ally throughout the territory, and announces by public notice a "call meeting," thus: The citizens of township seventy-two north, range five west, are requested to meet at 'Squire B--'s, Hickory Grove, (or as the place and time may be) to adopt the necessary measures for securing their homes at the approaching land sales at Bor D--" After a short preamble and set of resolutions suited to the occasion, a "register" is appointed, whose duty it shall be to record the name of each claimant to his respective "claim." A bidder is also appointed, whose duty it shall be, on the day of sale, to bid off all the land previously registered in the name of each respective claimant. These associations are formed mutually, to sustain and protect each other in their claim-rights. Thus, everything moves along at the land sales with the harmony and regularity of clock-work; and should any one present be found bidding over the minimum price ($1.25,) on land registered in the township book, woe be unto him. Although "claim law" is no law derived from the United States, or from the statute book of the territory, yet it nevertheless is the law, made by and derived from the sovereigns themselves and its mandates are imperative.

When any controversy arises between two neighbors relative to trespassing, (in common parlance) "jumping a claim," it is arbitrated by a committee appointed for that purpose, and their decision is considered final.

I doubt not but many a veteran farmer of Iowa, when passed into the "sear and yellow leaf" of age, will look back to by-gone years, (should these pages chance to meet his view,) and relate by the fireside of affluence and plenty, to his children, and perhaps his children's children, the trying times encountered in the early days of "claim making."

SKETCH OF A LAND SALE.

The great mass of people east of the Alleghanies, I apprehend, have but little idea of a western land sale. Many are the ominous indications of its approach among the "settlers." Every dollar is sacredly treasured up. The precious "mint drops" take to themselves wings, and fly away from the merchant's till to the farmer's cupboard. Times are dull in the towns; for the settler's home is dearer and sweeter than the merchant's sugar and coffee. At length the wished-for day arrives. The suburbs of the town present the scene of a military camp. The settlers have flocked from far and near. The hotels are thronged to overflowing. Bar-rooms, dining-rooms, and wagons, are metamorphosed into bed-rooms. Dinners are eaten from a table or a stump; and thirst is quenched from a bar or from a brook. The sale being announced from the land office, the township bidder stands near by with the registry book in his hand, and each settler's name attached to his respective quarter or half section, and thus he bids off in the name of the whole township for each respective claimant. A thousand settlers are standing by, eagerly listening when their quarter shall be called off. The crier has passed the well known number. His home is secure. He feels relieved. The litigation of "claim jumping" is over forever. He is lord of the soil. With an independent step he walks into the land office, opens the time-worn saddlebags, and counts out the $200 or $400, silver and gold, takes his certificate from the general government, and goes his way rejoicing.

Such a scene have I witnessed, which continued for three successive weeks, in which time nearly half a million of money was taken from the actual settlers of Iowa. It is an interesting sight to witness thousands of

our fellow-beings, who, having planted themselves in a new country, are patiently waiting for the hour to arrive when they can buy the homes and the land from which they earn their bread-when they can say in truth, this is my own "vine and fig tree." These are the embryo scenes consequent in commencing the settlement of this new country; occurrences that, to the uninformed European, would seem incomprehensible; but the commencing landmarks which have marked the progress of the western pioneer, who, but as yesterday, verging upon the forests of Ohio and Kentucky, is now beyond the western shore of the Mississippi; and still his adventurous spirit looks onward, until nought shall remain save the boundless expanse of the vast Pacific.

CHAPTER V.-PART 2.

Agriculture-Live Stock Interests-Horticulture-Land Values-Birds, Bees, etc. The various items given under the above sub-divisions are arranged so far as practicable in their order of time, or by successive years, instead of lumping them together by subjects. We have aimed to pursue the historical method, rather than the strictly topical.

THE JOHNSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society was organized April 9, 1853, and has maintained its organization intact ever since. From the official records we copy the following points of general public interest:

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, have associated ourselves, and with such as may become hereafter associated, as a body corporate and politic with perpetual succession, by the style of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, in subordination to the laws of Iowa and to the articles of the association, which are hereafter attached.

