HISTORY OF THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE. 97 



value of the goods, chattels, lands, rights and credit owned 

 by said association is fifty dollars. 



The following persons were elected officers for twelve 

 months from August i2th, 1880: 



President, J. N. Montgomery ; Vice-President, W. T. 

 Baggett ; Secretary, J. H. Dover ; Assistant Secretary, J. 

 C. Gilliland ; Lecturer, L,. G. Oxford ; Assistant Lecturer, 

 A. Dunlap ; Treasurer, J. W. Sullivan ; Doorkeeper, J. S. 

 Welch ; Assistant Doorkeeper, William Thompson. 



In witness whereof, we, as citizens of the State of 

 Texas, have on this the 6th day of October, 1880, sub- 

 scribed our names. 



[Signed] L. S. TACKITT. 



J. H. DOVER, 

 G. M. PLUM LEE. 



At this time the organization had not extended beyond 

 a few counties, and had confined its efforts to remedying 

 social conditions and local business affairs. The great need 

 of the Order was proper literature for the education of the 

 masses. The want of such literature was sorely felt and 

 proved a great drawback to the progress of the organiza- 

 tion. The farmers .were even-where discouraged and 

 almost indifferent to their condition, which they could 

 readily see was growing worse each year. In February, 

 1 88 1, the State Alliance convened at Poolville, in Parker 

 county. The secretary was authorized to issue charters to 

 all Sub- Alliances. The Weatherford Herald was selected 

 in which to publish matters of general interest to the 

 Order, and the secretary of each Sub- Alliance was author- 

 ized to act as an agent to increase its subscription. August 

 9th and loth, 1881, the State Alliance met at Goshen; J. 

 N. Montgomery, president. A form for burial service and 

 a regalia were adopted and much other business of import- 

 ance transacted. In February, 1882, the State Alliance 



