Vigo County, Indiana - Chapter 25: Political, 1891

Chapter 25: Political

INDIANA politics have always been of first quality. It started in life with two actual (afterward) Presidents, and both of the same party and both might it seems date their great political careers as commencing in Vigo county. This of itself is a remark¬ able incident, and has been always one of the strong appeals to the home pride of Indianians that has decided many of our State and National elections. Prior to i840 it is very difficult to arrive at any definite idea of the party divisions in Vigo county. It is indeed doubtful if there were, strictly speaking, any such thing as national politics here prior to that time. There were parties, as earnest and sometimes fierce as anything of modern times, but it was simply divisions on certain men, Jackson and Clay, with such national questions as banks, etc., were all there was then. Men

These two remarkable men in the course of nature passed away, and practically with the death of Clay came the end of the whig party as an active, living organization. In old times names and men were the true substances in parties and party strifes. In history, Harrison is classed as a whig, yet up to the time of his election in 1840, he claimed to be a pro-slavery democrat. He denounced, and so did his friends, all attempts to fix upon him the character of a free-soiler. And as the first territorial governor of Indiana he boasted that he was in favor of making it slave territory. Nearly all western Indiana territory was settled by Kentuckians and Virginians, and they mostly favored making this slave territory. They believed if declared for slavery, it would soon be settled up with others from the southern States who would not come unless they could bring their slaves in the same security as in Virginia or Kentucky. At that time there were many and plausible reasons for their favoring this course. Probably the original "free-soiler" here (not an avowed abolitionist) was the Canadian, J. W. Osborn.

From the ruins of the old whig party arose the " know-noth¬ ing" and the Republican parties, the former chiefly in the south and the latter in the north. The American (K.-N.) party swept over the country like a quick-coming tornado, and had spent its force just before the presidential election of 1856, and this practically ended it. The division of parties in this latitude down to 1856 was between the whigs and democrats, then the American party and Democrats, and the Republicans and Democrats came really to be the two parties, only in 1860, when voters well knew they were voting on the question of civil war.

In April, 1824, the grand jury of the county nominated a candi¬ date for the legislature and a candidate for congress. They explained that certain "prominent men were called in to consult." This was innocent politics surely compared to our present system of secret caucus and conventions and instructions to "vote as a unit," etc. But the Register of that day deprecated such action " because it might lead to practices injurious to the interests and liberties of the people." It was "usurpation" on the part of the

When the war came in April, 1861, then all political questions were for the time forgotten in those troublous days. The war over, the political parties were confronted with such great questions as reconstruction, negro suffrage, etc., and rapid exchanges of places in the ranks of the two parties began. Many who had been intense pro¬ slavery democrats went over to the republicans, and some who had been original abolitionists to the democrats. When Greeley could become a democratic candidate for President, there was no fixed political law that would have prevented such rebel generals as Mosby or Longstreet from being full-fledged candidates on the op¬ position ticket. In Illinois, and this was no exception, Trumbull, one of the fathers of the republican party, simply swapped places with John A. Logan, the author of the Illinois "Black Laws." Virginia sent two republican rebel brigadiers to the United States, while Ohio, if Vallandingliam had lived, would no doubt have sent that once " banished-to-tlie-South " man to meet these "recon¬ structed " Virginians with a friendly hand-shake across the bloody chasm, and attack them politically as fiercely as he ever did Garrison.

When these temporary questions began to die away, their places happily were taken by real questions of government policy, and on these new lines parties have been ranging themselves the past twenty years. The leading literary monthly periodicals of the country are now publishing many political articles, some of them on all sides of the questions of the day from the pens of the leading statesman of this country and Europe. Here is a wonderful public free school now open to the eager voter.

During the war and immediately thereafter the republican party held undisputed sway in this city. In 1865 the last of the civil war, the candidates for mayor were Albert Lange, republican, or as it was then called on the printed ticket, " union," and Col. Cookerly democrat. These were representatives of something of the political coloring of the city politics in the May election of that year and the division of parties, because these two men were the leaders of their respective parties. At the election the vote stood 900 for Lange, and C ookerly 501. The Third ward was the only one that was dem¬ ocratic. There were five wards in the city. The democratic First ward contained all that part of the city between Ohio and Mulberry streets from the river to the eastern limits of the city.

Col. Cookerly was the " unterrified " however, and was again a candidate at the next election, 1867, for mayor. The papers then were the Express and J ourncil, and each was striking blows straight from the shoulder. The late Gen. Charles Cruft was proprietor of the Express , and Perry Westfall was one of the paper's staff. The office was at 65 Main street, east of the St. Clair House. The Journal office was on the second floor in the same block but nearer the cor¬ ner of Third. Dr. Ezra Reed was then serving as postmaster under Johnson, and James B. Edmund's facile and vigorous pen made the music for the Journal. The township trustee was George W. Naylor.

prise all around. The Express told on the eve of election about the certainty of Maj. D. A. Conover's election on the republican ticket, and placed his majority at 300 at the lowest. The count, however, elected Cookerly by 252 majority - the vote was Cookerly 1,279, Conover 1,027. But it was not a Waterloo for the whole republican ticket. Carl A. Goodwin the union nominee for treas¬ urer beat Sparks (D.) 444 votes; Warren Harper (union) beat Grover (D. ) for city clerk 421 votes; Capt. John A. Bryan (union), for assessor, beat Daily 296 votes. The democrats elected Gotleib Beiss city marshal over Allen Alloway by 42 votes. For councilmen the union party elected W. R. McKeen, First ward; A. L. Chamberlain, in the Second ward, over George McHenry, and Noyes Andrews, in the Fifth, over J. E. Wilkinson. The demo¬ crats secured two councilmen, Louis Seeburger, who beat A. H. Luken 192 votes in the Third in a total of 513, and Tom Dowling beat C. E. Hosford in the Fourth by 151 in a total of 479; the council then stood seven republicans and three democrats, the members being D. W. Minshall, W. R. McKeen, L. A. Burnett, A. L. Chamberlin, V: A. Sparks, L. Seeburger, S. K. Allen, Thomas Dowling, Thomas E. Laws and Noyes Andrews.

Police Board , Its Origin. - At the May meeting, 1867, of the city council, Mr. Minshall introduced an ordinance with an emerg¬ ency clause, creating a board of police of three members and the mayor, and providing for the election by the board of a chief of police. This board was abolished by the substitution of the police commissioners in January, 1885. The first police board was com¬ posed of Councilmen Allen, Andrews, Minshall and Mayor Cookerly. The council elected William Barrock street commissioner, John D. Bell, fire -chief (he was re-elected), and L. F. Muzzy, city attorney. The police board appointed Allen Alloway, who was beaten for city marshal, chief of police, the first in the city's history.

Capt. Alloway died soon after going out of office. The police force at that time was three night and two day policemen, and the marshal guarded the property and persons of the citizens. The chief of the police had charge of the night men, who were A. J. Rob¬ inson, Thomas Stewart and William Van Brunt; the day men were James O'Mara and Joseph Rowland. June 4 of that year the council allowed the city marshal a deputy, the increasing business of his office being the cause.

It was under Mayor Cookerly's administration that the corner¬ stone of the Normal Institute was laid. Speeches were made on that occasion by Gov. Conrad Baker and Senator Morton. Sewell Coulson was prosecuting attorney in the circuit court and James T. Johnson was county attorney in the common pleas court.

nate county recorder and two county commissioners. Over this meeting presided JohnE. Woodruff. Fredrick Cornell was nominated for recorder on the fourth ballot over Alex Thomas and Jacob E. Yoorhees. The nominees for county commissioner were Eeilding Shepherd and Nathan Lee. This at that time was the Eighteenth Judicial circuit.

The republican judicial convention was held in Terre Haute October 1, 1867. John Collett, of Vermillion, was chairman, and B. E. Bhoads, secretary. Col. Richard W. Thompson's term as judge, to which he had been appointed, was about to expire. He was put in nomination for re-election. Col. Thomas H. Neslon, then by the authority of Mr. Thompson, withdrew his name, where¬ upon resolutions were passed eulogizing Judge Thompson. Gen. Cruft nominated Judge Maxwell, then the common pleas judge, and his nomination was made unanimous. Sewell Coulson was renomi¬ nated for prosecuting attorney.

The democratic convention, which met soon after, nominated Chambers Y. Patterson for judge; G. B. Hanna, of Sullivan, for prosecutor; John B. Meyer, for recorder, and T). Hollingsworth and Benjamin Mewhinnev, for county commissioners. This judicial cir¬ cuit was very close. The main interest was in the election of judge, and it was not for several days after the election that the result was known. Judge Patterson was elected by less than 300 votes. He carried Vigo county by 309 majority, and Sullivan by 860. Max¬ well got Parke by 5 <5 and Vermillion by 350. Hanna was elected prosecuting attorney, and John B. Meyer beat Cornell for recorder 421 votes. The total vote of Vigo county at that election was 3,806.

At the next judicial election, after the expiration of Judge Pat¬ terson s term, the same candidates were presented by their respect¬ ive parties. The republicans counted confidently on their small majority in the district, and something on the confusion going on in the ranks of the opposite party, arising from some internal local quarrels that were abroad. For the first and only time in a long official life Judge Patterson was beaten by a small majority. He was off the bench, however, only two years, when Vigo and Sullivan weie made a new circuit, and he was again elected and continued to preside until his death in 1881. The campaign leading up to his last election is given fully toward the conclusion of this chapter.

The republicans held their mass convention to send delegates to the State convention, February 6, 1868. Col. Thompson intro¬ duced the resolutions. The important one of these read as follows:

In the noithern States there is no necessity for extending suffra°'e to the Negroes; these States having the right to decide that ques¬ tion for themselves, independently of congress. It is in no sense a national question, and its agitation in this State at this time is un¬ wise and impolitic, the subject of our State convention not being before the people, and there being no disposition on the part of the union-republican party of the State to make it so."

February 15, 1868, a Grant club was organized at the court¬ house. It was named the Central Grant club. P. B. O'Reilly and Albert Lange were the speakers at the meeting to organize. While Mr. O'Reilly was speaking quite an exciting incident occurred. Martial music was heard outside, and soon the G. A. R. were descried marching up Third street. The procession halted in front of the court-house, gave three cheers for Grant and then tiled into the building where they were received with vociferous cheers. Samuel H. Potter was a member of this club, which afterward elected Col. McLean, president, and the club decided to build a wigwam.

At the April township election, 1868, the republicans elected their whole ticket. G. W. Naylor beat J. B. Otey, then one of the most prominent democrats in the county, 389 votes for trustee. William Woollen got 363 more votes for justice of the peace than did J. D. Murphy; and James O'Mara, B. F. Reagan, E. O. Whiteman and J. A. King were elected constables. The democrats car¬ ried eight of the twelve townships of the county. Councilman Y. A. Sparks (democrat), of the Third ward, died a few days before the election, and on the same day of the township election a special election was held in the Third ward to fill the vacancy. Dr. Robert Yan Yalzah was the democratic nominee and Solomon E. Gibbs, the republican. The election resulted in a tie, each one receiving 130 votes. April 29, following was fixed for the next election, and Dr. Yan Yalzah won, receiving 267 votes to 260 for Gibbs.

In the republican State convention of that year Col. Thompson was chairman of the committee on resolutions, and Col. Nelson selected as elector-at-large.

The fourth national convention of the Republican party met at Chicago, May 20, 1868. Col. R. W. Thompson was a distinguished member of that body, being chairman of the committee on resolu¬ tions, and wrote and reported the platform. And he was largely instrumental in securing the nomination of Colfax as a candidate with Grant.

The republican county convention, June 13, 1868, put in nomi¬ nation the following county ticket: State senator, H. D. Scott; representatives, Isaac N. Peirce andElmsley Hamilton; clerk, James H. Turner; treasurer, M. C. Rankin; sheriff, Nicholas Filbeck; real estate appraiser, James Burgan; commissioner, B. G. Trueblood; surveyor, Alexander Cooper; coroner, David Christy; as¬ sessor, Harrison township, D. B. Weir. One of the two delegates from Harrison township was Maj. O. J. Smith. The convention announced for Col. McLean for congress. This year the old court¬ house in court-house square was abandoned by the courts and was fixed up as a public meeting place. The democrats held their June convention in it that year and nominated the following ticket: State senator, James B. Edmunds; representatives, Sanford C. Davis andP. Y. Buskirk; clerk, Martin Hollinger; treasurer, Sam¬ uel A. Hull; sheriff, William H. Stewart; real estate appraiser- James H. Mullen; county commissioner, Ebenezer Paddock; coro, ner, John D. Murphy; surveyor, Robert Allen.

By the new apportionment the Sixth Congressional district lost Putnam county and gained Monroe and Lawrence. The Sixth dis¬ trict comprised the counties of Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Sullivan, Clay, Owen, Greene, Monroe and Lawrence, nine in all.

The democratic convention was held at Terre Haute, and nomi¬ nated Daniel W. Voorliees. He received all the votes of the con¬ vention except seven of Vigo, which were cast for Hon. B. W. Hanna.

George H. Pendleton was the choice of the Vigo democracy for President at that time. When the New York convention was in ses¬ sion a public meeting was held in Terra Haute in which they de¬ nounced the action of a part of the Indiana delegation in deserting Pendleton. Seymour waspresiding officer of that convention, and lie, with Frank Blair, were the nominees.

The campaign in Vigo county in 1868 was a memorable one, and was turbulent and noisy. The party papers were " hot boxes to every wheel." To read the republican papers the democrats were all wildly hurrahing for Jeff Davis, while the other side denounced their opponents as villains of the deepest dve. The republicans organized what was called the fighting boys "in blue, composed of those who had been in the army. James O'Mara was captain (now dead), and John F. O'Reilly was orderly sergeant. September 22 Gov. Baker and Judge Hughes spoke at the court-house. The meeting was enlivened as follows: Hughes, who afterward acted with the democrats in organizing the State senate when it was a tie, in the course of his remarks made reference to Col. Bob Stewart. Cob Bob was in the audience, and at once interrupted him, and rose and made an explanation. As he left the stand he turned upon Judge Hughes and told him he must not use his name any more. *A movement was made to remove Col. Bob, but he quietly seated him¬ self, and the disturbance passed away. On the afternoon of the same day Baker and Hendricks, opposing candidates for governor, held a joint debate at Brazil, and a large number of Terra Haute people went over. The democrats made their hottest fight for Hollinger and Stewart. An article in the German paper, the Burger Zeitung, came out favoring Hollinger, because he was a soldier. This aroused the ire of the German republicans, who, to the num¬ ber of several hundred, signed their names to a card, saying the article was not their sentiment "by a long sight." Col. Baird printed a card in the paper offering to bet $100 on Turner (HoLlinger's opponent) and on Filbeck. Both parties held their big rallies on the eve of the long campaign, republicans one day and the democrats the nest day. The republican was Friday, October 10, at the fair grounds; the democrats next day at Parly's grove. The democrats had their candidate for Vice-president, Gen. Frank P. Blair, present. In his speech he denied that he had ever said that he would "rather sleep with a nigger then a democrat." The election that year was a close one in Indiana; Conrad Baker beat Hendricks by less than 1,000 votes; Voorhees beat Carter for con¬ gress 128 votes; John T. Scott defeated David H. Maxwell for judge of the common pleas court by 11 votes, the vote standing: Sullivan, 1,173 for Scott; Parke, 1,018 for Maxwell; Vigo, 144 for Maxwell.

Eugene I. Holden defeated W. IV- Rumsey for common pleas prosecutor by 34 votes. The republicans carried Vigo county for governor by 166 votes, other republican majorities being, Carter 154, Maxwell 144, Rumsey 179, H. D. Scott, for State senator, 93; Pierce and Hamilton, for representatives, 149 and 147 ; Burgan, for real estate appraiser, 238; Trueblood, for commissioner, 133; Cooper, for surveyor, 140; Rankin, for treasurer, 105; Christy, for coroner, 136; and Weir, for assessor, 583. The democrats elected Hollinger, clerk and Stewart, sheriff, by majorities of 80 and 69, respectively.

Grant carried Vigo county by 305 majority, in a total vote of 6,400; every ward in Terra Haute gave him a majority. And of the townships the democrats carried Fayette, Linton, Pierson, Riley, Lost Creek and Nevins.

The next year, therefore, a big surprise awaited the republicans in the city election. The democrats renominated Cookerly, and the republicans P. B. O'Reilly, over Zenas Smith and Thomas E. Lawes. In the democratic convention a sensation was caused by Nat F. Cunningham getting up, just after he was beaten for treas¬ urer, and announcing that he would be an independent candidate. To the utter amazement of the whole community Cookerly beat O'Reilly 323 votes; Marcus Schomehl (D. ) defeated George W. Lambert 98 for treasurer; E. O. Whiteman (R. ) beat Daniel Crewe 72 votes for marshal; Dan Vickery (R. ) beat John B. Tal¬ bert 164 votes for clerk, and Martin Kerch eval (D. ) beat Zach Ross 173 votes for assessor. The democrats elected seven of the ten councilmen; W. H. Scudder and William Coats in the First, M.

The race for congress in 1870, in this district, was between Dan¬ iel W. Yoorhees and Moses F. Dunn. The republican convention met in Pierce's Hall, Terre Haute. The candidates before that convention from Yigo were W. E. McLean, C. W. Barbour and AY. AY. Curry. Four ballots were had; the final one stood: Eggleston, 12; McLean, 64; Dunn, 89. Fifteen days later the democratic convention met in the same hall. There was no opposition to Yoor¬ hees. The convention adopted a resolution opposing the taking back of the Wabash & Erie canal, at that time a prominent polit¬ ical question. Dunn and Yoorhees made a vigorous campaign. Dunn was an ambitious young lawyer, and he knew Yoorhees was only elected by 128 votes before. The total vote was: Dunn, 15,843; Yoorhees, 17,268, or a majority of 1,425 for Yoorhees; his majority in Yigo was 200.

The election of 1870 was generally favorable to the democrats in Yigo county. The democrats elected all their county ticket but one. Samuel Boyse (D. ) beat William Paddock (running for re-election) for auditor, 126 votes; W. H. Stewart (D.) beat Gordon Lee for sheriff, 394 votes; J. M. Sankey beat M. C. Rankin (re-election) for treasurer, 81 votes; John B. Meyer over Theo. Marxen for recorder, 446 votes; Dr. Gerstmeyer over David L. Christy for coroner, 172 votes; Thomas B. Long, for judge of the criminal court (first term), over John B. Crain (incumbent) 512 votes; Sant C. Davis over I. N. Pierce, prosecutor, 198 votes; Will¬ iam Mack and Isaiah Donliam over H. H. Boudinot and Benjamin Wilson Smith, representatives, 249 and 283 votes; Nathaniel Bald¬ ing, Joseph H. Blake and Lewis L. Weeks, commissioners, had major¬ ities from 160 to 175. George W. Naylor was elected trustee over Francis D. Molly (D. ) by 424 votes. This was the only success¬ ful republican.

In 1870 the republicans built a wigwam in Terre Haute, com¬ pleting it July 18. Mr. Yoorhees made his opening speech in that campaign at Beache s Grove, August 1. A German paper here called the VolJcsblatt changed over to the democrats.

The man who thought that the sweeping victory of the demo¬ crats in 1870 had permanently settled who was to win elections in the future did not have to wait long before being undeceived. The city was now in democratic hands. At the city election, 1871, the republicans made a clean sweep. The democrats failed to elect a man.