Witness our hands at Iowa City, April 9, 1853. S. H. Bonham, Easton Morris, J. M. Coleman, John McCadden, W. H. White, W. H. Woods, Edward Connelly, Legrand Byington, Isaac V. Dennis, Ezekiel Clark, Joseph Beauter, E. W. Lucas, F. H. Lee, Robert Walker.

The following articles show its object and basis of membership: Article 1. This association shall be called the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Society. Its object shall be the advancement of the interests of agriculture and horticulture in all their departments.

Article 2. The payment of one dollar annually shall entitle any person to all the privileges of membership, and the payment of five dollars, to an honorary membership for life.

In 1857, Legrand Byington, Esq., wrote for the State Agricultural Society a sketch of the early history of this Johnson county society, and we quote a few points from Mr. Byington's paper:

"The constitution, as adopted and subsequently amended, together with the foregoing act of association, was recorded in the county records, in book 10, page 286, and the following officers were forthwith elected to serve until the first annual meeting in October, 1853, viz:

President, Smiley H. Bonham.

Vice-presidents, Samuel H. McCrory, Joseph Beauter.

Secretary, Edward Connelly.

Treasurer, John M. Coleman.

Executive committee: Legrand Byington, Elisha Pearson, James Cavanagh, Easton Morris, Ezekiel Clark, Richard Burge, Isaac V. Dennis, W. H. White.

These officers, under the designation of "Board of Managers," are charged with the entire management of the affairs of the society, and are invested with plenary powers in the premises. They are elected on the second Tuesday of October, annually, but hold over in case of any failure to elect at the appointed time.

'OUR FIRST COUNTY FAIR.

In the month of June, following this organization, a meeting of the board was called, for the purpose of inaugurating the first fair and exhibition of our infant society. Less than a quorum responded to the call, and we were perplexed with apprehensions of failure. The experiment was renewed, and with the same lack of attendance. Our ever active friends, Dr. White and General Morris, were on hand, however, and we assumed the responsibility of going ahead at all hazards. With less than ten dollars in the treasury, and sorry prospects for more, hampered for a time, we named a day and place for the fair, prepared a premium list of one hundred and thirty awards, arranged in eleven classes, and requiring, besides expenses, an expenditure of three hundred and fifty-four dollars, and appointed all the judges of the exhibition. Preliminaries thus arranged, we presented them to the people of the county, by circular, and anxiously awaited the result.

The day of the fair proved to be pleasant, and, although the time of preparation had been short, several thousand people assembled to enjoy the fete, and made up an exhibition which surpassed our expectations, and was every way creditable to the county. Our receipts, from all sources, were $380, and the premiums and expenses paid, amounting to $372, leaving a small balance of eight dollars in favor of the experiment. No thoroughbred cattle or horses were then owned within the county, but there was a good show of grades and natives; and the principal premiums awarded in these classes, were given to Messrs. Richard Burge, Franklin Kimball, Thomas Lindley, F. H. Hempstead, Isaac Bowen, Mathew Ten Eyck, John Parrott, N. Winterstein, C, B. Wray, Edward Connelly.

OFFICERS FOR 1853.

At the regular annual meeting of the society, held in pursuance of the charter, and of public notice, at the office of E. Connelly, in Iowa City, on the second Tuesday of October, 1853, P. D. Turner, Esq., acting as presdent, and E. Connelly, secretary, the following proceedings were had, viz:

Article 3 of the charter was so amended as to make the executive committee consist of fourteen members, to be apportioned as follows: three

for Iowa City township, and one for each of the remaining townships of the county, and the office of corresponding secretary was added to the board.

An election was then held for officers of the society for the ensuing year, which resulted in the election of the following persons, to-wit: President, Samuel H. McCrory.

Vice-presidents, P. D. Turner, H. H. Winchester.
Rec. secretary, F. Connelly.

Cor. secretary, W. H. Fyffe.

Treasurer, Legrand Byington.

Executive committee, H. W. White, J. H. Morehead, Franklin Kimball, M. Ten Eyck, Richard Burge, Bryan Dennis, Nicholas Winterstein, E. K. Morse, Ebenezer Adams, W. B. Ford, M. F. Snavely, A. D. Packard, John D. Able, James Cavanagh.

