This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com ORIGIN AND PROGRESS or THE ORDER or THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY IN THI ftnitttr Btu'tts; A HISTORY FROM 1866 TO 1873. By O. H. KELLEY, Secretary of the National Grange. PHILADELPHIA, PA.: /. A. WAGENSELLER, PUBLISHER. '875- Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, By O. H. KELLEY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congrets at Washington, D. C. 234782 KLECTBOTYPED, PRINTED AND BOUND By J. A. WAGENSELLER, No. 2S North Sixth St., Philadelphia, Pa. TO THE ARMY OF J^OBLE-J^EA^TED «jVlEJ< AJ<D ^OJAZJi WHO HAVE SO CHEERFULLY GIVEN THEIR SUPPORT TO OUR ORDER, M# §t&itntt& THIS RECORD OF ITS EARLY DA YS, Br THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. CHAPTEE I, J-aqes. Origin of the Order, . 11-90 CHAPTER H, Organizing of Granges, . 91-151 CHAPTER HI, Encouraging Prospects, . 152-217 CHAPTER IV, "Work of the Year 1870, . 218-296 CHAPTER V, Success Finally Assured, . 297-357 CHAPTER VI, Victory Through Perseverance, 358-413 CHAPTER VH, Permanent Organization, . 414-424 ROLL OF HONOR, .... 425 THE EXPENDITURES, . 426-430 LIST OF DEPUTIES, .... 431-442 PUBLISHERS PREFACE. N" the preparation of this History of the Origin and Progress of the Secret Order of the Patrons of Husbandry in the United States — one of the "most beneficent and useful secular institutions in our country " — the Author has con clusively shown, chiefly by documentary evidence, how and through whom the Order originated — who were its main supporters and organizers — its aims and objects — the amount of money received, and how disbursed — its slow, feeble growth at the beginning, and the numerous obstacles and discour agements to be overcome, before arriving at the period of assured success in January, 1873, when the permanent organization of the National Grange was effected at Georgetown, D. C. The object has been to give plain facts, avoiding all unnecessary comments. In making extracts 7 viii. Publisher's Preface. from the many letters, and in copying from the old records historical matter which otherwise would never have been published, will tend to settle old controversies and differences relative to facts and dates, and puts in convenient form opinions which may hereafter be valuable for reference. As will be seen, the correspondents, while building the Order, were unwittingly writing its early history in their daily letters. "What could be more simple or reliable? All letters are on file, and can be verified. The Author is neither an historian nor polished writer, but a Minnesota farmer; yet no one know ing him will fail to detect his handiwork in this volume. All labor connected with its preparation has been performed either before or after the ardu ous duties of his official hours, and delivered to the Publisher in chapters, as prepared. The perusing of the old letters — the living over again, as it were, those early cheerless years of severe mental and physical labors, with their disap pointments, privations and hardships — seem to have enveloped the Author in a serious, matter-of-fact mood, and deprived the reader of much native Publishers Preface. ix. humor. It is, however, a source of unwonted satisfaction, to believe that those earlier years of toil and sacrifice for the cause, have already con tributed many happy hours to thousands of farmers' families, besides otherwise securing to them innu merable benefits. The unprecedented success of this Institution is one of the most prominent incentives on record, to perseverance under trying and almost insurmount able difficulties. It also demonstrates the efficiency and power of the newspaper press — than the united co-operation of which, there is not a more effective ally, in behalf of any good cause, in our country. The book is thoroughly interesting from begin ning to end, and is the only complete, reliable History of the Order published. "With the confi dent hope that it will meet the expectations of all the members, and gratify the general public, it is now issued by THE PUBLISHER. April, 1875. J CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE ORDER. )f T is generally acknowledged that the idea of the I Order of the Patrons of Husbandry originated with the writer. From its inception he has given it his whole attention, and hence claims to be tho roughly informed regarding the work, as it pro gressed, up to the time of permanent organization of the National Grange,- at Georgetown, D. C, in January, 1873. Repeated calls from many associates, for authentic history, prompts him to comply, and he has woven together, in these pages, facts that he hopes will be interesting, and which show an instance of success, through perseverance, in a good