USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
The "independents" nominated: J. H. Shipp, for treasurer; J. N. Bell, sheriff ; Jennie Groves, school superintendent; Palmer Tatham, supervisor.
At the November election, J. H. Shipp, the independent candidate for treas- urer, was elected by from 20 to 30 majority. The rest of the republican ticket was elected by about 500 majority.
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1888
1888 was presidential year. Harrison and Morton were the republican stand- ard bearers and Cleveland and Thurman headed the democratic ticket. J. P. Dolliver was the republican nominee for congress.
The republican county ticket was as follows: Clerk of courts, John Robinson ; recorder, John V. Kearns; county attorney, Geo. F. Tucker ; supervisor second district, Fred N. Taylor.
The democrats nominated for: Clerk of courts, F. S. Currie; recorder, H. M. Sparboe; county attorney, F. Q. Lee; supervisor, second district, Hiram Carey.
Among the notable incidents of the campaign of 1888 was a series of joint debates between J. P. Dolliver and Captain Yeoman of Fort Dodge. Both were strong speakers and brilliant debaters. Another incident of the campaign was the "bolting" of the Tribune. This paper, though republican, refused to support John Robinson for clerk and gave its aid to F. S. Currie, the democratie candi- date. A sharp newspaper controversy now arose between the Freeman and Tribune, but at the election the entire republican ticket was elected, Robinson having a majority of 182.
THE ELLSWORTH M'MURRAY CONTEST
In the fall of 1888 occurred the memorable McMurray-Ellsworth contest for the republican nomination for state senator. At this time the senatorial district was composed of Hamilton, Hardin and Wright counties. Hamilton
220
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
had 10 votes in the convention, Hardin 14, and Wright 9. The convention was held in Webster City on September 5th. Both the candidates were well known and the campaign preceding the nomination grew to be bitter and personal in its nature. L. A. McMurray was Hamilton county's candidate, and E. S. Ells- worth was llardin county's candidate. Each candidate had the solid vote of his own county and when the convention convened there appeared two contesting sets of delegates from Wright county. The fight had grown so bitter that Hardin county was afraid to take the advantage it had by reason of its 14 votes and seat the Ellsworth delegation from Wright county, and the convention ad- journed to meet October ist in the hope that some peaceable compromise could be effected. When the convention reconvened, conditions were, if anything, worse than they had been a month before, and over the contest between the Wright county contesting delegations the convention split. Hamilton county took one delegation and Hardin took the other, and each proceeded to organize a convention and nominate a "regular republican nominee" for state senator.
McMurray withdrew from the contest and the Hamilton county wing nomi- nated W. C. Smith of Eagle Grove, a Wright county man. The Hardin county wing nominated E. S. Ellsworth. The democrats nominated Hugh Donley, thuis precipitating a three cornered fight, the fiercest being between the "regular re- publican candidates." During the campaign, Ellsworth offered to arbitrate, thoughtfully naming his own arbitrators. Smith replied that he too was willing to arbitrate provided arbitrators named by him were selected. Each contestant evidently expected a favorable decision from the jury selected by himself, and was suspicious of the jury named by the other side, and no agreement could be reached. At the election W. C. Smith received 2,810 votes. Ellsworth 2,689, H. Donley 2,652 and Smith was declared elected.
The same year the democrats elected Horace Boies governor of Iowa.
In the fall of 1889, the republicans nominated for representative, D. C. Chase; for auditor. W. F. Smith; for treasurer. J. O. Lenning ; for sheriff, C. H. Neely : for coroner, J. B. Tedrow; for county superintendent, William Ander- son ; and for surveyor, N. B. Everts. The entire ticket was elected.
D. C. CHASE IN THE LEGISLATURE
At the January, 1890, session of the legislature, Hamilton county's repre- sentative, D. C. Chase, immediately took a position of prominence and was soon recognized as one of the strongest men in the house. At this session he intro- duced a bill to compel railroad companies to install automatic car couplers. The bill passed both house and senate and received the approval of the governor. It was an important measure, not only on account of the protection it gave to the life of railroad employees, but because it was one of the first victories gained by the people in their fight to overthrow railroad domination in the state of lowa, for the railroads had used their entire power and influence to defeat the bill.
In speaking of Chase's record as a legislator, the Freeman makes the follow- ing comments :
An examination of the work of the general assembly, just closed, will show the part taken in it by the different members. The record will show that Hon.