"On motion, ordered that the above named officers enter upon the discharge of their respective offices from and after the 13th of October,

1853.

E. CONNELLY, Secretary.

This board of officers met, in pursuance of notice, at the secretary's office, Iowa City, on the 20th of May, 1854, when the following proceedings were had, viz.:

1. Resolved, That the second annual fair of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Society be held, under the direction of the board of managers, at Iowa City, on the 26th and 27th of September, 1854.

2. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. Morehead, Morse, and Byington, be appointed, whose duty it shail be to prepare, and after its ratification, cause to be published, a premium list for said fair.

3. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. F. Kimball, White, Fyffe, and Morehead, be appointed, whose duty it shall be to obtain and prepare suitable grounds for said fair, and that said committee be authorized, in their discretion, to make said provision a permanent arrangement for the accommodation of this society, if it can be done without involving this society beyond its available means.

4. Resolved, That the committee first above named, be instructed to report said premium list for revision or adoption to an adjourned meeeting of this board, to be held at E. Connelly's office, in Iowa City, at 1 o'clock Saturday, June 3, 1854, at which time and place the several awarding committees will be appointed.

Resolved, That the corresponding secretary be instructed to serve upon each member of the board of managers a written notice, and request them to be present at the meeting on the 3d of June.

6. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. White, McCrory and Fyffe, be appointed to procure a suitable person to deliver an address at said fair.

The committee on premium lists, etc., were prompt in the discharge of their duties, and on the 3d of June, published to the people a list of premiums much more extensive than that of the preceding year, embracing nineteen classes and accompanied by the usual address.

As on the previous occasion, we were favored with pleasant weather during the second exhibition, and were all gratified in the assurance that the show was very much superior to that of the preceding year. The receipts, from all sources were $518, and the premiums and expenses all paid amounted to $540.80, creating a deficit of $22.80, which was promptly advanced by the treasurer on the credit of the society. In cattle and horses, especially, there was a very marked improvement, the principal prizes on which were well contested, and fell to Messrs. Thomas Lindley, Richard Burge, Franklin Kimball, Legrand Byington, Joseph Yoakum, I. V. Dennis, Lindley Abel, Philip Pitt, John Huss, N. Winterstein, A. C. Dennison, F. W. Hempstead, Moses Adams, Robert Walker, Jno. C. Burge, J. H. Morehead.

Invitations to deliver an address before the society, had been successively tendered to Messrs. George Green, of Cedar Rapids; James Grant and Hiram Price, of Davenport; and James W. Grimes, of Burlington; but the pre-existing engagements of these gentlemen did not permit either of them to accept.

Although meeting, on this occasion, the full measure of anticipated success, it had been found that it required such active and unremitting exertion, in the way of personal solicitation, if not outright dunning, to collect a sufficiency of membership fees to sustain our expenditures upon the liberal scale which was deemed essential, that the society was in danger of dissolution from over-working a few of its most active members. Some more permanent and accessible source of revenue seemed indispensable. Accordingly, at a business meeting of the society held on the evening of the first day of this fair, the subject of our pecuniary prospects, among others, was under discussion, and resulted in the following action, viz:

On motion of Mr. Byington: Resolved, that this society will memorialize the next General Assembly of Iowa to pass an act authorizing the county judge of Johnson county to set apart, annually, a per centage of the poll tax of the county, as a fund for the use of this society, to be expended for the improvement, within said county, of agriculture and the mechanic arts.

Resolved, that a committee of five active friends of the cause in each township, be appointed by the chair, at our to-morrow's meeting, to circulate a similar petition for signatures throughout the county.

Resolved, that the secretary be instructed to procure the printing of such petitions, and cause them to be apportioned amongst said committee

men.

Some conversation was had about recommending the organization of a company for the importation of first-class thorough-bred stock from the Eastern States, but no definite action was taken thereon.

In accordance with these resolutions, petitions were circulated and signed, and at the ensuing session of the general assembly we had the satisfaction of seeing a bill, which we had prepared, pass into law, without serious opposition, in the following form, viz: