USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 16
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Surveyors-B. W. Woolstencroft (rep, Humiston (rep), 399: L. B. Bennett 222; Otto Berreau (dem and reform). (dem). 110. 195.
Probate Indge-R. D. Barber (rep), 269; L. B. Benneti (reform), 152.
Coroner-J. V. Bartow+ (rep), 253; Lewis Gotthelf (dem). 71.
Commissioner First District - . J. Westinghouse (rep). 63: A. O. Conde ( dem and reform). 75.
Commissioner Second District -- A. C. Robinson (rep). 92: Peter Thompson (reform). 78.
Commissioner Third District-E. S. Mills (rep). 73: A. A. Abbott (dem), 28.
The presidential election of Nov. ", 1826. brought out the largest vote that had yet been polled in the county, 515 votes being cast. The county was again found to be overwhelmingly republican on national issues. The opposition to the republican ticket on county offices was slight, and the republicans had a walk away for the few officers chosen. The vote :
President-Republican clectors ( Hay- (s). 429: democratie ('Tilden), 63; pro- hibition (Smith). 1.
Congressman - Mark II. Dunnell (rep). 188: E. C. Stacy (dem), 57.
County Attorney-M. B. Soule (rep). 508: Scattering. 10.
Surveyor-AAllen Chaney (rep), 417: Otto Berroau (dem). 121.
Court Commissioner - Henry D.
"Mr. Woolstencroft did not qualify, and Jan. 13. 1876. Mr. Berreau was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Bartow Ald not qualify, and the office of coroner was declared vacant by the com- missioners Jan. 13, 1876. 14. B. Bennett was appointed on that date.
BDid not qualify. Leroy Cole appointed Jan. 3. 1877.
""We have this campaign a peculiar state of affairs so far as county polities are concerned. Both the republican and democratic conven- tions Ignored party lines in their nominations.
Coroner-Asher Allens (rep), 532.
Commissioner Second District -. 1. C. Robinson (rep). 218.
Representative-Christopher 1. Smith (rep), 461; B. N. Carrier (ind). : 8.
A split in the republican party of Nobles county gave the democrats a few offices in 1822. The two factions of the majority party were very bitter in their denunciations of each other. Each declared the other to be a ring, which ought to be downed. To accomplish the downfall of the controlling faction alliance was sought with the democrats, with the result that party organiza- tions were badly demoralized." The campaign was the most exciting one that had been witnessed in the county up to that time. The fight was most bitter over the offices of anditor. sheriff and judge of probate. Personalities wore indulged in, and the cry of "ring" was heard on all sides. Five hundred thirty-nine votes were cast on election day. The official vote :
Governor-John S. Pillsbury (rep). 467: W. T. Banning (dem). 52: Aus- tin Wiley (pro). 4.
Senator-C. H. Smith (rep). 299: Wm. R. Bennett (dem). 222.
Representative-Alex Fiddes (rep). 166: A. A. Clifford (dem). 55.
Auditor7-James Walker (ind), 280: E. S. Mills (rep and dem). 2.41.
The republican convention put on a democrat for the leading county office and also nomi- nated a democrat for coroner. The democratic county convention nominated theco republicans. vix:
for auditor. sheriff and register of deeds. The result. therefore, cannot fail to be a mixed set of county officers for the next torm." Worthing- ton Advance, Oct. 11, 1877.
"There was a bolt in republican ranks over the nomination of Mr. Allis, and Mr. Walker was put forward as an independent candidate. winning out over his opponent. who had the endorsement of both parties.
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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
Treasurer-Peter Thompson (dem and rep), 422: A. O. Conde (ind), 52.
Sheriff-J. A. Town (rep), 323; B. F. Johnson (dem), 191.
Register of Deeds-Joseph Chadwick8 (rep and dem). 505.
Superintendent of Schools9-J. C. Ogle (rep), 304; N. Jordan (dem), 132.
Clerk of Court-B. N. Carrier (dem), 332; C. T. Pope (rep), 182.
Probale Judge-R. D. Barber (rep), 285; J. Craft (dem), 233.
Coroner-L. B. Bennett (dem and rep), 485.
Commissioner Third District-Rob- ert Shore10 (rep), 99.
