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One hundred years ago, on October 3, 1924, the first farmers’ meeting of the year was held in Courland.   About four hundred Southampton County farmers and business men and their wives gathered for an all-day meeting of speaking and recreation which included a big fish muddle in the middle of the day.  The Honorable E. Frank Story, of Franklin, was in charge of the speakers’ program which was held in the auditorium of Courtland High School.  Courtland Mayor James T. Gillette had the supervision of the arrangements for the fish muddle.

After the singing of several songs by the pupils of the Courtland High School, Reverend H. L. Weston of the Courtland Methodist Episcopal Church pronounced the invocation.  Mayor Gillette introduced the first speaker, Director John R. Hutcheson of the extension division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia – a thorough student of Virginia’s agricultural affairs.  He was noted for giving his hearers something good to think about. 

Mr. Hutcheson discussed farm conditions in Virginia and some ways the agricultural industry must be improved if the people were to stay on the farm.  “Considering farming is the biggest business of Southampton County, we must pool our brains and tackle this proposition as business men, if we are to succeed,” he said. 

He outlined four things which must be done to accomplish this:  

the practice of rigid economy and getting away from the spirit of extravagance which is still with us as one of the fruits of the European War period; 

cheaper production which can be brought about by more careful attention to seed and the right fertilizers.  Too much land is under cultivation in Virginia – the important thing is to raise more stuff on fewer acres; 

better marketing methods – he spoke of more cooperative marketing as done by the Tobacco Growers Association maintaining higher pricing for the farmer; 

improve our surroundings: make the farm home an attractive place for the boys and girls and raise on the farm everything we use and need; and live at home – and board at the same place.

J. Rives Worsham, manager of the Peanut Growers Association, was present and made a statement with reference to the work of the association and promised the members a final payment on their 1923 crop – between October 15 and November 1.  He also said that a first advance of from four and one-fourth cents to four and one-half cents was indicated for the 1924 crop under present market conditions and explained the voluntary one-year agreement under which the association was working.

Paul Scarborough, editor of The Tidewater News, introduced the third speaker – the Honorable John R. Saunders, Attorney General of Virginia, who was recognized as one of the ablest and most pleasing speakers in the Old Dominion.  He urged upon the farmers three fundamental requisites to material success and for their happiness, peace, and contentment: organization – education – religion.  Saunders said in closing, “the farmer is growing wiser and more intelligent.  The future is rosy with promise for those who diligently apply my three-fold prescription in its widest sense to all of the relations of their work, lives, and surroundings”.

Following the speaking, an abundant dinner of Southampton County fish muddle was served on the athletic field near the Courtland High School building.

CLYDE PARKER is a retired human resources manager for the former Franklin Equipment Co. and a member of the Southampton County Historical Society. His email address is magnolia101@charter.net.