On the 20th of November, 1837, pursuant to a notice from the County Commissioners, a number of the citizens of Washington Township met at the court house to organize an agricultural society, in accordance with the provisions of a legislative enactment of the previous winter. W. H. Craig was made Chairman of the meeting, and H. R. Stevens, Secretary. John Eckles addressed the assemblage and stated the object of the meeting. Much enthusiasm was manifested, and the following persons became stockholders by subscribing their names to the constitution and by-laws, and paying to the Treasurer $1 each: J. W. Bowzer, Benjamin Sweet, John Eckles, P. M. Blankenship, James H. Sheppard, P. M. Parks, S. E. Edwards, Benjamin Bull, Thomas F. Huff, Thomas Edwards, W. F. Laughlin, Francis A. Harryman, William Sheerer, F. A. Matheny, W. N. Cunningham, Thomas Miles, James Cunningham, Jonathan Carr, Eb Henderson, Franklin Corwin, John Sims, W. H. Craig, Philip Anderson, William Lee, Charles B. Butler, Septimus T. Whiteman, Hewett Nutter, William Walters, William Duncan and Hannibal R. Stevens. The permanent officers were John Sims, President; William Sheerer, Vice President; H. R. Stevens, Cor. Sec; T. F. Huff, Rec. Sec; Benjamin Sweet, Treasurer ; John Eckles, William A. Major, Thomas Miles, John Butterfield, Sampson Canatry, G. W. Baker, John Hardrick, M. D. Miller, Ephraim Goss, William Hadley, Luke Kennedy, J. H. WoodsmalL, Cyrus Whetzell, Abner Cox and Grant Stafford, Curators. No fair was held, as the organization soon died.

The second organization of this character was effected in August, 1851, by the election of the following first officers: William H. Craig, President; William G. Quick, Vice President; James Jackson, Treasurer ; Larkin Reynolds, Secretary. One Director was appointed in each township. The first fair was held on the open ground northeast of Martinsville (now in town), on the 25th of October, 1851. The following premiums were paid: Best horse, William Cunningham, $5; second best, William Knox, diploma; best jack, William Cunningham, $2; second best, William Knox, diploma; best year old colt, Ira Hadley, §2; second best, William Hughes, diploma; best sucking colt, William Knox, $1.50; second best, Henry Sims, diploma; best brood mare, John A. Riggins, $8 ; second best, Allen Hicklen, diploma; best bull, Elijah Paddock, $4; second best, Grant Stafford, diploma; best cow. Elijah Paddock, §2; best calf, Elijah Paddock, $1; second best calf, Elijah Paddock, diploma ; best yoke of oxen, James C. Henderson, $2; second best, James C. Henderson, diploma; best boar, James Cunningham, §2; second best, W. H. Craig, diploma; best bushel of wheat, Joel Mathews, $1; second best, Isaac G. Fletcher, diploma; best sixty ears of corn, George W. Egbert, 50 cents; second best, Robert B. Major, diploma; best saddle and bridle, Thomas Nutter, $1; best five yards of jeans, James Stockwell, $1; best eight yards of flannel, Isaac G. Fletcher, §1; best peck of onions, Isaac G. Fletcher, 50 cents; best bushel of Irish potatoes, Absalom Jarret, 50 cents; best ten pounds of cheese, Amos Lawrence, 50 cents; best butter, James Stockwell, 50 cents. The Treasurer's report on the 27th of November, 1851, was as follows:

