CHAPTER XXXVII.

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THE CITY OF THE DEAD.

R. Hildreth was for several years President of the Riverside Cemetery Association of Charles City. In June, 1882, the Ladies Cemetery Improvement Association" was incorporated. and Mr. Hildreth was made chairman of their executive committee. The two corporations, acting in conjunction, raised several thousand dollars and expended the same in laying out lots, enlarging and beautifying the grounds and making needed improvements. It was the verdict of all visitors that this cemetery was kept in better condition and was more beautiful than any other "city of the dead" seen in the State. In this cemetery lie buried the remains of Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth's little daughter, and also the remains of Mrs. Hildreth's father and mother. Their lot is enclosed with an expensive iron railing, within which are two monuments and appropriate headstones—one of Italian marble representing the Hildreth family; and the other for Mr. and Mrs. Knight, made of granite from the quarries at Barre, Vermont.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

FLOYD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

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R. Hildreth was the instigator and prime mover in the work of organizing the Floyd County Agricultural Society. At his solicitation a meeting of citizens of the several towns in the county was held in Charles City in February, 1859. - Articles of incorporation were adopted and filed for record, and officers chosen consisting of a President, Vice Presidents, (one from each township,) and Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Hildreth took the office of Secretary, and upon him devolved the larger portion of the work preparatory to holding a Fair.

The Society met at the Secretary's office in June, when a committee of arrangements was appointed, also officers of the day and awarding committees. The time for the Fair was agreed upon, to be on the 5th and 6th of October, and Charles City the place. The people of Charles City subscribed $250.00 towards defraying expenses in making preparations for the Fair. Mr. Hildreth prepared the entire premium list, which was adopted with scarcely an alteration. The weather was favorable and all went on smoothly.

The people of the whole county entered heartily into the enterprise. The Secretary was kept busy until ten o'clock of the second day in receiving and recording the entries which numbered nearly five hundred: Field crops, 27; vegetables and fruits, 85; orcharding, 2; farming implements, 6; horses, 36; cattle, 34; sheep, 6; swine, 4; fowls. 9; dairy. 8; sugar and honey, 7; mechanic arts, 21; household manufactures, 74: miscellaneous, 95; stoves and tin ware, 1; penmanship, 1; discretionary, 3; female equestrianship, 6; and some others.

When the Secretary had closed the entries, the marshals formed a procession of the officers and members of the society and citizens generally. The Mechanic's Brass Band of Mitchell county had been engaged, which led the procession. They marched through the principal streets of Charles City and thence to the platform beneath the flag-staff upon the fair grounds.

After music by the band and an opening prayer. by request of the President, Mr. Hildreth addressed the assembled multitude, giving some account of the work that had been done and the benefits to be derived therefrom, and closed by announcing that the First Annual Fair of the Floyd County Agricultural Society was now formally opened." He then called up the chairmen of each of the awarding committees and delivered to them pass books in which to record their awards, with the request that they call together their respective committees, make their awards and return them to him at the stand promptly at

four o'clock, when the awards of premiums would by him be declared. All of which was fulfilled to

the letter.

Moses Conger delivered the oration in the afternoon, and other addresses by different speakers from abroad were delivered the exercises being interspersed by vocal and instrumental music.

The number of people attending this fair was estimated at 2,500, and the exhibit surpassed all expectations of this newly settled county. Mrs. Hildreth, with certain other ladies, rendered efficient aid in the art department, in arranging and displaying the exhibits there, many of which were very beautiful and attractive. In the department of garden vegetables and farm productions the exhibits were the surprise of all beholders. The new settlers especially were astonished at the wonderful growths and productions of the virgin soil of Floyd Couuty. The speed of horses was tested; ladies' equestrianship witnessed on the trotting course; awards of premiums declared; and all passed off to the general satisfaction of all present.

The receipts of money more than covered all expenses. The premiums awarded were paid in full, and some fifty dollars were left in the treasury. Skeptics concerning the success of the undertaking were completely silenced. Farmers' crops that season turned out well. Wheat yielded thirty bushels to the acre. Corn grew to a height of twelve feet and yielded sixty to eighty bushels per acre. The winter following was one of unu

sual business prosperity, and it was deemed advisable to organize a

FARMERS CLUB.

Agreeably to notice in the Intelligencer a number of gentlemen and ladies assembled at the residence of Milo Gilbert in Charles City, on the evening of Dec. 1st, 1860, for the purpose of organizing what was popularly termed a Farmers' Club." A. B. F. Hildreth presented a constitution for a permanent organization, which was adopted. number of ladies and gentlemen signed the constitution and officers were appointed. It was decided that the topic for discussion at the next meeting should be, "The Winter Care of Stock." This and other meetings were subsequently held, at which appropriate subjects were discussed and much useful information elicited.