FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VII. 653 



Of agricultural productions there was a fair display. Some specimens of 

 wheat exhibited were superior. As to the corn it is tjseless to talk of finding 

 any better. One sample of oats was the best we ever saw. In short, the 

 entire exhibition was highly creditable to the State and did honor to those 

 who were engaged in it. 



The great attraction of the day was the female equestrianism, which came 

 off at two o'clock in the afternoon of the second day, and at ten o'clock 

 A.M. of the third day. The prize was a gold watch, valued at one hundred 

 dollars, and ten ladies, accompanied by their cavaliers, entered the list to 

 contend for it. The number of persons who were present to witness this at- 

 tractive feature of the fair was immense. The committee awarded the prize 

 to a Miss Turner, of Keokuk, much to the disappointment of the people, who 

 were decidedly in favor of awarding it to Miss Eliza Jane Hodges, "the 

 Iowa City girl"; we were one of the people. We had intended to say some- 

 thing about how they were dressed, but so soon as we learned how the prize 

 was awarded, we were so "put out" that we had no inclination to note their 

 dress, and forgot everything else but the ' 'Iowa City girl." In our humble 

 opinion, Mrs. John Eckert— the lady dressed in blue— was decidedly the 

 most graceful rider on the ground. When the award was made known, the 

 people set about it and made up a purse of one hundred and sixty-five dol- 

 lars for Miss Eliza J. Hodges, and some other presents, and further made 

 provision for her attendance, free of all charge, for three terms at the 

 Female Seminary at this place, and one term at the seminary at Mt. Pleasant, 

 all of which she gratefully accepted, as a sensible girl would, particularly 

 the educational portion. Miss Hodges is quite young, being but thirteen or 

 fourteen years" of age; but she certainly displayed the best horsemanship we 

 ever saw displayed by any female. The bold manner in which she fearlessly 

 galloped around the enclosure was really intensely exciting. The marshals 

 could not keep the people from showing their approbation in loud shouts. 

 Miss Kate B. Pope was there. We know Kate to be a fine rider, but she 

 rode a miserable hack for a horse; she did well, however. We suppose the 

 committee, in awarding the prize, acted conscientiously, but there was a 

 large majority of the people against them, and we want it distinctly under- 

 stood we were one of them. 



The address was delivered by George C. Dixon, of Keokuk, who was 

 listened to attentively by a large concourse of people. He delivered a very 

 sensible address, which will be published. 



The premiums were awarded on the third day, and we hope soon to be 

 able to lay them before our readers, when it will be seen that Jefferson 

 county came in for a full share. 



On the morning of the third day the members met for the purpose of ap- 

 pointing officers for the ensuing year. Thomas W. Claggett was continued 

 as president, and Dr. J. M. Shaffer as secretary. It was determined to hold 

 the next fair at this place, when the people may expect to see a differently 

 arranged enclosure, and everything put in better shipshape. This being 

 the first State fair, the officers were not willing to expend much money, not 

 knowing how it would take with farmers generally. They need have no 

 fears for next year. The next annual State fair of the society will be held 

 at Fairfield, commencing on the second Wednesday in October, 1855, and 



