An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 16

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924


USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 16
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 16


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).


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The year 1903 brought an interruption to the long series of big crop productions. This was caused by the most destructive hail storm in the county's history, which occurred July 20. The storm extended from near Watertown, South Dakota, in a southeasterly direction io southern lowa, passing through Pipestone county, the eastern part of Rock and the western part of Nobles counties. Along this part of its course it was about fifteen miles wide.


The storm continued only ten minutes, but during that time it brought a loss of fully one million dollars to Rock county. Every crop in the path of the storm was absolutely wiped out. Of the corn noth- ing was left except the roots, and trees were stripped bare of foliage. In the townships of Battle Plain, Vienna, Mag- nolia and Kanaranzi the loss was almost


11By preeincts as follows: Battle Plain, 435; Beaver Creek township, 694; Beaver Creek vil- lage, 202; Clinton. 614; Denver, 439; Hardwiek, 269: Hills. 320; Jasper (in Rock county), 99; Kanaranzi, 512; Luverne township, 457; Luverne city, 2272; Magnolia township, 343; Magnolia village, 196; Martin, 837; Mound, 461; Rose Dell, 537; Springwater, 615; Vienna, 427.


18A summary of census returns discloses the fact that since permanent settlement began each five year period has shown an inerease


total, it being reported that thirty-five sections in Magnolia township were en- tirely laid waste. In parts of Denver, Mound and Luverne townships the damage was also great. In Rock county 120 sec- tions of erop were made worthless.


The hail storm was only a temporary check. The consideration for land pur- chased in Rock county during 1904 was over three-quarters of a million dollars. The census of 1905 showed a population of 9729.17


The last few years of Rock county's his- tory have, indeed, been prosperous ones. It has developed into the richest agricul- tural county in the state of Minnesota. The seasons of excessive rainfall, which brought disaster to many of the neigh- boring counties during the past few years, only made Rock county crops the more prolific. Bountiful crops and good prices prevail. Land values at the present writ- ing ( 1911) are the highest they have ever been, several sales at $130 per acre hav- ing been made in 1910. The federal cen- sus of 1910 gave Rock county a population of 10,222, the largest in its history.18 The assessed valuation of the county in 1910 was $1.261,415, an increase of more than one million dollars over 1909.19


in population in Rock county. The figures for the several enumerations are as follows: 1860. 23; 1865, 0; 1870, 138; 1875. 1750; 1880, 3669; 1885. 5239; 1890, 6817; 1895, 8597; 1900. 9668; 1905, 9729; 1910, 10,222.


1ºOf the total valuation, $6,272,309 was on real property and $989,106- on personal property; of the real property valuation. $783,747 was on real estate in incorporated villages and $5.488,- 562 on farm lands. The taxes to be collected from this assessment are $162,416.08.


CHAPTER VIII.


POLITICAL-1870-1911. .


B EFORE taking up the political his- tory of Rock county, let us resume briefly the story of events that led up to the organization of the county. Rock county, it will be remembered, was created by legislative act in May, 1857, but was a political division in name only until many years later. In the fall of 1869 the pioneer settlers petitioned the legislature to authorize the organization of the county, and the legislature, on March 5, 1820, gave the necessary permission. Under instructions from Governor Horace Austin, on September 1, 1870, J. F. Shoe- maker, Jonathan Phelps and Amos Estey selected Luverne as the seat of government of the new county. and on September 24 Governor Anstin issued a proclamation de- claring Rock county organized and naming Daniel Wilmot, H. A. Gregory and Abra- ham Me Murphy county commissioners, with authority to bring about the or- ganization and make provision for hold- ing the first election the following No- vember. The first meeting of the com- missioners was held at the home of H. 1. Gregory October 17.


At the initial meeting the commisssion- ers divided the county into voting pre- einels for the election of November 8. and appointed judges of election as fol- lows: District No. 1. E. N. Darling.


J. F. Shoemaker and E. S. Gregory. (poll- ing place at the home of E. S. Gregory) ; district No. 2, M. C. Smith, Jonathan C. Phelps and J. C. Gregory (polling place at the home of JJ. C. Gregory) ; district No. 3, John H. Ferguson, Frank S. Mason and A. B. Thompson (polling place at the home of John II. Ferguson ) .


Office holding was not in style in 1820, and there was no seramble for the hon- or of being the first officers of Rock county. In fact, a number of those elected did not take kindly to the unsolicited hon- or and only after much persuasion con- senled to qualify. Party polities did not enter into the question of selecting local officers and no conventions were held. As a matter of fact, all the voters were ro- publicans and it would have been a hard malier to start an argument on nalional issues. As there were no regularly se- lected nominees, there were no ballots, each voler casting a ballot of his own manufacture for his own candidates. Thirty-four votes were cast, which includ- ed the vote of every citizen of Roek coun- ty, with the exception of ('. Jones, who was absent at the time. The following gentlemen constituled a part of the poll list: Jonathan C. Phelps. Amos Estey. Daniel Wilmot, James Shawver, Abraham McMurphy, M. C. Smith, P. J. Kniss,


119


120


HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.


George W. Kniss, Edwin Gillham, Loc Whitsell, Philo Hawes, George W. Blas- dell. E. N. Darling. Sylvester Norton, J. II. Ferguson. L. B. McCollum, Ed. Me- Kenzie, J. F. Shoemaker, Ezra Rice, S. D. Gregory, H. C. Gregory and J. (. Gregory. The result of the balloting for congressman and legislative officers was as follows :


1From the time of the admission of Minnesota to statehood until 1881. Rock county was part of the first congressional district. During that period the representation in congress was as follows:


J. M. Cavanaugh (dem), May 12, 1858, to March 4, 1859. William Windom (rep), March 4. 1859, to March 4. 1869. Morton S. Wilkinson (rep). March 4. 1869, to March 4, 1871.


Mark H. Dunnell (rep). March 1. 1871, to March 4, 1883.


By the apportionment of 1881 Rock county became a part of the second district, which has been represented as follows:


J. B. Wakefield (rep), March 1, 1883, to March 4. 1887.


John Lind (rep), March 4. 1887, to March 4. 1893. James T. MeCleary (rep), March 4. 1893. to March 4, 1907. W. S. Hammond (dem), March 4, 1907, to March 4, 1913.


"The constitution of the state of Minnesota. adopted in 1857, provided that the counties of Nicollet and Brown (in the latter was ineluded the present Roek and Pipestone counties) should form the seventeenth legislative distriet. entitled to one senator and three representa- tives. This apportionment was in force until 1860. Under it the distriet was represented as follows:


1857-58- Senate, Thomas Cowan; house. Eph- riam Pierce. Albert Tuttle. Frederick Rehfeld. 1859-60-Senate. Thomas Cowan; house. John Armstrong. Frederick Rohfeld. W. Pfaender.


By the legislative apportionment of 1860, the counties of Faribault, Jackson, Cottonwood. No- bles. Pipestone. Rock and a part of Brown were made to form the twentieth district. entitled to one senator and one member of the house. The district was so constituted until 1866 ard was represented by the following legislators:


1861-Senate, Guy K. Cleveland; house, 1. Streeker.


1862-Senate, Guy K. Cleveland; house, B. O. Kompfer.


1863-Senate, D. G. Shillock: house, J. B. Wakefield. 1864-Senate, G. Shillock; house. J. A. Latimer. 1865 Senate, G. Shillock: house, J. . 1. Kiestor. 1866 Senate. D. G. Shillock; house, J. R. Wakefield.


In 1866 district No. 20 was changed to include Faribault. Martin. Jackson, Murray. Pipestone and Rock (Nobles county was not named in this apportionment, but it was doubtless in- tended that it should be a part of the district). District No. 20 was entitled to one senator and one representative, The apportionment was in force until 1871. Under it the district was rep- resented as follows:


1867-Senate. J. B. Wakefield: house, \. \n- drews 1868 Senate. J. B. Wakefield; house, A. B. Coulton. 1869-Senate, J. B. Wakefield; house. J. W. Hunter. 1870 -- Senate, 1. A. Latimer; house, M. E. L .. Shanks,


Congressman1-Mark H. Dunnell (rep), 34: Daniel Buck (dem), 0.


Senator2-G. W. Whallon (rep), 29 ; (. W. Thompson (dem), 5.


Representative-George C. Chamberlin (rep), 32; 1. 1. Patchin (dem). 2.


The county officers chosen at the elec- tion in November, 1820, and the first to serve as such were as follows:


1×71-Senate, C. W. Thompson; house, A. L. Patchin.


