MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 529 



REPORT OF GOGEBIC COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



IRONWOOD, Mich., Dec. 18, 1896. 

 Secretary State Agricultural Association, Lansing, Mich.: 



The undersigned officers of the Gogebic County Agricultural Society 

 hereby submit the following report of the transactions of the said society 

 during the past year of 1896. The society was incorporated on the 18th 

 day of October, 1895, and at the annual meeting of the board of super- 

 visors of Gogebic county, held on the 18th day of October, 1896, a tax 

 levy of one-twentieth of one mill on the assessed valuation of the county 

 was made for the use and benefit of the society. The levy amounted 

 to $450, and by resolution of said board upon the request of the officers 

 of the society, the said sum was appropriated towards the construction 

 of an exhibition building for the use of the society. At the annual meet- 

 ing of the county board, held the 16th day of October, 1896, another 

 tax levy of one-tenth of one mill was made for the use of the society, 

 which will become available during the year 1897. This appreciation 

 of the society and its aims and objects by the board of supervisors has 

 ^contributed much towards its success and gives assurance of its future 

 prosperity and usefulness. Without it, it is doubtful if the society 

 could have made a success. Plans were laid and preparations began 

 early in the year for holding a county fair at some time during the fall. 

 A ladies' auxiliary was organized in connection with the society, and at 

 once met with success. The household, art and educational departments 

 were placed under their control, and they evinced a lively interest in 

 the matter from the start. Preparations were soon made and contracts 

 let for the construction of an exhibition building to be erected on the 

 city driving park in the city of Ii"onwood, of whom a lease had been 

 secured. The dimensions of the building are 48x98 feet, and is a very 

 substantial building costing $1,200. Nearly four hundred dollars were 

 spent in improving the race track and grounds. After all arrangements 

 had been made for the fair and it gave every evidence of proving a 

 brilliant success, the financial depression in the early part of the sum- 

 mer caused the mines here to close, and as this threw the bulk of our 

 population out of employment and made the financial success of the fair 

 doubtful, it was thought best after careful consideration to postpone 

 the fair until another year. If conditions are favorable a fair will un- 

 questionably be held during the year 1897, and it will undoubtedly prove 

 a great success. 



The farming industry in the county has increased very much during 

 the past few years, and it is expected to continue to do so in the future. 

 The possibilities of successful farming in this county has been fully 

 demonstrated. 



The financial report of the secretary and treasurer is attached hereto. 



W. S. GOODLAND, 



President. 



C. E. HOUK, 



Secretarv. 



JOHN W. MULLEN, 



Treasurer. 

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