The liberal-republican movement that was generated by what was supposed to be the errors of Grant's administration now began to attract wide attention. May 3, 1872, the liberal-republicans at Cincinnati put Greeley in nomination. Col. W. E. McLean, of Terre Haute, was reading clerk at that convention ; he had a splendid and trained voice for such an occasion. He was also on the committee that formally notified Mr. Greeley of his nomination. Would the democrats endorse Greeley? In Yigo county they were divided, much as they were in nearly all the States. The Terre Haute Journal , under the guide of "Jim" Edmunds, vigorously opposed coalescing. Mr. Voorliees, then in congress, telegraphed to his friends in Terre Haute: " The democratic party will meet as usual in national convention, and, through its authorized delegates, nom¬ inate its candidates and declare its policy; until then no man has a right to commit the party as to its future action. Its organization and principles should be maintained at all hazards." This was in¬ terpreted as a declaration of hostility toward Greeley. The Gazelle , Robert Hudson at the helm, was an uncompromising liberal-re¬ publican paper, and Greeley and Brown fluttered from its masthead. Tom Dowling was for Greeley in his paper.

At the May election, 1872, again the democrats of Terre Haute met a crushing defeat - failing to elect a single man on their ticket. The election that spring was for councilmen only, and Michael Byers beat William Coats (running for re-election) (H votes in the First ward; Parker Milligan defeated David Phillips by 36 votes in the Second; Fred Otte had 35 majority over Martin Kircheval in the Third; Mathew Bridentlial had 64 more votes than Harry Douglas in the Fourth, and W. S. Clift had 51 more than John Garretson in the Fifth ward. The council, then, was solidly re¬ publican.

May 13, 1872, Mr. Voorliees made his celebrated speech in con¬ gress against Greeley. This at once produced a profound sensation all over the country. He denounced in a fifteen-minute speech the political course of Mr. Greeley severely. Four days after delivering this speech Mr. Voorliees wrote a letter to Mr. Briggs of Terre Haute and said: " The idea that I would support Grant under any circum¬ stances seems too ridiculous for any consideration. The reason why I will not support Greeley is that he is no better than Grant in some respects and on some points he is worse. That was my mean¬ ing when I spoke in the house." Mr. Voorliees came home and spoke in the court-house, May 25, 1872, reiterating his former posi¬ tion and attacking Grant as freely as he had Greeley. This entire speech was transmitted over the wires by the Associated Press.

The republican convention at Philadelphia met June 5, 1872 and unanimously renominated Grant. The republicans of Terre Haute ratified the nomination Saturday night June 8, by a meeting at the wigwam. Lucius H. Ryce presided; Maj. Gordon, of Indianapolis was expected to speak, but failed to come, and Judge Gookins spoke. Other speeches were made by Col. W. K. Edwards, C. E. Hosford and H. D. Scott.

The republican congressional convention met at Brazil, June 13, 1872, Gen. Morton C. Hunter was nominated for congress with¬ out opposition. The republican judicial convention organized the same day and nominated David H. Maxwell for circuit judge, Robert B. Sears, of Vermillion county, for prosecutor of the circuit court, Isaac N. Pierce, of Vigo, for judge of the common pleas court, and W. S. Maple, of Sullivan for prosecutor. Two days later the republicans held their county convention in Terre Haute, D. W. Minshall presided, and they made the following nominations: T. C. Buntin, clerk, over Hosford, Patrick and Turner; Charles Rottman for treasurer, over M. C. Rankin (the incumbent), J. N. Shepherd and Geo. H. Mills; Joshua M. Hull for sheriff, over Rich¬ ard Sparks, Jabez Smith, J. L. Humaston and George W. Naylor. The business of the convention proceeded quietly until prosecuting attorney was reached. R. S. Tennant and Emory Beauchamp were opposing candidates. The first ballot decided the contest in favor of the former. At this juncture Col. Baird arose and denounced the nomination as a fraud. He tried to make a speech, but was ruled down. He then withdrew and vowed he would not support the nom¬ inee. When quiet was restored the convention completed the ticket as follows: H. D. Scott for State senator; W. II. Edwards and P. H. Lee for representatives; Stanley Robbins and Joseph Fellenzer for county commissioners; Dr. W. D. Mull for coroner over E. O. Whiteman and Paul McCasky; P. B. Rippetoe for real estate ap¬ praiser, and Robert Cooper for surveyor. Two weeks later the re¬ publican township convention nominated George W. Naylor for trustee and Jackson Stepp for assessor.

As is known, the Democratic national convention at Baltimore July 9, 1872, endorsed Greeley and Brown the liberal-republican nominees. A part of the democracy of Vigo county openly rebelled, the Terre Haute Journal refusing to be absorbed into the liberal movement, and attacked Greeley bitterly ; the Gazette with equal warmth espoused the Greeley cause, Col. Bob Hudson, at the head of his column, placed Greeley and Brown and the whole dem¬ ocratic ticket to the last man in the township nominations. July 18 the congressional convention at Spencer, Ind., again unanimously placed Mr. Voorhees in nomination. He was present and made a speech in explanation. He would not retract or qualify a word he had said about Greeley, but his speech in congress was directed to the Baltimore convention, and now he fully recognized that " that body had legitimate author¬ ity and ultimate control." This greatly gratified his many friends throughout the district. On the same day a judicial convention was held and nominated Chambers Y. Patterson, of Vigo, for cir¬ cuit judge; John T. Scott, of Vigo, for common pleas judge; John C. Briggs, of Vigo, for prosecutor of the circuit court, and G. W. Collins, of Parke, for prosecutor of the common pleas. Col. W. E. McLean was chosen by the congressional convention as elector. Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks made a speech to the convention. Col. McLean spoke from a liberal-republican standpoint. Two days later the county convention met and put the following ticket in the field: State senator, Bichard Dunnigan; representatives, Isiah Donliam and G. F. Cookerly; clerk, Martin Hollinger (over P. W. Haggerty) ; sheriff, John C. Kester (over Martin Grace and T. J. Langford) ; treasurer, James M. Sankey; real estate appraiser, George W. Carico; criminal prosecutor, Sant C. Davis; county commissioners, James Kelley and Louis Seeburger; coroner, Dr. Charles Gerstmeyer; surveyor, Bobert Allen. The democratic township convention put up C. C. Smock for trustee and W. P. McCarty for justice of the peace. Now was opened in earnest about the hottest campaign ever seen in Vigo county. The repub¬ licans put up a wigwam and the democrats a temple at the north¬ east corner of Eighth and Ohio, on Dr. Beed's vacant lot; white Greeley plug hats were common head gear.

The Detroit Free Press punched "Jim" Edmunds as follows: " The Terre Haute Journal says it can not support Greeley. From the looks of the sheet we should judge it couldn't even support the editor."

The political feeling was heightened in this county by the bolt of a number of Irish-American citizens, who did not like the county ticket. A personal altercation occurred on the street between Editors Edmunds and Judge Jones, over a letter written by Jones to the Louisville Courier- Journal.

August 7 the Greeley Temple was opened by a big meeting; Hendricks, Voorhees and Hanna spoke. An immense white hat crowned the apex of the temple. In this campaign for the first time appears the name of John E. Lamb. He was second lieuten¬ ant of the Greeley escort. L. M. Bose was captain. That secondlieutenant soon pushed his way into congress. B. Wilson Smith was a minister in charge of one of the churches, with a strong pen¬ chant for politics. He went to meetings, carried torches and made speeches. One of the papers had a communication as follows : " Does a certain, congregation in this city pay their minister for preach¬ ing, or do they pay him for carrying a torch in political processions, or for making speeches down in Bagdad? '' - near the blast furnace, in the .southeast part of town. This solemn conundrum has not yet been answered. Mr. Smith went to Tippecanoe county, and was at one time a membei Oi. the legislature - 1885. Three democrats fiom "V igo attended the Louisville straight-out democratic conven¬ tion, called by Blanton Duncan, which nominated Charles O'Connor. One of these, Chris. Wallace, came back whooping up for Greeley, as he said he was then convinced it was but a sideshow for Grant. In this campaign the republicans fired their heaviest gun September 7. John A. Logan, familiarly called " Black Jack," spoke in the court-house square. That night not less than 2,000 marched in the torchlight procession under the command of Hooks and Filbeck. September 20, George W. Julian spoke here at the Greeley Temple. He was an old-time abolitionist, but had gone into the Greeley movement heart and soul. Col. Hudson intro¬ duced him, and in doing so referred to an incident that occurred to Mr. Julian twenty years before, when he came to Terre Haute to deliver an abolition speech. It was dangerous then to make that kind of a speech here. The case was laid before Mr. Julian and he was advised to desist, but he was resolute, and the meeting went on in the old court-house. A mob organized to prevent him from speaking. Julian arose to begin, and, fixing his eye upon the sus¬ pected rabble, announced that he came to make a speech and was going to do it. At this the mob made a hostile demonstration, but as Julian's friends drew closer about him, with their hands on their revolvers, the mob slunk away, and he made his speech with no further disturbance.

Horace Greeley came to Indianapolis. A train of eleven coaches, packed, went to hear him. Hon. D. W. Voorhees presided at that meeting. An incident of this campaign, that deserves a permanent record, occurred: Hendricks and Voorhees were on a train of the Van road, and Hendricks wanted to get off the train at a station that trains did not usually stop at. He knew McKeen was a good re¬ publican, and was afraid that the train would carry him by, and he was posted to speak to a big crowd at the place. He finally told Voorhees of his trouble: "Telegraph McKeen," said Voorhees. Ibis was done, and in a few minutes came the following from Mc¬ Keen:. 'No one will stop for you." Hendricks and Voorhees read tins with amazement and" indignation, when happily Dan called up Fmkbine, the famous Van conductor, when Voorhees handed him the dispatch and demanded an explanation. "Fink" smiled audibly when he read it, " No. 1 will stop for you." That was the number of tlie train, and this was all the explanation required. William E. Hendricks could not stand Grant a second term. He made a speech defining his position. An eccentric character, Mr. Fabricius, who ran the Banner , announced that on the night of October 4 he would answer Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks sought out Fabricius and arranged for a joint discussion. The discussion was in German, and it was conceded that Hendricks put his opponent's hide on a pole. B. Gratz Brown, the democratic candidate for vice-presi¬ dent, spoke here October 5, with him came Cassius Clay, Hons. John R. Eden and George R. Wendling, of Illinois. The speaking was at Early's grove at night, 1,700 men marched in torch¬ light procession. About this time the Congregational minister, Rev. Howe, presided at a republican meeting when Boutwell spoke. This was counted a standoff for Rev. Smith's "speeches at Bagdad." Hendricks beat Browne for governor by about 1,000. This was not definitely settled for about a week after the election, and in the mean¬ time the people of Terre Haute did little else than stand about the bulletin boards. The October elections then were conceded to be the turning point of the campaign, and here was a drawn battle in Indi¬ ana. The greatest surprise, however, was the defeat of Voorliees by Hunter for congress by about 700 votes. The democrats only suc¬ ceeded in electing one of their entire county ticket. Tennta beat Davis for prosecutor 54 votes; Scott for senator over Dunnigan, 356 votes; Edwards and Lee over Cookerly and Donliam, for repre¬ sentatives, 466 and 366; Hull, for sheriff, 456; Rottman over Sankey, for treasurer, 384; Rippetoe over Carico, for real estate appraiser, 435; Robbins and Felenzer over Kelley and Louis Seeburger, for county commissioner, 455 and 311; Mull over Gerstmeyer, for coroner, 342; Cooper over Allen, for surveyor, 322.

The legislature of 1871-72 elected William Mack, speaker, so the ensuing legislature elected Col. W. K. Edwards, another Vigo man, speaker. Emory Beauchamp, who had been beaten for criminal prosecutor by Richard Tennant, was made first assistant door-keeper. This legislature elected Oliver P. Morton United States senator over "Blue Jeans" Williams. R. W. Thompson was the only name mentioned against Morton, but he declined and this left the field clear to the war governor.

November 5, 1872, Greeley carried but six States: Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri and Texas. Grant carried Yigo county by over 800 and swept the State like a tornado. Mr. Voorliees resumed the law practice with Capt. John C. Briggs as partner. Miss Lydia Showalter was the first lady notary public in the State.

partner, T W. Harper, interjected remarks which incited S. 0. Davis, the opposing counsel to remark that he did not consider it gentlemanly. This brought the retort that Mr. Davis never was a gentleman, upon which the latter drew a pistol and fired, the bullet making a ragged hole in the ceiling. The weapon was taken from him and a fine imposed on Mr. Davis, and white-winged peace again brooded o'er the land.

Patrick Henry Lee (how revolutionary that name sounds) was a member of the 1874 legislature, and was taken sick and returned to his home in Terre Haute, and died before the close of the session.

The democracy of Vigo was badly demoralized after the Greeley campaign, and probably partly from this cause just about that time Terre Haute had quite a craze on the subject of female suf¬ frage, as the Gazette said: "It sported the liveliest kind of a woman suffrage club of which O. J. Smith was the recognized head and front."

The republican legislature redistricted the State, the democrats said jerymandered it. This congressional district was then com¬ posed of Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Monroe and Law¬ rence - taking out Sullivan - and making it hopelessly republican. The legislature abolished the common pleas courts, and thus legislated Judge John T. Scott out of office. Vigo and Sullivan were made the Fourteenth Judicial circuit. John Lamb was then a clerk in Treasurer Sankey's office. Chief of Police Gilmore resigned in January, 1873, and the council elected George Sliewmaker to fill the vacancy. He afterward committed suicide.

February 18 the citizens voted on a proposition for a constitu¬ tional amendment prohibiting the State from resuming the Wabash & Erie Canal. The city vote was 1,639, all in the affirmative except eighteen.

Ihe legislature passed the Baxter bill, which required a majority of the voters of each ward to sign a petition to the county commis¬ sioners, requesting them to issue a license to sell liquor. March 4, 1873, Capt. John E. Wilkinson was the first to appear with a peti¬ tion signed by three-fourths of the voters of the Fourth ward. About that time the Baxter bill supporters held a memorable meet¬ ing in the court-house. James Hooks presided, and Capt. Potter had charge of the resolutions. They commended the senator, Har¬ vey D. Scott, for his "patriotic support of the bill." And they did not mention Speaker Edwards at all, because he did not support the bill. The resolutions recited that those present would give the measure a hearty support. John T. Scott objected to some wording in the preamble to the resolutions, and this stirred up every hornet in the nest. The preachers were largely on hand, and entered the debate with great warmth. It soon grew quite personal, but "just before the battle, mother," there was a shaking of hands across the bloody chasm, and "the empire is peace."

Just then Nicholas Filbeck virtually served noticeon L. A. Bur¬ nett, that he wanted to be postmaster, and for him (Burnett) to get out as soon as possible. This was a great post-office war between two old veterans "of the late," etc. It was charged against Burnett that he attended minstrel shows, while Filbeck always was at the wigwam, and was enjoying even the gloomiest political haranguing.

This took place Saturday, March 8, 1873. Only republican patrons of the office were allowed to vote - polls open from 11 to 8 P. M. Capt. Potter kicked hard against not allowing the democrats to vote, and, as they were refused this right, he declined to act as inspector in his ward. Filbeck carried everything with a whoop. There were 1,181 votes cast, and Filbeck's majority was 557. Septer Patrick was his principal opponent. He got 300 votes, 120 scattering.

In 1873 the democrats nominated John T. Scott for mayor, and for clerk, John Branch; marshal, A. J. Robinson; assessor, M. W. O'Connell. Nine days later the republicans nominated Alexander Thomas over Maj. O. J. Smith, for mayor; John Paddock, for treas¬ urer; Fred Smith, for marshal; Fred Scliwingrouber, for clerk, and Jackson Stepp, for assessor. A large element not being satisfied with either ticket met in a workingmen's convention, and nominated for mayor Sergt. Noyes White. They nominated candidates for councilmen. The prominent leaders in this movement were W. B. Hendrickson, Jesse Robertson, Frank Smith and Septer Patrick - and the Gazette. A few days before the election White withdrew, and a second convention nominated S. K. Allen. In this triangular contest Thomas (R. ) was re-elected. The vote was Thomas, 1,324; Scott, 1,242; Allen, 844. All the republican city ticket was elected. Schwingrouber's majority, 675; Schmidt's, 89; Stepp, 782. The democrats made no opposition to John Paddock. For councilmen the republicans elected Carter in the First, Hager in the Second, and Hayward in the Fourth. The democrats and work¬ ingmen elected Smith in the Fifth. The new council elected George Boord street commissioner; Billy Yan Brunt, fire chief; Emery Beauchamp, city attorney ; and Daniel Vickery, market mas¬ ter. Shewmaker was retained chief of police.

October 14, 1873, in the election for prosecuting attorney in Vigo and Sullivan counties, Samuel R. Hamill (D.) was elected over George W. Buff (R. ) by six votes. That year E. P. Beauchamp was appointed consul to Aix La Cliapelle to succeed James Parks.

The year 1874 was noted for its temperance crusade inaugurated in Terre Haute. It was the Baxter bill men on one side, and its opposers on the other to commence with. The Germans held a large meeting in Dowling Hall - denounced the Baxter bill roundly in speeches and resolutions. The following Sunday a temperance meeting was held in the Congregational Church, which resolved not only to support the Baxter bill, but to go to work systematically m the cause of temperance. To this end the temperance women of the city organized, and got up petitions to the council to impose a license of $500 on all saloons. By way of retaliation the liquor men held a meeting, and resolved not to support or patronize any one " who is now, or shall in the future, engage in breaking down our legitimate business." The author of the bill, William Baxter, came and made several speeches in Terre Haute in April. The temperance people failed before the council in raising the license to $500, and this seemed to dampen much of their previous ardor. But here and in other towns the crusade movement went on cour¬ ageously for some time.

The municipal election in the May following was of course a mixed affair. The workingmen's ticket was the first in the field At the election in the First ward Philip Scliloss (D.)beatW H Valentine for the council by 291 majority; S. R. Henderson was elected in the Second ward over J. J. Cronin (D. ) and John G. Heml (Cit.). In the Third ward Miclieal Lamb, father of John E., defeated the citizens' candidate, W. M. Barr, by 67. Jacob W Miller (D.) defeated M. Bridentlial in the Fourth by 61 votes, and J. W. Haley was successful over John Garretson (D.) in the Fifth by 28. Micheal Lamb died the August following, and in the elec hon to fill the vacancy Roderus (D.) defeated Gilman by 152 votes The new council elected Stephen Mahoney chief of fire department

The Baxter bill sent the German votes generally in the State and county to the democrats in the election of 1874. The State and county, therefore, went democratic. The temperance crusade

The republican ticket in Vigo county was crushed from top to bottom. Saturday preceding the election the Germans held a meet¬ ing, presided over by Max Joseph and addressed by W. E. Hen¬ dricks, Herman Hulman and F. V. Biscliowsky. The republican Party was denounced for its fanatical tendencies, and the meetiuo- in the resolutions, endorsed the Democratic ticket.

_ . The democratic majority on the State ticket in the county was 840. I he other majorities were: Hamill over Hays for circuit prosecutor, 165; Kelly over Tennant for criminal prosecutor 790- Carico over Hull for sheriff, 207 ; Royse over William Paddock for auditor, 1,076; Sankey over Roy for treasurer, 335; Pritchard over Septer Patrick for recorder, 640; Gerstmeyer over Christy for coro¬ ner, 642; Lewis L. Weeks over H. E. Bentley for county commis¬ sioner, 789. B. F. Havens and Joseph Gilbert beat D. C. Greiner and John Y. Carr for the legislature. For township trustee Fred Fischer had thirteen majority over George W. Naylor. G. F. Cookerly, George P. Wolf, Martin Grace and R. Wharry were elected justices over A. Nelif, L. B. Denehie, Zenas Smith and Luther Gil¬ more. Judge Thomas B. Long was elected unanimously.

The legislature met January 7, 1875. Its chief business being to elect a United States senator, D. W. Voorhees was a candidate. But before the caucus he withdrew, and the race was between Mc¬ Donald and Holman. The republicans, in their caucus, split up between Pratt and Col. R. W. Thompson. McDonald was elected United States senator.

In the city election in Terre Haute in 1875 the democrats nom¬ inated Editor James B. Edmunds, the old war horse who had so vig¬ orously fought Greeley and coalition. The republicans nominated W. S. Clift against him, but he declined, and G. W. Naylor was substituted. Edmunds was elected by 398 majority. Fred Schmidt, for marshal, beat Barney Dougherty (D. ), 400; and William

Greenleaf (Cit. ), 400. John B. Tolbert (D. ) beat Fred Schwingrouber (R. ) for clerk 265 votes, and John Paddock (R. ) had 1,106 majority over Louis Seeburger for city treasurer. For councilmen: C. M. Carter (R. ) over Ezra Reed in First ward, 35 majority; J. G. Heinl (R. ) over J. M. Kyle in the Second, 53 votes; J. F. Reoclel (D. ) over T. R. Gilman (R. ) in the Third, 11; E. M. Gilman (R. ) over Patrick Osborn in the Fourth, 28; Frank Smith (D. ) over C. W. Duddleston in the Fifth, 40. This made the council a tie, with a democratic mayor to give the deciding vote.

But Alderman Miller was taken sick before the democrats got possession, and this gave the preponderance in the council to the republicans. On the night of Mayor Edmunds' inauguration the republicans tried to elect officers. The four democratic aldermen (Schloss, Roedel, Smith and Seeburger) bolted the meeting, and this destroyed a quorum. The republicans then claimed* that a motion to adjourn till the following Monday night was carried, but the mayor and clerk did not so understand it, and refused to allow the record to show it. The republican members united in a request to the city marshal to summon the mayor and members to attend this Monday night meeting. When the night came the mayor looked down upon the five republicans only as present. The democrats again, by staying away, broke the quorum.

At last the mayor called a special meeting for the purpose of ordering an election in the Sixth ward. All the members attended except Miller, the sick member.

The election in the Sixth came on June 1. The vote stood G. M. Cookerly (D.) 246 votes, James M. Kyle (D.) 232; Joshua Glover (R.) 252; J. W. Shepherd (R) 241. Cookerly and Glover were elected, and this left the party division in the council the same as before.

J. G. Williams (D.) city attorney; Stephen Mahoney (D.) fire chief; A. P. Yoorliees (R ) street commissioner; R A. Mott (D. ) station house keeper; D. Vickery (R) market master. The po¬ lice board to be two republicans and one democrat, but the force continued republican, with Shewmaker as chief.

Councilman Miller resigned on account of his health, and Au¬ gust 2 an election was held in the Fourth ward. T. J Gist fR f beat C. R Pritchard (D. ) 27 votes.

At the May election, 1876, Philip Schloss (D.) defeated Crawtord Fairbanks (R) 144 votes in the First ward;L. G. Hager (RA defeated Dr. R Van Yalzah (D.) 58 votes in the Second; T. R Gilman (R) had 34 majority over Eilert Harnes in the Third; lliomas Dowling (D.) had 65 votes more than T. J. Gist (R) in J.ie fourth; James Harris (R) had 77 majority over A. R Link in the Fifth and P. C. Mohan (D.) beat James McCutclieon 12 votes m the Sixth three democrats and three republicans, leaving the council a republican majority. On May 8 the mayor, as custom¬ ary submitted Ins list of standing committees, but the republicans overruled him and named their caucus list. This created some teelmg and the democrats for a while refused to serve on commit¬ tees. The council elected Henry Ramme chief of the fire depaitment, and James P. Johnson chief of police.

-The democrats this year nominated for congress Col. W. E. McLean at their convention in Terre Haute May 18, on the fifth ballot oyer Hostetler, Jump and Knight. The democratic countv convention endorsed A. B. Carlton for judge of the supreme court, and John E. Lamb for the circuit court. The Yigo County Re¬ publican convention declared for Oliver P. Morton for President.

and Nicholas Filbeck. Smith was running on the greenback ticket and Filbeck was postmaster and somewhat running the republican party. The sparring and kicking at each other of these two men was fast and furious at times, but ended without personal harm to either one.

Again the Vigo county democrats made nearly a clean sweep for its ticket at this election. The majorities being Williams for Governor over Harrison 248; Hunter beat McLean in the county 67 votes; I. Donliam (H. ) over T. E. Knox for State senate 113; Buff (R. ) over Lamb for circuit prosecutor 859; Carlton (D. ) and Connelly (D. ) over Pierce and Casto for representative 248 and 201; Kelly (D. ) over Danaldson (R. ) for criminal prosecutor 287; Durkan (D. ) over Grenier (R. ) for clerk 62; Carico (D.) over Hall for sheriff 351; Rogers (D. ) over Duenweg for treasurer, 158; Boston (D. ) over McCaskey for coroner, 160. Hunter defeated McLean for Congress. John E. Lamb was elected prosecutor.

The presidential vote a month later in the county was as fol¬ lows: Tilden, 3,747; Hayes, 3,550. The greenback vote was 2,000. They had a full ticket in the field.

The spring elections of 1877 resulted in a substantial demo¬ cratic success. Edmunds was again elected mayor, beating Luther G. Hager (R. ) and William Druesicke (national); Edmunds' plurality was 159. J. B. Tolbert (D. ) elected clerk by 70 majority over J. M. Wilcly (R. ) and J. P. Brennan (N. ). Hugo Duenweg (R.) had 261 plurality for treasurer over T. B. Snapp (D. ) and C. W. Ross (N. ). A1 Buckingham (R. ) was elected marshal by 48 over Dan Fasig (D. ) and B. F. Reagan (N.). In the council, First ward, Scudder (D. ) 95 over Foster (R. ) ; in the Second, Slaughter (N. and supported by democrats) 25 over Jeffers (R. ); Third, Coffin (D. ) 42 over Estabrook (R. ); Fourth, Clutter (D. ) 142 over Gilman (R. ) and Piper (N.) ; Fifth, Smith (N. and D. ) 8 over Samuel McKeen; Sixth, Handick had 27 over Glover (R.) and Tressle (N. ). The new council being democratic promptly turned out the old republican appointees. Schell was fire chief; Harper, city attorney; Stack, chief of police; Cox, street commissioner; Thomas, station-housekeeper, and Maehler, market master. Marshal Buckingham appointed Vandever his duputy; Bill Howard, a colored man, was made a policeman. Mayor Edmunds died nearly two months after his re-election. In the election to fill the vacancy, Henry Fairbanks (R. ) was elected over Asa M. Black by 8 votes. Councilman Schloss acted as mayor during the vacancy. Six ex-mayors acted as pall-bearers at the Edmunds funeral. After serving nine months of his term Mayor Fairbanks died, April 8, 1878.

great strength. Maj. Smith, of the Express , was overjoyed when the nationals gave the county a surprise by electing a township trustee. His seconds in celebrating the event were Hooks, Hudson, Holmes and Keif. A local paragrapliist described their celebrat¬ ing the victory as "marching up Main street two abreast and one deep, singing glory hallelujah songs." The vote for trustee was B. J. Abbott (N.) 1,797; Fred Fisher (D.) 1,653; Michael Byers (R.) 1,007; Abbott's plurality 144. Jehu Johns had a small plurality over Patrick Osborn (F>.) for assessor. Two nationals and two democrats were elected justices. The nest month the jubilant nationals elected Joseph M. Wildy mayor to fill the va¬ cancy caused by the death of Fairbanks. The vote stood Wildv (N.) 1,628; W. K. Edwards (R.) 1,605; A. R. Link (D.) 1,462. But the democrats elected four of the six councilmen. Vote in the First ward, Schloss (D.) 365, McKeen (R.) 337, McElfresh (N ) 224; Second, Cruft (R.) 368, Dickons (D.) 213. Reichart (N ) 120; Third, Apman (D.) 392, Polk (N.) 368, Feltus (R.) 116- Fourth, White (D.) 323, Walker (N.) 257, Briggs (R.) 249- Fifth' Harris (N.) 297, Grace (D.)246, Holmes (R.) 112; Sixth, Mohan (D.) 362, Owen (N.) 260, Lockard (R.) 82. The republicans had but one member in the council, nationals three and democrats eight.

In 1878 occurred the memorable judicial contest, which was a fierce wrangle among the democrats. The circuit then was Vigo and Sullivan counties, and as Vigo was politically nearly a stand¬ off between the two parties, and Sullivan was alwavs sure of a cood democratic majority, there was not, if things ran smoothly amonothe democrats, much for the republicans to do but to stand off and look on. Sullivan county had no candidate, and so there were two Vigo democrats aspiring - Chambers Y. Patterson and Sidney B. Davis. Sullivan appointed its delegates first by primary election, and it instructed for Patterson and the delegation to vote as a unit. This was a red rag to the Vigo friends of Davis, and they fixed up the delegation from Vigo, as they supposed, solidly for Davis. But a portion of the Vigo delegation went over to Patterson and therefore, in the organization of the nominating convention, by these four or five Vigo men acting with the solid Sullivan delegation, had control. Judge Carlton was chairman of the convention and John E. Lamb, secretary. A more turbulent judicial convention probably never assembled in the circuit. Each side was full of men who were now profoundly aroused, and the moment the hall was filled all were watching for some advantage - anything of which they could seize and use as a weapon (parliamentary) to overwhelm the other side. And the battle opened in the preliminary proceedings. One of the Patterson men from this county, Martin Hollingerj though not a delegate, was seen on the floor at the start leading the Sullivan crowd. When he was arraigned as not being a delegate, he produced his prosy from a Sullivan delegate and kept his place in the body of the convention. The excitement quickly culminated in wild confusion - every man and most of the audience were on their feet, and it is said that those who had not drawn their pistols, had them handy in their hip pockets. The Davis men saw they were outwitted, and failing in a confused motion to adjourn, they rose up and marched out of the convention, accompanied by their president and secretary. The dissenters went to another hall, leaving four or five Yigo delegates, and soon organized and unani¬ mously nominated Davis. The part remaining - all of Sullivan and some of Vigo - now settled into the utmost quiet and harmony, and unanimously nominated Patterson, and both sides returned to their homes, shouting lustily for their man, each side denouncing the other as irregulars, etc. And thus the campaign among the dem¬ ocrats opened at a white heat. Both conventions nominated J. P. Patton for prosecuting attorney. So evenly seemed to be the division in the ranks of the democrats that the republicans figured out that there was now a chance for them, and they then held a convention and put up John T. Gunn as their candidate, making no nomination against Patton. The intensity of this contest among the democrats was a type of Vigo county politics, when all men are politicians who go into a campaign with their coats off and sleeves rolled to the tops of their shoulders; men who never get tired, and who, it would seem, never sleep until the last vote possible is in the box, and then, whether triumphant or over¬ whelmed, are coming up smiling the next day, eager for the next contest. Nothing cau demoralize them, so far as hope and hard work goes, in the next election. If they meet a Waterloo to-day, they only smile in anticipation of paying it back with compound interest on the enemy at the next political battle, and what is abso¬ lutely amusing about it, they generally do. In April, 1890, the democrats carried Harrison township, including Terre Haute, by about 1,000 majority, and in May following the republicans carried the city election for councilmen by nearly 1,200 majority. Perhaps if next month they could have a whack at each other the democrats would regain all lost ground, and more, or if it would turn out a 'alf and 'alf affair (about an even divide) no one would be at all surprised. Judge Patterson was elected by a small plurality.

In the township election, 1880, the vote for trustee stood: Kinzer (D.) 1,815, Fiukbiner (R.) 2,131, Abbott (N.) 1,171. Finkbiner's plurality, 315. Abbott's plurality two years before was 144. This probably is the gauge of the decline of the green¬ back party in Vigo; Kerclieval beat O'Reilly for assessor 103 votes

The democrats again met a Waterloo in the election for city council in May following. They elected Grace in the Fifth ward and that was all. McKeen beat Williams in First, 222; Second, Farrington beat Roberts, 131; Third, Ellis 145 over Bartlett; Fourth, Briggs 117 over Flinn; Fifth, Grace 1 over Harris; Sixth, Macutclieon 105 over Reinhardt. The national vote was only 103; the republican majority over all, 779. Council stood 6 to 0, with a democrat mayor. V. G. Dickout was elected fire chief.

Councilman Harrison in Sixth, and his colleague did not agree, and Harrison resigned. The election to fill the vacancy was hotly contested. Hon. David Phillips was the republican candidate, and Ernest Bleemel was the democrat; Phillips was elected by 82 majority. This gave the republicans control. Russell was made chief of police; Elliott, market master; Byers, street commissioner, and Hirzel, station keeper.

Porter beat Sanders for governor. Yigo county gave 272 ma¬ jority for Porter. The nationals had that year 783 votes in the county. The republicans elected every man on their county ticket; Pierce over Hanna, for congress, 247 votes; Smith over Anderson, for clerk, 360; Stepp over Hay, for sheriff, 142; Ray over Wallace, for treasurer, 72; Langhead over Ehrenhardt, for coroner, 99; Bicliowsky over Kester, for State senator, 164; De Baum for commissioner, 412 over Bledsoe, Melroth and Morgan over Taylor, and Whitlock for legislature, 211 and 234. The pres¬ idential vote in November was: Garfield 4,982; Hancock 4,575; Weaver 779, a gain of 59 over the October election for the repub¬ licans.

Election, 1884

Election, 1888. - Elijah V. Brookshire, for congress, was elected over James T. Johnston, for re-election, by the following vote: Brookshire's majorities were: