DATE OF ITS ORGANIZATION--CHARTER MEMBERS AND FIRST OFFICERS--OBJECTS--AIMS AND SPHERE OF THE SOCIETY--ITS MEETINGS--MIGRATORY--ORDEROF BUSINESS-REMARKS, ETC.
The Delaware County Horticultural Society was organized on the 15th of April, 1880. The charter original members were H. J. Lockhart, Dr. Will A. Egbert, Granville Cowing, D. R. Pershing, Stephen Hathaway and John Fullhart, of whom DJ. R. Pershing was chosen President; Granville Cowing, Vice President; Dr. Will A. Egbert, Secretary; John Fullhart, Treasurer; Stephen Hathaway and H. J. Lockhart, Executive Committee, with Evan T. Babb, subsequently elected as the third member.
The first regular monthly meeting was held at the farm residence of John Fullhart, Esq. Great interest was manifested, and all enjoyed themselves in the most satisfactory manner, the strawberry season being at its most inviting period. Each subsequent meeting has been more interesting than that which preceded it, and attended with an increased membership, indicating the most flattering prospects of success in the near future.
The objects of the society are:
1. The cultivation of fruits, flowers and garden products, as its name implies (a garden or gardening).
2. To disseminate useful information among its members in regard to the best varieties to produce, the most successful methods of cultivation and the proper manner of preserving the same for future use.
3. To cultivate a more intimate acquaintance among its members, and to enjoy a rest from the toils of the garden and fields. But not least among the benefits conferred by such a society, is the dignity with which it crowns the occupation of him who tills the soil. Scores of our young men desert the farm, simply because they imagine that farm labor will lower their social standing. These are meeting in which intelligent men and women bring their influence. Their hearty sympathy and support must do much to correct such a false sentiment.
The meetings of the society are migratory in their character, the same bing held in the country in the summer and in the city in winter, at the residence of some of its members, upon the invitation of some member who desires its company for the next meeting. All regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, the members, on these occasions, bringing their baskets well filled with provisions, and specimens of fruits, flowers and garden products, the latter for the inspection of special committees, who duties it is to examine and report of their merits of beauty and excellence, the former to be discussed by a committee of the whole at the close of the exercises. After assembling, and a few monemts' chat among the members, the society proceeds to transact the business, which is arranged in the following order: 1. Roll call. 2. Reading the minutes of the previous meeting. 3. Unfinished business. 4. Reports of special committees. 5. Reports of standing committees. 6. Communications and correspondence. 7. Essays by one or more of its members, who have been designated at a previous meeting to prepare such. 8. Miscellaneous business. 9. Examination of specimens presented for exhibition. 10. Arrangements for next meeting. 11. Adjournment. After which, together with invited guests, arranging for refreshments, which is not usually the least interesting part of the programme.
The meetings have been very interesting and well attended since its organization, and prospering in the increase of its membership and social bearing toward each other. It now numbers about eighty of the best citizens of the county, who hope to see its membership and social bearing toward each other. It now numbers about eighty of the best citizens of the county, who hope to see its membership increase into the hundreds, and express themselves as gratified with the work already accomplished, expecting, also, to continue until horticulture shall be the pride of our youn men, few being found forsaking their country home for a city life. May it continue to prosper until every field shall be a garden, and every garden shall "blossum as the rose."
With such a foreshadowing, the prospects of the future are most auspicious. With the spirit of enterprise moving it forward in its chosen course, the results cannot fail to be in accord with the anicipations of the most enthusiastic of its members. The field is a most desirable one to be cultivated, and, if success fails to attend the efforts of its active membership, we opine the fault will not rest with those now engaged in the movement. (Pages 66-67)
CHAPTER XIV
INCREASE OF PROPERTY
PROF. E. TUCKER.
GENERAL REVIEW OF THE SITUATION--COMPARATIVE STATISTICS FROM YEAR TO YEAR--VALUATION AND TAXES--AGGREGATES--STATEMENT BY TOWNSHIPS.
The Assessor's books showed, originally, very small and meager lists, and the collection of taxes was a very light affair. Probably for some years the smount of annual taxes would not reach $1,000. A log court house and jail, a few log cross-ways and poll-bridges, a grand jury and a court two or three days did not require much money. But the first Treasurer's book that can be found which contains "footings," shows a considerable advance in property, and of taxation as well. The Tax Duplicate for 1843, makes the following showing as to valuation of property, number of polls and amount of tax assessed. The figures are given by townhips, and also of totals:
Townships Valuation Polls Taxation Salem $134,157 155 $1,163 Mount Pleasant 144,112 157 1,355 Harrison 74,949 91 643 Washington 82,906 125 734 Monroe 97,039 99 772 Center 239,286 251 2,033 Hamilton 78,746 64 642 Union 84,367 109 702 Perry 110,978 127 894 Liberty 108,576 148 902 Delaware 97,179 127 795 Niles 85,039 114 739 Totals $1,137,284 1,567 $11,474
The above list showa considerable advance from the wild state of a desolate wilderness. The statment for 1849 gives a decided though not very large increase. The totals only are given: 1849--Valuation, $1,312,306; polls, 1,664; taxes, $16,782--a growth, in amount, as follows; Increase of valuation, 38½ per cent; incrase of pols, 6 1/5 percent; increase of taxes, 46 per cent.
The yaar 1860, shows a very large growth in all the respects noted above. The statistics are presented by townships, as for 1843:
Townships Valuation Polls Taxes Salem $434,230 194 $3,635 Mount Pleasant 369,380 210 3,848 Harrison 280,145 171 2,372 Washington 281,435 182 2,805 Monroe 310,920 180 2,756 Center 441,390 147 3,840 Hamilton 278,130 125 2,301 Union 306,615 177 3,328 Perry 355,855 173 2,644 Liberty 406,830 201 3,434 Delaware 350,330 160 3,008 Niles 280,495 179 3,034 Bellefontaine R. R. 87,548 ---- 707 Muncie 604,185 314 7,725 Totals $4,787,543 2,413 $45,438
Increase in eleven years--Valuation, 270 per cent; polls, 45 percent; taxes, 170 per cent.
In 1865, the valuation was $7,552, 320; polls, 2,390; taxes, $130, 196.93. Valuation increased in five years 60 per cent; the number of polls slightly decreased; taxes increased 188 8/9 per cent.
The statement for 1870, five years later, exhibits the following: Valuation, $8,138,115; polls, 2,912; taxes $199,055. Increase in valuation during that time, 8 per cent; polls, 22 per cent; taxation, 53 per cent. A subsequent statement show the valuation to be $11, 168,165, an increase of 37 per cent over the former statement; the number of polls to be 2,792, a decrease of 4 per cent; the taxes $165,243, a decrease of 20 per cent. The valuation in 1879, was $10,690,468, a decrease of 22 per cent on the former; the number of polls was 3,495, an increase of 26 per cent; the taxes were $127,357, a decrease of 37 per cent. In 1880, we have:
Townships Valuation Polls Taxes Salem $709,000 268 $10,643 Mount Pleasant 820,000 322 13,992 Harrison 533,000 281 8,837 Washington 427,000 227 7,204 Monroe 559,000 236 8,364 Center 1,171,000 227 18,191 Muncie 1,795,000 789 27,068 Hamilton 485,000 196 6,100 Union 514,000 231 8,061 Perry 502,000 197 7,081 Liberty 833,000 259 11,791 Delaware 564,000 198 8,961 Niles 466,000 210 6,596 Totals $9,378,000 3,661 $142,889