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CHAPTER VII.
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POLITICAL.
By the legislative act creating Lincoln county, John Bartol, E. D. Willis and John McGourin were named as county commissioners. They were empowered to appoint the other county officials, and were to serve until the second 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. Smallwood; Surveyor, J. E. Ludy; Coroner, J. S. Smith; Superintendent of Schools, C. W. Walters; Sheep Commissioner, J. R. Whittaker.
Mr. May, the appointee for county treasurer, declined to serve, and William Yarwood was appointed to this office. Dr. Smith removed from the county, and the office of coroner was first held by Dr. W. H. Olds. Mr. Whittaker declined the office of sheep commissioner 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 complexion of the candidates cut a small figure. Of the first officers John Bertol, chairman of the board of county commissioners, was a Democrat. A majority of the county officials, however, were Republicans.
For the first few years in Lincoln county election returns were not retained on File. However, we find the following officers serving, beginning the first of January, 1885, having been chosen at the November election of 1884: County Commissioners, J. H. Lamona. chairman; Horace Haynes; R. O. Porak; Auditor, P. K. Spencer; Probate Judge, E. F. Benson; Superintendent of Schools, C. H. Pryor; Sheriff, John Cody;Surveyor, J. E. Ludy; Treasurer, William Yarwood.
At the election of 1884 — the first — nearly the whole Republican ticket was elected, many of the officers who had been previously appointed being continued in office.
The election of 1886 was devoid of sensational features, and resulted as follows: Auditor, P. K. Spencer; Sheriff, R. D. Riordan; Probate Judge, William M. Chandler; Assessor, D. K. McDonald; Surveyor, A. G. Mitchum; 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 reversed, 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 officer, and D. K. McDonald was made secretary. 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
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nomination. 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 no selection, when Riordan withdrew in favor of Ledgerwood; then Brooks and Murphy did the same, and Ledgerwood was chosen by acclamation. Otherwise the convention was harmonious.
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 permanent 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 number 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 succeeding two years. The vote:
For Congressman: — John B. Allen, 908; Charles S. Voorhees, Democrat, 71; Judge
Green, 11.
Green, 11.
For Adjutant General: — Hillory Butler, Democrat, 892; R. C. O'Brien, Republican, 872; Brown, 4.
For Brigadier General : — J. J. Hunt, Democrat, 753; A. P. Curry, Republican, 969 ; Brooman, 4.
For Joint Councilman: — Clay Fruit, Democrat, 749: J. M. Snow, Republican, 870; Walters, 4.
For Joint Representative: — Frank M. Quinland, Democrat, 635; P. K. Spencer, Republican, 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, Democrat, 715; Richard Fish, Republican, 906.
For Treasurer: — R. H. Chilton, Democrat, 864; Guy Smith, Republican, 758; Willoughby, 1.
For Assessor: — D. K. McDonald, Democrat, 893; C. E. Willoughby, Republican, 744; Chandler, 1.
For Probate Judge: — C. H. Hannum, Democrat, 785; Jackson Brock, Republican, 847.
For Surveyor: — A. G. Mitchum, Democrat, 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, Democrat, 769; Charles Schroeder, Democrat, 787; John Inkster, Sr., Republican, 864; T. B. Carey, Republican, 866; Matt Breeze, Republican, 972.
May 14, 1889, an election was held in Lincoln county to choose delegates to the Washington 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.
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Dallam, editor of the Lincoln County Times, and Hon. H. W. Fairweather, of Sprague, were selected as candidates. The result of the election was in the nature of a grand surprise. It resulted in the election of one Democrat, Glasscock, and two Republicans, Fairweather and Dallam, to serve as delegates in the constitutional convention. In the following result, by precincts, the vote of a few precincts in Douglas county,. which was in the district with Lincoln county, is not given, but they did not affect the general result in the least:
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 political 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:
Governor: — E. P. Ferry, 1,104; Eugene Semple, 863.
For State Representatives: — E. K. Spencer, 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 Prohibition, 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 another of these camps. July 12, 1890, there was organized at Davenport a Lincoln County Farmers' Alliance. Previously local orders bad 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 meeting to order and was elected temporary chairman. George M. Witt was elected for temporary secretary. Following is a list of the several alliance orders in the county at the time, and the members who participated in the organization of the county head center.
Harrington Alliance; Frank Glasscock, William Yarwood, George M. Witt. J. L. Hall.
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Union Alliance; James Lowery, John Sawyer, Peter Leipham, W. P. Nichols.
Reardan Alliance; J. S. Capps, Fred Garber, 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. Martin, I. Minnick, R. A. Hutchinson.
The officers of the Lincoln County Farmers' Alliance elected were R. A. Hutchinson, president; John Glazebrook, vice president; Jacob Smith, treasurer; H. N. Martin, secretary; W. H. Capps, Inner Doorkeeper; Fred Garber, Outer Doorkeeper.
As illustrative of the strength of the Farmers' Alliance movement in Washington, it may be said that there were 186 organized local alliances 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 11, etc.
Walla Walla, 15; Columbia 11, 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, considerable sectional feeling displayed. Appended 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. Wilson, Republican. 875; Thomas Carroll, Democrat, 812. Wilson's plurality, 63.
For State Representative: — Frank Atkinson, 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, Republican, 1,029; T. A. Wickham, Democrat, 1,001. Merritt's majority, 28.
For County Clerk : — Howard Spining, Republican, 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, Democrat, 12 17; W. H. McOuarrie, Republican, 656. McDonald's plurality, 561.
For Surveyor : — C. H. Hannum, Democrat, 1,096; R. J. Reeves, Republican, 620. Hannum's majority, 476.
For School Superintendent : — H. N. Martin, Democrat, 954; Mrs. C. H. Pryor, Republican, 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, Republican, 1,077; W. L. Smith, Democrat, 918. Lowery's majority, 159.
For Commissioner, District No. 1: — C. F. Bassett, Republican, 693 ; B. Ettleson, Democrat, 824; S. A. Gibson, Independent. 484. Ettleson's plurality, 131.
For Commissioner, District No. 2: — John Inkster, Sr., Republican, 1,030; J. F. Nee, Democrat, 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.
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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 organization 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 politicians. 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 political reform. But they were far from being discouraged, and after a number of futile attempts the alliance voted to enter politics. The success of this new party during the succeeding 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 gathered 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 permanent 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 February 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 committees were appointed, a date set for the county 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 county ticket.
June 15, 1892, Lincoln county was honored by a state convention within the limits of her boundaries. The new-born People's Party convened at Sprague on that day and chose delegates 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. Wan 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 H. Long, D., 800; William 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; Jackson Brock, P., 529.
For Prosecuting Attorney: — J. W. Merritt, 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;
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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., 1,011; 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. Melcher. R., 858; H. N. Martin, D.. 1.000: C. C. Gibson, P., 549.
For Assessor: — J. E. Yest, 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.
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