Third Fairground: 1869 - 1884

Some time in the late 1860's, the Noxubee County Agriculture Society organized another fair association. Mr. H. W. Foote was President and Mr. Robert C. Patty was Secretary. According to the deed, this was located as follows: "Land bounded on the east by the old burial grounds, on the north by plot H and I, on the south by 8th Street, and on the west by the street lying east of Plot G." This can be seen on an official map of Macon in the Chancellor Clerk's office. This location is known as the "ole Fairgrounds."

Fall of 1869

The next reference to a fair was on September 25, 1869, when the Noxubee County Agriculture Society started to infuse new life into the county fair. A meeting held was a success. A decision was made to hold a fair at the "ole Fairgrounds" for two days. This was later changed to the three days of November 4, 5, and 6, 1869.

They had much work to do, due to the condition of the "Ole Fairgrounds." The committee did feel that work progressed well, because of their new system of labor and methods of tilling the soil. The county should greatly benefit by a free and frequent exchange of opinions. It was hoped that everyone would recognize the importance of such an undertaking, at least to the extent of becoming a member. The fee was $1.00, and it was thought that every man in the county, who did not live entirely for one's self, should have his name on the Society roll.

Fair of 1870

The Macon Beacon, November 25, 1870, published an article about a meeting being held for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Association in Noxubee County. The meeting was held November 19. The Chairman was Maj. G. D. Moore, and the Secretary was J. W. Deupree. Honorary President was H. E. Foote. Others listed as attending that meeting were:

Dr. S. V. D. Hill Thomas M. Sargeant

Col. Allen Blewett Charles N. Thomas

James B. Shelton W. W. Calmes

W. M. Neves Jesse Morton

Dr. J. Y. Henderson James L. Hibbler

William Graham

Capt. H. A. Rice

G. D. Hams

William D. Connor

Capt. T. J. Deupree

Jehu Harlan

Janus Burch

Dr. Matt Clay

Thomas S. Gathright

THE IN-BETWEEN YEARS

There appears to be a period of approximately 14 years when no report of a fair could be found in the Macon Beacon. Mr. C. C. Erland, of Sprott, Alabama, in his July 5, 1926 letter to the Chancellor Clerk, Mr. John Anderson Tyson, was unable to recall any fairs in these years.

OTHER FAIRS INFORMATION

The Macon Beacon reported in 1877 that Mobile, Alabama, was having its fourth annual Fair, which means it started in 1874, later than Noxubee County did. Also, the November 3, 1877 issue reported on the Oktibbeha Fair, stating that it was suggested that the counties of Chickasaw, Clark, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee and Oktibbeha come together to form a District Fair to be held annually. Apparently, such a combination never developed.

Fair of 1884

On September 1, 1884, Mr. Mat Mahorner, President of the Noxubee County Agriculture Society, and Mr. T. J. Ross, Secretary, obtained a deed to the "Ole Fairgrounds" from Mr. H. W. Foote, former President of that Society. The deed was dated July 7, and filed September 1, in Deed Book #24, page 209, recording dated October 2, 1884.

This was the beginning of another successful run of county fairs, and it was the home of the Noxubee Fairs until the fourth site was built. Influential men in promoting the fair included Mat Mahorner, John R. Cockrell, E. F. Nunn, J. R. Price, W. W. Calmes, S. A. Jackson, J. W. Deupree and Capt. Thomas S. Boggess (my grandfather). The second annual Fair at that site was November 4-6, 1885. Their plans included the statement that the building need not be expensive.

The Macon Beacon reports on September 6, 1884, that the Noxubee County Agriculture Society met on September 1, 1884 at 2:00 P.M. for the purpose of electing officers. The roll of subscribers of capital stock was called to affirm a quorum for elections. Those elected as officers were:

Mat Mahorner President

J. H. Jamison Vice President, 1st District

J. F. McCloud Vice President, 2nd District

J. L. Griggs Vice President, 3rd District

F. F. Nunn Vice President, 4th District

W. W. Calmes Vice President, 5th District

J. T. Ross Secretary

Z. T. Dorroh Treasurer

A Nominating Committee to nominate members for an Executive Board was composed of George G. Dillard, J. H. Jamison, J. F. McLeod, J. R. Prince and W. W. Calmes. The committee reported, and the following were duly elected to the Executive Board:

E. D. Cavett District #1 S. A. Jackson District #4

Robert Hibbler District #2 J. W. Deupree District #5

Jake Holberg District #3

Also reported in this September 1, 1884 meeting were the following actions:

"The Secretary was ordered to forward a copy of the Charter to the Governor of Mississippi for his approval and for proper recording at the capital.

"The question of having a fair that fall was left to the Executive Board.

"That meetings of the Fair stockholders would occur when called by the President or a majority of the Executive Board.

"Robert C. Patty's resolution was unanimously adopted that George G. Dillard be Attorney for this Society for one year from that date, and that he also be a member of the Executive Board.

"That the officers and Executive Board members serve office in a one year term from date of this meeting. "

In the Macon Beacon, November 22, 1884, Agricultural Society President, Mat Mahorner, reported:

"The fairground is beginning to present an attractive appearance, with a new wall fence enclosing the entire track, with long rows of stock sheds and other necessary buildings. The surface of the track is now being graded and everything should be ready for the first day of the Fair. And now that the Election is over, it is hoped that all the citizens of Noxubee County, white, black, male, female, old and young, will take an interest in the fun and bring in every article of produce, livestock, etc., that should be of interest and value as an exhibit. It is hoped that this Fair and future Fairs will be bigger and better until Noxubee County will have the largest and best Fair in the state of Mississippi."

When Mr. Foote presented the Fairgrounds deed, cited above, it was stated that this land was to be used by the NCAS for the purpose of a Fair, and if used for anything else, the land would be returned to the original grantors or their heirs.

A "Ladies Meeting" also was reported in the September 6, 1884 issue of the Macon Beacon, in an article by T. J. Ross, Chief Commissioner:

"To the end that 'Women's Work' in Noxubee County may be fittingly represented in the World's Exposition opening in New Orleans, Louisiana in December next, I have, after consultation with a meeting of the ladies of Macon, at the residence of Mrs. R. W. Phillip at 4:00 o'clock P.M. on Thursday, the 11th of September, called a meeting for the purpose of organizing a Society for the furtherance of this brand of work for the Noxubee County exhibit."

So, it should be noted that the Macon ladies had an exhibit over 100 years ago at the 1884 World's Fair in New Orleans.

Fair of 1885

The second annual Fair was held at the Old Fairgrounds on November 4-6, 1885. Calling it a "second" ignored the earlier fairs already described. In a Macon Beacon article prior to the Fair, it was reported that the buildings needed to be repaired and painted. It was the opinion of some that there was no need to repair the race track at this time. Apparently, some thought, there had been too much gambling previously, and they did not feel these vices improved the Fair or was necessary for its success. Also, some said there was no need to have a military band. I found later that this track, as well as the new one at the Fairgrounds Number 4, contributed considerably to the Fairs, as well as did the band. See the September 26, 1885 issue of the Macon Beacon.

The account of the 1885 Fair reported in the November 14 issue of the Macon Beacon listed the following winners:

THOROUGH-BRED HORSES:

Best mare, 3 years & over N. H. Harrison

Best pair harness horses J. L. Briggs

Best pair harness mares J. L. Briggs

Best stallion, any age W. T. Stowers

Best mare, any age M. C. Hambick

Best gelding, any age W. H. Stewart

Best general purpose horse W. B. Augustus, Jr.

Best stallion, 2 years & under J. N. Holman

Best mare M. D. Bush

Best mare, 2 years & under E. V. Cavett

SHEEP Robert B. Patty and

J. R. Cockrell

BEST MULE COLT E. F. Nunn

SWINE Mat Mahorner

POLTRY H. W. Foote

Best pair of BANTONS Bennett Boggess (Son of Capt. T. S.

Boggess - Age 13)

Best pair of PIDEONS Bennett Boggess

CATTLE:

Best bull, 2 years Capt. T. S. Boggess

Best bull, 1 year & under J. W. Deupree

Best bull calf W. H. Foote

Best Cow, 3 years W. H. Foote

Best Jersey Mat Mahorner

Best Holstein N. H. Harrison

Best yoke oxen Mat Mahorner

Best grade Jersey W. E. Ferris

DOMESTIC COMPETITIOONS

Ladies embroidery Edna Bush Lulu Reeves

Lulu Greegs Sally Phillips

Best quilt Lula B. Williams

Oil painting M. C. Hambrick

Best Caliaco dress, Eva Snowden

by a young girl

Many other awards were listed in that issue of the Macon Beacon.

Fair of 1886

A premiums listing for the Fair of 1886 is reported on page 2 of the Macon Beacon, Saturday, October 16. Others were reported in the issue of Saturday, October 23. That article raised the question, "What is the matter with our farmers?" The absence of any hog exhibits being entered was deplored. "We can have no permanent success with our smoke-house in Ohio."

Fair of 1887

Hogs arose for the Fair of 1887. My grandfather, Capt. T. S. Boggess took seriously the previous year's criticisms, and showed only swine. He won heavily with his Berkshire swine, including the Best Boar of any age or breed. The complete list of that year's award winners can be seen in page 2 of the Macon Beacon, Saturday, October 29, 1887.

Fair of 1888

The Fifth Annual Fair of the Noxubee County Agriculture Society was reported as scheduled to open in Macon on October 16-19, 1888, according to the Macon Beacon, Satuday, October 13. Mr. J. Holberg was in charge of the purchase privileges for the stands. John Anderson Tyson offered two pounds of Penn's Celebrated Kitty Mag chewing tobacco.

The October 7, 1888 listing of premiums for which competition was scheduled was reported in the Macon Beacon:

DIVISION A Horses & Mules

Class I Horses for general purpose

Class II Harness Horses

Class III Saddle Horses

Class IV Mules

Class V Colts

Class VI Jacks & Jennets

DIVISION B Cattle

Class I Shorthorns

Class II Jerseys

Class III Miscellaneous

DIVISION C

Class I Sheep

Cotswold

Southdowns

Class II Swine

Berkshire

Class III Poultry

DIVISION D

Class I Grain, hay & seed

Class II Cotton

Class III Vegetables, nuts, roots

Class IV Fruits

DIVISION E

Class I Fine Arts

Class II Zephyrbork, bed-quilts

Class III Embroidery

Class IV Domestic sewing

Class V Work by children

Class VI Miscellaneous

DIVISION F

Class I Bread & cake

Class II Butter, preserves

Class III Canned fruits & vegetables

Class IV Bread & cakes by children

The Macon Beacon, October 20, 1888, reported the closing of a successful Fair. The poultry exhibit was unusually large, varied and excellent, equalling any collection having ever been seen, even that of the St. Louis Fair, which is considered the largest in the West.

Culinary, vegetable, horse & mule, cattle, trotting & running horse races, all impressed everyone with the fact that Noxubee County was rapidly advancing in exhibitions at its Fair

Fair of 1889

The Macon Beacon of October 19, reported on that year's Fair, which was held October 1-3, 1889. On page 2 was listed the premiums, which were the same classes as in the prior year, with the addition of the foot race.

In the foot race for boys under age 13, first place was John Brooks, second place was Ben Walker, third place was James Love, and the slowest boy was Will Bush.

Also added that year was Horsemanship, and a race for ponies, 15 hands and under, over a quarter mile course.

Fair of 1890

The seventh annual Fair (counting back to 1884) was October 21-24, 1890 (Macon Beacon, 10/18/90). Awards were to be given by the Noxubee County Agriculture Society. Categories included general purpose horses, harness horses, saddle horses, mules, colts, jacks, swine, miscellaneous cattle, poultry, grain, hay, cotton, hog products, vegetables, nuts & roots. A complete list of winners was listed in the issue of November 11, 1890.

Fair of 1891

The eighth annual Fair premiums were listed in the Macon Beacon of October 17, 1891. The Noxubee County Agriculture Society held the Fair on October 13-16. The complete listing of winners is in the issue of October 24.

Fair of 1892

The ninth annual Fair was reported in the Macon Beacon of Saturday, October 8, 1892:

"Noxubee's Annual Fair opened last Tuesday under the brightest skies and the favorable weather continued throughout the week. In many respects, it was a success, in fact, in all but one. And that was in the attendance. There are several reasons why the people did not attend as numerously as in former years, the chief among which is the great lack of money in the county. In the face of a very short crop, and the outlook unpromising, the attendance was as large as could have been expected.

"The display in the agriculture hall was as fine as ever. Many considered it superior to that of former years.

"The exhibits were not so many as heretofore, but the horse and colt show was very fine.

"The trotting and running races were by the colts of some of the best blooded horses in America and were very creditable.

"On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, an aeronaut made balloon ascensions, which were a very successful and attractive feature of the Fair. On each occasion, he reached a very great altitude before dropping from the balloon in his parachute.

"Note that this early "sky diving" predates air planes by more than a decade!"

Fiar of 1893

The tenth annual Fair was first highlighted in the Macon Beacon issue of Saturday, July 22, 1893, with the following notice:

"To the People of Noxubee County: The Board of directors of the Noxubee County Agriculture Society has determined to do what it can, assisted by the friends of the Association, to restore the Fair to its former degree of prosperity. It has been decided to hold its 10th annual Fair, commencing on October 17-20th, 1893.

"The Fair was established in 1884, the errection of the necessary building, etc., costing about $1,600 over and above the $2,000 paid in subscription of stock. For the $1,600, the faith of the Fair Association was pledged. Each year, such a payment was made on the $1,600 as was left after paying interest on said loan, necessary repairs and insurance on the building, running of the fair, $100 to $500 in premiums each year to exhibitors, until the original indebtedness has been reduced to about $600 outside of unpaid premiums. A number of exhibitors returned their premiums to the Association.

"This year, the Directors deem it best for the present year to offer no money premiums. The directors hope the people of the county will enter exhibits and compete in generous rivalry for awards of excellence, although the premiums awarded will not be in dollars and cents.

"Mr. John A. Tyson accepted the position of Secretary without compensation.

"The people of the County have great reason to congratulate themselves on the good results that have flowed from their Fair Association. Noxubee County today, in the opinion of competent stock men, holds a front rank in the Gulf States as a stock raising county, and no county in the State can boast of better horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry than our own. Our breeders in stock are selling in car load lots to other counties in the State and to Texas. And it has only been a few days since two car loads of cattle (mostly high grades) were shipped from this county to the State of Illinois. The suggestion five years ago of the possibility in the then future of such an export of fine cattle would have been absurd. As an agricultural and stock raising people, we cannot afford to let our Fair go down."

This article, quote above, was published over the names of that year's Fair Committee, J. L. Griggs, J. Q. Poindexter, and M. Mahorner. A special premiums list for the tenth annual Fair is printed on page 3 of the October 7, 1893 issue of the Macon Beacon.

The Noxubee Fair was the subject of the Editorial Correspondence section from the Meridian News, which was published in the October 21, 1893 issue of the Macon Beacon. It was headlined, "The attractiveness of Macon and Lesson of the Exhibits." Though the editorial is excellent in its praise of Macon, only the portion relevant to the Fair is cited here:

"But the feature of Macon just now that commends attention is the County Fair, opened today at the Fairgrounds. Here, Noxubee County preaches her sermon of industrial and agricultural development that ought to carry a message of hope to every county in the State and every State of the South.

"In the display of live stock is realized an object lesson that is a prophecy of prosperity for the whole prairie belt. Reference to a single exhibit will illustrate what may be accomplished in stock raising in this County and the possibilities awaiting further investment in the same direction.

"Mr. N. Scales has at the Fair, from his plantation, thirty-two blooded horses and mares, all of them from registered stock. Twelve head of pure Jerseys, and fifteen Berkshire pigs. A finer looking lot of animals was never exhibited in any exposition. Mr. Scales says that five years ago he grew tired of raising cotton at a loss and decided to go into stock raising. He converted a large part of his extensive plantation into pasturage. Last year, he fed no grain at all until Christmas week. He said mules can be raised as cheap as sheep. This gentleman has now 150 pure Berkshire hogs in splendid condition that have never received a grain of corn, living entirely upon a bermuda pasture.

"Capt. M. Mahorner has a pair of horses raised by him which deserve special mention for their beauty.

"Mr. Jacob Holberg shows a magnificent home-raised mule, only two years old, which is sixteen hands high and weighs 1,184 pounds.

"In closing, the running races showed good speed. Meridian's own Capt. B. F. Cameron was judge. The race was on half-mile, free-for-all, cash for which the following were entered:

J. L. Griggs Star of Noxubee

J. L. Griggs Mamie Griggs

S. M. Irions Battlefield

B. M. Walker Ben Hur

N. N. Rogers Ben Rogers

THE RACE RESULTS

Mamie Griggs 1st place, 54.5 seconds

Battlefield 2nd place

Star of Noxubee 3rd place

Fair of 1894

A list of the special premiums for the 1894 Fair is published in the November 17 issue of the Macon Beacon. An announcement about that Fair is in the issue of September 22, 1894.

Fair of 1895

The October 29 - November 1 Fair of 1895 was announced in the Macon Beacon issue of September 28, giving a list of the special premiums to be won. In addition, the following article appeared in that issue:

"BALLOON ASCENT FOR EVERY DAY OF THE FAIR:

"A very interesting feature of the Fair will be a balloon ascension, accompanied by the usual parachute performance in two acts. That is, the airial navigator will throw out his dog attached to a parachute, and a moment later, the balloonist will jump and overtake the dog and catch him, provided he doesn't stop."

The Noxubee County Agricultural Association catalogue premiums awards appear on page 2 of the Macon Beacon, issue of November 9, 1895. Mr. T. S. (Tom) Boggess, first place for Brahmas and Guineas. Mrs. A. Klaus, first place for light rolls and for wine. Mr. N. Scales was the winner in sheep, Berkshire, Jerseys, harness horses and general purpose horses. Pages 2 and 3 cover the entire list of winners.

Also reported in that issue was the new event of bicycle races. The half mile winner for boys under age 15 was Howard Scales. J. E. Sparkman was the winner in both the 1 mile and the 3 mile races.

AN INTERIM PERIOD OF INACTIVITY FOR

THE NOXUBEE FAIRS

An effort to revive the Fairs is reflected in the November 8, 1902 issue of the Macon Beacon:

"Several enterprising and public-spirited citizens have urged us lately to give special attention to reviving the Fair that was at one time the pride of Noxubee and of the State.

"It will not cost much to put the old Fairground in good shape for the exhibition of stock, and the accommodation of the public in the swine halls and grandstand.

"Of course, there must be an organization, and to accomplish this, the active men of the old Fairs must get together in Macon. Those would be Smyth and Wilkins of Brooksville; Robertson and Cole of Deerbrook; Poindexter and Cunningham of Cliftonville; Price and Smith of Prairie Point; Binion and Windham of Fox Trap; Paulettes and Sparkman of Cooksville; Fields, Nunn and Nicholson at Shuqualak; Princes and Evans at Summerville; Mays and Russells at Mashulaville; and Porter and Triplett at Lynn Creek."

There were several articles in the Macon Beacon in regard to Noxubee County having a Fair next fall. The following is reprinted from the Macon Beacon, Saturday, November 15, 1902:

"Now, these people are on the right track to bring the grand old County of Noxubee from the one crop basis and ruin, to prosperity and riches. We have tried the one crop system for the past forty years and what does it show? Old worn out land, poor stock, no hogs, feed cattle and stock, no bank account and busted land owners, with plasters all over themselves and land too, held by banks and syndicated in the North and England. Now, gentlemen, what are we going to do about this state of things? Just sit down here and plant cotton, make no crop and run all the labor out of the county and finally turn over our dear old homes to foreigners? It looks to me this is the road and a very short one we are travelling. We know the fair is the life of the county, for we tried it about ten years, no county ever had better fairs than Noxubee, and there is no reason on earth why we cannot do it again."

"When we had our fairs here a few years ago, the whole county would look forward to the time when this grand occasion would take place. And in those days, a man could come to Noxubee County and in one day's time buy one, two or more car loads of as fine a cows as he wanted, or he could get a car of young mules, or a good horse or a pair or several pairs. Can it be done now? No, you would ride to death every horse in the county looking for them and then go to Lowndes or Oktibbeha and make the purchase. Why? Because they have Fairs."

"We have the Old Fairgrounds with building and race track, a new fence and with a little work, we could be in fine shape for a Fair next fall."

END OF ARTICLE, signed by "N.S."

This writer could locate no evidence that a fair was held that year (1902) at the Old Fairgrounds. A conjecture as to the author of the article is Noah Scales.

Noxubee Fairs 1921 - 1924

These fairs were held at the County Court House (yard and court house), and also at the Macon Lycium and Main Street was used as a race track.

Fair 1921

In the Macon Beacon,, October 14, 1921, the following notice was found:

"All people interested in a livestock show, community exhibits that were to be held in Macon, were asked to contact Bruce Lumberg. A committee of Sly and Lane were appointed to receive entries for a county only stock show, and live stock auction." The Macon Beacon, October 28, 1921, reported the first county stock show since the ones held at the Old Fairgrounds was a hugh success. It was held on the court house lawn, the cows were tied to the old iron fence and the community exhibits were shown in the court house."

This writer has a silver loving cup that Tom Boggess won for the champion bull. The cup is engraved:

Grand Champion Dairy Bull

Noxubee County Stockshow

October 21, 1921

The Year 1922

In 1922, no fair as such was held, but the livestock men of the county brought their cattle together, and a herd was selected to represent Noxubee County at the Meridian Fair.

Also in 1922, at the request of J. E. Boggess, E. T. George, and others, Noxubee County Senator Henry Minor introduced a successful bill in the Mississippi Senate, allowing the Supervisors to purchase ground to be used for a County Fair, the title of which land would remain with the County.

Fair of 1923

The Noxubee County Fair (October 4-5, 1923): The account of this fair is given in the October 12, 1923 issue of the Macon Beacon. Exhibits of livestock, community and agricultural crops were better than in previous years. The fair was held on the Court house lawn again, with the races down Main Street. The style show was held at the Macon Lycium.

The youth received money as well as ribbons on the following scale:

First Place $5.00

Second Place 4.00

Third Place 3.00

The other prizes were given by merchants, such as coffee, flour, coffee, etc.

The pony races started at the "ole Pump" at the bookstore and ending past the court house at the ole brick gin. If you could not stop your pony, then you were to head for the Ole Iron River Bridge.

Pony Race Results:

First Place T. S. Boggess, Jr. (This writer)

Second Place Beth Boggess

Small Pony Race

First Place Laurence Sligh

Second Place John Anderson Tyson, Jr.

The merchants of Macon had their style show at the Macon Lycium. Mrs. E. Q. Withers and Mrs. Tom Boggess (Mary, my mother) coordinated the style show. Little Miss Mable Owen Klaus modeled her father's children's dresses and she was the big hit of the show. Also, other Beau Brummell that modeled the men's clothes were Lipscomb Ballard, Andrew Mullins, Brooke Tyson and Charlie Ferris.

Fair of 1924

October 3 - 4

J. V. Pace, County Agent, in announcing the 1924 Fair, called a May meeting to discuss the purpose of the Fair and to hear Mr. J. M. Dean, District Club Agent from A&M College. A resolution was passed that the Fair be known as:

"The Noxubee County Fair Association. This association will hold a fair on the grounds purchased by the Board of Supervisors. There was approximately 30 acres in the plot bound on the south by Pearl Street, and the west by Imperial Oil Company and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad, north and east by the Butler land.

"A committee was appointed to lay out the fairgrounds, planning for a 1/2 mile race deck on the entire length of the north side of the property, grandstand at the finish line..., with exhibit building, poultry and live stock building and anything necessary for a great fair.

"Tom Boggess was appointed chairman, with E. T. George and E. V. Yates completing the planning Committee.

NOTE: This was 40 years since Capt. T. S. Boggess (my grandfather), Mat Mahorner, John R. Cockrell, E. F. Nunn, J. A. Prince, W. W. Calmes, S. A. Jackson, J. W. Deupree were instrumental in originating the Fair of 1884. This was at the Ole Fairgrounds. Now they had the New Fairgrounds. A Committee was appointed with men for all five districts, to sell $10,000 in stock. (Macon Beacon, Vol. 38, May 23, 1924).

By June 13, the Macon Beacon reported $3,000 of the stock had been sold. The June 20th issue reported a general meeting was called for June 27th. On that date, the Macon Beacon reported that the Noxubee County Fair Association was official. This was done with the aid of $6,000 in pledges.

The grounds had been in possession of the county for one year, but now it became a certainty that the fair would live again. It was claimed that never again would the people of Noxubee have to hang their heads in shame to confess that they used to have the best county fair in the state.

This fair would again allow Noxubeeians to show all in the state its crops, livestock and people which are produced on their rich soils, which were typical during the 1850's and 1890's. The officials selected were:

1924 Fair Committee

E. T. George President

Josh Cavett Vice President, District 1

Jessie Sparkman Vice President, District 2

C. D. Featherston Vice President, District 3

George Russell Vice President, District 4

Doc Wilkins Vice President, District 5

Directors for the 5 Districts

1. J. O. Poindexter

2 Earl Skinner

3. T. S. Boggess, Sr. (my father)

4. Harrison Evans

5. Mrs. Ruth Cunningham

The County Agent reported (Macon Beacon, Vol. 50, August 22, 1924) that Mr. F. A. Tabor was busy grading the half mile track, fenced by the dreamed of white fence, which would become the on time realization of the older citizens' dreams.

The September 24th issue announced a street parade, and that the judging of exhibits would be in the Court House, since not enough of the buildings could be finished in time for the fair date. The pony races would be run on the new half mile track at the new Fairgrounds.

T. S. Boggess (Jr.) won the first race and Lip Ballard the second. On the second day, Hunter Scales George ran in first place, with T. S. Boggess, Jr. coming in second. I will never forget that race, since the track was heavy and Hunter Scales pulled out on the grass on the inside oval and passed me before we reached the finish pole. It was the only time ole Tony, my loyal pony, was beat.

The style show was held in the Macon Lycenium. A list of its winners are in the Macon Beacon of October 10, 1924. Of interest was the show. Mr. & Mrs. George Heard of Lynn Creek won two ribbons, a 1st place blue ribbon for a boy 8 months old and a second place red ribbon for a 19 month old girl.

The 1924 Fair involved 7 or 8 communities with healthy competition, with many representing Noxubee County at the next State Fair in Jackson.

Tournaments began at this fair, and a detailed explanation of them is in the concluding portions of this paper, entitled "Tournaments."

Fair of 1925

October 6 - 10

This was the first fair in 40 years to be more than 2 days. A parade was led by the Macon Brass Band, beginning at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday. The citizens were invited to decorate their cars to join in the parade. Tom Boggess (my father) and Lute Minor were reported (Macon Beacon, October 2, 1925) as coming recently from Padukah, Kentucky with 10 head of good trotters, pacers and runners.

I remember one 20 year old horse they'd bought from a man using it to pull an ice wagon. The horse had been one of the best of trotters. Dad and Lute could not stand to see such a fine horse end his days so ignobly. We called the horse "Spark Plug," after a cartoon character in the newspapers.

Mayor Charlie Strong opened the Fair with declaring, "This Fair and the future ones will depend not on one man, but upon every person in Noxubee County." He recited the following story:

"There was a young boy with a pair of goats hitched to a sled hauling water for the women living up the hill. A man approached the young boy and said, `I'll give you $2.00 for your goats.' The boy replied, `No sir, but I'll take $4.00.' The man said that he'd give that much if the goats were at his farm; to which the boy retorted, `Mister, if I had this barrel of water in Hell, I could get $1,000 for it.'"

The New Fairgrounds was lighted by the City of Macon, which absorbed all utilities cost for the Fair. The grandstand was 40 feet wide and 125 feet long, and 30 feet high. School exhibits were under the grandstand, and other buildings were ready for use.

I remember Doc Martin and others had trouble with their horses making the first turn in the mile race. The horse barns were near there, and the horses wanted to return to the barn. Usually the barns were not close to the racetrack turns. Dad had a trotter, Breeze Worthy, who could trot a 2 minute mile, but could not take the down hill grade which was on the back stretch. It caused him to break his trotting gate and he galloped. Lewis, a Negro trainer, could best handle Breeze, but, in those days, Lewis was not allowed to drive in these races. The barns that year were filled with trotters and pacers owned by Tom S. McHenry, E. T. George, Bill Hines, Edmond Patty, Tom Boggess, Tom Cockrell and John Carr.

Saturday was Negro Day, and the fairgrounds was very lively with horse racing.

Fair of 1926

October 5 - 9

The midway this year was so large as to be shipped in on 15 rail cars! The Hickville Rube Band from the Tri-State Fair at Memphis, Tennessee provided no charge entertainment twice daily. The members of the band would mingle in the crowd, sing, crack jokes, and even exhibit flirting advances for the delight and entertainment of the people, which made this part one of the most popular elements of the 1926 Fair.

The 25 piece Macon Brass Band played afternoons and evenings at the grandstand. October 9th featured professional automobile racing, including the Southern Champion from the Tri-State Fair. On Thursday and Friday were professional air plane stunts, including dropping numbers for the people for lucky number drawings for prizes.

There does exist a particularly good exhaustive account of a Noxubee County Fair, thanks to our own John A. Tyson, in his publication, Historical Notes of Noxubee Country, Mississippi, 1928, pages 226-256, reissued 1985, pages 182-207. I will let that excellent narrative relate the complete report of the Fair of 1926.

Fair of 1927

The Fair of 1927 was a successful Fair with the usual elements, but did not rank with its successor, the 1928 Fair, said by some to be the finest of all of Noxubee's Fairs.

Fair of 1928

The biggest bouquets belonged to Boswell Stevens, who took over the responsibility of the County Agent who resigned shortly before the Fair! It was reported (Macon Beacon, September 20, 1928) that an outstanding task had been accomplished for the general benefit of Noxubeeians.

For the first time in history, every community in the County had exhibits. It was a fair to be remembered for all time, with great thanks to Boswell Stevens.

Fair of 1929

Monday, September 23 - 29th

This was considered the largest Noxubee County Fair held to date. The horse racing purse was $1,600.00, and were the only horse races in northern Mississippi that year. Horses were entered from Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Mississippi.

Political speakers at this Fair were Theo G. Bilbo, Lester Franklin, Mike Connor, Judge Paul Johnson and Tom Bailey. (Macon Beacon, Sept. 13, 1929). They, no doubt, had little inkling of the national economic disaster which loomed in its beginnings the following month.

Fair of 1930

Tom Boggess reported the fair was a huge success, and thanked the cities of Macon, Shuqualak and Brooksville for their financial support for the premiums.

Fair of 1931

In defiance of the depression, the Fair was opened on Monday (Macon Beacon, October 2, 1931). The recent heat wave was broken the Saturday before. The Buzzington Rube Band provided entertainment which was hugely popular!

Towns winning were 1st place, Saleman; 2nd place, Cliftonville; 3rd place, Brooksville; 4th place, Cooksville-Pauletto; 5th place, Macon; 6th place, Gholson; 7th place was Lyne Creek, then Macedonia and Center Point.

Fair of 1932

October 10 - 14

Rumblings had spread about whether the depression would prevent the Fair this year .... such was certainly happening to other Mississippi county fairs (Macon Beacon, September 16, 1932). But public announcement was aired in the Macon Beacon of September 30, that the Fair would open October 10, and the admission price was cut in half from former charges!

This was the seventh Fair at the new fairgrounds. Horse racing was again a central feature. Some entered were "Loyal Direct," owned by Gene Egger of Columbus; "Alice's F," owned by Stanley Carrol of Starkville; and "Robert T," owned by Sheriff Tom Moore of Jackson.

The Wednesday night horse show featured the best couple riders, which included Ernest Hunter & Roxie Moore, Tom Boggess and Maud Murphey, Mr. & Mrs. Warren Martin and others.

The Colored Fair was shifted from a one day Saturday event to an expanded time the following week, October 18 - 21.

Fair of 1933

This was the Centennial celebration year for the organization of Noxubee County. The October 6, 1933 issue of the Macon Beacon reported that the Fair would begin on Wednesday, October 11, when the 3:00 P.M. parade would initiate the festivities for the year. People from across the County were reported in preparation building parade floats. The Buzzington Rube Band was the afternoon and nightly entertainment that year.

The Macon Beacon issue of Friday, October 13, reported that thousands lined the street and fairgrounds to see the parade. The parade was led by "Tiny Rainey" and "Dotsy Adams," dressed as pages and heralds, later assuming a position at the entrance to the fairgrounds, complete with trumpets.

The quilt show was the main feature for the first time, the Chairman for the show being Mrs. Charles Strong. New quilts were displayed, along with old ones, the oldest being an 1811 product exhibited by Mrs. Eichelberger. The next oldest was entered by Mrs. U. W. Mullins, an 1823 quilt made by Mrs. J. M. Daniels, 10 years before the County was organized.

Fair of 1934

The Macon Beaconof October 5, 1934, reported a huge success for this 10th annual fair at the location of the 30 acres bounded on the west by Imperial Oil Company and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and bounded on the east by the Butler land (see description in this series on the Fair of 1924). One feature of interest was the Children Day Show.

There was the "Girls with their dolls and doll buggys" contest. First place was won by Janet and Florence Ford, Daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Burton Ford of Shuqualak. Second place was awarded to Margie Mae Martin, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. L. L. Martin.

There was a pet parade, as well as a health show. Silver cups were offered to the healthiest boy and girl. Elaine Boggess, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Julian E. Boggess, won the first place cup (today she is Mrs. Montgomery Steele, of Statesville, North Carolina). The doctors & nurses (judges for this health contest) could not find a perfect healthy boy in the County! However, Charles Hunter of Mashulaville was chosen to receive the boy's cup.

Fair of 1935

Mr. Lute Minor represented the highlight of the 1935 Fair when he was presented the Silver Loving Cup. His loyalty to the Fair and his interest in the County's youth led him to dedicate much personal time and money to the ends that the Fair might be enjoyed by all. It was his personal interest that allowed many a small boy or girl to come to the Fair when lack of funds would have otherwise kept them away. Mr. Minor hailed from the Circle M Ranch of Paulette, Mississippi.

Fair of 1936

A beauty contest was a first for this Fair. Another first was the Department of Animal Husbandry at Mississippi A&M producing a first class livestock show.

The five day Fair was climaxed with an elaborate display of pure bred cattle, horses and other livestock on September 25, brought in on three rail car loads by the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Faculty members of Mississippi A&M accompanying the display were Department Chief Dr. W. E. Sheets, Paul F. Newel and Ray H. Means. Their expertise on the merits of various livestock was an education for the people of Noxubee. The show consisted of horses, mules, jacks, beef cattle and sheep. It was thought to be the largest horse and livestock show ever shown in Noxubee County.

President Duke Humpheres, J. R. Ricks, Dean and Director of the Extension, and Dr. Sheets were congratulated in their efforts in presenting the the citizens of Noxubee the importance of good breeding.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, it was announced by Mr L. L. Martin, was soon to bring electrical power into the rural areas of Noxubee County.

The first place horse show winner was Mary Frances Conner on the Valley Farms Walking house "King Cole," owned by J. B. Cunningham. Other winners during the week were Helen Minor, Sara Henley, Catherine Jackson, Ruth Trimble and Margaret Windham.

The Macon Beacon gain contains a complete list of winners in all areas, which is too lengthy to reprint here.

Fair of 1937

The Thirteenth Annual Fair (at the location began in 1924), was October 11 - October 17. It would be a remiss not to mention how well the Macon Beacon covered these and other Fairs, always giving pages to the listing of the premiums before the fair as well as after all the winners were proclaimed. The front page would usually have a large layout, "Come to the Noxubee County Fair" with a "hand of welcome extended to all citizens of the County." The special features later reported gave life and interest in the Fair to be preserved in those journals. As a senior citizen now, I look back on my young Fair goer days and remember with fondest recollections the County Fair.

My father, Tom Boggess, loved these Fairs perhaps more than anything else in life. I remember my mother saying, "Tom, if you worked as hard on your farm as you do on the fair, you would be wealthy!" He was wealthy .... not monetarily, but in the wealth of satisfaction in what he did with and for the Fair and his many friends who also enjoyed these events.

Of interest is to note that on September 3, 1937, Dr. L. B. Morris opened his new hospital. He was another person that dedicated his life for the betterment of Noxubee County.

Fair of 1938

The Viven Varden all girl band was the special feature of this fourteenth annual Fair, held September 5 - 9. There was a sell out on all box seats in the grandstand.

Highlighted in this Fair was the large cattle showing, with over 300 entrants. This established Noxubee County not only as a row crop county, but a county with some of the best livestock in Mississippi. A work stock survey close to Fair time showed the county to have over 900 mares, 15 jacks, 15 stallions and a crop of 550 colts.

It was predicted that within three years, the county should be able to raise enough of its own work stock, thus avoiding the need to purchase such from Missouri, Tennessee and other states. A sad note on this prediction was the emergence of the motorized tractor, which caused the work stock industry to die a natural death.

The letterhead of an undated letter written in late 1938 by Mr. T. S. Boggess, Sr. shows the Noxubee County Fair Association compilation of leadership:

Lute Minor, President J. E. Boggess, Vice President

T. S. Boggess, Secretary & Manager Bode Hughes, County Agent

Miss Margaret Brownlee, Home Burton C. Ford, Treasurer

Demonstration Agent

Directors:

Dr. I. C. White B. C. Watson J. E. Boggess

T. S. Boggess L. L. Martin Rice Richards

Wesley Allen Cale Parks Ches Jackson

Ernest Hunter A. B. Stevens O. J. Lane

Hafford Hardin Warren Jackson Gus Cunningham

Stevens Boswell Will Thomas W. A. Maxey

Frank Hurst Ed Johnson J. M. Pierce

Bode Hughes W. E. Parks Paul Silvey

C. D. Featherston J. L. Klaus John B. Cunningham

Kennon Curtis Harrison Evans Burton Ford

Henry Sparkman Lute Minor Emmett Bell

E. T. George John M. Clmes Ed F. Hardin

Francis Connor W. A. Walker W. H. Baker

Edward Haynes J. A. Shaul Edwin Murphey, Jr.

Fair of 1939

A Fair was held this year, but the newspaper reporting did not record anything of particular note that was distinctive for 1939.

