Page 731

    PRIOR to the fall of 1872 only the east half of the county had been settled, and parties were an unknown element in the selection of candidates to fill the various offices. At the election of that year all that part of the county west of Range 6 constituted one election precinct; the election was held at the house of D. A. Scovill. There were only six legal voters in the precinct at the time. They were D. A. Scovill, George Jackett, W. P. White, A. V. B. Peck, David Wright and David Boag. As it required five of them to constitute the election board, it left one man who received no pay for his day's time. This man was W. P. White, and the "board" put in their time during the day electioneering the one man who constituted the constituency. During the year 1873 the towns of Aurora and Orville began to gird up their loins for the contest, which each knew to be enevitable, and which meant the death of one of the other. For the first time in the history of the county two conventions were held in that year, one at Orville and one at Aurora. At the election which followed the Aurora ticket proved victorious, the following adherents of that place being elected: William R. Mitchell, clerk; J. H. Faris, treasurer; J. M. Smith, sheriff; J. T. Proce, superintendent, and B. F. Isaman, commissioner. During the succeeding two years the "county seat fight" has developed into open and bitter warfare, with Hamilton in the fray fresh and vigorous, Aurora thrice defeated, but cool and determined, and Orville "badly disfigured, but still in the ring." With this condition of afairs a convention was called to meet at Aurora in the fall of 1875 to nominate a county ticket. Aurora Precinct caucus was called to meet at the school house (now the Catholic Church) at 6 o'clock the evening before the convention. Promptly on the minute the caucus was called to order, with L. W. Hastings and R. W. Graybill as chairman and secretary. Without any undue loss of time a delegation was selected and the caucus proceeded to vote on same. In the meantime the voters of Hamilton started in a body from the store of T. A. McKay, in Hamilton, and wended their way toward the school house. Arrived there, T. A. McKay opened the door and

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was greeted by the following words in the voice of the chairman, L. W. Hastings: "Have you all voted? If so I declare the ballot closed." The Hamilton delegation, claiming that undue haste had been used in order to disfranchise them, then withdrew and nominated a second set of delegates.

    The convention was organized the next day, with D. A. Scovill, chairman. A bitter fight at once ensued between the rival delegations from Aurora Precinct. The convention after hearing the case presented by both sides, seated the Aurora delegation. In this convention, R. W. Graybill was a candidate for superintendent, and J. M. Fodge, for sheriff, but as both these gentlemen were members of the Auroral faction, it was decided that they would have to be sidetracked, and the condidates for those positions be selected from the south side of the county in order to hold as many votes in that section as possible, to counteract the defection caused by the "double header" delegation from Aurora. With this view D. A. Scovill was nominated for sheriff, and Gen. D. Bates for superintendent. Mr. Graybill, fully appreciating the situation, accepted the inevitable with good grace. Mr. Fodge, however, was not so complacent, and before the election announced himself as an independent candidate. A convention called at Orville the same year nominated candidates for clerk and county judge. The Aurora ticket was elected by large majorities.

    In 1877 the "county seat war," was a thing of the past, but its influence remained, and was the great factor in moulding parties, and determining the politics of the county. This fall a straight Republican county ticket was put in the field. The Democrats and dissatisfied Republicans united with the members of the "Greenback" party, which had a very respectable following in the county, to defeat the Republican ticket.

    The campaign was a "red hot one," both sides using their utmost efforts to win. After a long and exciting contest, when the smoke of battle had cleared away, it was found that the "sugar plums" had been gathered in by the "greenbackers," they having elected their candidates for the offices of clerk, treasurer and surveyor, while the Republicans had secured the offices of sheriff, probate judge, superintendent and coroner. In 1878 three legislative tickets were put in the field, and the Republicans achieved a comparatively easy victory, electing D. A. Scovill to the Senate (the first member that Hamilton County had contributed to that body) and R. W. Graybill to the House. The next contest was in 1879, and was waged with the same energy and spirit as characterized the election of two years before.

    The Republicans put up an excellent ticket, knowing it would require good men and united effort to overcome the personal popularity of T. A. McKay, the condidate for treasurer on the Greenback ticket. For this reason W. H. Streeter was induced to accept the nomination for treasurer. He was not only well-known throughout the county as a first rate business man, but his personal popularity was second to none in the county. The closeness of the contest will be seen in the fact that McKay received 599 votes, and Streeter 594, the former being elected by a majority of 5 votes. All the balance of the Republican ticket was elected. In 1880, being "presidential year," the Republicans were well consolidated and elected John Helms (Republican) to the Legislature over A. Reuber (Democrat). The campaign was a lively one, but much better feeling prevailed thatn formerly.

    Again the advent of election of county officers in 1881 brought on a hard struggle, and again the Democrats and "Greenbacker" united. They were now under the leadership of W. F. Peck, a shrewd politician and a skillful organizer. The Republicans were badly beaten, failing to secure anything except superintendent. Heretofore the political contests had been confined almost entirely to the election of county officers, but in 1882 the Democrat and Greenback parties united on a Legislative ticket, putting F. M. Barnes (D) and L.C. Floyd (G) on the track. The Republicans nominated Joshua Cox and A. J. Spanogle. Both the Republican and Greenback candidates for lieutenant-governor were Hamilton County men, A. W. Agee on the Republican, and P. B. Reynods on the Greenback ticket. As the Legislature of

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1883 would elect a United States Senator, both parties put forth their utmost efforts to elect their candidates. The contest was very close, the vote standing Agee (R) 766, Reynolds (G) 724, Cox (R) 846, Barnes (D) 750, Spanogle (R) 853, Floyd (G) 731. The Greenback party having died a natural death, in 1883 Mr. Peck organized his forces under the battle flag of "anti-monopoly," and under that banner led them on to victory.

    The Republicans suffered the most complete rout they had ever experienced in the county. The only office they succeeded in securing was that of coroner. In 1884 the Republicans had an easy victory in electing their Legislative ticket, F. C. Putnam to the Senate, and Joshua Cox and George Liebhart to the House. In 1885 the Republicans entered the arena determined to regain their foothold in the courthouse, and put up an excellent ticket. Again the Democrats and "Anti-Monopolists" united, with J. M. Laurie for clerk and W. F. Peck for treasurer. A very sharp compaign ensued, the leading candidates on both tickets canvassing the county thoroughly and interviewing almost every man in the county. The election was extremely close, as the following figures will testify: For clerk, J. M. Laurie (D), 1,109; W. M. Thomas (R), 1,090. For treasurer, H. Cole (R), 1,033; W. F. Peck (A), 997; W. Glover (D), 182. For sheriff, F. E. Valentine, 1,194; W. Z. Pollard, 1,011. For the balance of the offices the Republicans had larger majorities. This election was the Waterloo of "fusion" in this county. In August, 1885, E. W. Hurlburt had established the Sun, a Democratic newspaper, in Aurora, and had succeeded in gradually withdrawing the Democrats from the fusion party, and those Republicans, who had withdrawn from the ranks, on account of local differences, gradually floated back to their old party, so that when the time came for nominating a Legislative ticket in 1886, straight Democratic and Republican tickets were nominated. Both parties entered the campaign eager for the contest. The result of the election was : Members of Congress, Second District, James Laird (R), 1,149; W. A. McKeighan (D), 711. Members of Legislature, A. W. Agee (R), 1,043; A. Wilsey (R), 1,090; Samuel Robbins (D), 769; D. S. Woodard (D), 849.

    Again, in 1887, the two old parties faced each other, this time on election of county officers. This was the first time in the history of the county when the two parties struggled hand to hand for the possession of the court-house "pap," divested of all extraneous influences. It is true the Prohibitionists had a ticket in the field, but its influence was too slight to affect the result. The entire Republican ticket was elected by majorities ranging from 275 to 750. The same conditions prevailed in 1888, upon the election of the legislative ticket. In this campaign the Democrats made a great effort to secure the election of Reuben Cox, one of their candidates. For this purpose a severe fight was made against D. A. Scovill, one of the Republican candidates. The following was the vote: For member of Congress, Second District, James Laird (R), 1,621; W. G. Hastings (D), 1,048; George Scott (P), 164. For members of the Legislature, D. A. Scovill (R), 1,633; J. J. Farley (R), 1,770; Reuben Cox (D), 1,072; S. B. Youst (D), 964; L. A. McKay (P), 121; M. Castle (P), 122. The political campaign of 1889 was one of the most notable in the history of the parties in the county. The Republican convention was called to meet at the court-house in Aurora on Saturday, October 5. The primary election in Aurora Precinct, for election of thirteen delegates, was held October 4. Two sets of delegates were being balloted for, the nominee for sheriff, and the Shenberger delegates, who favored the nomination of W. W. Shenberger. After the primary polls were closed and the votes counted the canvassing board, consisting of William P. Hellings, D. A. Scovill and L. W. Hastings, announced that the "Moore" ticket was elected.

    The convention the next day was called to order by E. J. Hainer, chairman of the Republican county central committee; William P. Hellings, secretary of the central committee, acting as secretary of the convention.