The legislature of 1871 reapportioned the state into legislative districts. Rock county became a part of the thirty-eighth. the other counties comprising the district being Martin, Jackson. Nobles, Watonwan. Cottonwood, Mur- ray and Pipestone. The district was entitled to one senator and three members of the house. The senator was elected from the district at large, Martin county was entitled to one repre- sentative. Watonwan to one, and the rest of the district to the other. Under this appor- tionment the district was represented in the several legislatures as follows:


1872-Senate, William D. Rice; house, E. Berry. W. W. Murphy. G. C. Chamherlin. 1873-Senate. William D. Riee; house, J. W. Seager, Edwin Berry. Stephen Miller.


1874-Senate, E. P. Freeman; house, J. F. Daniels, Ole O. How, N. H. Manning. 1875-Senate, E. P. Freeman: house. Charles F. Crosby, E. Berry, Thomas Rutledge.


1876-Senate, I. P. Durfee; house, J. A. Ever- ett. Lee Hensley, W. H. Mellen.


1877-Senate. I. P. Durfee; house. H. N. Rice, Lee Hensley. Christopher H. Smith.


1878-Senate. Christopher H. Smith; house, Frank A. Day, L. H. Bishop, Alex Fiddes. 1879-Senate. A. D. Perkins; house, M. E. L. Shanks. T. Lambert, P. J. Kniss.


1881-Senate, A. D. Perkins: house. J. A. Armstrong, W. D. Rice, P. J. Kniss.


A new apportionment was made in 1881. un- der which Nobles, Murray. Roek and Pinestone counties were made to form the seventh dis- trict. entitled to one senator and two repre- sentatives. In 1889 one more representative was given to the district. The seventh dis- trict was represented in the Minnesota legisla- tures as follows:


1883-Senate. A. M. Croshy; house, W. H. Johnson. W. O. Crawford.


1885-Senate, A. M. Crosby; house, Peter Pe- terson. W. B. Brown. 1887-Senate, W. B. Brown; house, J. F. Shoemaker, B. M. Low.


1889-Same as 1887.


1891-Senate, Jay LaDue; house. Larned Co- burn. William Lockwood, Patrick Gildea.


1893-Senate. Jay LaDue: house. Daniel Shell, William Loekwood, Ole O. Holmen. 1895-Senate. H. J. Miller; house. Daniel Shell. William Lockwood. Ole O. Holmen. 1897-Senate. H. J. Miller: house. Daniel Shell. Ole O. Holmen. A. S. Dyer.


In 1897 Rock and Pipestone counties were made one district, the sixteenth. entitled to one senator and one representative. This apportionment is still in force. The distriet has been represented as follows:


1899-Senate. H. J. Miller; house, A. S. Dyer. 1901-Senate, H. J. Miller; house. J. H. Nich- ols.


1903-Senate, J. H. Nichols; house, Niels Ja- robson. 1905-Senate. J. H. Nichols; house, Niels Ja- cohson. 1907-Senate. F. TT. Canfield; house, Harri- son White. 1909-Senate, E. H. Canfield; house. S. B. Duea. 1911-Senate, S. B. Duca; house, Harrison White.


121


HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.


Ed. Mckenzie, auditor.3


J. F. Shoemaker, treasurer.


S. D. Gregory, sheriff.


John HI. Ferguson, register of deeds. Jonathan C. Phelps,4 judge of probate. 1 .. B. Mccollum, attorney.


II. A. Gregory, clerk of courl.


Amos E. Estey, court commissioner. Jonathan C. Phelps,5 coroner.


P. J. Kniss, surveyor.


E. N. Darling, commissioner first dis- trict."


Philo Hawes,7 commissioner second dis- triet.


L. B. MeCollum, commissioner third district.


H. G. Gregory, justice of the peace.


G. Il. Phim, constable.


T. J. Clark, constable.8


On January 7, 1871, the newly elected board of county commissioners met and organized, the other officers chosen in November took the oaths of office the same day, and Rock county was fully or- ganized.


At the general election in 1871 the to- tal vote was increased to fifty-six. The result for governor and legislative ean- didates was as follows:


Governor-florace Austin (rep), 56; Winthrop Young (dem), 0.9


Senator-William D. Rice (rep). 52; C. (. Sylvester (dem), 4.


3The salary of the auditor of Rock county for the year 1871 was $100.


4Did not qualify.


"Did not qualify.


"At the meeting of Rock county's first law making hody, on October 17, 1870, the county was divided into three commissioner districts. as follows: No. 1. all that part of the county north of an cast and west line passing just 10 the north of the present business section of Luverne; No. 2. a strip of territory across Rock county nine miles wide, extending from the southern houndary of district No. 1


to within two miles of the Iowa line; No. 3. a strip of country two miles wide along the southern houndary.


"Was chairman during 1871, 1872 and 1873.


"In the early days the office of county su- perintendent of schools was filled by appoint- ment. J. H. Loomis received the appointment February 15. 1871, and served several years. His salary for the year 1871 was $5; in 1872 he received $25 for his services.


Representative-George C. Chamberlin (rep), 56; O. Nason (dem), 0.


'The only county officer chosen in 1871 was HI. A. Gregory, who became county commissioner from the first district, suc- ceeding E. N. Darling.10


The vote was increased to 186 in 1872. The county was found to be still thorough- ly republican. The vote for president, congressman and representative :


President-U. S. Grant (rep), 168; Horace Greeley (dem), 16.


Congressman-Mark Il. Dunnell (tep). 121; Morton S. Wilkinson (dem), 5.


Representative-Stephen Miller (rep). 184; H. Anderson (dem), 2.


The county officers elected were as fol- lows: Ed. Mckenzie. auditor; J. F. Shoe- maker, treasurer ; James A. Rice,11 sheriff ; E. C. Abbott. register of deeds: C. F. Crosby, judge of probate; W. O. Craw- ford,12 attorney : J. H. Loomis,13 coroner ; P. J. Kniss, surveyor; J. A. Forbes, H commissioner first district ; Philo Hawes, 13 commissioner second district : L. B. Mc- Collum, commissioner third district.


The election of 18:3 found 231 voters exercising their franchise. The result of the election :


Governor-C. K. Davis (rep) , 204 : Ara Barton (dem), 15: Samuel Mayall (tem perance ), 12.


Senator-E. P. Freeman (rep), 226.


"Below governor, the nominees on the repub- lican state ticket received 52 votes, the demo- · cratic nominees, 4.


1ºMr. Gregory served as commissioner several years. He was chairman from January 10 October, 1874. His place on the board Was filled by the appointment of C. A. Reynolds October 24, 1874. Mr. Reynolds was chairman during the rest of 1874 and in 1875. 1876 and 1877.


11Died September 27, 1873, and his successor elected in November.


12Did not qualify. C. F. Crosby appointed March 17, 1874.


13 Did not qualify. L. A. Daniels appointed January 15, 1873.


1'Did not qualify. II. A. Gregory continued to hold the office.


1Resigned in January, 1874. B. S. Wold appointed January 31, 1874. lle served as chair- man for a few months in the fall of 1874.


122


HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.


Representative-N. H. Manning (rep), 223: Warren Smith (peo), 8.


Sheriff-Ezra Rice (rep). 230.


Clerk of Court-George W. Kniss (rep), 111; II. A. Gregory (ind), 120.


Court Commissioner-E. D. Hadley (rep), 225.


Commissioner Third District- L. B. McCollum (rep), 9; J. 11. Ferguson (ind), 14.


In 1874 Mark II. Dunnell, republican. received 355 votes for congressman against 37 for F. Il. Waite, the anti-monopoly nominee. For representative, C. F. Cros- by, republican, received 386 votes, while his opponent. L. Aldrich, on the anti- monopoly ticket, received not one. D. A. Dickinson, republican, for judge of the district court, secured a majority of 328 over his anti-monopoly opponent, Daniel Buck. The following county officers were elected: Frank Howard, auditor; J. F. Shoemaker, treasurer: Ezra Rice, sheriff : Robert Herren, register of deeds; E. D. Hladley, judge of probate and attorney; J. O. Helgeson, clerk of court ; C. A. Rey- nolds, commissioner tirst district; E. T. Sheldon, commissioner second distriel. The total vote was 392.


Not a great deal of interest was taken in the election of 1875 and only 170 votes were polled. For governor. John S. Pills- bury, republican, received 167 votes to 3 for his democratic opponent, D. L. Buell. For senator. 1. P. Durfee, republican, se- cured a majority of 160 over G. S. Thomp- son, reform. For representative, W. H. Mellen, republican, had a plurality of 127 over E. L. Brownell, reform. P. J. Kniss18 was elected commissioner from the second district and Niels Jacobson from the third.17


During the entire carly history of Rock county the republican was the only party 1Was chairman in 1878.