A. O. Conde was elected chairman of the board of county commissioners Jan. 1, 1878. On the last day of February he resigned the office of commissioner and Jonathan Gordon was selected to complete the unexpired term by the probate judge, register of deeds and au- ditor. A. C. Robinson was elected chairman on March 1.
There was not much interest taken in the election of 1878, and only 473 votes were cast. The democrates did not place a county ticket in the field. The vote:
Congressman-Mark II. Dunnell (rep). 338; William Meighen (dem) . 128.
Senator-A. D. Perkins (rep), 348; W. V. King (greenback), 125.
Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep), 282; J. H. Brooks (greenback), 171. County Attorney-M. B. Sonle (rep), 193; Daniel Rohrer (ind), 277.
Surveyor-A. M. Chaney (rep), 467.
$Took office Nov. 12. 1877, a few days after his election. T. C. Bell, former register of deeds, left the state and the office was de- clared vacant. Mr. Chadwick was then ap- pointed to fill the short unexpired term.
"Prior to this date the county superintend- ents of schools had been appointed by the
Court Commissioner-1I. D. Humis- ton (rep), 465.
Commissioner First District-Fred Bloom11 (rep), 59; Jonathan Gordon, 34; S. P. Bon, 28.
The split in the republican party of Nobles county was in working order when the campaign of 1819 began, and as a result the election of Nov. 1, 1819, was the most hotly contested and clos- est election ever held in the county. Seven hundred eighty-seven votes were cast, a gain of 248 over the vote of two years before.
The democrats were the first to enter the field with a ticket, which was nom- inated at a convention held at Worth- ington September 20. The republi- . cans muet in convention at Worthing- ton October 9, and nominated a ticket. The convention was controlled by the faction which was in office, and very little consideration was given to the wishes of the other faction. A bolt re- sulted, and there soon appeared another ticket, labeled "independent peoples tick- et." An understanding had been reached with the democrats which made possible the success of the bolters. Many of the democratic nominees withdrew from the contest. Those that remained were given assurances of support, and in turn, the democrats generally sup- ported the independent nominees. A merry campaign resulted. The offices of sheriff, auditor and treasurer became the center of strife. and the result was so close that it took the courts to de- eide who had been elected for two of the offices. The democrats and bolting republicans were generally successful; in
commissioners. Mr. Ogle took office Nov. 12, to fill the unexpired term of T. C. Bell, who had left the state.
10Was chairman in 1880.
11Served as chairman in 1881.
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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
only two cases did the straight republi- can nominees win where there were op- posing candidates. The official vote was as follows:
Governor-John S. Pillsbury (rep), 581; Edmund Rice (dem), 201.
Auditor-Jas. Walker (rep), 389; E. S. Mills (ind peo), 391.
Treasurer-Wm. M. Bear (rep), 360; H. C. Shepard (dem and ind peo), 419.
Sheriff-J. A. Town (rep), 393; R. R. Miller (ind peo), 393.
Probate Judge-R. D. Barber (rep), 407; B. N. Carrier (dem and ind pev), 366.
Coroner-Geo. O. Moore (rep), 381; L. B. Bennett (dem and ind peo), 397.
Commissioner Second District-A. M. Crosby (rep), 199; W. A. Turner (dem and ind peo), 176.
Superintendent of Schools J. C. Ogle (rep and ind pev), 765.
Register of Deeds-Jos. Chadwick (dem, rep and ind peu), 186.
The most spectacular contest was that between J. A. Town and R. R. Miller for the office of sheriff. From the day of election until Saturday, when the final result was known, the interest was intense. Wednesday the suspense hung upon the result in Graham Lakes town- ship, which was the last to report the result. It was in favor of Mr. Town, and cut Mr. Miller's lead down to one vote, according to the unofficial figures. The official count was then made, which left the vote a tie, each having received 393 votes. Saturday at four o'clock the
1211 .. , The Interest now became so in- tense as to be almost painful. The law pro- vides that in case of a tie on any county office the board shall cast lots to decide who shall take the certificate. Mr. Durfee retired into the treasurer's office and Mr. Humiston turned his baek, while Auditor Walker pre- pared two ballots wherron were written the names of the two candidates. The ballots were given to Mr. Humiston, who placed them In a hat and 'raffled' them up. Then Mr.
matter was decided by lot by the board of county commissioners, Mtr. Miller winning.12
Appeals from the decisions of the can- vassing board were taken by J. A. Town, contesting the election of R. R. Miller for the office of sheriff; James Walker, contesting the election of E. S. Mills, who had been declared elected auditor by a plurality of three votes; and W. A. Turner, who doubted the election of A. M. Crosby, who had been declared elected county commissioner from the second district by a plurality of twenty-three votes. The last named withdrew his contest before it came to ' trial, but the other contests resulted in more excitement than had the election. The cases came to trial in district court at Worthington in February, 1880, be- 4 Afore. Judge: E. St. Julian Cox, of the St. Peter district. Daniel Rohrer appeared for the contestants, while Emery Clark, of Worthington, and James N. Castle, of Stillwater, represented the respond- ents. In the latter part of March Judge Cox handed down his decision in the contest for the office of sheriff. He held that R. R. Miller had been elected by twenty-six majority. A few days later he sustained the action of the can- vassing board in seating Mr. Mills, hold- ing that that officer had received a ma- jority of thirty-eight.
There was a large increase in the vote in 1880, and 945 ballots were cast in the county for presidential electors. The two leading parties had tickets in the field for the few county offices to be
Durfee was called in to draw one of the ballots. We suppose every man in the room hold his breath as Mr. Durfee's hand went down into that hat. But down it went, and up came a ballot. At this point the anxiety was absolutely painful. Mr. Durfee unrolled the paper with nervous fingers, hesitated a moment, and then read the name in a dis- Unet voice: 'R. R. Miller? "-Worthington Advance, Nov. 13, 1879.
SPORTS ON LAKE OKABENA
FISHING
WN THE TOBOGGAN
2
-
ICE BOATING.
INALAUNCH
135
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
filled, and again did the "peoples" party (opposed to the dominant faction of the republican party) enter the contest. That party nominated Moses A. Strong for representative and endorsed the dem- ocratic nominees for county offices, but the combination did not succeed in electing any of the officers. The vote:
President-Republican electors (Gar- field), 693; democratic (Hancock), 221; greenback (Weaver), 25.
Congressman-M. Il. Dunnell (rep). 543; Henry R. Wells (dem), 186; W. 6. Ward (ind rop), 118; C. II. Rob- erts (greenback). 23.
Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep), 424; Moses A. Strong ( peo), 455.
County Attorney-Geo. W. Wilson (rep). 616: L. S. Nelson (dem and peo), 320.
Surveyor-Allen Chaney13 (rep). 584; Otto Berreau (dem and peo), 359.
Court Comimssioner-II. D. Ilumis- ton (rep). 617: Thos. H. Parsons (dem and peo), 320.
Commissioner Third District-Miles Birkett (rep). 132; J. T. Green (peo), 95.
Although Nobles county has been strongly republican ever since its organi- zation, the dominant party has on sever- al oceasions met disastrous defeat. One of the most remarkable instances was in 1881, when the democrats, in combina- tion with one faction of the republican party, carried the county by big majori- ties, the republicans saving only two commissioners, one of whom was with- out opposition.
No sooner had the republican conven- tion adjourned than there was a demand for a "peoples" ticket, as formerly, it
13Resigned Jan. 1. 1882, and the office was vacant until after the election of 1882.
14In 1885 the district was divided and Nobles
being alleged that the "ring" had again controlled the republican convention. A call was issued and the opposing forces met at Worthington Saturday, Oct. 15. The deliberations of the convention were participated in by the democrats and the "anti-ring" republicans, so called, and a complete county ticket was put in the field. The campaign was a spirited one, enlivened by charges of mismanagement on the part of some of the officers who were seeking reelection. The Worth- ington Advance, as usual, took the part of the peoples ticket, while the republi- can ticket was supported by the new Worthington Journal. A perusal of the files of these publications lead one to the belief that the future welfare of the nation depended upon the outcome in Nobles county. When the ballots had been counted and it was found that the fusionists had been successful by decided majorities there was great joy among those who had been instrumental in bringing abont the victory. Nine hun- dred thirty-eight votes were cast. The battle in detail :
Governor-L. F. Hubbard (rep), 632; R. W. Johnson (dem), 281; I. C. Stearns, 12; Scattering, 3.
Judge Sixth Judicial District"-M. J. Severance, 917.
