SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI 371 



copy of the same paper an account which told of a Methodist 'Confer- 

 ence being in session here and on down the line was an account of a 

 talk given by a noted minister or bishop, highly connected with the 

 church, to a group of young preachers. The account went on to say 

 that the principal topic of his address was devoted to the advice that 

 "having something to say, say it and then sit down." I have been won- 

 dering since how to apply this advice to my own case at the convention 

 in view of the fact that I have nothing much to say. 



I feel, in fact, a great deal like the Mayor in that a response seems 

 hardly necessary for I believe that Waterloo knows the members of 

 this association appreciate and greatly value their welcome and feel 

 grateful to them for their courtesy. The fact that we have continued 

 to come for the last six or seven years should be ample proof that 

 we think a whole lot of them and of the city of Waterloo. 



I don't know of anything that I could say which would be of interest 

 to Waterloo, but I might say to the members of the association, especial- 

 ly to the younger ones, something of the reasons why Waterloo came 

 into possession of this convention, in connection with the Dairy Cattle 

 (.ongress. Going back over the history of the association for the past 

 six or seven years to the Cedar Rapids convention, you will find that 

 we never had a strictly dairy show in the state of Iowa previous to that 

 time. Just prior to that convention I believe Mr. Barney suggested that 

 we hold an exhibit of dairy cattle at the time of the convention to stir 

 more interest in the convention. Mr. Barney brought some of his Hol- 

 steins, some others sent a few Guernseys and Jerseys and that consti- 

 tuted the first exhibit. This exhibit, held in the coliseum, created an 

 interest at the convention and at once aroused breeders to the advan- 

 tages of having a real dairy show in Iowa. It happened that at this 

 convention some Des Moines representatives put the proposition before 

 the convention to bring the next show to Des Moines saying that they 

 would furnish the coliseum there and give any other assistance which 

 might be required. This offer was favorably received but later when 

 arrangements to Eold the show there were taken up it was found that 

 the coliseum had been rented for the same dates upon which the show 

 was to be held and the Des Moines men didn't appear willing to put 

 this other party out; neither did they seem willing to furnish any other 

 place, much to the disgust of those in charge of the convention. 



It happened, however, that at this meeting were several citizens of 

 Waterloo, among them being Mr. Marsh and Mr. Shoemaker. When 

 they saw how the show was faring and that things were not going well 

 ■with it Mr. Marsh suggested to Mr. Shoemaker that they bring it to 

 Waterloo. After talking the matter over they decided to try it. They 

 got up before the convention and put the proposition before them to 

 bring the show to Waterloo. They pointed out that they had the biggest 

 coliseum in the state and Chautauqua Park in which to hold it. The 

 men in charge of the convention were faA^orably inclined and so the show 

 was brought here to Waterloo. Mr. Marsh was forced to leave on busi- 

 ness for another part of the state and it was up to Mr. Shoemaker to 

 get here and rent land for holding the show. 