The county board, on July 28, 1875, redis- tricted the county, making the commissioner


that maintained an organization, but that fact did not prevent it from having fre- quent and strong opposition in local politics. In nearly every campaign there were many independent candidates or a "peoples" ticket, which occasionally wrest- ed the management of county affairs fron the republicans. In 1826 there was a well organized bolt. Those who refused their support to the republican tieket alleged that the nominating convention was con- trolled largely by democrats and that old feuds and jealousies had been a deter- mining factor in the choice of nominees. There were independent candidates for nearly all the offices and the campaign was an exciting one, filled with personal abuse. The total vote was 587. Ruther- ford B. Hayes carried the county over Samuel J. Tilden by a vote of 518 to 69. For congressman, Mark H. Dunnell, re- publican, secured a plurality over E. C. Stacy, democrat, and for representative, C. H. Smith, republican, carried the coun- ty over B. N. Carrier, independent. The result for county officers was as follows:


Auditor-W. O. Crawford (rep). 290; Frank Howard (ind). 284.


Treasurer-George Anderson (rep), 244: J. F. Shoemaker (ind). 235: Niels Jacobson (ind), 59; Joseph Knight (ind). 35.


Sheriff-Ezra Rice (rep), elected.


Register of Deeds-11. A. Twange (rep) . 226; W. Il. Halbert (ind), 350.


Judge of Probate-E. D. Hadley (rep). 109; M. Webber (ind). 27.


Attorney-M. Webber (rep), 399; E. D. Hadley (ind). 112.


Coroner-Charles Williams (rep), 577.


Surveyor-P. J. Kuiss (rep), 187; 1I. E. Herren (ind). 378.


Commissioner Third District-George


districts as follows: No. 1, the north half of the county; No. 2. the townships of Luverne, Magnolia and Beaver Creek; No. 3. the town- ships of Martin, Clinton and Kanaranzi.


123


HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.


II. Olds (rep), 11; William McKay18 (ind), 132.


The campaign of 1877 was a tame af- fair. Only a few local officers were chosen and the voie was light. J. H. Loomis as an independent candidate defeated E. L. Grout, the republican nominee for su- perintendent of schools, the office having become an elective one. Nels Atleson, 19 independent, defeated C. A. Reynolds, re- publican, for commissioner from the first district.


Differing greatly from it was the cam- paign of 1828. An opposition ticket, la- beled "peoples," was put in nomination October 12, and a most animated cam- paign followed, resulting in a vietory for the republican ticket, with a few excep- tions. Eight hundred seventy-four votes were polled. The result:


Congressman-Mark H. Dunnell (rep), 668: William Meighen (dem), 206.


Senator-A. D. Perkins (rep), 662; William V. King (greenback), 163.


Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep), 334: J. H. Brooks (greenback), 238 ; scal- tering, 15.


Auditor-W. O. Crawford (rep), 530; R. Herren (peo), 289.


Treasurer-Goodman Anderson (rep), 536: J. F. Shoemaker (peo), 284.


Sheriff-Edwin Gillham (rep),. 384; S. D. Sprague (peo), 103; D. G. Shell (ind), 333.


Register of Deeds-W. II. Halbert (rep- peo), 591; Q. Loveland (ind), 234.


Judge of Probate-W. N. Davidson (rep), 522; A. L. Marsh (peo), 288.


Attorney-M. Webber (rep). 527; E. D. Hadley (peo), 183.


Clerk of Court-N. R. Reynolds (rep- peo), 375; J. O. Helgeson (ind), 441.


18Was chairman in 1879.


1Was chairman in 1880.


20Did not qualify and R. A. Gove appointed May 21, 1879. He resigned December 27, 1879, and M. Sullivan was then appointed.


Court Commissioner-M. Webber (rep), 321; E. D. Hadley (peo), 487.


Coroner-Frank Howard (rep), 315; Alex. McNab20 (peo), 400.


Surveyor-11. E. Herren (rep-peo). 808.


Commissioner Second District-James Marshall (rep),21 195; A. Erickson (peo). 192.


As usual in the "off" years, the elec- tion of 1849 was not punctuated by violent outbreaks of enthusiasm and the vote cast was only 144. Following was the vote as canvassed :


Governor-John S. Pillsbury (rep), 366; Edmund Rice (dem), 78.