cause. Excessive drought in Northern Minnesota during the years 1862-63, by which I was a considerable sufferer, and the favorable reception of my newspa per contributions, induced me to accept a proposi tion to spend the winter of 1864 in "Washington, and through the favor of Senator Ramsey, I received a clerkship in the Department of Agriculture. li 12 „-. "-Putivns of Husbandly. I formed but few acquaintances that winter, the .only one of real intimacy being that of Rev. John '- fffimble, Jr. By agreement with Mr. Newton, I rc- " turned to Minnesota in the spring of 1865, and there remained until the receipt of the following request : Department op Agriculture, Washington, D. C, October 20th, 1865. O. H. Kelley, Esq., Itasca, Minn. : Dear Sir : — I am exceedingly anxious to have you come to this city by the 1st proximo, if you can possibly arrange to be here by that time. I wish to see you on special business requir ing your presence. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Isaac Newton, Commissioner. I reached "Washington early in November, and half an hour's interview resulted in the assurance of Mr. Newton that I should have an appointment to go South for the winter. I waited rather impatiently, and after several weeks' delay, found he was waver ing relative to the fulfillment of his promise. Consulting with Doctor Trimble, I laid my plans to accomplish my purposo, and early in January was favored with an interview with President Johnson. Ho coincided in my views, relative to the advantage to be gained by encouraging immigration to the South, and assured me Mr. Newton should make the appointment. It was done the same day. January 18th, 18GG, I left Washington on my long cherished trip, bearing tho following commission : Origin of tlie Order. fj Department of Agihcuittoe, Washington, D. C, January 1st, I860. To O. H. Kelley, Esq. : Sir : — The relations of the Southern States with the Gov ernment for several years past having prevented this Department from obtaining the usual statistical and other information from those States, and a prevailing desire for reliable information being manifested on the part of the people, I have determined, with the advice and authority of his Excellency, the President of the United States, to appoint you an Agent of this Department, to proceed immediately through the States lately in hostility against the Government, to procure such information, and report the same to this Department for publication. Having reference to the enclosed instructions, you will immediately enter upon the discharge of your duties as such Agent. Isaac Newton, Commissioner. My instructions required me to communicate at regular intervals with the Commissioner, which was done promptly, also taking the precaution to keep for myself a daily record of my trip and observations. I made a short stay in Virginia and North Caro lina, and reached , Charleston, S. O, January 29th. Here and in the vicinity I remained until the 15th of March, visiting rice and cotton plantations, and obtaining much valuable information. In my inter course with the planters it was evidently no disad vantage to be a member of the Masonic fraternity, and aa such I was cordially received. On the morning of February 27th, v/c received news from "Washington that the white troops were i/f. Patrons of Husbandry. to be recalled from the South. This caused quite a stir, and a large number of Northerners, stopping at the Mills House, left for home on the first train. Referring to my daily record, I am reminded of the effects of the information, and remarked at the time, that politicians would never restore peace in the country; if it came at all, it must be through fraternity. The people North and South must know- each other as members of the same great family, and all sectionalism be abolished. Among the capi talists it was their policy to depreciate property in the South, and when they should be enabled to se cure prominent advantages, then a more liberal course would be pursued. The general aim of my visit was to get a good knowledge of the agricultural and mineral resources of the South. Hence my attention was devoted principally to the planters and plantations. While at Charleston, I made a trip up the Peedee river, and was the guest of Col. Ben. Alston, from whom I gathered much valuable information. Though here and there were marks of devastation by the cruel hand of war, yet there was a fascination that warmed my heart towards all I met. While traveling, I was enjoying a lively corres pondence with many at the North, and mentioned, in a letter to my neice, Miss C. A. Hall, the idea of a Origin of the Order. ij Secret Society of Agriculturists, as an element to re store kindly feelings among the people.