221
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
D. C. Chase was the peer of any member of the house, and contributed his full share to the work done by it. In speaking of him in a late number of the Musca- tine Journal, Hon. John Mahin says :
Mr. Chase is a young man of much promise. Early in the session he earned the title of the "young man eloquent," by his able and brilliant reply to a demo- cratic speaker on matters pertaining to the organization and he has maintained his reputation ever since. Mr. Chase, though a lawyer, took his stand with the granger element, and has been a leading supporter of all anti-monopoly legisla- tion, especially such as relates to cheapening the price of school books. If there are no indications of a tendency in that direction, lowa has better things in store for him than a membership in the lower house of the legislature.
Cady Chase is well equipped for effective work. He has strength of mind, thorough culture and great pertinacity. When he champions a cause, he makes himself familiar with all its details, and he never falters or gives up until the end is reached. When he made announcement of his candidacy he informed the people that he was in favor of Governor Larrabee's policy on the transportation questions, and would oppose all efforts to abolish prohibition and reinstate the saloon, and he has kept his promises then made with the utmost fidelity. In the recent debate on the license bill in the house, he was one of the leading speakers, and his speech was very favorably noticed by the press. It was a manly effort-clear, forcible and convincing. On our first page will be found a quotation from the Burlington Hawkeye in reference to Cady's speech on the democratic license bill, which shows that his course on prohibition, as upon all other questions, has been consistent and straightforward.
The "Aldrich Pass Bill," had evidently made a strong impression on Chase's mind, for while he was a member of the legislature, he steadfastly refused to accept franks or passes from any transportation company, notwithstanding the fact that the "free pass" was still considered one of the legitimate perquisites of public office.
THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1890, 1891 AND 1893
In 1890 the republicans renominated John Robinson for clerk. J. R. C. Hunter was the party's choice for recorder and A. M. Boeye for county attorney.
The democrats nominated H. M. Sparboe for clerk, Lee Griener for recorder and John N. Maxwell for county attorney.
In 1888 the board of supervisors had divided the county into three supervisor districts and the third district, composed of the townships of Scott, Lincoln, Lyon, Rose Grove, Blairsburg, Williams and Liberty, held their election for supervisor in 1890. The republicans nominated E. N. Eaton, of Williams town- ship, and the democrats nominated R. H. Rodearmel, of Lyon township.
At the fall election the democrats were surprised to find that Robinson had only 73 majority over Sparboe for clerk. The entire republican ticket was elected with the exception of supervisor. Rodearmel, the democratic candidate in the Third district, received a majority of the votes in his district.
In 1891 the republican convention convened on September 11th. D. C. Chase was re-nominated for representative by acclamation. J. O. Lenning was nominated for treasurer, H. L. Corbin for sheriff, J. 11. Richard for superintendent of
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
schools, F. N. Taylor for supervisor in the Second district and C. J. Eberle for coroner.
The only contest of importance in the convention was over the office of sheriff. The first ballot showed the strength of the different candidates as fol- lows: Del Lake, 17 votes; A. S. Anderson, 12 votes; H. L. Corbin, II votes; John M. Cooper, 9 votes ; James Miracle, 6 votes.
The balloting continued without election until on the 18th ballot all candi- dates had dropped out except Del Lake who had 25 votes, and H. L. Corbin who had 28 votes, which secured him the nomination.
The democrats nominated for representative, N. E. Fardel; for treasurer, H. L. Griener ; for sheriff, llenry Biernatzki; for superintendent of schools, N. P. Hyatt ; for coroner, D. L. Hurd; for supervisor second district, P. Nelson. The entire republican ticket was elected.
At the 1892 session of the legislature, D. C. Chase was a prominent candi- date for speaker of the house. He developed a strong following but finally withdrew in favor of Mr. Mitchell, who was elected. In recognition of Chase's ability as a legislator and lawyer he was given the chairmanship of the Judiciary committee, the most important of all the committee assignments.
At this session of the legislature Chase introduced a bill providing that rail- way companies should keep on sale at all ticket selling stations mileage books which should be transferable, and good until used. This bill failed to pass.
He also introduced a bill providing for the abolition of the contracting of convict labor, another providing for changing the burden of proof in negligence cases, involving railway accidents, another to indemnify settlers who held title for Riverland, from the state of lowa, and lost by reason of failure of that title.
He also introduced a resolution providing for a resubmission of the prohibit- ory amendment.
In 1892 the republicans nominated Jonas Fallein for auditor, C. E. Buell for clerk, J. R. C. Hunter for recorder, A. N. Boeye for county attorney, and M. L. McCollough for supervisor from the ist district. As supervisor Rodearmel from the third district had resigned and moved to Chicago, the republicans nominated J. R. King to represent that district on the board.
The democrats nominated : For anditor, L. M. Northeraft; for clerk, George Johnson; for recorder, M. L. Root; for county attorney, J. W. Mckinney; for supervisor first district, J. W. Allington; for supervisor third district, Ben Peterson.
The entire republican ticket was elected.
In 1891. W. A. Hutton started a paper in Webster City called the Webster City Herald. In October of that year W. S. Weston purchased the outfit and commenced the publication of the first daily ever published in Hamilton county, The Daily Herald. It was published as a morning paper and continued for about one year, when a stock company purchased the Herald and the Graphic, published by F. Q. Lee and son, and consolidated the two and established the Graphic-Ilerald which was continued as a daily and weekly paper and was dem- ocratic in politics. February 11, 1803, the Daily was discontinued.
In 1893 the republicans nominated M. Il. Brinton for representative, W. 11.
223
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Dygert for treasurer, H. L. Corbin for sheriff, J. H. Richard for superintendent of schools, and J. R. King for supervisor from the third district.
There were contests for two offices in this convention. For representative, M. H. Brinton was opposed by R. G. Clark and on the first ballot the vote stood Brinton 34, and Clark 30.
For treasurer, Dygert was opposed by Geo. P. Christenson and Harris S. Kamrar. The first ballot gave Dygert 28, Christenson 26, and Kamrar 10. The second ballot gave Dygert 33. Christenson 26, and Kamrar 5, resulting in the nomination of Dygert.
As a result of these contests, the Tribune claimed the victory. It had sup- ported both Brinton and Dygert against the candidates of the "Ring," which were supported by the Freeman. It now claimed to be the "Anti-Ring" paper and was striving with all its might to create another ring, which would gain control of the republican party in Hamilton county.
The democrats nominated for representative, John A. Johnson ; for treasurer, Rube McFerren; for sheriff, John Carey; for superintendent, W. G. Bonner ; for supervisor, third district, John Hays; and for coroner, Dr. Lewis. John Carey declined to accept the nomination for sheriff.
The entire republican ticket was elected.
CIIASE FOR STATE SENATOR
During the summer of 1893 D. C. Chase, who had made an exceptionally good record as representative, was announced as a candidate for state senator and had the unanimous support of Hamilton county. At the senatorial convention which met at Webster City August 22nd, each of the three counties in the district pre- sented candidates.
The first ballot stood: D. C. Chase, of Hamilton, II votes; J. K. Milner, of Hardin, 14 votes; J. E. Rowen, of Wright, II votes.
The balloting continued without change until 226 ballots had been cast. On the 227th ballot, Wright county divided her vote, giving Chase 7 and Milner 4, and the vote stood Chase 18, and Milner 18. This sent Chase's stock sky high. But Charley Albrook who controlled the Hardin county delegation, to prevent the nomination of Chase, cast the entire vote of Hardin county for Rowen on the 228th ballot, and Rowen was nominated. Politicians claimed that this action was taken as a revenge on Hamilton county for the part it had taken in the defeat of Ellsworth four years before. Certain it is that it resulted in a close combination between Wright and Hardin counties, which lasted over twenty years and until the adoption of the primary method of voting, made it possible again for a Hamilton county man to become senator.
The result of the senatorial convention was not very well received in Ham- ilton county and a short time after the convention adjourned. Chauncy A. Weaver who had for some time been editor of the Tribune, announced himself as an independent candidate for state senator. He was a young man of good ability and studious habits and would have made a splendid legislator had he been elected. But the love of party regularity was still strong in the county, and Weaver's personal friends prevailed upon him to withdraw from the race.
The democrats nominated A. R. Ladd of Clarion, for senator, but at the fall election Rowen was elected.
224
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
PARTY REGULARITY
As illustrating the hold which the "party regularity" held over the people. it will be recalled that for several years the republicans had been almost violent in the protestations in favor of prohibition. But when it became evident that prohibition would lose the state to the republicans, that party abandoned the policy and adopted a local option plan similar to that advocated by the demo- crats. Some local temperance people were dissatisfied with this change in policy on the part of the party and a call was issued for a mass convention to select delegates to a state prohibition convention. This mass convention met Sep- tember 2nd, and among those who attended were a number of republicans who evidently intended if possible to prevent the selection of delegates. Among these were J. L. Kamrar who gained the floor and made a stirring speech defending the record of the republican party on the temperance question. He admonished those present that "The Brewers, the Democracy, and the Devil would rejoice over such action as was contemplated."
The official report of the convention records the following :
On reading the call it was a surprise on the part of the convention to find that an organized attempt, led by J. L. Kamrar, was to be made to break up the meet- ing. This was more surprising as the call left no doubt as to the objects and purposes of the convention, as only those were to participate who were opposed to the open saloon and the anti-prohibition plank of the republican platform. Mr. Kamrar occupied nearly all the time until called down by the chair. The conduct of Mr. Kamrar even went so far as that a motion was made and seconded that the convention adjourn, and it was insisted that the motion be put. Where- upon the chair ruled that those who wished such a move as to adjourn without further business could now find the door and had liberty to go.
The convention then proceeded to business by unanimously electing the fol- lowing named gentlemen as delegates to properly represent Hamilton county at the state convention held on the 5th inst .: Dr. H. K. Hastings, F. I. Cash. J. N. McLaury. S. E. Veach, Rev. J. T. Blanchard, Rev. Bruce Brown, Dr. O. A. Fall, J. M. Greenwood, J. R. Sterling, and G. D. Boller.
On motion the meeting then adjourned.
J. R. STERLING, Secretary.
O. A. HALL, Chairman.
The Freeman, in defending Mr. Kamrar's action, pays him the following compliment :
"Mr. Kamrar's speech was an extemporary effort, but he went straight to the center of the subject and made one of the most vigorous speeches that was ever delivered in Hamilton county. The republicans of this county are indeed fortu- nate that they have such an able and fearless champion who is always ready. under all circumstances, to defend the grand achievements and uphold the prin- ciples of the republican party. Others may falter or sulk in their tents, but John L. Kamrar is always in the harness dealing sledge hammer blows to the opposition and carrying the banner of republicanism into the heart of the enemy's country. The Freeman admires such republicans and is always glad of an opportunity to speak a good word in their behalf."
225
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
However inconsistent appeared the action of certain republicans in opposing the plans of the "real prohibitionists" and in so strenuously defending the "demo- cratic" liquor plank in the republican platform, it was certainly matched if not exceeded by that of some of our democratic politicians. Those astute persons were suddenly filled with alarm for the cause of true temperance. The repub- lican liquor plank which was essentially "democratic" in pattern and which had been advocated by them as a panacea for the rum evil, suddenly became a "Free Whiskey" plank surrounded by all the dangers and horrors that the word "Free Whiskey" implied. They became suddenly solicitous in behalf of the "Honest Minister" and "true prohibitionists" who refused to be led astray by the "Free Whiskey" republicans. And so it happened that the scowl of disgust and hatred that only recently had been directed toward all democrats by our good ministers of the gospel, was now transformed into a smile of sympathetic understanding. And without doubt, could the democratic party have retained its power in the state by adopting the policy of prohibition, some of the democratic politicians of Hamilton county at least would have embraced that policy just as readily as the republicans abandoned it.
M. H. BRINTON AS A LEGISLATOR
The records of the twenty-fifth general assembly show that Hamilton county was again fortunate in its selection of a legislator, for M. H. Brinton's record was eminently satisfactory to his constituents. He introduced at this session a drainage bill something after the plan of our present law which was intended to facilitate the drainage of the state, and while it failed to pass, it started agita- tion and investigation which finally ripened into a law which has proved the redemption of Hamilton county.
CAMPAIGN OF 1894
In the summer of 1894 J. H. Richard resigned as superintendent of schools to take effect in September.
The republican county convention this year convened September 6. It was full of contests. The first was for county attorney. The candidates and strength of each were shown on the first ballot to be Geo. C. Olmstead, with 39 votes; A. N. Boeye, with 29 votes; O. O. Hall, with 14 votes; J. M. Blake, with 20 votes.
There was little change in the vote until on the eighth ballot, D. C. Chase re- ceived 36 votes. He immediately announced that he was not a candidate and could not accept even if nominated. Notwithstanding this, on the next ballot he received 50 votes. He again emphatically protested against being nominated and on the next ballot Olmstead received 56 votes and was declared the nominee.
For recorder the contestants were B. C. Hanson, Thos. Coulson, J. R. C. Hunter, S. D. Derr, J. C. Sterling and W. H. Van Ness. Derr was nominated on the twelfth ballot.
For county superintendent, the contestants were A. A. Weaver and Jacob Closz. Weaver was nominated on the first ballot, the vote being 5312 to 461/2 for Closz.
Vol. II-15
226
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Jonas Fallein was renominated for auditor and C. E. Buell for clerk by acclamation.
The democrats nominated N. P. Hyatt for county attorney; Ollie Bige for county auditor ; G. E. McPhillipps for clerk; Lee Griener for recorder; Ada Houck for superintendent.
On September 20th the board of supervisors appointed A. A. Weaver super- intendent to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. H. Richard. The entire republican ticket was elected.
On November 7, just a few days after the election, County Auditor Jonas Fallein died after an illness of less than two weeks. He was a most genial and lovable man and his death was a severe shock to the people of the county.
To fill the vacancy caused by the death of Jonas Fallein, the board of super- visors appointed J. H. Sweeney of Jewell to be county auditor.
In December. 1894. the Freeman presented the name of J. L. Kamrar to the people of the state as a candidate for governor of Iowa.
TWO DAILY PAPERS
The contest between the Freeman and Tribune was not alone political in its nature, for when on November 8 the Freeman appeared as a daily sheet almost immediately the Tribune appeared as a daily too. avowing emphatically that it was the first to "see the nut," notwithstanding the fact that the Freeman was the first to "pick it up."
THE JOURNAL FOUNDED
The Webster City Journal was established by Will F. Smith and Furman Tuttle May 1, 1894. This paper while being republican in politics was conserva- tive in its manner of engaging in the party quarrels that were constantly going on between the Freeman and Tribune.
KAMRAR FOR GOVERNOR
During the spring of 1895 the efforts of local politicians were turned largely toward securing the nomination for governor for J. L. Kamrar. The people of Hamilton county, who had known Mr. Kamrar in his daily life for nearly thirty years, were for him almost to a man and when the county convention met in June, 1895. it unanimously passed the following resolution :
Whereas, our distinguished fellow citizen. Hon. John L. Kamrar, has an- nounced himself as a candidate for governor of lowa, and
Whereas, knowing him to be qualified for the high office to which he aspires, and recognizing his long and splendid service as a steadfast and all-the-year- round republican, the republicans of Hamilton county, in convention assembled, do unanimously
Resolve : We endorse the candidacy of Hon. John L. Kamrar with enthusiasm, and his friends and neighbors recommend him to the republicans of the state at large as a true man, npright in character, pure and clean in his private life,
227
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
strong and unfailing in common sense, and able and broad in his sentiments on all public questions. Be it also
Resolved, that it is the wish of every member of this convention that the delegates chosen to the state convention should exert every fair and honorable means to secure his nomination.
In seconding the adoption of these resolutions the Hon. D. C. Chase made a stirring address which was applauded time and again. He urged every man in Hamilton county to buckle on the armor, accompany the delegation to Des Moines and do what they could for our candidate. He declared the prospects for Mr. Kamrar's nomination were daily growing brighter and it would be no surprise to him if the Hamilton County contingent would return from the state convention with victory perched upon its banner.
Following is a list of delegates and alternates to the state convention as rec- ommended by Hon. J. L. Kamrar :
Delegates-M. H. Brinton, D. C. Chase, George W. Crosley, J. D. Hunter, G. B. Pray, C. D. Hellen, August Anderson, R. G. Clark, William Anderson, A. N. Boeye, Walter S. Brown, John O. Lenning.
Alternates-Wesley Martin, George H. Daniels, C. E. Buell, W. F. Smith, E. I. Johnson, J. R. Hamil, J. R. White, Wm. N. Maakstad, W. McNee, J. R. King, B. E. Boynton, Simon Sogard.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.