(Continued from page 72.)
very successful fair on the farm now owned by Mr. Strickland, just north of the city. Several enterprising men of this city got the key note from that venture and early in 1880 a Fair society was incorporated with a capital stock of $5000 and thirty-one acres adjoining the city was purchased for $50 per acre and in September, 1880, the first meeting under the new organization was held. The officers of the Grange Fair were M. H. Wart, president; F. T. Waite, secretary; P. S. Bassett, vice-president and J. M. Stonebraker, treasurer.
Mr. Ed Hodgson was chosen first president of the new organization and has served in that office eleven years. Samuel Stitt served one year and John Tyler, deceased, two years and Ed Childs is president for '96. D. A. Espy was the first secretary and served two years, when Walter Bennett succeeded him and served ten years, moving west during the tenth year. G. R. Curtiss was chosen to succeed Mr. Bennett and has served to the present time. F. T. Waite was chosen treasurer in 1880 and served until removed by death and was then succeeded by his son, Azro H., who still retains the position. J. L. Patton is vice-president and the following is the board of directors: W. W. Dunmire, I. B. Hammers, C. M. Stephenson, Ed Hodgson, John Schofield, Albert Jones, George Scheer, C. Engel, H. W. Bullock, E. S. Fursman, B. F. Slenker, Dan Hill and P. S. Bassett. Nearly every land owner in this part of the county in 1880 subscribed to one or more shares and from the start to the present time all have taken a great interest in the fair. The citizens of El Paso are also deeply interested and vie with one another in doing what they can to forward the interests of a society that is a benefit to the city in many ways. Our fair is one of the half dozen in the state which own their own grounds, have always paid 100 cents on the dollar for premiums and is and has been for several years entirely out of debt.
No attempt has ever been made to pay a dividend but the surplus earnings have been used in improving the grounds.
Page 74