    The "Moore" delegates presented their cre-

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dentials, as follows, and demanded seats in the convention:

    At a primary election of the Republican voters of Aurora Precinct, the 4th day of October, 1889, the following were the delegates elected to the convention to be held October 5, 1889:
    For delegates to the county convention - Thomas Smith, Sr., George Daniels, H. F. Williamson, A. C. Crawford, W. A. Ellsworth, Roger Hurlbut, Rolla Powell, Ole Anderson, William Roonan, George Liebhart, J. P. Chapman, E. Anderson, P. F. Moore.
                L. W. Hastings
                Secty. Republican Prect. Committee

    The "Shenberger" delegates also presented credentials, as follows:
    To the Chairman and Members of the County Republican Convention:
    I hereby certify that the following named persons were duly elected delegates to the county Republican convention, to be held at Aurora, Nebr., on the 5th day of October, 1889, and are entitled to seats therein, viz.:
    For delegates to the county convention - B. F. Anderson, E. Huling, B. F. Richards, A. W. Downey, J. E. McBride, C. L. Valentine, C. C. Coon, H. B. Witte, L. W. Hastings, A. G. Hoegren, D. L. Toof, W. P. Hellings, I. N. Jones.
            Witness my hand this 5th day of October, 1889.
                William P. Hellings,
                President.
    Attest: L. W. Hastings
    Secty. of Aurora Precinct Committee.

    There being a contest between these two delegations, the committee on credentials, composed of Ed Nugent, L. F. Fye and W. J. Carver, proceeded to investigate the matter. After securing such evidence as was attainable, the committee came to the following conclusion: That the "Moore" tickets and the "Shenberger" tickets were printed with the same kind of type, but that the "Moore" tickets were printed solid; that is, with very little spacing between the names, while the Shenberger tickets were heavily leaded; that is, with wide spaces between the names; that during the afternoon, fearing they would run out of tickets, additional Shenberger tickets were printed, but that the leads had been removed from the form and the names shoved together, so that these tickets were printed solid, and had the same appearance as the "Moore" tickets; that the canvassing board, instead of reading the tickets, had sorted them with reference to the spacing between the names, counting all the "leaded" tickets for Shenberger and all the "solid" tickets for Moore, and that in this way they had counted tickets for Moore which should have been counted for Shenberger. The following affidavit of William P. Hellings was filed with the committee on credentials:

STATE OF NEBRASKA
        HAMILTON COUNTY

    William P. Hellings, being first duly sworn, says that he was one of the judges who conducted the Republican primary election in the precinct of Aurora on the 4th day of October, 1889, and was president of said board; that after the polls were closed the tickets were counted out, and it was found that there were 274 tickets that were not scratched, 140 of which were counted for what is known as the "Moore tickets."
    Affiant says that said tickets were taken up by the judges, each judge counting, and what were thought to be "Moore tickets" laid in bunches of ten on one part of the table, and what were known as "Shenberger tickets" laid in bunches of ten on another part of the table, except six (6) tickets on which some name or names had been scratched: that in counting said tickets affiant did not notice the names on each ticket, but believing that all the Shenberger tickets were longer than the Moore tickets, and not knowing that two sizes of the Shenberger tickets had been printed, he placed all of the short tickets with what is known as the Moore tickets: that since the vote was counted and the ballots placed in the ballot-box and locked up, affiant has learned that there were two sizes of tickets printed with the names of the Shenberger delegates thereon, and that he has reason to believe that in counting said tickets he counted tickets for the Moore delegation that ought to have been counted for the Shenberger delegation.
    Affiant further states, that after the votes were all counted, they were strung on a string and placed in the ballot-box, and the ballot-box was locked up by D. A. Scovill, one of the judges, and that as he supposed said Scovill kept the key to said box; that said box was left in his office, and the doors and windows to his office were locked by him very soon after the completion of the count; that no other person has the key to his office to his knowledge, and that no person could get into his office without breaking in; that he has kept said ballot-box in said office and has kept his door locked ever since that time, except when he would be in his office himself, so that no person could tamper with said ballot-box.
    Affiant says that he learned that said key had been left in his office, since twelve o'clock, since twelve o'clock of this day; that said Scovill then told him that he had left the key in a drawer in affiant's office, and that affiant immediately went to his office and found the key in a small pasteboard box, con-

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taining paper fasteners which were in a drawer in his office.
Affiant says said ballot box has not been out of his office and has never been opened since said tickets were placed therein and the box locked.
                W. P. Hellings
    Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of October, 1889.
                W. L. Stark,
                County Judge
        [Seal]

    The affidavit of D. S. Scovill also was filed, as to the locking up and safe keeping of the ballots after being counted. The committee thereupon concluded to open the ballot-box and recount the ballots, upon doing which six of the short "Shenberger" tickets were found on the string among the "Moore" tickets. The committee then made their report recommending the seating of the Shenberger delegates. Capt. Cassell raised the point of order that the report could not be adopted inasmuch as the committee had no right to go behind the returns. The chairman ruled the point of order not well taken. Cassell then moved that the delgates known as the "Moore delegates," be substituted for the delegates reported by the committee and known as the "Shenberger delegates." The motion was lost; ayes 24, nays 48. The report of the committee was then adopted. The delegation, as seated, was solid for the nomination of W. S. Harlan for county treasurer, while the "Moore delegates" were almost as unanimous for Levi Cox. The balloting for a candidate for his office revealed the fact that the convention was pretty nearly equally divided between those two men. The following statement shows the result of the ballots: First ballot, Harlan 32, Cox 34, Reed 12, Isaman 7; second ballot, Harlan 40, Cox 34, Reed 11, third ballot, Harlan 36, Cox 39, Reed 10; fourth ballot, Harlan 43, Cox 36, Reed 4.

    The adherents of Cox and Moore were greatly incensed over the action of the convention, and freely charged fraud on the part of the friends of Harlan and Shenberger, claiming that Moore tickets had been abstracted from the ballot box and Shenberger tickets substituted after the count had been made. The deep mutterings of the coming storm were plainly heard. Referring to the transaction the Aurora Republican of October 11, 1889, said:

    "The Republican primary held in this city at the court-house last Friday was one of the most earnest contests with the little white ballot that was ever held at a primary election in this place; in fact, it arose almost to the importance of a general election. There were over 280 votes cast out of a possible of a little over 300 votes, there being 311 Republican votes cast at the general election last fall.
    Everything passed off very smoothly, however, and only for an error that was made in the count of the ballots after the vote had been polled, not a murmur would ever have been heard; and to correct any erroneous impression that might go abroad in regard to it we make the following statement of fact, which we are willing to be qualified on:

"Before the polls opened, at 12 o'clock Friday noon, tickets had been printed at this office - one set for Moore, headed by Thomas Smith, and another set for Shenberger, headed by F. F. Anderson.
    "The Moore ticket had the same heading as the Shenberger ticket, but the Moore ticket was about three-quarters of an inch shorter than the Shenberger, and the composition on the Moore ticket was what a printer calls solid work; that is, no leads or spaces between lines, while the composition on the Shenberger ticket was leaded matter, or spaced between lines.
    "In printing the tickets in this way there is to a printer quite a contrast in the looks of the two tickets, and a printer could separate the two tickets from each other by their looks, without stopping to read each ticket. There were 300 tickets of this kind printed for each candidate, and it was supposed that the 600 tickets would be a great plenty for the 300 voters, but at about 5 o'clock in the evening it was noticed that the tickets had nearly all disappeared from the polls. It is an old trick to destroy the ballots of the opposition party, and has frequently resulted disastrously to the party who could not promptly supply the defect, as voters are sometimes late and only arrive at the polls a few minutes before they close to find there is not a ballot left. As soon as it was noticed both parties ordered more tickets, and in the hurry to get them off, the forms having been unleaded for other work, the tickets were printed, both the Moore and Shenberger tickets, from solid forms, and upon paper, the size of the original Moore tickets, which was three-quarters of an inch shorter than the Shenberger tickets, and having been printed from a solid form had the appearance of that ticket.
    "Now for the sequel: Mr. Hellings, who was one of the canvassing board, is a practical printer. He knew nothing about the change of the size and looks of the ticket, did not handle the tickets at the polls, but had seen the two tickets when the polls were opened at noon,

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and, as a printer naturally would, had noticed the great contrast between them, and when the polls were closed at night Mr. Hellings, assisted by the other two members of the board, Mr. Scovill and this editor, commenced to count the ballots and make the tally sheets; it was very natural for Mr. Hellings, who is a practical printer, and not knowing that there had been tickets printed, from a solid form, on the same size paper the Moore tickets had been printed on, to count some Shenberger tickets with the Moore ticket; and it was in this way that the Moore delegation seemed to have a small majority when the ballots were counted; and it was not till the next day that he discovered his mistake, when he went to certify the Moore credentials up to the convention, and got hold of one of these small tickets, supposing all the time it was a Moore ticket, but found it was one of the Shenberger tickets, and then his mistake was revealed to him for the first time."

    The Sun, Democratic newspaper, was not slow to profit by the mistake made by the Republicans, and in order to add to the spirit of rebellion, came out with the following editorial, in its issue of October 11, 1889:

THE RETURNING BOARD.

