80 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



system for co-operative trade stores was adopted which has 

 since given general satisfaction. In the meantime the 

 opposition to the Order had not subsided, but was more 

 bitter and intense than ever. But the iron will of the 

 officers and members, defied opposition, and the Wheel con- 

 tinued to make rapid progress. Men of intelligence and 

 prominence, perceiving that the Wheel had "come to 

 stay," now joined, and people began to look upon it with 

 more respect than formerly. As its principles were better 

 understood it became more firmly established. The next 

 annual meeting of the State Wheel was held at Tumbling 

 Creek Church, Weakly county, July ist, 1886. The 

 usual routine of business was transacted. The Toiler, a 

 paper published at Fulton, Kentucky, was adopted as the 

 special organ of the Order. J. M. Adams resigned his 

 position as State Secretary, and W. T. Davis was elected 

 to fill the vacancy. C. C. Adams, who had been succes- 

 sively elected State Lecturer from the organization of the 

 State Wheel, was still retained in that position. The 

 following year was marked with an unprecedented growth 

 of the Wheel in the State. From July ist, 1886, to July 

 ist, 1887, seven hundred new Wheels were organized. By 

 this time the people were beginning to understand the 

 objects and aims of the Order, and were rapidly availing 

 themselves of the opportunities which it offered. State 

 Lecturer Adams was being constantly and urgently solicited 

 to visit various parts of the State and lecture on the objects 

 of the Order. Realizing the necessity and importance of 

 his work he labored incessantly; unselfishly devoting the 

 whole of his time to the work, often receiving barely enough 

 to pay his traveling expenses. To him, perhaps, more 

 than any other one member of the organization, the Wheel 

 is indebted for the rapid progress it made, and its present 

 respectable condition. Mr. Adams held his position until 

 July, 1888, when he refused to be re-elected, andj. F. 



