USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 33
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"I'hercas, the national government is engaged in a war against it by its enemies for the purpose of its destruction, and the subversion of our form of government : therefore
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"Resolved, that the present civil war was forced upon the country by the disunionists in the Southern states, who are now in rebellion against the con- stituted government that in the present emergency, we, the people of Han- cock, in convention assembled, forgetting all former political differences, and recollecting only our duty to the whole country, do pledge ourselves to aid with men and money the vigorous prosecution of the present war, which is not being waged upon the part of our government for the purpose of coercing. subjugation or the overthrowing or interfering with the right or established institutions of any of the states, but to suppress and put down a wicked and causeless rebellion, defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution. and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several states unimpaired, and when these objects are fully accomplished. and not before. we believe the war ought to cease ; and that we invite all who coincide in these sentiments to unite with us in the support of the ticket this day nominated.
"Resolved, that as long as patriotism, courage and the love of consti- tutional liberty shall be honored and revered among the people of the United States, the heroic conduct of the soldiers of the Union, who have offered their lives for the salvation of their country, will be remembered with the most profound feelings of veneration and gratitude. and that we now tender to them the warmest thanks and lasting gratitude of every member of this convention.
"Resolved, that we tender to the sixty thousand volunteers from Indiana our heart-felt congratulation, and hail with pride the fact that upon every battlefield where Indianians have been found, they have displayed the bravery of patriots in the defense of a glorious cause, and we pledge them that while they are subduing armed traitors in the field, we will condemn at the ballot hox all those in our midst who are not unconditionally for the Union.
"Resolved, that Noble Warrum, one of the representatives of this county in the last legislature, by his vote for the minority report of the committee of thirteen on federal relations denying the constitutional power of the gen- eral government to prevent a state from seceding from the Union: also assurring the rebels of the aid and assistance of more than a million freemen of Indiana to resist the government. misrepresented Hancock county. and we hereby repudiate and disown his act."
Heretofore the Union conventions had been called by "Union Men" or by "Many Democrats." "Many Republicans," etc. In this convention, how- ever. a Union county central committee was selected, composed of the follow- ing men : Blue River, Nathan D. Coffin. Richard Hacklemin : Brown, Joseph
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Stanley, Phineas R. Thomas: Buck Creek. Thomas J. Hanna, William Steele : Brandywine. John Roberts, Isaac N. Pope: Green. Jefferson Ferrell, H. Moore : Jackson, Thomas M1. Bedgood. Percy McQuerry : Sugar Creek, Adam Hawk, Henry Merlan : Vernon, Levi Thomas. Lightfoot : Center. William Frost. William Frost was elected chairman of this committee.
The following tickets were before the people of the county in the annual October election, in 1862. each candidate receiving the number of votes indicated :
Joint Representative-George W. Hatfield, Union. 1.349: James Mason, Democrat, 1,199.
County Representative-George Y. Atkison, Union, 1.315: Noble War- rum, Democrat, 1,220.
Commissioner. Western District-Elias McCord. Union. 1.340: E. S. Bottsford. Democrat. 1.218.
Surveyor-James K. King. Union, 1.217 : George W. Sample, Democrat. 1.345.
The Union party carried the county by an approximate majority of one hundred votes.
In the spring elections of township officers, in 1863. the Union candi- dates were elected in some of the townships, while in others the Democrats were successful. In Blue River township the Union vote for township trustee was divided between B. F. Luse. John Hunt and James P. New. The Dem- ocratie candidate was elected. In Vernon township the Union candidate. Levi Thomas, received 129 votes and George W. Stanley. Democrat, 140 votes. The Union vote in the townships, however, was not as large as it had been in the previous fall elections, while the Democratic vote held its DW11.
On May 16, 1863. the Union central committee held a meeting, at which the proposition of uniting with the Democrats on the selection of a county ticket was considered. The committee finally adopted the following resolu- tions, which were presented to the Democratic central committee :
"Greenfield, Ind., May 16, 1863.