Fair of 1940

The Macon Beacon of September 13 reported plans made for the 16th annual Fair. One of the unique features of this Fair was the rooster race, promoted by Mr. Wyatt Jones. You might say this was something to "crow" about! One of the entrants was named "Secretary" and could negotiate the race course in some two minutes.

Fair of 1942

The Macon Beacon, September 24, 1942, announced that the livestock dates had been reduced to two days this year, October 15 and 16. This, of course, reflected another of the many impacts of World War II.

This was the third time the Noxubee County Fair had been interrupted by war; the Civil War and World War I previously did so. This 1942 Fair was the first fat cattle show.

No Fair in 1943

Even though no Fair was scheduled in these war time days, the Home Demonstration Agent of the County had a flower and vegetable show. Also, the second fat cattle show and auction was held.

No Fair in 1944

In continued war time absence of the Fair, the Fair's spirit still was reflected by the ladies of the County holding a flower and vegetable show. The third fat cattle show and auction also was produced. Unfortunately the horse barn at the Fairgrounds burned this year.

No Fair, But REVIVAL in 1945

In October, plans developed to revive the County Fair. At that month's meeting of the County Board, the Fairgrounds were turned over to the Fair Association to make ready the buildings and grounds. The burned horse barn would be repaired with $1,600 in insurance proceeds, and $1,250 given by the County Board would be used to repair the Agriculture Building, grandstands and other maintenance needs.

It was said by one Board member, "We want the Fairground in readiness for the boys when they return home from the War." So plans were shaped up for the biggest and best Fair ever.

The Farm Bureau began their bull program and horse men of the County decided that, rather than pay out of County stud fees of more than $1,000, they needed to have an outstanding walking horse stud of their own. Tom Boggess, Sr. and Francis Connor were selected to purchase a walking horse. They'd hoped for 50 shareholders at $100 each, but only 22 responded:

R. N. Henley Johnny Heard A. L. Lindley

Francis Connor Tom Boggess, Sr. Anse Van Zandt

J. S. Boswell Swann Brothers H. H. Hardin

J. E. Bell J. A. Shaul Dr. G. B. Bradshaw

Boswell Stevens J. R. Hilliard J. B. Elkin

Harrison Evans Mullens Brothers Bethany Drug Store

Gus Cunningham J. B. Cunningham E. T. George

H. G. Land

A registered walking horse named "Melody Man" was purchased and initially kept at the Fairgrounds. Permanent lodging was moved to the Tom Boggess, Sr. farm, 5 miles northeast of Macon on old Highway 25 (Magnolia Road).

Fair of 1946

The Noxubee County Fair was announced in the Macon Beaconof September 19, 1946, that it would be held September 23 - 28. Special features would be the Horse Show Open to the World on Monday night. Thursday night would provide a beauty revue.

Francis Conner, President, and Tom Boggess, Sr., Secretary and Fair Manager, reported completion of the new building, repairs and painting on others. It would again be a Fair to show the wonder of Noxubee County.

Later Fairs of the 1940's

The Post War years gave renewed efforts to revitalize the Noxubee County Fairs, whose history back to the 1850's has been chronicled in earlier issues of this journal in 1985 and 1986. A voice from those days of optimism is expressed in the words of Margaret Brownlee Scott:

"When Mr. Arthur Jernigan with his walking stick, Kennon Curtis with the horses, and Mr. Jensen with bees and yellow flowers arrived at the Fairground, it was time to get the exhibit building ready. The Noxubee County Fair was an event looked forward to from one year to the next by the communities of the County. The Educational booths and nightly skits prepared and presented by neighbors did much to foster pride and fellowship in the communities.

"The second floor of the exhibit building found the quilts and other handwork on display. The canned exhibits of fruits and vegetables were also placed upstairs. Mrs. R. P. Tate, Mrs. Joe Devaney, Mrs. Ervin Mauldin, Mrs. Andrew Sullivan and many other women through the years, were there to keep everything straight, safe and in order.

"During the war years, the County Fair was not held. In 1946, the annual Fair was resumed. In 1947, a committee of women met with the Fair Association, requesting a suitable, safe building for the women's exhibits. In the Spring of 1948, a storm destroyed the old two story building. A new one story structure was erected (with a rest room)!"

NOXUBEE COUNTY FAIRS

THE LAST CYCLE

The year 1946 represented the 5th or 6th time the County Fair has been reorganized, repaired, and painted, since the first Fair in the early 1850's. These Fairs have occurred in approximately 25 year cycles, but the 1980 cycle did not materialize. Perhaps the Noxubee County Fair is in our past now, and we now reflect upon that past.

Fair of 1947

The Macon Beacon, September 4, 1947 reported ... "The 20th Annual Fair will be held September 15 - 20th." What's puzzling is why 1947 was characterized as the "20th Annual" edition of this Fair which dated back over 90 years prior to that. One small clue as to its distinction could be that the 1928 Fair (the 20th year earlier) was the first Fair in which every community of Noxubee County provided participants. The 20th Fair earlier actually was 1925, since no Fairs were held in 1943, 1944 and 1945. The only distinctive of the 1925 Fair was as the first Fair to be longer than two days. Some activity occurred in the Fall of 1943 and 1944, but our earlier chapters reported that these activities were not really considered Fairs. So it is difficult to document why the 1947 Fair was pegged as the "20th."

For 1947, new improvements were made in the Women's Building, and it was proclaimed that the women would have the biggest and best show ever.

The young people in the County had a great live stock show. The winners in Noxubee would go on to Columbus Fair, where they took top honors. Johnny Heard, Jr., Orie Lane, Eddie Forbes, Joe Bradshaw, Suzanne Boggess, Tommy Boggess, III, and Larry Morris were Noxubee's finest, and they then went on to Tupelo's Fair .... and again won top honors!

Larry Morris, Ann Spurgeon and Suzanne Boggess then took their winners to the National Dairy Show in Columbus, Ohio with 4-H members from Mississippi. Larry Morris won a blue ribbon, an honorable mention. Suzanne Boggess won an honorable as well, with her dairy cow, Rita Design Oxfordia

Fair of 1948

The "21st" Annual County Fair was held September 13 - 18th. The added feature this year was a calf scramble on opening night in front of the grandstand. Contenders were boys, aged 13 to 17 years.

The horse racing was a big attraction. Horses from Mobile, Decatur, Montgomery & Tuscaloosa, as well as local horses, raced every afternoon.

Miss Ann Dent was again in charge of the Beauty Review.