    The membership of the society about this time was seventy five, considerable interest being manifested. It is stated that about the time this society was organized another started up in the vicinity of Monrovia. The facts cannot be given. It is certain that four or five years later there were two separate agricultural societies in the county, as an account of their consolidation appeared in the Gazette, published at Martinsville. The second fair was held at Martinsville in the southwest portion of the town. A small yard had been fenced in, to compel the curious and others to pay each a fee of 10 cents to see the exhibits. It is stated by Mr. Ray that several citizens presumed that they could pass in without paying, and when they were refused admission unless the necessary 10 cents was forthcoming, they went off in high dudgeon. The premiums paid amounted to $128.90. James Prather exhibited a small but fine selection of fruit. A. B. Conduitt delivered an address of about an hour in length, which was published in full in the " State Agricultural Reports." On the second and last day of the fair, the rain fell so incessantly that not a lady appeared on the grounds.    An excellent showing of live stock, grain and vegetables was made. It is believed that the third or fourth fair was held at Centerton, though this is uncertain. In 1855, it was held at Martinsville, the premiums paid amounting to $185. Each season the County Board contributed from $50 to $200 toward paying the expenses and fitting up the ground. The officers at this time were Giles B. Mitchell, President; Aaron Rose, Vice President; Henry Sims, Treasurer; 0. J. Glessner, Secretary; W. H. Craig, Uriah Ballard, W. J. Brag, W. Or. Gray, Jackson Record, Nathan Gilbert, John B. Cox, James Egbert, Cyrus Whetzel, Amos Lawrence, John C. Baker, Campbell Goss and James Ainkle, Directors. No fair was held in 1856, owing to the political excitement. In 1857, a large, well attended fair was held at Centerton. And so they continued with increasing prosperity in every branch. Occasionally a year would pass with no fair, as during one or more years of the rebellion. Sometimes the society came out in debt at the end of the year. Some townships of the county took no interest whatever in the success of the organization. Considerable jealousy has existed between 'Martinsville and vicinity and Mooresville and vicinity, which has resulted in the formation of two distinct agricultural organizations in the county. The one at Mooresville has led a precarious existence. One was organized there in 1870, with a membership of 165, and a capital stock of $2,180. Fifteen acres of land were leased for ten years, of Samuel Moon, on Section 36, Township 14, Range 1 east. It was designed as a union organization with the southern part of Hendricks County. Some excellent fairs have been held there. Utter failures have also occurred. The society at Martinsville in 1879 bought of Morgan County, for $1,536.75, twenty acres and forty nine hundredths of an acre, which had formerly belonged to the poor farm, and fitted up this ground for fairs, the first being held there in 1880. The grounds compare favorably with those of other counties of the State in buildings, fencing, sheds, track, water and accommodations. At the fair of 1882, about 500 premiums were paid, aggregating about $3,000. The present officers are L. Sims, President; John Nutter and L. Guthridge, Vice Presidents; S. M. Guthridge, Treasurer; H. A. Smock, Secretary; A. M. Thornburg, Assistant Secretary; W. G. Bain, Superintendent; R. H. Tarleton, R. S. Aldrich, John Kirkham, H. R. Stevens, N. T. Cunningham, Harvey Gillaspy, N. Henley, Thomas H. Dixon, Henry C. Hodges and Merwin Rowe, Directors.

    During the summer of 1855, there was organized at Martinsville the "Morgan County Medical and Surgical Society." None but physicians of the Allopathic school could become members, and the society was a branch of the State Medical Society, and subject to about the same code of ethics. Among the members were S. A. Tilford, R. H. Tarleton, B. D. Blackstone, S. H. Schofield, W. W. Hoyt, A. W. Reagan, G. B. Mitchell, W. A. Todd, W. C. Hendricks, J. J. Johnston, Dr. Patterson, Dr. Spencer, Dr. Keiper and others. A Board of Censors was appointed, and much interest was manifested in the discussion of topics of interest to the profession. The society gradually went down, and within a few years meetings were wholly abandoned.
    Pursuant to call, a number of the physicians of the county seat and other points in the county, met at Martinsville on the 25th of April, 1876, to organize anew medical society. Dr. Knight, of Paragon, "was made Chairman and Dr. Douglas, Secretary. A committee of three was appointed to draft articles of association, and another committee of four was appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws. Dr. J. H. Knight was elected permanent President; F. M. Douglas, Secretary, and E. V. Green, Treasurer. The following physicians have been members of this society: P. H. Perce, F. M. Douglas, E. P. Ritchey, R. C. Griffith, J. H. Knight, W. D. Monnett, W. S. Robertson, P. McNab, A. W. Reagan, G. B. Mitchell, E. V. Green, Jesse Regan, C. M. Lindley, J. P. Buckner, U. H. Farr, S. K Rundell, S. A. Tilford, T. Holliday, R. D. Willan, James E. Clark, C. C. Holman, W. R. Curer, Charles Seaton, John M. Snoddy, T. Stucky, W. E. Hendricks, W. P. Van Sant, J. C. Marker and Grant Monical. The object of the society as stated in the constitution is " the advancement of medical knowledge, the elevation of professional character, the protection of the interests of its members, the extension of the bounds of medical science, and the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of the suffering, and to improve the health and protect the lives of the community." "Any graduate in medicine of a respectable medical school, who is in good moral and professional standing, upon signing the constitution and paying $8 to the Treasurer,' may become a member of the society by a vote of the members. Further than that, any person upon the payment of $5 to the Treasurer, and the presentation of a certificate of qualification to practice medicine, from the Board of Censors of the society, may become a member by vote of the members. The code of ethics of the American Medical Society was adopted. The records of the society show great interest on the part of the members. Essays on important medical subjects are read, and protracted discussions are had on the location, character and treatment of disease. The society is a credit to the medical profession of the county, though many of the most successful practitioners are not members.
    Dr. Kennedy, of the county seat, an eclectic physician of great prominence and skill, is one of the most successful practitioners of Morgan County. He is about the only representative of that excellent school of medicine. Homeopathy, which has made such wonderful strides in success and popularity during the last few years, has, at present, no representative.