"MESSRS. B. F. CALDWELL AND OTHERS, COMMITTEE :
"Sirs : The following preamble and propositions, on behalf of the Union county central committee, are herewith presented to your consideration. to-wit :
"I'hereas, our country is involved in an unfortunate. unnecessary and
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causeless internecine war, commenced wantonly and wickedly, and still waged in the same spirit by rebels and traitors, against the government of the United States; and whereas, the rebellion is of such magnitude as imminently jeop- ardizes the safety of the people and the perpetuity of the government : and whereas, in our opinion, the government, in its efforts to suppress the rebel- lion, greatly needs the united support of all Union men: and whereas, the perpetuity of old party organizations tends to engender and continue crim- mations, strife and division among loyal men, when nothing of the kind should exist; therefore, to mitigate, and, if possible, avoid the evils grow- ing out of party contest at a time like this, and to preserve and cement good feeling among all loyal men, we, the Union central committee of Hancock county, on behalf of our friends, submit to the central committee claiming to represent the Democracy, the following propositions, viz. :
"That no nominating convention be held in the county during the present year ( 1863).
"If this proposition is not acceptable, then we propose that two central committees unite in calling a county nominating convention, to be composed of or represent all men who are for the Union, the Constitution and the vigorous prosecution of the war to suppress the rebellion.
"Hoping that the preamble and propositions will be favorably considered.
"Respectfully, etc., "WILLIAM FROST, Chairman. "WILLIAM MITCHELL, Secretary."
Even the most casual perusal of the above proposals will reveal the fact that its adoption by the Democrats would have involved the complete sur- render of all of the principles which had been enunciated in their own resolu- tions adopted from time to time. Each party again nominated its county ticket for the October election, in 1863. The tickets, with the number of votes received by each candidate, were as follow :
Treasurer-Nelson Bradley, Union, 1.382; John Addison, Democrat. 1,198.
Auditor-Lysander Sparks, Union. 1.385: Montgomery Marsh, Dem- ocrat, 1,195.
Sheriff-William G. Caldwell. Union. 1.394: Jonathan Dunbar, Dem- ocrat. 1.162. Commissioner-John Hinchman, Union, 1.388: Hiram Tyner. Dem- ocrat. 1.191.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Coroner-Isaac Ballenger, Union. 1.382; Warner G. Smoot, Democrat. 1.187.
The approximate majority in each of the various townships at this time was as follows :
Townships.
Union.
Democrat.
Blue River
45
. .
Brandywine
80
Brown
45
Buck Creek
34
. .
Center
276
.
Green
65
Jackson
74
.
Sugar Creek
75
Vernon
15
. .
Total
444
239
The Union ticket thus had a majority of approximately two hundred votes in the county.
After the votes had been counted, Jonathan Dunbar, the Democratic candidate for sheriff. brought an action to contest the election. The action was brought before the board of county commissioners of Hancock county. All the candidates on the ticket with the exception of the candidate for prosecutor were made defendants. The petitioner gave the following grounds, in substance, as the basis for his right to contest the election :
"That the ballot box in Center township was stuffed by persons unknown to the contestor.
"That force and violence were used at the polls in Center township, and thereby voters were excluded from the polls who desired to vote for the con- testor and his associate candidates.
"That votes were allowed to be cast for the Union candidates by persons who were not citizens of the county.
"That minors were allowed to vote the Union ticket."
The board of county commissioners dismissed the petition for the reason that the statute governing the case provided that "when the office of county auditor is contested such statement shall be filed with the clerk." In this action the county auditor had been made a party defendant. From the
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POLITICS.
decision of the board the petitioner appealed to the Hancock circuit court. Montgomery Marsh and John Addison going on his bond. On February 26. 1864. the cause was dismissed on motion of the plaintiff.
One year later, at the October election, in 1864. the Democratic ticket was successful. The tickets before the people in this election, with the number of votes received by each candidate, were as follow :
Representative-Thomas C. Tuttle, Union, 1.361 ; John H. White, Dem- ocrat, 1.395.
Recorder-Benjamin T. Raines, Union, 1.363; Levi Leary. Democrat, 1.392.
Surveyor-George W. Hatfield. Union, 1.362; William Trees, Dem- ocrat, 1,395.
Commissioner-Benjamin Reeves, Union. 1.358; William New. Dem- ocrat, 1.398.
At the Presidential election in November. 1864. Lincoln and Mcclellan received the following number of votes :
Townships.
Lincoln.
McClellan.
Blue River
134
79
Brandywine
48
142
Brown
95
1.29
Buck Creek
134
Center
349
237
Green
86
140
Jackson
223
138
Sugar Creek
120
207
Vernon
177
108
Total
1.372
1.337
PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION.