Live stock animals for the calf scramble were donated by Zack Brooks, Moore & Woods Live Stock Commission, William Gilmore, Lute Minor, Robert Anderson, R. L. Zeigler, H. H. Hardin, Art Shaul, C. E. Freeman, Harrison Evans and Bennett & Yount.

The Macon Beacon, September 16, gave the following calf scramble winners:

First Ring: Gerald Watson roped the purebred calf donated by Bennett & Yount. J. B. Cunningham of Brooksville roped the calf donated by Moore & Woods. Alfred Butler of Brooksville roped the calf donated by Zack Brooks. There were 15 boys in the ring.

Second Ring: Todd Hayden of Brooksville roped the calf donated by Robert Anderson. Lewis Cooper of Brooksville roped the R. L. Zeigler calf.

Third Ring: Albert Wayne Eaves roped William Gilmore's calf. Ralph White roped Ruel Ewing's calf and David Russell roped P. E. Moore's calf.

Fourth Ring: Bryant Cooper won Harrison Evans' calf.

L. H. Nixon, the Future Farmers of America leader in Brooksville, was the leader of the Brooksville boys, and credit was given to Nixon for a job well done. The FFA leader in Macon was Mr. Hurt.

Friday night was the parade of Champions. John Mills, County Agent, was at the mike, and W. W. Whitten, Assistant County Agent & 4-H leader, helped with this show as the boys and girls led their champions before the Fair crowd in the grandstand.

H. E. Musgrove gave an exhibition of harness racing.

Tom White Crigler acted as Master of Ceremonies on the Quiz Show. Contestants included Ben Chilcutt, W. W. Daves of New York, Jack Mullins, W. W. Whitten, Mrs. Tom Douglass, Mrs. Brice Allsup, Mrs. Wiley Lantz, Mrs. Guy Carr, Lonnie Brunson, Ed Britton, W. B. Lucas, and Boswell Stevens.

Winners were Jack Mullins, who won $25.00; W. W. Whitten and Mrs. Tom Douglass, who tied for second place; Mrs. Wiley Lantz and Ed Britton, who tied for third place.

The Exchange Club raffled off a pony which was won by Red Rainey and his son, Billy Rainey, who rode off into the night on this fine steed.

Fair of 1949

The Macon Beacon, August 4, 1949, announced that "The 13th County Fair" would be held August 8 - 13. No explanation is given as to what Fair of the 1930's this 1949 Fair was tied. Steve Boswell and Ellis Rhett managed an excellent horse show. There were 22 classes of horses shown in two hours. The crowd never had to wait between classes, which made for an memorable horse show.

The Judge was Evert Slaton of Holly Springs, Mississippi. Dr. D. W. Duckworth of Meridian was the announcer, and fellow Meridian citizen Mr. Walker served as Ring Master. Ribbon girls were Sarah Yount, Georgia Alice Britton, Mary L. Stennis, Betty Lou Heard, Jane Stuart, Dot Barnett and Kakie Elkin. Some of the winners were:

Boys Under 8 T. S. (Tommy) Boggess, III on Silver

Girls 8 - 12 Suzanne Boggess, Kay Walter

Boys 8 - 12 Walter Smith, Donald Allsup, Morgan Douglass

Girls 13 - 18 Virginia Ductworth, Bryant Hudson, Patrica Hudson

Boys 13 - 18 Sonny Wallace, Lee Douglass

NOXUBEE COUNTY HORSE SHOW:

Mary Frances Boswell on Miss Hutt

Mable Gibson on Mr. & Mrs. H. E. Musgrove's horse

Hal Land on Miss Em

Suzanne Boggess on Melody's Man's Son

This year of 1949, a King and Queen of the Noxubee County 4-H Club was chosen. L. Dyer and Cora Gene Savage were the Senior King and Queen. Eugene Hunter and Lilley Ruthe Harper were the Junior King and Queen.

Fair of 1950

The Macon Beacon, August 17 reported plans shaping up for another success fair. Tom Boggess, Sr. was manager of the Fair. He reported a big demand for box seats for this year's production. The Horse Show would be on Monday, the Beauty Show on Tuesday, and the Community Entertainment would be on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

In 25 years, the County Fair had come a long ways from the 1921; '22'; and '23' Fairs held on the Court House lawn in Macon. There were two Exhibition Barns and a large Commercial Building, which was improved. Most of the businesses closed down early on Thursday to allow all to attend the Fair. Fridays were always school day, with school buses bringing in the children to the Fair from all over the County.

The Community Booths were a big success this year. The winners were listed as follows:

Magnolia Club 1st Place "Home Sewing Made Easy"

Prairie Point 2nd Place "Bazzars Suggestion"

Salem 3rd Place "Kill The Best, Saves The Best"

Macon Club 4th Place "Rags to Riches"

Cliftonville 5th Place "Store and Save With Cotton Rags"

Brooksville 6th Place "Soil Testing"

Center Point 7th Place

Elon 8th Place

Fair of 1951

The Macon Beacon, September 6, reports the Fair schedule this year to be September 24 through 29. As before, the format will include horse shows, live stock shows, beauty reviews, community exhibits and agricultural exhibits. Thursday night will celebrate the crowning of the Queen of Noxubee County. Friday will be the traditional School day.

The Macon Beacon, September 20, hails the biggest horse show ever to be on Monday night. Among the professionals were J. N. Noblin, Pelliahatcia; W. C. Hughes, Jackson; Jolly Derryberry, Tuscalousa, Alabama; O. J. Henley, Tuscalousa, Alabama; M. Swoope, West Point; Walter Frances, Tupelo; Mr. Hightower, Natchez; Harry Jones, Jackson; Stable, Louise; W. W. Hutton, Collierville, Tennessee; J. H. Armstrong Stable, Tupelo; Poinders Stable, Como; Jimmy Holloaway and Mrs. Gradbold of Brookhaven, and others not listed.

Fair of 1952

The Macon Beacon, October 23, 1952, reports on the 26th Annual County Fair, October 20 through 25. Why is 1952 called the 26th, when the 1947 was called the 20th? No answer available here. The Tuesday night Beauty Review was a big success. Miss Ann Klaus was crowned Queen, and the alternate Queen was Miss Kakie Elkin. The second alternate Queen was Miss Barbara Hardin.

Some Fair winners were:

Girls 11 - 13 Sybil Allsup, Clara Jean Watt and Sylvia Mullins

Girls 9 - 10 Nancy Prince, Marion Prince, and Mable Mullins

Girls 7 - 8 Mary Beth Cooper, Vickey Connor and Dot Greer

Girls 5 - 6 Carol Ann Chancellor, Pat Butler and Judy Klaus