIR

This was held on the lands of D. S. Huffstutter, at Orleans, Orange County. September 19, 20 and 21, 1854, the grounds being enclosed with canvass. Hon. C. L. Dunham was the orator. Premiums were mainly paid in silverware. The second fair was fully up to the standard of the first. The total receipts were $1,178.24, and the total expenses $1,177.35. Silverware worth $271 was paid out. The gate receipts were $510.65, and the membership fees at $1 each amounted to $318. The third and subsequent fairs of the district society were held at Livonia. D. S. Huffstutter was President in 1855, and Samuel Huston in 1856. The admittance fee was usually 20 cents. All these fairs were highly successful. As a matter of fact, Hon. D. S. Huffstutter was de facto President of the agricultural society from 1853 to 1857, at which last date he resigned, and was succeeded by James A. Cravens. The total receipts in 1857 were $1,794.70, and the expenses $789.91. The fair of 1858 was five days in length.

THE SECOND SOCIETY

In November, 1858, a successful attempt was made to organize an Orange County Agricultural Society at Paoli. A large crowd assembled and the following permanent officers were elected: Asa M. Black, President; D. S. Huffstutter, Vice President; J. R. Simpson, Secretary; Hiram Lindley, Treasurer; T. N. Braxtan, Superintendent; William Charles, John Buskirk, Stephen Foster, William Gilliatt, William Stalcup, W. H. Cornwell, John Tegarden. H. Glover, H. Braxtan and L. H. Faucett, Directors. Stock to the amount of $3,000 was taken at the start. No fair was held in 1858. The first was on the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d of September, 1859, on the grounds at Paoli, upon which good buildings had been erected, and a half-mile race-track built. There was a large attendance. the weather being fine. The displays were exceptionally excellent, especially that at the floral hall. There were 949 entries, 502 of stock and the balance of manufactured and agricultural products. There were 283 premiums awarded, 158 on stock.

The district fair at Livonia in 1859 was unusually successful, the entries amounting to 1,511, 475 being dairy products, and 125 farm products. Total receipts, $1,604; total expenses. $1,465.14; members, fees, $654; gate receipts, $420.60. Silverware worth $906.35 was bought, and largely awarded in premiums. The grounds were greatly improved. It was conceded that the floral hall was the most beautiful in southern Indiana. At this time, also, a district fair in which Orange County participated was held at Bedford, Mitchell and other places. A mania for agricultural fairs raged.

OTHER FAIRS AT PAOLI

The second was highly successful. A. M. Black was re-elected President. In 1861 J. G. Huff presided. Fairs continued to be held at Livonia. Two years during the war no fair was held at Paoli. The fifth was held in 1865, A. Brunner being President. Others continued to be held annually. In 1869 the receipts were $1,329.67, and the expenses $1,155.96. Great interest was manifested in the county at this time, especially in the vicinity of Orleans, in the improvement of the breeds of swine, cattle and horses. Since then, with the exception of one or two years, animal fairs have been held at Paoli. Several reorganizations of the society have occurred, the last about a year ago. The usual attractions have been present. J. M. Hobson was President in 1871. The present organization was effected in 1883, and is called the Orange County Fair Association. Its first and present officers are: A. M. Andrew, President; John A. Hudelson, Vice-President; Amos Stout, Treasurer; George A. Buskirk, Secretary; L. S. Bowles, Superintendent. Orleans and vicinity has for years been one of the most active agricultural districts in the southern end of the State. With a fine soil and an enterprising people, it has been found to the public advantage to pay serious attention to scientific farming and stock-raising. Orleans has been at the lead in forming organizations for the promotion of these results. In 1880 the Orleans Agricultural Association was organized, and a fair was held the same year, with flattering success. At each succeeding year until the present (1884), fairs have been held with increasing prosperity and interest.

DEATH OF PROFESSOR WILBUR

At the fair of 1871 an aeronaut named Wilbur made daily ascensions in a large balloon charged with hot air, the balloon being held captive by ropes. The large crowds present became dissatisfied, as, from the advertisements, they had expected an uncontrolled ascension. On the last day of the fair, therefore, Prof. Wilbur announced that he would "go high enough to cool off," and G. H. Knapp, editor of the Paoli Union, resolved to accompany him on his aerial Voyage. About 4 o’clock P. M., all was ready, and Mr. Knapp took his place in the basket, Prof. Wilbur, standing on the ground, although it was understood that he was to ascend with Mr. Knapp, called to the attendants to cut the stay ropes, which was done, and the balloon bounded aloft, lurching so from the bungling manner of severing the ropes, that Mr. Knapp. when a few feet from the ground, was thrown from the basket, catching, as he fell, in the ropes, and being carried about twenty feet high, dropped to the ground, receiving severe bruises, but otherwise suffering no injury. As the balloon lurched and Mr. Knapp was thrown out, Prof. Wilbur caught a dangling rope and was carried aloft. He drew himself up and made repeated efforts to swing himself into the basket, and when about 400 feet high succeeded in getting one knee over the edge; but failing again he seemed to lose heart, as his efforts ceased, and he was carried rapidly farther and farther into the dizzy depths of the air. The situation was thrilling to the thousands of persons below. Every eye was turned in despair upon the doomed man. Stout men became white as death; women screamed and fainted; a sickening fear seized every heart. The Professor’s wife and child were agonized witnesses of the awful scene. The balloon mounted almost perpendicularly to the height of over a mile, when suddenly the hat of the unfortunate man was seen to fall, and a moment later the wearer’s grasp relaxed, and his body shot downward with frightful velocity. After falling a considerable distance, the resistance of the air caused the body to whirl rapidly around horizontally like a descending maple seed, and in this position, after the descent of over a mile, struck the earth within half a mile of where the balloon ascended. Death was instantaneous. That frightful death will long be remembered by the eye-witnesses.

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