A Union mass convention was held AAugust 26. 1865. at Greenfield. Elias McCord was elected president of the convention : Henry W. Thompson and Henry C. Moore, vice-presidents: William Mitchell and Dr. E. W. Pier- son, secretaries. The resolutions committee was composed of William Frost. Dr. M. McManec. H. L. Moore, John Thomas and A. 11. Allison. The following resolutions were adopted by this convention :
"Resolved, that the Union party of this county, composed of all such as have ignored all past parties and party issues in a common patriotic pur-
360
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANAA.
pose of saving the government of the United States from overthrow, is, if possible, now more than ever devoted to the Constitution and Union of our common country.
"That coercion has saved the government and country from overthrow and ruin, and the policy of the Union party in the prosecution of the war has proven a complete success.
"That we rejoice that the causeless and wicked rebellion has been sup- pressed. our country saved, and peace restored. without a dishonorable com- promise with traitors in arms, by the labors, toils, privations and sacrifices of our Union people.
"That we cherish in grateful hearts the memory of our lamented President Lincoln.
"That President Johnson, by his honesty, integrity, ability and patriotism is worthy to be the successor in the Presidential office of our good and great Lincoln, and that we have abiding confidence in the success of his administration.
"That we cordially endorse and approve the policy first adopted by President Lincoln, and followed and firmly adhered to by President Johnson. for the reorganization and restoration of the states, whose people have been in rebellion, to their practical relation to the general government.
"That all men must be free within this government. and that all should be protected in person and property, and that while we desire the improve- ment. progress and comfort of all, we are opposed to the extension of suffrage to the negroes, and as far as practical favor their colonization on some suit- able territory without the jurisdiction of the states.
"That the gratitude of the country is due to the army and navy, soldiers and sailors for their bravery and patriotism in defense of the old flag. and their families, the widows and orphans have a right to our sympathies and the care of the government.
"That we approve of the execution of the assassins of President Lincoln. and demand that Jeff Davis, the Confederate head of all treason, be speedily tried, and if found guilty executed."
Candidates were nominated by the convention. the convention giving to each township a ratio of one vote for every fifty or fraction of fifty votes cast for Abraham Lincoln, at the Presidential election in 1864. E'nder this rule the votes were distributed as follows: Blue River. 3: Brandywine. 1 : Brown. 2: Buck Creek. 3: Center. 7 : Green. 2: Jackson. 5: Sugar Creek. 6: Vernon, 4.
On September 9. 1865. the Democrats hell a primary nominating con- vention. The county convention met on September 10, 1865, to ratify and
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POLITICS.
confirm the votes of the townships and to declare the result of that vote. There seems to have been more or less of a fight between George Y. Atkison on the one hand and Noble ' Warrum, Morgan Chandler and Dr. B. W. Cooper on the other for the control of the party. It seems that Atkison was rather successful in the fight. The two tickets put into the field by these conventions, with the number of votes received by each candidate at the October election, in 1865, were as follow :
Clerk-11. A. Swope, Union, 1.375: Wilham Marsh, Democrat, 1,200. Treasurer-Nelson Bradley, Union, 1.358: Robert P. Brown, Democrat. 1.240.
Sheriff-William G. Caldwell, Union, 1.388: S. T. Dickerson, Democrat, 1,202.
Commissioner-Ephraim Thomas, Union, 1.300: Smith McCord. Dem- ocrat. 1.234.
Recorder-Amos E. Beeson, Union, 1.373: Wellington Collyer, Den- ocrat. 1.231.
The Union ticket was thus successful agam in 1805 with majorities ranging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty votes.
On March 10, 1866, a Democratic county mass convention was held at Greenfield to select delegates to attend the Democratic state convention. John W. Ryon was chosen president of the convention, and C. T. Cochran, secre- retary. The chairman appointed the following committee on resolutions : Center. B. W. Cooper, John H. White, J. L. Mason: Blue River, Samuel S. Chandler: Brandywine, Alfred Potts: Brown, William Garrett: Buck Creek. Isom Wright: Sugar Creek. Robert P. Brown: Green, Edward Valentine : Jackson, Benjamin F. Caldwell: Vernon, Solomon Jackson.
The following resolutions, endorsing the efforts and policies of Presi- dent Johnson, were adopted :
"Resolved, that the principles of the Democratic party have ever been national, and that it is the duty of every patriot in this hour of our country's trial to aid the President in the restoration of the country to its former unity.
