NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY. 
For the late appearance of this book, I would say that, upon entering upon the duties 
of Secretary, I found that no official record had been kept of its organization or of its first 
annual meeting. Many of the addresses, and other matter pertaining to the compilation, 
had been carried away by the authors of the same, consequently I was at a loss where to 
begin; neither had we sufficient funds to get out the proceedings in pamphlet form-as 
voted by the Association. To overcome these difficulties took time and labor-first, to 
secure the necessary funds; second, to collect the scattered matter for the pamphlet. I 
tender my acknowledgments for valuable information, statistics, etc., to Messrs. Dr. R. 
R. Stone, J. R. McLean, and The Elgin Advocate. 
If any misstatements have found their way into this book, the above explanation is my 
apology. M . H THOMPSON, Secretary. 
P. S.-Copies of this work will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of 25 cents. 