Auditor-E. S. Mills (peo), 603; Fred Bloom (rep), 334.
Treasurer-H. C. Shepard (peo), 538; Robt. Shore (rep), 397.
Sheriff-R. R. Miller (peo), 548; J. C. Thom (rep), 345; Chas. Chase (ind), 13.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (peo), 542; Jos. Chadwick (rep), 392.
county became a part of the 13th district. A. D. Perkins was then appointed to fill the unexpired portion of Judge Severance's six year term in the new district.
136
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
Surveyor-Otto Berreau15 (peo), 921.
Clerk of Court- L. B. Bennett (pco), 566; H. D. Humiston (rep), 360.
Probate Judge-L. S. Nelson16 (peo), 540; I. P. Durfee (rep), 380; Jonathan Gordon, 10.
Court Commissioner-L. S. Nelson17 (pco), 539; 1. P. Durfee (rep), 375.
Coroner-J. S. McManus (peo), 531; E. Coleman (rep), 398.
Superintendent of Schools-M. A. Doane18 (peo), 526; Ira K. Cole (rep), 412.
Commissioner First Distriet19-P. Blaine (pco), 73; John Upstrom (rep), 30; Jonathan Gordon, 13.
Commissioner Second District-T. L. Taylor (rep), 51; Emil Graf (ind), 41; J. W. Read (ind), 32; Thos. Wilson (peo), 27.
Commissioner Third District-James Cowin (peo), 166; L. C. Long (rep), C. Goodnow (ind), 211; Charles Sax- 91.
Commissioner Fourth District-Maur- ice O'Hearn20 (pco), 120; Miles Birk- ett (rep), 75.
Commissioner Fifth District-Daniel Shell=1 (rep), 204.
The only thing that kept the 1882 election from being a very uninteresting affair was the legislative campaign. Be- cause of the nomination of W. H. John-
Commissioner First District-A. E.
15Did not qualify, and owing to the refusal of Mr. Chaney to continue in the office, there was no surveyor until after the election of 1882.
16Resigned Nov. 13. 1882, to accept office of superintendent of schools. Win. Wigham was appointed and filled the unexpired term.
17Resigned Nov. 13, 1882, to accept office of superintendent of schools. Frederick Bloom filled the unexpired terin.
1. Died during his term, and L. S. Nelson appointed by the commissioners Nov. 13. 1882, to complete unexpired torm.
"In conformity with a new law, the county commissioners had on July 19, 1881, divided the county Into five commissioners' districts,
Tuttle (ind), 16; P. Blaine (rep), 53; Jonathan Gordon, 33.
son, of Murray county, for the house there was a split in the republican ranks. An independent convention placed T. D. JI. Orcutt in nomination, and he was indorsed by the prohibitionists. Other independent candidates entered the race, but all withdrew before election day ex- cept Dr. J. Craft. Dr. Craft carried Nobles county but Mr. Johnson was elected. There was also dissatisfaction over the republican nomination for sena- tor, and C. C. Goodnow, of Pipestone county, became an independent candi- date. The regular nominee was elected. The official vote :
Congressman - Jas. B. Wakefield (rep), 538; Felix A. Borer (pro), 97; J. A. Latimer (dem), 139.
Senator-A. M. Crosby (rep), 465; C. on (pro), 73.
Representative-W. H. Johnson (rep), 314; T. D. M. Orcutt (ind and pro), 13; Dr. J. Craft (ind), 387.
County Attorney-Geo. W. Wilson (rep), 750.
Surveyor22-J. W. Miller, 774.
Again in 1883 did the republican ticket have opposition, although that party was practically the only one in the county with anything like an or-
follows: No. 1, Graham Lakes, Hersey, Lorain, Indian Lake; No. 2, Seward, Elk, Bloom, Summit Lake, Dewald, Willmont; No. 3, Olney, Westside, Lismore, Leota, Town 103. range 42 (larkin); No. 4, Bigelow, Ransom, Little Rock, Grand Prairie; No. 5, Worth- ington township and village.
20Died July 14, 1883, during term of office No successor appointed.
"Served as chairman of the board from 1882 10 1886, inclusive.
"Surveyors Were elected in odd numbered years, but the county had been so unfortu- nate In selecting a surveyor who would hold the uffler that in 1882, by mutual agreement, Captain J. W. Miller, of Hersey, was put on both tickets and elected without opposition.
