88 



those who placed them in power, deemed it expedient to call a meet- 

 ing of the Society to " see what action it would take in relation to 

 the show ground." This meeting was held in April. And after a 

 patient and impartial hearing of the facts in the case, pro and con, 

 resolutions were passed approving the course of the Committee in 

 regard to the location, and instructing them to proceed in their work, 

 and fit the grounds. A vote was also passed by a large majority, 

 authorizing them to build a hall on the same, provided they could 

 raise one thousand dollars, and do it without involving the Society 

 in debt. 



Encouraged by this vote of approval, and stimulated by new 

 instructions, the Committee commenced their labors with renewed 

 energy. The grounds were enclosed with a tight board fence ; a 

 model half-mile track graded, all the land within the enclosure 

 plowed, leveled and smoothed, seats and judges' stand erected, and 

 Avells dug for the accommodation of stock. The croAvning feature of 

 all was the hall. This the Committee were instructed not to erect 

 until they had first secured an addition to the funds of the Society 

 of one thousand dollars, and that was a task not easily accomplished. 

 The season advanced, and the time of the show approached — the 

 money was not forthcoming — the hall not built. 



In this emergency several public spirited individuals came nobly 

 forward and gave their obligation to the amount of five hundred dol- 

 lars, that the Committee might proceed to erect the hall. As this 

 obligation secured the requisite sum, a contract was entered into 

 with John II. Haskins to erect a building one hundred feet long and 

 fifty feet wide, with a hall above for addresses and dinner, and one 

 below for exhibition purposes. This contract was made early in Sep- 

 tember, and not a stick of timber had been cut for the purpose, but 

 by the indomitable energy and skill of the contractoi*, the foundations 

 were laid, and the superstructure completed ready for use the 10th 

 of October. At a meeting of the Committee it was voted unanimous- 

 ly to name the grounds Hampshire Park, and the hall, Hampshire 

 Hall, "and to authorize the President, Prof. William S. Clark to 

 christen the same, and dedicate them to the uses of the Society. At 

 a meeting held in the. hall, of a large portion of the members of the 

 Society, and of nearly all the surrounding community on the 25th of 

 October, the christening ceremony and dedication took place. The 

 utmost enthusiasm and good feeling prevailed, and after interesting 

 speeches by several gentlemen the motion was made by I. F. 



