38 THE HISTORY OF THE 



tion of a thousand dollars toward the purchase of land. 

 A large Committee was chosen and authorized by a vote, 

 81 in the affirmative, 11 in the negative, to bond or pur- 

 chase, grade and fence land and erect suitable buildings 

 for the use of the Society, paying for the same out of 

 the Society's funds. 



Locations in various parts of the County were sug- 

 gested and carefully studied, and in the end purchase was 

 made of ten acres, centrally situated in the town of Pea- 

 body. Buildings were erected, a quarter-mile track laid 

 out, and the annual Cattle Show was held there in Sep- 

 tember 1895. 



The Transactions of that year included a full state- 

 ment of the reasons which made the new departure a 

 wise venture. The annual receipts had been falling off 

 largely for a number of years. The free exhibit of live 

 stock remained popular but there was a marked diminu- 

 tion in the attendance at the Hall Exhibit which involved 

 the payment of a small admission fee. Consequently the 

 expense of the Cattle Show exceeded the total revenue 

 from admission fees, from the funds and the annual grant 

 of $600 by the State and the funds had been depleted 

 largely. It was believed that as the location in Peabody 

 was the geographical center of a large population, the 

 financial situation would be greatly improved. 



Some economies were urged, curtailing the size of the 

 Transactions which seemed larger than the requirements 

 of the Society warranted, and the number and liberality 

 of the premiums, which far surpassed those of any other 

 Society in the State. "The possibilities of an exceedingly 

 good show next year, with attractions of an interesting 

 and harmless character, can be introduced to advantage." 



A vigorous and very successful effort was made in 1896 

 to inaugurate a new era. A hundred head of cattle in the 

 exhibition pens were a reminder of the palmy days of the 

 Society. Nine yoke came from the State Lunatic Hos- 

 pital at Danvers, which made notable contributions each 



