That the town of Alexandria started holding town fairs 113 years ago, holding the first town fair at Plessis in the fall of 1838. The fair proved to be successful and plans were made to hold the next fair at Theresa, at that time located in the town of Alexandria*, with even greater plans. The Theresa fair was dated for Sept. 25, 1839, for one day only.

The holding of these town fairs was greatly encouraged by Mr. Marshall, land agent for Mr. DePau, who had large land holdings in the section. Mr. Marshall contended that these fairs would aid in land values and advertise the values of farming lands in the township. Mr. Marshall did more than tallk, he advanced, with the consent of Mr. DePau, the sum of $130 to be paid in prizes for the best cattle shown and for the best showing of cleared lands. To get as many people interested as possible, he urged that the committees appointed to promote the fair, be chosen from as many neighbors as possible.

To begin with he secured the cooperation of Jason Clark of Plessis and a meeting was called in May to set up the organization. At this meeting Amos M. Dunten was elected secretary and served through the year. On the executive committee were placed Samuel Northrup, Peter Suts, Anson Raney, Alanson Doolittle, and Michael Lewis. In charge of meat cattle: Benjamin Still, Asher Tanner, George W. Woodruff; on horses, sheep and swine: John D. Davison, Charles Rundlett, Willard Shurtleff. On domestic manufactures Nathan M. Flower, Abraham Morrow, John W. Fuller, Alexandria Salisbury, Ahira Merrill, Harvey D. Parker. On wheat and corn: Daniel Northrup, Samuel Adams, Jesse Kelsey, Jesse S. Doolittle. On butter, cheese and sugar: William H. Hodgkins, John Rappole, Joseph M. Thompson. On clearning lands and road districts: Ichabod Thompson, James Carnegie, Peter Suts. With such a strong list of leading businessmen the fair at Theresa on Sept. 25, 1839 was bound to be a success.

Did You Know?

By Ernest Cook