    Last Friday the Republican primaries were held, and two delegations, one for Moore, and the other for Shenberger, contested the field. W. P. Hellings, L. W. Hastings and D. A. Scovill, a board solid for Shenberger, was secured. With this advantage against Moore in cases of challenge, his delegation were duly elected by five majority, and the credentials issued. The other side kicked, claiming that Democrats swore in their votes for Moore, but were met with the fact that an offset was made by "prohibs" voting for Shenberger. It soon became apparent that that kind of kicking would do no good, and the matter droppped. When the delegation came in it was quite apparent that Levi Cox had a cinch on the treasurership, and Moore almost a certainty for the nomination of sheriff. Then, as if by a miracle, at about the hour the convention was to convene, Hellings stumbled upon an unused ticket which lay upon the floor, with the Shenberger delegation printed thereon. It looked un-natural to him. Its size and appearance was different from those of yesterday. He sized it up with one of those of the day before. It was shorter and narrower. Then he remembered that he had sized up the tickets, and counted the larger ones for Shenberger and the little ones for Moore. There must ba a mistake. He was for a new count immediately. He was certain the new count would elect the Shenberger delegation. The box containing the votes, and the key, had been in his possession over night. The box had not been sealed, according to law, nor the key placed with one of the board and the box with another, as the law directs. Notwithstanding that the ballots had not been protected, he was in favor of a new count. He made affidavit that he had not disturbed the ballots, but did not swear that no one else had. It was left to the convention, and they decided to recount. They found two ballots more than was found the night before, and two more than there were names on the poll list, and also found a majority of two for the Shenberger delegation. The Moore delegation were kicked out of the convention, and the regular ring delegates chosen. The Louisiana returning board could have done no more, and the result caused great applause from the ring supporters.

    Mr. Cox, urged by many of his friends, announced himself as an independent candidate for treasurer.

    The Democratic convention met at Aurora on Saturday, October 12, 1889, and put in nomination a straight Democratic ticket, except for the offices of county judge and surveyor, endorsing the Republican nominees for those positions.

    The campaign which ensued was hard fought and earnest. There was comparatively little public speaking, the tactics on both sides being of the "still hunt" order.

    The "Farmers' Alliance" movement had been growing very strong throughout the county during the past year, and while the organization itself did not declare in favor of either ticket, its influence was strongly felt in the campaign, and doubtless was a potent factor in producing the result of the election held November 5, 1889, and which was as shown in the following statistics:

    For member of Congress, Second District - G. L. Laws (R); Farmers' Valley, 64, Orville, 94, Scovill, 52, Union, 111, Beaver, 52, Aurora, 295, Hamilton, 45, Deepwell, 51, Valley, 150, Grant, 104, Monroe, 114, Phillips, 50, Otis, 54, South Platte, 90, Bluff, 76, Cedar Valley, 11; total, 1,413; majority, 317. C. D. Casper (D); Farmers' Valley, 25, Aurora, 229, Hamilton, 80, Deepwell, 89, Valley, 89, Grant, 57, Monroe, 45, Phillips, 73, Otis, 62, South Platte, 82, Bluff, 18, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,096. C. E. Bentley (P); Union, 1, Aurora, 17, Hamilton, 7, Deepwell, 13, Grant, 3, Phillips, 4, Otis, 1, South Platte, 8, Bluff, 11, Cedar Valley, 2; total, 57.

    For Supreme Judge - T. L. Norval (R); Far-

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mers' Valley, 67, Orville, 96, Scovill, 57, Union, 114, Beaver, 52, Aurora, 308, Hamilton, 50, Deepwell, 54, Valley, 157, Grant, 104, Monroe, 116, Phillips, 62, Otis, 54, South Platte, 96, Bluff, 78, Cedar Valley, 12; total, 1,477; majority, 441. John H. Ames (D); Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 75, Scovill, 72, Union, 54, Beaver 22, Aurora, 219, Hamilton, 77, Deepwell, 82, Valley, 83, Grant, 56, Monroe, 42, Phillips, 63, Otis, 61, South Platte, 77, Bluff 18, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,036. F. P. Wigton (P); Unon, 1, Aurora, 18, Hamilton 6, Deepwell, 7, Grant 3, Phillips, 4, Otis, 2, South Platte, 8, Bluff, 10, Cedar Valley, 2, total 61.

    Sheriff - W. W. Shenberger (R); Farmers' Valley, 62, Orville, 83, Scovill, 39, Union, 93, Beaver, 43, Aurora, 225, Hamilton, 46, Deepwell, 54, Valley, 119, Grant, 95, Monroe, 73, Phillips, 48, Otis, 53, South Platte, 92, Bluff, 58, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,197. W. H. Fall (D); Farmers' Valley, 37, Orville, 85, Scovill, 87, Union, 74, Beaver, 32, Aurora, 314, Hamilton, 88, Deepwell, 91, Valley, 120, Grant, 68, Monroe, 84, Phillips, 80, Otis, 64, South Platte, 85, Bluff, 46, Cedar Valley, 13, total, 1,368, majority, 171.

    Treasurer - W. S. Harlan (R); Farmers' Valley, 54, Orville, 89, Scovill, 31, Union, 80, Beaver, 46, Aurora, 216, Hamilton, 23, Deepwell, 16, Valley, 79, Grant, 84, Monroe, 50, Phillips, 12, Otis, 45, South Platte, 94, Bluff, 54, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 986. Peter Farney (D); Farmers' Valley, 32, Orville, 80, Scovill, 89, Union, 62, Beaver, 20, Aurora, 303, Hamilton, 102, Deepwell, 61, Valley, 52, Grant, 67, Monroe, 72, Phillips 9, Otis, 67, South Platte, 58, Bluff, 22, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,110; majority, 124. Levi Cox (Ind Rep); Farmers' Valley, 3, Orville, 2, Scovill, 8, Union, 26, Beaver, 11, Aurora, 28, Hamilton, 9, Deepwell, 68, Valley, 108, Grant, 10, Monroe, 35, Phillips, 108, Otis, 5, South Platte, 28, Bluff, 24; total, 473.

    County Clerk - R. H. Peard (R); Farmers' Valley, 66, Orville, 95, Scovill, 54, Union, 111, Beaver, 53, Aurora, 316, Hamilton, 52, Deepwell, 54, Valley, 154, Grant, 107, Monroe, 84, Phillips, 59, Otis, 57, South Platte, 100, Bluff, 80, Cedar Valley, 13, total, 1,455; majority, 359. G. P. Brahm (D); Farmers' Valley, 23, Orville, 76, Scovill, 74, Union, 57, Beaver, 25, Aurora, 218, Hamilton, 78, Deepwell, 89, Valley, 85, Grant, 54, Monroe, 75, Phillips, 70, Otis, 60, South Platte, 79, Bluff, 20, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,096.

    Commissioner, Second District - B. F. Isaman (R); Farmers' Valley, 66, Orville, 97, Scovill, 35, Union, 46, Beaver, 57, Aurora, 302, Hamilton, 49, Deepwell, 32, Valley, 156, Grant, 105, Monroe, 101, Phillips, 40, Otis, 56, South Platte, 98, Bluff, 77, Cedar Valley, 12; total, 1,329; majority, 130. John Detamore (D); Farmers' Valley, 23, Orville, 74, Scovill, 93, Union, 120, Beaver, 21, Aurora, 236, Hamilton, 82, Deepwell, 112, Valley, 84, Grant, 56, Monroe, 51, Phillips, 72, Otis, 61, South Platte, 82, Bluff, 19, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,199.

     County Judge - W. L. Stark (R); Farmers' Valley, 88, Orville, 169, Scovill, 129, Union, 168, Beaver, 78, Aurora, 544, Hamilton, 134, Deepwell, 141, Valley, 240, Grant, 163, Monroe, 158, Phillips, 129, Otis, 116, South Platte, 173, Bluff, 89, Cedar Valley, 26, 26; total, 2,554.

    County Superintendent - F. M. Stanley (R); Farmers' Valley, 67, Orville, 85, Scovill, 55, Union, 113, Beaver, 56, Aurora, 281, Hamilton, 52, Deepwell, 56, Valley, 165, Grant, 107, Monroe, 124, Phillips, 52, Otis, 62, South Platte, 102, Bluff, 95, Cedar Valley, 17; total, 1,1489; majority, 416. J. H. N. Cobb (D); Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 83, Scovill, 73, Union, 56, Beaver, 21, Aurora, 257, Hamilton, 79, Deepwell, 88, Valley, 75, Grant, 54, Monroe, 36, Phillips, 76, Otis, 55, South Platte, 79, Bluff, 9, Cedar Valley, 10; total, 1,073

    Surveyor - D. B. Parks (R); Farmers' Valley, 88, Orville, 171, Scovill, 128, Union, 168, Beaver, 78, Aurora, 529, Hamilton, 131, Deepwell, 144, Valley, 239, Grant, 164, Monroe, 158, Phillips, 127, Otis, 117, South Platte, 175, Bluff, 100, Cedar Valley, 25; total, 2,541.

    Coroner - E. A. Steenburg; Farmers' Valley, 67, Orville, 95, Scovill, 56, Union, 113, Beaver, 55, Aurora, 279, Hamilton, 57, Deepwell, 79, Valley, 156, Grant, 107, Monroe, 117, Phillips, 68, Otis, 56, South Platte, 102, Bluff, 80, Cedar Val-

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ley, 112; total 1,499; majority, 491. A. M. Glover (D); Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 75, Scovill, 71, Union, 55, Beaver, 23, Aurora, 233, Hamilton, 75, Deepwell, 63, Valley, 84, Grant, 57, Monroe, 42, Phillips, 40, Otis, 61, South Platte, 75, Bluff, 19, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,008.

    The accompanying figures give the vote of the county officers at each election from 1875, the first election in the county at which two parties contended for supremacy, until 1889, the last election held:

    County clerk: 1875, J. H. Helms, 527; A. W. Conner, 312; S. R. Cowgill, 1. 1877, T. C. Klumb (G), 328; Walter Chambers (R), 297. 1879, W. L. Whttemore (R), 576; T. C. Klumb (G), 559; V.D. Cass (D), 96; scattering 5. 1881, W. F. Peck (A), 741; W. L. Whittemore (R), 631; J. H. Faris, 1. 1883, W. F. Peck (A), 1,271; T. B. Johnson (R), 490. 1885, J. M. Laurie (D), 1,109; William M. Thomas (R), 1,409; Charles L. Crane (D), 587; D. E. Price (P), 47; scattering, 3. 1889, R. H. Peard (R), 1,455; G. P. Brahm (D), 1,096.

    Treasurer: 1875, J. H. Faris, 818. 1877, T. A. McKay (G), 327; Jesse Evans (R), 311; J. H. Faris, 0. 1879, T. A. McKay (G), 599; W. H. Streeter (R), 594; George Wildish (D), 41; scattering, 16. 1881, J. H. Faris (A), 838; M. J. Peterson (R), 533. 1883, J. H. Faris (A), 1,164; John Raben (R), 575; scattering, 2. 1885, Harvey Cole (R), 1,033; W. F. Peck (A), 997, William Glover (D), 182; Thomas, 1. 1887, Harvey Cole (R), 1,291; Frank Stevens (D), 728; John Litzenberg, 32; C. L. Crane, 1. 1889, Peter Farney (D), 1,110; W. S. Harlan (R), 986; Levi Cox (Ind. R), 474.

    Sheriff: 1875, D. A. Scovill, 803; J. M. Fodge, 51; W. Hickman, 1. 1877, James M. Fodge (R), 338; James Taggart (G), 240; N. B. Payne, 49. 1879, R. H. Peard (R), 544; W. Z. Pollard (D), 324; J. M. Fodge, 157; Simon Snow, 137; J. M. Zentbauer, 140. 1881, W. Z. Pollard (D), 890; M. L. Vandewalker (R), 493. 1883, W. Z. Pollard (D), 1,100; W. W. VanMeter (R), 673; W. K. Ream, 1. 1885, W. Z. Pollard (D), 1,011; F. E. Valentine, 1,194; J. Kirk, 1. 1887, W. W. Shenberger (R), 1,167; W. Z. Pollard (D), 895; W. B. McCullough, 38; scattering, 3. 1889, W. H. Fall (D), 1,368; W. W. Shenberger (R), 1,197; scattering, 2.

    County judge: 1875, W. L. Whitmore, 482; W. W. Hickox, 301; scattering, 5. 1877, W. L. Whittemore (R), 455; S. Whitesides (G), 182. 1879, W. L. Stark (R), 731; T. H. Glover (G), 308; R. Lamont (D), 192; scattering, 4. 1881, W. K. Ream (A), 717; J. H. Sauls (R), 615; scattering, 15. 1883, W. K. Ream (A), 923; J. H. Sauls (R), 821; scattering 3. 1885, J. H. Lincoln (R), 1,283; W. K. Ream (A), 773; scattering, 2. 1887, W. L. Stark (R), 1,360; D. M. Waite (D), 611; scattering, 42. 1889, W. L. Stard (R), 2,554; B. Hiatt, 1.

    Superintendent of schools: 1875, Delevan Bates, 873; scattering, 2. 1877, E. B. Barton (R), 354; H. G. Cass (G), 267; H. J. Cass, 9. 1879, E. B. Barton (R), 759; Sarah J. Price, (G), 368; W. K. Ream, 4. 1881, E. B. Barton (R), 692; S. A. Holcomb (A), 655. 1883, J. A. Kirk (A), 867; E. B. Barton (R), 841. 1885, E. B. Barton (R), 1,180; J. A. Kirk (A), 1,018; scattering, 3. 1887, E. B. Barton (R), 1,185; Lou Armel (D), 809; scattering, 28. 1889, M. F. Stanley (R), 1,489; J. H. N. Cobb (D), 1,073; G. Carter, 1.

    Surveyor: 1875, G. M. Hollenback, 872. 1877, S. B. Parks (G), 427; G. M. Hollenback (R), 213; E. B. Barton, 1. 1879, D. B. Parks, 823; W. B. Hargus, 170; scattering, 5. 1881, G. M. Simpson,* 718; D. B. Parks, 647. 1883, D. B. Parks (A), 933; M. M. Halleck (R), 1,291; D. B. Parks (A), 919; scattering, 2. 1887, D. B. Parks, 1,974; Frank Wood, 52. 1889, D. B. Parks, 2,541; J. H. N. Cobb, 1.