Superintendent of Schools-R. O. Craw- ford (rep), 259; J. H. Loomis (ind), 185.


Court Commissioner-N. R. Reynolds (rep), 368; W. E. Vary (ind), 73.


Coroner-M. Sullivan22 (rep). 411.


Commissioner First District-P. O. Skyberg23 (rep). 111.


For the first time in the county's his- tory, in 1880 the democrats as a party decided to enter the field of local polities. A convention was held at Luverne Oeto- ber 19, when it was decided not to place a democratie ticket, labeled as such, in the field, but to join with the voters who were opposed to the controlling power in the republican party and hold an "anti-ring" convention. This was done, and on October 25 a county ticket. labeled "peoples," was put in nomination. In the election which followed the republicans were entirely successful. The vote cast was 824. Fol- lowing was the vote received by each candi- date :


President-James A. Garfield (rep) , 21Was chairman in 1881.


22Resigned May 24, 1880, and A. E. Spalding appointed.


""Was chairman in 1882.


.


124


HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.


653: Winfield S. Hancock (dem), 165; James B. Weaver (greenback), 3.


Congressman-Mark H. Dunnell (rep), 616: 11. R. Wells (dem). 160; W. G. Ward (ind), 45; C. H. Roberts (green- back ). 3.


Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep). :55; M. A. Strong (peo), 22.


Auditor-W. O. Crawford (rep), 601; C. S. Bruce (peo), 213.


Treasurer-Goodman Anderson (rep). 189: 1. Erickson (peo). 125: J. M. Grant. 150.


Sheriff-Edwin Gillham (rep). 629 : B. S. Wold (peo). 131.


Register of Deeds-W. II. Halbert ( rep). 816.


Judge of Probate-N. R. Reynolds (rep). 564: W. N. Davidson (peo), 218.


AAttorney-M. Webber (rep), 653; W. O. ('rawford? (peo), 94: J. E. Coeli- ran, 8.


Coroner-J. L. Helm (rep), 818.


Surveyor-B. E. Herren23 (rep), 818. Commissioner First District26-George 1. C'ole27 (rep). 103.


Commissioner Fourth District-E. D. Hadley28 (rep). 192.


Commissioner Fifth District-William MeKay (rep). 24: Stewart Young, 29.


While only a few county officers were chosen in 1881, the election was an excit- ing ope because of aggressive campaigns


"Had withdrawn his name.


"Resigned July 26. 1882, and W. N. Davidson appointed.


"The law provided that when a county polled 800 votes it should have five commissioners and that the county board should redistrict the county. In 1878 Rock county polled over the required number, but the commissioners did not take advantage of the law until October 7. 1880, just before the cleetion of that year. The districts were made to inelude territory as fol- lows: No. 1. Battle Plain, Denver, Rose Dell and Mound: No. 2. Beaver Creek and Springwater: No. 3. Martin and Clinton: No. 4. Luverne town- ship and Luverne village: No. 5, Vienna, Mag- nolia and Kanaranzi. This apportionment was in force until 1886.


At the 1880 election commissioners should have been chosen in each of the five districts, but this was not done. James Marshall, ro- siding in the old second district. and P. O. Skyberg. in the old third. retained their seats by virtue of former elections. Upon the be- ginning of a contest for the office of commis-


waged by a few of the candidates, and 613 votes were polled. The result :


Governor-Lucius F. Hubbard (rep), 192: R. W. JJohnson (dem), 102; 1. (. Stearns (pro), 2.


District Judge -- M. J. Severance29 (rep), 162.


Superintendent of Schools-C. A. Cris- sey (rep), 224; JJ. L. Helm (ind), 389. Coroner-C. A. Mead30 (rep), 594.


Commissioner First District-George L. Cole (rep), 88.


Commissioner Second District-Abram Osmun (rep). 20: A. Barck (rep31), 68.


Commissioner Third District-P. O. Skyberg (rep). 14.


Two complete tickets were in the field of county politics in 1882. The democrats again met in convention, only to adjourn in order to participate in the deliberations of a "citizens" convention. The latter declared that the republican convention was manipulated by a "certain local ring" and that there was "pressing necessity for an entire change in county officers." .1 "peoples" ticket was nominated. An ex- citing campaign followed. and in the election 289 votes were polled. With one exception the republicans elected every county officer. An independent carried the county for state senator, but did not carry the district. Following was the vote of 1882 as officially canvassed :




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