"Resolved, that the firm stand taken by President Johnson in his efforts to maintain the Constitution, restore the Union, and bring about harmony and good feeling between the people of the different sections of our country, meets with our unqualified approval.
"Resolved, that the vindictive and racheal course adopted by the major- ity of the present Congress, in our opinion, is calculated to prolong the
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
restoration of the states, and a return to quiet, prosperity and the industry of its citizens, and therefore meets our unqualified chsapproval.
"Resolved, that we cordially endorse the President in his veto of the Freedman's Bureau bill.
"Resolved, that we are in favor of maintaining the public credit and that we believe it is a just principle that property of all kinds should equally bear the burdens of taxation, and that federal securities should be taxed for state, county and municipal purposes the same as other property.
"Resolved, that we congratulate our brave soldiers upon the restoration of peace and return to their homes; that while we mourn the loss of our com- rades in arms we pledge to them our support in all efforts to secure from Congress provisions for the sick and wounded. and the families of those who have fallen.
"Resolved, that we are in favor of Congress equalizing the bounties paid to soldiers to suppress the late rebellion, either in public lands or in money.
"Resolved, that we stand unalterably opposed to conferring the right of suffrage upon the negro race and unqualifiedly condemn the action of Congress in its attempt to force the same upon the people of the District of Columbia.
"Resolved, that we invite the conservative men of all parties, who with uis approve the veto and the restoration policy of President Johnson, to unite with us in sustaining those principles at the ballot box.
"Resolved, that we are opposed to any amendments being made to the Constitution of the United States until every state recently in rebellion is represented in the Congress of the United States."
At this convention the following Democratic central committee was appointed : Blue River. August Dennis: Brandywine, Alfred Potts; Brown, William Marsh : Buck Creek. John S. Wright ; Center, John W. Ryon, James P. Galbreath: Green, A. W. Huntington: Jackson, .A. V. B. Sample : Sugar Creek, Ernest H. Faut : Vernon, Solomon Jackson.
John W. Ryon was elected chairman of this committee. The committee decided to hold a primary nominating convention on June 23, 1866.
The war had now closed and new problems of the reconstruction period began to force themselves upon the attention of the people. It is worthy of notice that the Union and Democratic parties of the county were agreed upon several points, as they had expressed themselves in their resolutions adopted on August 26, 1865, and en March to, 1866, respectively. In their resolutions both endorsed the policy and statesmanship of President Johnson and both were opposed to giving the ballot to the negro. Two years later.
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POLITICS.
however, the Union party was no longer willing to subscribe to its resolutions of August 26, 1865.
The county central committee of the Union party met at the county recorder's office on July 28, 1866, and there decided to hold a Union mass convention for the nomination of candidates on August 25, 1866. It seems that just at this time the Union central committee was in need of a little more financial support and hence the following finance committee was appointed : Blue River, J. I. Hatfield, B. P. Butler ; Brandywine, John Rob- erts. William Workman: Brown. Dr. Trees, Isaac Smith; Buck Creek, E. Thomas. S. HI. Arnett; Center, Nelson Bradley, Thomas Bedgood and S. Sparks; Green, R. Jarrett, H. B. Wilson; Jackson, John Barrett, John .1. Craft: Sugar Creek, Adam Hawk, Benjamin Freeman: Vernon, Levi Thomas, Capt. T. R. Noell.
It was decided to collect fifteen dollars from each township for defray- ing accumulated indebtedness.
On August 25, 1866, the Union voters of Hancock county assembled in mass convention at the court house, pursuant to a notice previously given by the chairman of the Union central committee. The convention was called to order by Dr. N. P. Howard. On motion Presley Guymon was chosen president of the convention : H. H. Hall. William G. Caldwell. Ashbury Pope, vice-presidents : Thomas N. Bedgood and John G. Hatfield, secretaries.
On motion the president appointed three men from Center and one from each of the other townships as a committee on resolutions. It was also ordered. on motion, that all resolutions submitted to the convention for adoption, be referred to the committee on resolutions without debate. The committee on resolutions made two reports, a majority report and a minority report. The majority report was as follows :
"Il'hercas, the Congress of the United States by a two-thirds vote has proposed to the several states thereof for amendments to the Constitution of the United States, fully recognizing the right of cach state for itself to reg- ulate and prescribe the qualifications of voters within the limits of such states, and to proportion the representation of such state in the Congress and elec- toral college according: therfore
"Resolved, that we believe such proposed amendments to be wise and just and expedient, and are in favor of their adoption.