Unfortunately, owing to the destruction by fire a few years ago of the tally sheets in the Clerk's office at the county seat, the results of the early elections in Morgan County cannot be given. Old settlers state that the county was Democratic by a small majority, when the full voting strength was out, though on "off years," when the opposing candidate was a man of unusual prominence and worth, he often managed to wrest the spoils of office from his less fortunate antagonist. The county was organized in 1822, but politics cut no figure until the remarkable Presidential contest between Jackson, Adams, Clay and Crawford in the autumn of 1824. The administration of Mr. Monroe had been so pacific and conciliatory that former partisan lines had been almost wholly obliterated, and an " era of good feeling" had apparently been established. When the election of 1824 was transferred to the House of Representatives, and it became known that the popular voice had been disregarded by the choice of John Quincy Adams, party lines were again strictly drawn, and the first decided political division in Morgan County was experienced. The election of 1828 made satisfactory amends by seating in the Presidential chair, Andrew Jackson, one of the most popular Presidents the nation has had since Washington. So much was he admired for the peculiar elements of his character, that he was re-elected in 1832. So firm a hold did he secure upon the popular heart, that citizens throughout the county, during all the years from his administration until the present, have proudly and publicly announced themselves as " Jackson Democrats." The election of 1836 resulted in the selection of Martin Van Buren, whose administration was compelled to shoulder in 1837 one of the most disastrous financial crashes the country has ever encountered. Speculation had run riot. The wildest visions of financial enterprise had taken possession of every breast. Everybody plunged recklessly into debt under the insane delusion that final settlement would be the careless pleasure of some future day. Jackson received the honors of the speculative madness;. Van Buren reaped the harvest of tares and cheat. When values, without warning, fell prostrate to the basis of actual worth, the failures everywhere were appalling in numbers and magnitude. Time alone soothed the desolate sea.
    The contest of 1840 was in many respects remarkable. It was the first time the " Great West" had come forward with a candidate. The cultured States of the East ridiculed the pretentions of the friends of Mr. Harrison by scornful allusions to the log cabins and the hard cider of Indiana and the Northwest. The suggestions were caught up with a shout by the friends of the Whig candidate, and in their thousands of public gatherings hard cider and log cabins and canoes were the most popular and prominent features. Mr. Harrison was elected, and the Whigs were in ecstasies.
    The contest of 1844 was really upon the question of the admission of Texas into the Union. The Whigs opposed the admission, to prevent an increase of slave territory, and the Democrats favored it for the opposite reason. The election of Mr. Polk was a triumph of the Democrats, and insured the admission of Texas. The partial returns given below of this election in Morgan County were gathered from the half-consumed records stored in boxes in the hall of the court house :

    
    This exhibit does not properly represent the result of the election iN  Morgan County if the statements of old settlers are to bexrelied upon. The election of Mr. Polk upon the issue above stated was taken by Mexico as a settlement of the question that Texas would be admitted into the Union. Mexico had threatened war with the United States in the event of the annexation of Texas, and accordingly, when the latter was formally admitted to the sisterhood of States early in 1845, war was declared. A full company was raised in Morgan County for this war, reference to which will be found in the military history of the county elsewhere in this volume. In the meantime, a few Abolitionists had appeared in the county, the most of whom were Quakers. They invariably polled their votes for the Liberty or Free-Soil candidates.
    In 1846, David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, introduced in Congress a bill called the " Wilmot Proviso," which stipulated that slavery should be excluded from all territory thereafter annexed to the United States. This bill encountered the fiercest opposition from the Southern Members of Congress, and was finally defeated, though it formed an important issue in the Presidential campaign of 1848, and was no doubt one of the contributing causes for the formation of the Republican party a few years later. The " Compromise of 1850," introduced in Congress by Henry Clay, became a law, and was regarded as a wise measure by both parties, though the old issues were quietly kept in mind during the campaign of 1852. The Democrats seated Mr. Pierce, and Gen. Scott, the Whig candidate, fresh with the laurels of victory from the battle-field, was permanently retired.
    In 1854, the adoption of the Kansas  Nebraska bill, introduced in Congress by Senator Douglas, virtually repealed the compromises of 1820 and 1850, and kindled a flame of indignation, unknown before in the history of the nation. The bill provided, among other things, that the citizens of the new States, Kansas and Nebraska, should decide at the polls whether slavery should be adopted or rejected. Open war in Kansas was the result. Mass meetings were held throughout the North to denounce the bill and adopt personal liberty bills. The Morgan County Gazette, edited by Edwin W. Callis, in 1855 espoused the cause of the new Republican party, and did more than any other cause to transfer the administration of county affairs to the new party. The editorials were a credit to the heart and brain of Mr. Callis, and to the party whose principles he so ably and bravely advocated. The Democratic majority in the county had begun to decrease about 1852. In 1855, it was less than 100, and in October, 1856, O. P. Morton, the Republican candidate for Governor, received a majority of eight votes over A. P. Willard, the Democratic candidate. This, so far as known, was the first time the Democracy had failed to carry the county. Both parties in the county fought with all their strength over the November election, with the following result: