USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 34
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 34
USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 34
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 34
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CHAPTER VII.
POLITICAL.
By the legislative act creating Lincoln coun- ty, John Bartol, E. D. Willis and John Mc- Gourin were named as county commissioners. They were empowered to appoint the other county officials, and were to serve until the sec- ond Monday in January, 1885. At the first meeting of the board, December 18, 1883, the commissioners appointed officers as follows : Auditor, James H. Robertson; Sheriff, John Cody; Treasurer, C. C. May; Assessor, R. A. Hutchinson; Probate Judge, W. H. Small- wood; Surveyor, J. E. Ludy; Coroner, J. S. Smith; Superintendent of Schools, C. W. Wal- ters ; Sheep Commissioner, J. R. Whittaker.
Mr. May, the appointee for county treas- urer, declined to serve, and William Yarwood was appointed to this office. Dr. Smith re- moved from the county, and the office of coro- ner was first held by Dr. W. H. Olds. Mr. Whittaker declined the office of sleep commis- sioner and W. F. Glasscock was elected to the position. In the fall of 1884 Commissioner Willis died and on November 3d W. A. Busey, of Crab Creek, was elected for the unexpired term.
For a number of years the political com- plexion of the candidates cut a small figure. Of the first officers John Bertol, chairman of the board of county commissioners, was a Demo- crat. A majority of the county officials, how- ever, were Republicans.
For the first few years in Lincoln county election returns were not retained on file. How- ever, we find the following officers serving. be- ginning the first of January, 1885, having been
chosen at the November election of 1884: County Commissioners, J. H. Lamona, chair- man ; Horace Haynes; R. O. Porak; Auditor, P. K. Spencer; Probate Judge, E. F. Benson; Superintendent of Schools, C. H. Pryor : Sher- iff, John Cody; Surveyor, J. E. Ludy; Treas- urer, William Yarwood.
At the election of 1884-the first-nearly the whole Republican ticket was elected, many of the officers who had been previously ap- pointed being continued in office.
The election of 1886 was devoid of sensa- tional features, and resulted as follows: Audi- tor, P. K. Spencer; Sheriff, R. D. Riordan ; Probate Judge, William M. Chandler; Asses- sor, D. K. McDonald; Surveyor, A. G. Mit- chum; Superintendent of Schools, C. H. Pryor, who was succeeded by Mrs. Pryor after his death ; Coroner, J. S. Smith ; Treasurer, T. M. Cooper: Commissioners, John Inkster, Sr., Charles Schroeder and G. Garber. Inkster was elected chairman of the board.
At the election of 1886 the political status of the county administration was completely re- versed, and nearly the entire Democratic ticket was successful.
The Democratic county convention was held at Davenport Saturday. August 4. 1888. R. A. Hutchinson, chairman of the county central committee, was named for presiding of- ficer, and D. K. McDonald was made secre- tary. The event of this convention was the deadlock for sheriff. T. N. Murphy, of Sprague. R. D. Riordan, of Sprague, and Charles Bethel, of Wilson Creek Precinct, were placed in nom-
200
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
-
ination. Thomas Ledgerwood, of Larene, and V. W. Brooks, of Davenport, were then placed in nomination and Bethel withdrew in favor of Ledgerwood. Two more ballots resulted in 110 selection, when Riordan withdrew in favor of Ledgerwood; then Brooks and Murphy did the same, and Ledgerwood was chosen by ac- clamation. Otherwise the convention was har- monious.
Wednesday, August 15th, the Republican county convention was held at Sprague. There was a good representation of delegates from all parts of the county. Major Boyd, retired, of Fort Spokane, chairman of the Republican county central committee, called the convention to order, W. A. Fairweather was made per- manent chairman and Guy Smith secretary. This convention was sensational and exciting. there being a number of candidates for nearly every office. There was a lack of harmony in Republican ranks, and many accusations of "jobbery" were bandied to and fro.
The election was held. Despite the coolness of the day the largest vote heretofore cast in Lincoln county was polled November 6, 1888. The result, although a surprise in certain par- ticulars, proved satisfactory to the residents of the county. The difference in size of the num- ber of votes cast for the different officers can only be explained by the fact that many of the voters did not cast a full ballot. It will be seen that the Democrats and Republicans each had representation at the court house for the suc- ceeding two years. The vote :
For Congressman :- John B. Allen, 908; Charles S. Voorhees, Democrat. 713; Judge Green, II.
For Adjutant General : - Hillory Butler, Democrat, 892; R. C. O'Brien, Republican, 872: Brown, 4.
For Brigadier, General :- J. J. Hunt, Demo- crat, 753; A. P. Curry, Republican, 969; Broo- man, 4.
For Joint Councilman :- Clay Fruit, Demo-
crat, 749: J. M. Snow, Republican, 870; Wal- ters, 4.
For Joint Representative :- Frank M. Quin- land, Democrat, 635; P. K. Spencer, Repub- lican, 992.
For Prosecuting Attorney :- N. T. Caton, Democrat, 731 : Wallace Mount, Republican, 895.
For County Auditor :- T. M. Cooper, Democrat, 862; W. B. Lottman, Republican, 747; Sanderson, 12.
For Sheriff :- Thomas Ledgerwood, Dem- ocrat, 715; Richard Fish, Republican, 906.
For Treasurer :- R. H. Chilton, Democrat, 864; Guy Smith, Republican, 758; Willough- by, I.
For Assessor :- D. K. McDonald, Demo- crat, 893 : C. E. Willoughby, Republican, 744; Chandler, I.
For Probate Judge :- C. H. Hannum, Dem- ocrat, 785; Jackson Brock, Republican, 847.
For Surveyor :- A. G. Mitchum, Demo- crat, 829; Jerry Rockhold, Republican, 793.
For School Superintendent :- S. R. Wesp, Democrat, 597 ; Mrs. C. H. Pryor, Republican, 1,001 ; Smith, 12.
For Coroner :- H. J. Whitney, 1632 ; Olds, 27.
For County Commissioners : - Matthew Brislawn, Democrat, 718; Gotlieb Garber, Dem- ocrat. 769: Charles Schroeder, Democrat. 787; John Inkster, Sr., Republican, 864: T. B. Ca- rey, Republican, 866; Matt Breeze, Republican, 972.
May 14, 1889, an election was held in Lin- coln county to choose delegates to the Wash- ington Constitutional Convention. The state was about to be admitted into the union. The district comprised all of Lincoln, and a portion of Douglas county. The Democrats met in convention at Davenport and named H. L. Frost, of Wilbur, and B. B. Glasscock, of Sprague, as their nominees. The Republican convention was held at Sprague, and Frank M.
201
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Dallam, editor of the Lincoln County Times, and Hon. H. W. Fairweather, of Sprague, were selected as candidates. The result of the elec- tion was in the nature of a grand surprise. It resulted in the election of one Democrat, Glass- cock, and two Republicans, Fairweather and Dallam, to serve as delegates in the constitu- tional convention. In the following result, by precincts, the vote of a few precincts in Doug- las county, which was in the district with Lin- coln county, is not given, but they did not affect the general result in the least :
Precincts
Fairweather
Dallam
Glasscock Frost
Sprague
299
51
304
47
Davenport
61
109
35
21
Mondovi
55
58
IC
5
Miles
23
21
4
2
Inkster
15
12
1.4
IO
Harrington
10
4
26
18
Larine
15
21
IC
3
Yarwood
II
I
12
2
Crab Creek
6
22
IO
Hinshaw
IO
8
1.4
8
Sassin
26
IO
IÇ
2
Fairview
15
1.1
8
5
Spring Creek
2.1
23
20
I
Weleh Creek
6
S
13
18
Sedalia
21
12
8
3
Grand Bluff
12
0
0
12
Earl
3
1
4
3
Condon
16
18
II
33
Wilson Creek
I
7
8
4
Union
3
II
0
7
Butte
II
16
6
5
Brents
23
44
9
39
Enos
20
I
19
0
Meridian
9
II
3
2
706
480
604 265
These figures show that hardly more than a third of the vote of the county was polled. Local preferences and indifference in others tended to influence voters to such an extent that no po- litical significance could be drawn from the result. The question of party was ignored throughout the territory, and this election was no criterion of the comparative strength of the two political organizations.
The first election after the admittance of Washington into the union was held October 1, '
1889. The first named in the following table are Republicans; the last Democrats :
For Governor :- E. P. Ferry, 1.104: Eu- gene Semple, 863.
For State Representatives :- E. K. Spen- cer, 1,063; C. T. Blackfan, 1,032; H. W. Brooke, 966; C. H. Schroeder, 847.
For Superior Judge :- W. Mount, 1,033; N. T. Caton, 922.
For State Senator :- H. W. Fairweather, 972; C. C. May, 961.
For State Senator Fourth District :- F. H. Luce, 1,169; H. F. Smith, 788.
For County Clerk :- H. Spining. 1.035; J. W. Anderson, 919.
For Constitution :- 1,477.
Against Constitution :- 293.
For Woman Suffrage :- 487. Against
Woman Suffrage, 1,179.
For Prohibition :- 674. Against Prohibi- tion, 1,082.
For State Capital :- North Yakima. 767. Ellensburgh, 999. Olympia, 82.
The political atmosphere of the spring of 1890 was highly charged with the Farmers Alliance sentiment. Many organizations were perfected throughout the county, and the tidal wave swept nearly every farmer into one or an- other of these camps. July 12, 1890, there was organized at Davenport a Lincoln County Farmers' Alliance. Previously local orders had been organized in eight different localities in the county. As this organization was to play an important part in the political history of the county for some years to come, an account of this initial meeting will prove of interest. W. E. Allison, county organizer. called the meet- ing to order and was elected temporary chair- man. George M. Witt was selected for tem- porary secretary. Following is a list of the several alliance orders in the county at the time, and the members who participated in the organ- ization of the county head center.
Harrington Alliance : Frank Glasscock, Wil- liam Yarwood. George M. Witt, J. L. Ball.
16
6
Grand Coulee
3
202
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Union Alliance ; James Lowery, John Saw- yer, Peter Leipham, W. P. Nichols.
Reardan Alliance: J. S. Capps, Fred Gar- ber, W. H. Capps.
Liberty Alliance; T. C. Lakin, Jacob Smith, Miller, Kruger.
Crescent Alliance; M. S. Taylor, Joseph Boyd.
Bald Ridge Alliance: A. W. Plummer, L. Rowse, George Smith, Levi Rouse.
Mondovi Alliance; John Mowyer, John Glazebrook, W. E. Allison.
Lincoln Alliance ; G. W. Stuart, H. N. Mar- tin, I. Minnick, R. A. Hutchinson.
The officers of the Lincoln County Farm- ers' Alliance elected were R. A. Hutchinson, président ; John Glazebrook, vice president ; Jacob Smith, treasurer; H. N. Martin, secre- tary; W. H. Capps, Inner Doorkeeper; Fred Garber, Outer. Doorkeeper.
As illustrative of the strength of the Farm- ers' Alliance movement in Washington, it may be said that there were 186 organized local al- liances in the state in 1891. Whitman county headed the list with 49. Next came Spokane county with 25; then Lincoln, 22; Garfield, 17: Walla Walla, 15; Columbia II, etc.
In the general election of November, 1890, party lines were not drawn very closely in any of the various precincts in Lincoln county. Few straight tickets were cast on either side. But a faint idea of the politics of the county could be gleaned from the vote cast this year. But, in the main, the Democratic ticket prevailed over that of the Republicans. There was, however, con- siderable sectional feeling displayed. Append- ed is the official vote of Lincoln county for 1890, as compiled by Auditor Cooper, Judge Brock and Commissioner Breeze, while sitting as a canvassing board :
For Member of Congress :- John L. Wil- son, Republican, 875; Thomas Carroll, Demo- crat, 812. Wilson's plurality, 63.
For State Representative :- Frank Atkin- son. Democrat. 850; J. S. Capps, Republican,
711; L. N. Cushman, Republican, 867; R. A. Hutchinson. Democrat, 1,022. Hutchinson's plurality, 155; Cushman's, 17.
For County Attorney :- J. W. Merritt. Re- publican, 1,029; T. A. Wickham, Democrat, 1,001. Merritt's majority, 28.
For County Clerk :- Howard Spining, Re- publican, 1,134; John Thomason. Democrat, 853. Spining's plurality, 281.
For County Auditor :- J. W. Anderson, Democrat, 1,220; B. A. Knapp, Republican, 804. Anderson's plurality, 416.
For Sheriff :- Richard Fish, Republican, 1,026; A. G. Mitchum, Democrat, 1,006. Fish's plurality, 20.
For County Treasurer :- R. H. Chilton, Democrat, 1,139; W. H. Howard, Republican, 847. Chilton's plurality, 292.
For Assessor :- D. K. McDonald, Demo- crat, 1217: W. H. McQuarrie, Republican, 656. McDonald's plurality, 561.
For Surveyor :- C. H. Hannum, Democrat, 1.096; R. J. Reeves, Republican, 620. Han- num's majority, 476.
For School Superintendent :- H. N. Mar- tin, Democrat, 954; Mrs. C. H. Pryor, Repub- lican, 1, 103. Mrs. Pryor's majority, 149.
For Coroner :- J. P. Tamiesie, Republican, 930; B. H. Yount, Democrat, 870. Tamiesie's plurality, 60.
For Sheep Inspector :- James Lowery, Re- publican, 1,077; W. L. Smith, Democrat, 918. Lowery's majority, 159.
For Commissioner, District No. 1 :- C. F. Bassett, Republican, 693; B. Ettleson, Demo- crat, 824: S. A. Gibson, Independent, 484. Ettleson's plurality, 131.
For Commissioner, District No. 2 .- John Inkster, Sr., Republican, 1.030; J. F. Nee, Dem- ocrat. 916. Inkster's majority. 114.
For Commissioner. District No. 3 :- H. McManis, Republican, 860: A. J. Stookey, Democrat, 1,029. Stookey's majority, 169.
For Bonding the County, 394; against. 1,237.
1
203
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
For County Seat :- Davenport, 1,212; Sprague, 956.
Sprague's majority over the three-fifths necessary for removal of the county seat was 88.
The birth of the Populist party was nothing more nor less than the Farmers' Alliance or- ganization entering politics. This propaganda, introduced in the county in the winter of 1889- 90, was organized to advance the interests of agriculture. Enthusiastically it was taken up by many energetic farmers, and some politi- cians. The latter, after the organization had been thoroughly completed, began agitation for a political union and the formation of a new party. At first the results were anything but encouraging, especially to the advocates of po- litical reform. But they were far from being discouraged, and after a number of futile at- tempts the alliance voted to enter politics. The success of this new party during the succeed- ing few years may be gleaned from the results of the elections.
Saturday, May 14, 1892, marks the date of the advent of the People's Party into Lincoln county politics. On that date a large number of farmers from all parts of the county gath- ered at Davenport to participate in the initial ceremonies taken in the organization of the new party. T. H. Burns, organizer of the F. A. & I. U., was present and was the leading spirit of the affair. W. A. Grant was made perman- ent chairman and George Witt secretary. All present who were willing to renounce allegiance to the old parties and endorse the platform of the St. Louis Industrial conference of Febru- ary 24th, were allowed to participate in the organization. £ Some twenty-eight signified their intention of becoming members of the new party. Executive and county central com- mittees were appointed, a date set for the coun- ty convention, and the People's Party was born -in Lincoln county. July 13th the party met at Davenport and placed in the field a full conn- ty ticket.
June 15, 1892, Lincoln county was honored by a state convention within the limits of her boundaries. The new-born People's Party con- vened at Sprague on that day and chose dele- gates to the National Convention at Omaha, July 4.
The election of 1892 was hotly contested. There were four county tickets in the field- Democratic, Republican, People's Party and Prohibition. For the first time in her history one of the citizens of Lincoln county received a place on the Republican state ticket, or any other state ticket, for that matter. F. H. Luce, of Davenport, was the unanimous choice of the state convention for Lieutenant Governor, and he was elected.
Following is the vote in detail :
Presidential Electors : - Harrison, 915: Cleveland, 933; Weaver, 559.
For, Governor :- John H. McGraw. R., 858; Henry J. Snively, D., 866; C. W. Young, P., 687.
For Members of Congress :- William H. Doolittle, R., 863: John L. Wilson, R., 872; Thomas Carroll, D., 902; James A. Mundey. D., 832; J. C. Van Patten, P., 609; M. F. Knox, P., 594.
For State Representatives :- T. C. Lakin, R., 834; W. N. McNew, R., 842; John F. Green, D., 916; Isaac II. Long, D., 800; Will- iam Priest, P., 617.
For Joint Senator :- Rollin J. Reeves, R., 956; R. A. Hutchinson, D., 1,185.
For Superior Court Judge :- Wallace Mount, R., 1,041 ; N. T. Caton, D., 852; Jack- son Brock, P., 529.
For Prosecuting Attorney :- J. W. Mer- ritt. R .. 1.046; C. H. Neal. D., 1.134.
For Auditor :- E. W. Watson, R., 838; J. W. Anderson, D., 1,090; R. D. Duffield, P .. 500.
For County Clerk :- J. B. Gray. R., 1.015; J. W. Hartline, D., 767; Frank Garber, P., 594.
For Sheriff :- T. P. Donahue, R., 1,044;
204
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
D. K. McDonald, D., 767; W. A. Grant. P., 574.
For Treasurer :- Howard Spining, R .. 957; R. H. Chilton. D., 860: J. J. Brown, P., 613.
For Commissioner. First District :- L. V. Allen. R., I,OII; B. Ettleson, D., 723; C. A. Belfre. P .. 636.
For Commissioner, Second District :- C. P. Turner. R., 779: John Moylan, D., 837; Peter Leipam, P., 669.
For Commissioner, Third District :- M. F. LaFollett, R., 844; A. J. Stookey, D., 842; Luke Hale, P., 539.
For. School Superintendent :- A. S. Mel- cher. R., 858; H. N. Martin, D., 1,000; C. C. Gibson, P., 549.
For Assessor :- J. E. Vest. R .. 884: Ferd Brislawn, D., 834; E. W. Thorp. P., 663.
For Surveyor :- Jerry Rockhold. R .. 1,030: Josiah Cole, D., 1.030. There two candidates drew lots and Rockhold won.
For Coroner :- W. H. Olds, R .. 911 : B. H. Yount, D., 895 ; R. A. Burge, P .. 596.
The general election of 1894. in this county, may be regarded as a landslide for the Popu- lists. There were three tickets in the field, Republicans, Democrats and Populists. The campaign conducted by the latter party was ag- gressive. Still, the vote was close, and the Populists won mainly through a most perfect organization, backed by intense enthusiasm.
The official vote in the county was as fol- lows :
For Congressmen :- \V. H. Doolittle, Re- publican, 860; S. C. Hdye. Republican, 925 ; N. T. Caton, Democrat. 589; B. F. Hueston. Democrat. 432; W. P. C. Adams, Populist, 1.020; J. C. Van Patten, Populist. 1.030.
For Judge Superior Court :- R. O. Dun- bar, Republican, 926: M. J. Gardon, Republi- can, 882; T. N. Allen, Democrat. 481 ; B. L. Sharpstein, Democrat, 447; H. L. Forrest, Populist, 1,031: J. M. Ready. Populist, 980.
For Representatives to the Legislature :- J. B. Irvine, Republican, 871 : C. E. Meyers,
Republican, 884: J. F. Green, Democrat, 637; J. W. Johnson, Democrat. 385 ; P. K. Spencer, Populist, 985 ; G. M. Witt, Populist, 1,063.
For Assessor :- J. E. Vest, Republican, 926; John Moylan. Democrat, 708; H. L. Amme, Populist, 868.
For County Attorney :- W. T. Warren, Republican, 802: A. C. Shaw. Democrat, 744; Jackson Brock, Populist, 916.
For Auditor :- E. W. Watson, R., 902; G. F. Kennedy. D .. 599: John Gunning, P., 980.
For County Clerk :- J. C. Martin, R., I,- 016; John Hartline, D., 499: S. E. DeRackin, P., 920.
For School Superintendent :- E. F. Elliot, R., 1,025 : W. W. Hutton, D., 473: E. F. Scar- borough, P., 968.
For Sheriff :- T. P. Donahue. R .. 1.131 ; S. A. Stanfield, D., 209; William Williams, P., 1,159.
For Surveyor :- Jerry Rockhold, R., I .- 008; Josiah Cole, D .. 455: J. W. Scwarer, P., 941.
For Treasurer :- J. J. Inkster, Republican, 999; A. G. Mitchum, Democrat. 443: J. J. Brown, Populist, 1,01 I.
For Coroner :- L. Lewis, Republican, 952; O. B. Parks, Populist, 1,119.
For Commissioner, Second District :- J. Inkster, Sr., Republican, 321; T. M. Snyder, Democrat, 158; T. G. Stevenson, Populist, 381
For Commissioner, Third District :- M. F. LaFollett. Republican, 337; J. Grimm, Demo- crat. 138: A. L. Stookey, Populist. 423.
On the tenth day following this election, the last allowed by law for the filing of an election contest. the few defeated populists, and the Republicans both entered contest suits. The Populists contested the entire Sprague vote, alleging illegal registration. The Republicans contested the vote of several precincts, alleg- ing illegal voting. S. E. De Rackin, Populist candidate for county clerk, filed a contest against J. C. Martin, the Republican clerk elect,
205
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
alleging that the registration in the city of Sprague was illegal, and that the three Sprague precincts should be thrown out. This would have given the election to the plaintiff. On the same grounds Harry Amme, Populist candi- date for assessor, filed a contest against J. E. Vest, and Oliver Terwillager brought suit against E. F. Elliot, candidate for school super- intendent. Following the filing of these con- tests T. P. Donahue filed.contest against Will- iam H. Williams, Populist sheriff elect, claim- ing that in Harrington, Yarwood, Columbia, Reardan, Grand Coulee, Fairview, Mondovi. Sassin, Willow Springs, Sedalia, Liberty and Crab Creek precincts, votes were cast for him- self and counted for Williams, and that the ballots were not officially stamped in some of the precincts. J. J. Inkster, also, filed a con- test against J. J. Brown, Populist treasurer elect, taking the same legal position as Don- ahue.
These contest cases were all withdrawn by the middle of December. The Lincoln County Times said :
"This was, doubtless, the best thing to do. Any changing of the result, whatever good reason there might have been, would have been resisted by many people who would have expressed their disapproval on the first op- portunity presented."
During the year 1895 political affairs in Lincoln county were kept at concert pitch by sundry efforts to remove Sheriff S. E. De Rackin from office. De Rackin was the editor of a People's Party paper, published at Sprague, and had been made sheriff by the board of county commissioners upon the resig- nation of William Williams, who had been elected at the election of 1894. It is claimed that De Rackin was quite unpopular, not only with his political opponents, but with members of his own party, as well. His bondsmen were released from liability, and being unable to procure others, he was deposed by action of the commissioners. Sheriff Rackin, however, re-
fused to vacate, and for nearly a year the con- test waged warmly. The matter found its way into court and De Rackin lost. An ap- peal was taken to the supreme court, but in January, 1896. De Rackin voluntarily resigned the office of sheriff and wound up the contest which had been long drawn out, bitter and ex- pensive. But he still continued to mix in mat- ters political. February 2, 1896, he caused the arrest of County Commissioner Stevenson on a charge of having overdrawn his salary. The trial of Stevenson was held in March, and he was promptly acquitted. Following is the record of the commissioners' proceedings in re Rackin :
"In the matter of the resignation of S. E. De Rackin, the board having declared the of- fice of sheriff vacant and appointed Frank Garber as sheriff to fill said vacancy, and said De Rackin having been contesting the appoint- ment of said Garber, and said resignation hav- ing been filed by way of compromise, the same is hereby accepted."
The political raid on Sheriff De Rackin by members of his own party could have but one result. It split the People's Party asunder. The campaign of 1896 commenced under a cloud. The antagonists were known as the Martin-De Rackin, and the McMillan-Conway. factions. The Populist county convention was held at Davenport. June 18th, and resulted in the seating of the McMillan-Conway forces and the complete humiliation and overthrow of the opposing faction. \ full Populist ticket was nominated.
.August 19th the Republican county con- vention was held at Wilbur, and another ticket placed invitingly before the people for their franchise. The fusion forces, Democrats, free silver Republicans and a number of recalcitrant Populists got together in county convention at Harrington and placed a third ticket in the field. The general election of 1896 was held. A canvass of the votes developed the fact that the Populists had a plurality of from 800 to
206
HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
1,000 on the state ticket, and from 100 to 500 on the county ticket. The Republicans cast nearly 800 votes. The Populists from 1,000 to 1,400 and the free silver people from 100 to 600. The silver ticket did not have the strength with which it had been credited. Fol- lowing is the vote in Lincoln county :
Mckinley electors, 779; Bryan electors, I,- 700.
For Governor :- P. C. Sullivan, Republi- can, 816; John R. Rogers, Populist, 1,613.
For Joint State Senator :- S. H. Chase, Re- publican, 795; F. M. Baum, Populist, 1,640.
For Representatives :- G. W. Stewart, Re- publican, 774; H. C. Anderson, Republican, 785; John Wickham, Free Silver, 559; George Witt, Populist, 1,584; C. T. Irvin, Populist, 1,141.
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