FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VII. 655 



heese (which was the joint work of many families on the last Fourth of July, 

 and which weighed nearly four hundred pounds) had been purchased by some 

 of Governor Grimes' friends at the Lee county fair, with a view of presenting 

 the same to him at the meeting of the State Fair. An appropriate speech 

 was made on the occasion by Mr. Howell, of the Keokuk Whig, on the part 

 of Lee county, to which the Governor elect responded in his usual felicitous 

 manner. Shortly after this the fair was opened in due form, under the order 

 of its popular president, Colonel Claggett, of Keokuk, and the Marshals^ 

 mounted on horses and distinguished by appropriate badges, resumed their 

 respective positions on the grounds. We regret that we have not the names 

 of these gentlemen, as it is due to each and all of them to say that they dis- 

 charged their duties with a faithfulness and earnestness which entitled them 

 to the highest meed of praise. The good order which reigned supreme at 

 all points and throughout the whole of the three days, while honorable to 

 the assembled multitude, afforded a most gratifying proof of the tact of 

 Doctor Ware and his efficient marshals. 



It is impossible to specify in the brief space to which we are confined the 

 numerous and superior descriptions of stock, farming utensils, domestic and 

 mechanical manufactures, grains and vegetables, and products of art and 

 science which were presented for exhibition. Let it suffice that the display 

 in every department was highly respectable and in very many of ihem far 

 superior to the best expectations. We were particularly pleased to hear the 

 most competent judges declare they had never seen finer specimens of stock, 

 especially cattle. Van Buren county, we believe, carried off the ribbon in 

 the Durham line. 



The display of horses of every grade and strain was highly respectable, 

 A very large number were out for exhibition, consisting of stallions, riding 

 horses, carriage horses (matched), buggy horses, brood and draft mares, 

 colts, etc. There were prominent among others, three Morgan horses, two 

 of the Black-Hawk breed, and one of Sherman stock, the two former taking 

 the ribbons. Of mules, jacks and jennetts, there was a very fair display, 

 and a most liberal attendance, and the audience was pretty constantly tele- 

 graphed of their continual presence. 



Des Moines, and several other counties, produced some superior speci- 

 mens of fine blooded sheep. We are not advised as to the breeds that are 

 preferred. 



Several varieties of fine hogs were on exhibition; among them some of 

 the largest ever raised in the State. The different breeds appeared to 

 attract much attention among the farmers. 



The live stock, together with the machinery, mechanical manufactures, 

 and agricultural productions, were all inspected by the committees on the 

 first day, but the articles, except a portion of the live stock, were continued 

 on the grounds throughout the full term of the fair. 