137
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
ganization. But, as formerly, the inde- pendents decided to put an opposition ticket in the field. The call was issued to "all the independent voters of No- bles county, irrespective of party." The convention, which was held at Worth- ington September 29, was attended by the democrats and those republicans who were dissatisfied with the actions of the republican organization. A ticket, whichi included some of the republican nomi- nees, was put up, and a lively cam- paign followed. Personalities were in- dulged in, and for a few offices the fight was bitter, this being especially true as to offices of auditor and superintendent of schools. Every nominee of the inde- pendent convention was elected, and again the republican organization met defeat. On the state ticket the demo- crats made a better showing than they had done at any previous election. Nine hundred four votes were cast. The re- sult :
Governor-Lucian F. Hubbard (rep), 547; Adolph Biermanm (dem), 311; Chas. E. Holt (pro), 41.
Auditor-Fred Bloom (rep), 304; E. S. Mills (peo),23 589.
Treasurer-Wm. Wigham (rep and peo), 556; A. Forbes (ind), 348.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (rep and peo), 890.
Sheriff-R. R. Miller (rep and peo), 865.
Superintendent of Schools - Maud Graves (rep), 357; J. Craft24 (peo), 521.
Probate Judge-J. A. Town (rep), 380; Emery Clark23 (peo), 509.
23Candidates so labeled were nominees of the independent, or people's, convention.
"Resigned Dec. S. 1884. Albert Campbell was appointed Jan. 7, 1885, to complete the term.
25Resigned Jan. 20, 1885. Gov. Hubbard ap-
Court Commissioner- J. A. Town (rep), 389; Emery Clerk,26 (peo), 469. Surveyor-W. A. Peterson27 (rep and peo), 880.
Coroner-L. W. Warren (rep and peo), 883.
Commissioner Second District - S. Wass (rep), 54; Emil Graf (peo), 62. Commissioner Third District-Geo. Slade (rep), 54; Jas. Cowin (peo), 136; L. C. Long (ind), 62.
Commissioner Fourth District-Rob- ert Shore (rep), 72; W. R. Faragher (ind), 103.
Nine hundred thirty-seven votes were cast in the presidential election of 1884, which was within one as high as had ever before been voted in the county. For the few county offices which were to be chosen the democrats made no nomi- nations, but the prohibition party devel- oped some strength in county politics, as it also did in the state at large. A county convention was held, at which candidates were nominated for court commissioner and county commissioner from the fifth district. The nominees of that party for president, congressman and representative, as well as the county nominees, received much support. The vote :
President - Republican electors (Blaine), 491; democratic (Cleveland), 246; prohibition (St. John), 131; green- back (Butler), 38.
Congressman-J. B. Wakefield (rep), 553; J. J. Thornton (dem), 238; Wil- liam Copp (pro), 146.
Representative28 - Peter Peterson
pointed I. P. Durfee in March to complete the term.
2Resigned September, 1884. and J. A. Town was appointed to complete the term.
"Resigned July 26, 1886.
28Mr. Shepard carried Nobles county, but
Mr. Peterson was elected.
135
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
(rep), 311; 11. C. Shepard (dem). 421; W. J. MeAllister (pro). 137.
County Attorney -- L. M. Lange (rep), :09.
Court Commissioner-I. P. Durfee (rep). 153; C. C. Christianson (pro); 138.
Commissioner Fifth District Daniel Shell (rep), 115; Peter Thompson (pro), 3 ..
Commissioner Fourth District-Win. Parry (rep), 99; tt. B. Tripp (ind), 54; Butcher, 26; A. W. Ferrin (pro), 9.
In accordance with the provisions of a new state law, no county elections were held in 1885. After that date elec- tions were held every two years only, in even numbered years. An entire new set of officers was elected in 1886, and the campaign of that year was an excit- ing one. A new element entered into the political life of the county, a feeling of antagonism between the east and west ends.