"Resolved, that we recognize the right of cach state to prescribe for its qualifications of its own voters, and that we are now, as heretofore, opposed to negro suffrage.
364
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
"Resolved, that we endorse the state ticket nominated by the Union state convention on the 2nd of February last. also the nomination of John Coburn by the Sixth Congressional district convention, of July 19. 1866.
"Resolved, that we will show by our acts our high appreciation of the heroic citizen soldiers and sailors, who, by their valor saved and established man's God-given right to govern himself."
William Frost, a member of the committee on resolutions, submitted to the convention, as a minority report, the resolutions adopted by the Union Hancock county convention on August 26, 1865, and in February, 1866. respectively. These resolutions, after being read. were, upon motion, laid on the table. The resolutions offered by the majority report were adopted by an overwhelming vote of the convention. The following men were then appointed as the Union central committee for Hancock county for the ensuing year : Blue River. N. D. Coffin, B. P. Butler: Brandywine. William Work- man, Ashbury Pope: Brown, Joseph Stanley, William Trees; Buck Creek. H. H. Hall, Shade Arnett: Center. N. P. Howard. A. F. Hart. William H. Curry: Green, Henry Moore. Robert Jarrett: Jackson, P. Bedgood. G. O. Chandler: Sugar Creek, Nelson Hogle, E. W. Pierson; Vernon, Thomas Hanna, Levi Thomas.
The resolutions adopted by this convention again contained the clause. "we are now, as heretofore, opposed to negro suffrage." They failed, how- ever, to endorse the reconstructive policy of President Johnson ; instead. they endorsed the action of Congress.
The rejection of the resolutions that had previously been twice adopted by the Union party and which had been offered again by William Frost in his minority report, was not received kindly by a great number of voters. Coburn, too, was entirely too radical and it was well known that his sym- pathies were with Congress rather than with the President. The same causes that were producing the breach between the President and Congress were also dividing the Union party in Hancock county.
As an indication of the dissatisfaction that arose on account of the action of the Union convention of August 25, 1866, the following notice appeared 011 August 30, 1866, in the Hancock Democrat :
"NATIONAL UNION CONVENTION.
"We, the undersigned voters of Hancock county, who supported Lincoln and Johnson in 1864, or who have since supported the Union ticket and who now must support the restoration policy of President Johnson, call upon the supporters of said policies, irrespective of past political divisions, to meet in
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POLITICS.
mass convention in Greenfield on Saturday, September 15, 1866, to consult together as to the proper course to be pursued to sustain and carry out such policies :
"THOMAS WEST, "WILLIAM MARTIN, "JOHN FROST, "WILLIAM FROST, "ROBERT BLAKELY, "THOMAS COLLINS, "JOHN C. RARDIN, Late Capt. 9th Cav ..
"WILLIAM MITCHELL, "A. K. BRANHAM, "JAMES K. KING, "GEORGE BARNETT."
Pursuant to the above notice, the convention met at the designated time and place. A. K. Branham was chosen president and William Mitchell, secretary. George Barnett, Noble Warrum, Thomas West, William Frost and H. A. Swope were appointed as a committee on resolutions. They were also directed to report to the convention the names of suitable persons for a central committee. The committee on resolutions reported an endorsement of the National Union platform adopted at Philadelphia on August 14. 1860. This report was unanimously adopted. The party was liberal in its attitude toward the South and had great faith in the reconstructive policies of Presi- dent Johnson. The following central committee was appointed: Center, George Barnett. Thomas West ; Brown, Thomas Collins; Blue River, William Moore: Buck Creek. D. Offenbacker: Brandywine. William Service: Green. H. B. Wilson : Jackson. Noble Warrum; Sugar Creek, Capt. Thomas Tuttle : Vernon, Capt. George Tague.
There were three tickets in the field for the October election, 1866-the Union. Democratic and National Union. The following was the result of the election :
Joint Representative-William Rigdon, Republican. 1.317: John L. Montgomery, Democrat, 1.460.
County Representative-E. W. Pierson. Republican, 1,305: John 11. White, Democrat, 1.461; Isaiah Curry, National Union. 35.
Commissioner, Middle District-Robert Andis, Republican, 1.321 : James Tyner, Democrat. 1.453: C. G. Osborn, National Union, 22.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
Surveyor-Abijah Bales, Republican. 1.321; William Fries, Democrat, 1.450: James K. King. National Union, 28.
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