CHAPTEB XIX. 

 THE KEWANEE (ILLINOIS) CONVENTION. 



ORIGIN OF THE CONVENTION. 



In the spring of 1872, the Farmers Club of Avon sug 

 gested to a number of corresponding Clubs the advisability 

 of holding a convention, in order to compare notes, discuss 

 subjects of interest to the fraternity, inquire into the causes 

 of the depressed condition of Agriculture in the West, and 

 propose remedies therefor. A correspondence ensued among 

 men prominent in the Clubs, in which S. M. Smith, of Ke- 

 wanee ; Edward Maynard, of St. David ; John Me Adams, 

 of Avon; J. Howard, of Smithfield; A. M. Garland, of 

 Springfield, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture ; 

 W. T. R. Finnessy, of Kewanee ; John Prickett, of Lewis- 

 town, and others, participated. Mr. Finnessy thought that 

 the movement would place farmers in a &quot; higher position.&quot; 

 Mr. Garland expressed the opinion that the &quot; idea concern 

 ing a unity of effort among Farmers Clubs,&quot; etc., was &quot; in 

 the right direction.&quot; Mr. Howard deemed something of 

 the kind &quot; very necessary.&quot; Mr. McAdams desired greatly 

 the &quot;more thorough organization of our farmers.&quot; It was 

 the hope of Mr. Maynard that those having the matter in 

 charge would &quot;act promptly.&quot; The Club of which Mr. 

 Prickett was a member was &quot; decidedly in favor of the 

 (232) 