    Coroner: 1875, Ira Westbrook, 874. 1877, James Duncanson (R), 381; Jacob Rathgeb (G), 234; scattering, 25. 1879, F. H. Clark (R), 765; Ira Westbrook (G), 300; J. M. Champe (D), 166. 1881, J. W. Elarton (R), 755; scattering, 40. 1883, T. H. Line (R), 881; J. W. Elarton (A); scattering, 25. 1885, George A. Blakeley

739

(R), 1,315; D. S. Woodward (D), 785; scattering, 3. 1887, J. W. Elarton (R), 1,295; W. F. Gooden, 714; scattering, 31. 1889, *E. A. Steenburg (R), 1,499; A. M. Glover (D), 1,008; scattering, 34.

    The following is a roster of county officials from the organization of the county to the present time:

    Clerk district court: Josias D. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; John H. Helms, January 3, 1876, to January 3, 1878; L. W. Shuman, January 1, 1884; William P. Hellings, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.

    County Clerk: Josias D. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; William R. Mitchell, November 30, 1873; John H. Helms, October 13, 1875; Thomas C. Klumb, January 3, 1878; W. L. Whittemore, January 1, 1880; W. F. Peck, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; James M. Laurie, January 1, 1886 (died and R. H. Peard appointed); R. H. Peard, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.

    Treasurer: Clarence O. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; James H. Faris, November* 30, 1873, to January 3, 1878; T. A. McKay, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1882; J. A. Faris, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; Harvey Cole, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1890; Peter Farney, January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892.

    Sheriff: George F. Dickson, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; J. M. Smith, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875 (resigned, and E. D. Preston appointed); D. A. Scovill, October 13, 1875, to January 3, 1878; J. M. Fodge, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1880; R. H. Peard, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1882; W. Z. Pollard, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; F. E. Valentine, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1888; W. W. Shenberger, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1890; W. H. Fall, January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892.

    Probate judge: Robert Lamont, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; S. M. Hunter, November 30, 1871, to October 13, 1875; W. L. Whittemore, January 3, 1876, to January 1, 1880; W. L. Stark, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1882; W. K. Ream, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; J. H. Lincoln, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1888; W. L. Stark, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.

    Superintendent of schools: John Laurie, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; Byron D. Brown, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; J. T. Price, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; Delevan Bates, November 30, 1875, to January 2, 1878; E. B. Barton, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1884; J. A. Kirk, January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1886; E. B. Barton, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1890; M. F. Stanley, January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892.

    Surveyor: John E. Harries, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; E. J. Lewis, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; W. H. Epla, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; George B. Hollenback, October 13, 1875, to January 3, 1878; D. B. Parks, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1892.

    Coroner: James Rollo, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; Alex Salmon, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; J. L. Trobee, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; Ira Westbrook, November 1, 1875, to January 3, 1878; James Duncanson, January 3, 1882, to January 1, 1884; T. H. Line, January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1886; George A. Blakely, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1888; J. W. Elarton, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.

    County commissioners: William D. Young, May 30, 1870, to May 30, 1871; Norris M. Bray, May 30, 1870, to November 30, 1871; Alex Laurie, May 30, 1870, to November 30, 1870; J. F. Glover, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1872; Norris M. Bray, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1874; William Werth, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1874; P.C. Housel, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; B. F. Isaman, November 30, 1874, to January 3, 1878; Edward Nugent, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1876; William Steele, October 13, 1875, January 3, 1879; Edward Nugent, October 13, 1876, to January 1, 1880 (resigned, and J. Foster appointed); A. B. B. Peck, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1881 (resigned, and S. H. Fry appointed); Jonathan Foster, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1881; George Liebhart, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1883; E.

740

Huling, January 1, 1879, to January 1, 1882; George W. Pierce, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1884 (resigned, and J. F. Adams appointed); Joseph Stockham, Januaray 1, 1882, to January 1, 1885; S. N. Case, January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1887; John Martel, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1889; E. Huling, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1891; F. C. Putnam, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1890; B. F. Isaman, Januiary 1, 1890, to January 1, 1893; O. D. Shankland, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1892.

    County atorney; H. M. Kellogg, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; J. H. Smith, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891 (resigned, and J. A. Whitmore appointed).

    State Senator: N. K. Griggs, October 13, 1873, to October 13, 1876; William M. Knapp, January 2, 1877, to January 2, 1879; D. A. Scovill, January 2, 1879, to January 1, 1881; Martin Burns, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; T. O. C. Harrison, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1885; F. C. Putnam, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; L. G. Hurd, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891.

    Representatives: I. E. Cramer, 1873 - 74; Albinus Nance, October 13, 1874, to October 13, 1876; T. B. Johnson, January 2, 1877, to January 2, 1879; R. W. Graybill, January 2, 1879, to January 1, 1881; J. H. Helms, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; T. B. Hohnson, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; Joshua Cox, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1887; A. J. Spanogle, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1885; George Liebhart, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1887; A. W. Agee, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; Albert E. Wilsey, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; D. A. Scovill, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891; John J. Farley, from January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891.