Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.—This association was formed in Johnson county, Ill., in the fall of 1882 or 1883, and had its origin in the following incident: Five farmers each happened to take a load of wheat to town on the same day, but were informed by the local buyer that, owing to the uncertainties of the market, it was considered unwise to purchase any more wheat at that time. A telegram to grain dealers in Chicago brought the information that the price of wheat was actually rising, and the five farmers concluded that the local buyers were in a conspiracy to force them to sell their grain for less than it was actually worth. An empty box car was standing on the side track, and in a short time it was secured, the wheat was loaded into it and sent to Chicago, where the farmers received the market price without trouble or delay.

News of the transaction soon spread, coöperative shipping clubs were organized, and these clubs were ultimately consolidated into the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, the objects of which were to market farm produce by the coöperative method to better advantage than by selling in the open market, and to render mutual assistance along other lines.

As soon as the benefits of the association were made manifest through its operations, it took on a comparatively rapid growth and extended to several states, including Kansas, where a number of local or county associations were formed, the members acting together in the sale of their products and the purchase of implements, household supplies, etc. At a general meeting of the asociation,[sic] held at Springfield, Ill., in Nov., 1890, it was decided to send delegates to the Farmers' Alliance convention at Ocala, Fla., the following month. Delegates were accordingly selected, and although the asociation[sic] maintained for some time afterward a separate existence as an organization, it really became a part of the Farmers' Alliance movement, the effects of which were felt all over the country. (See Farmers' Alliance.)