The republicans were the first in the field with a ticket. Residents of the west end claimed that the convention was controlled by the Worthington "ring." and that the Adrian country was not given just recognition. This led to the calling of another convention, which was held at Adrian, participated in by democrats and many west end re- publicans. A few of the republican nom- inees who were not from Worthington were endorsed, and the rest of the ticket was made up largely of democrats.29 This ticket was supported by democrats from all parts of the county and almost solidly by republicans from the west end of the county. The prohibitionists en- tered the field with almost a complete
: In giving the result of this election 1 have marked the nominees of this convention democrats, although one or two of the nom]- noes never affiliated with that party.
ticket. and there were a number of in- dependent candidates, making the cam- paign one of much interest and uncer- tainty. The republicans elected the ma- jority of their ticket, although the inde- pendents captured some of the import- ant offices. On slate and congressional tickets the democrats made the best showing in the party's history in Nobles county up to that time, their nominee for governor being only about 250 votes behind. Thirteen hundred eighty-six votes were cast, by far the largest ever recorded, being 449 more than the vote of two years before. The vote as olfi- cially canvassed :
Governor-A. R. McGill (rep), 758; A. A. Ames (dem), 503; J. E. Childs (pro), 122.
Congressman- John Lind (rep), 769; A. H. Bullis (dem), 334;30 Geo. J. Day (pro), 132.
Judge Thirteenth Judicial District-A. D). Perkins31 (rep, dem and pro), 1,385. Senator-W. B. Brown (rep and pro), 1.188; Fred Bloom (ind), 188.
Representative-B. M. Low (rep), 1,236; A. E. Tuttle (pro), 141.
Auditor-R. R. Miller (rep), 306; D. Ryan (dem), 431; T. L. Taylor (pro), 48; E. S. Mills (ind), 588; John O. Larson (ind), 3.
Treasurer-R. W. Moberly (rep and dem): 1,281; J. (. Boddy (pro), 102. Sheriff-M. J. Bryan (rep), 326; Gil- bert Anderson (dem), 658; W. H. In- graham (ind). 392.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (rep), 570; A. R. Harris (dem), 522; A. O. Lofstedt (pro), 191; I. B. New- kirk (ind), 95.
County Attorney-1 .. M. Lange (rep),
WNot included in this, were 150 votes cast for II. 6. Bullis.
"Served until carly in 1891, when he resign- ed. P. N. Brown was appointed to fill the office for the unexpired term.
139
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
754; C. O. Dailey (dem), 546; C. B. Loveless (pro), 76.
Surveyor-W. D. Smith (dem), 861; 1. Foote (pro), 134.
('lerk of Court-W. W. Ilerron (rep), 260; F. A. Stevens (dem). 452; A. Hamilton (pro), 344; L. B. Bennett (ind), 313.
Probate Judge-E. L. Wemple (rep and dem), 1,103; J. W. Lewis (pro), 280.
Coroner-B. W. Lyon (dem). 575; 1. W. Warren (rep), 680.
Superintendent of Schools-A. Camp- bell (rep. pro and dem). 1.360: R. B. Plotts (ind). 59.
2Was chairman of the board from 1887 to 1×92, inclusive.
Commissioner First District - 'O. Thompson (pro and dem), 64; J. H. Denton (rep), 91; William Firth (ind), 16.
Commissioner Second Distriet-S. B. Bedford (rep). 89: C. Fritz (dem), 25; Emil Graf (ind), 20; W. II. North (pro), 48.
Commissioner Third District-O. S. Melick (rep), 166; J. Blesins (dem), 126; E. Copper (ind), 86.
Commissioner Fourth District-J. De- Boos (rep), 112; R. O'llearn (dem). 161; Wm. Wigham (ind), 74.
Commissioner Fifth District-J. A. Town32 (rep), 145; O. G. Grundston (dem). 84: S. S. Morton (pro), 66.
CHAPTER XI.
POLITICAL-1888-1908.
An index of the progress of retrogres- sion of a community is the increase or decrease in the vote cast. That there was an advancement during the middle eighties in Nobles county is plainly shown. In 188? the total vote was 774, in 1883 it was 904, the next year 937, in 1886 it had advanced to 1,386, and in 1888 the handsome total of 1,754 was reached. The last named year marks the passing of the strong independent movement which had been a power in the politics of Nobles county for so many years. Its place was taken by the democratic party, which for the first time in the county's history developed enough strength to insure its perma- nency. That it had become a factor to be reckoned with in county politics is shown by the vote for president. Har- rison electors received 896 votes : Cleve- land electors, 682.
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