BIG BEND p. 204: LINCOLN COUNTY POLITICAL, pt. 2

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ch. 7, pt. 1: p 199        TABLE OF CONTENTS        chapter 8

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      The general election of 1894, in this county, may be regarded as a landslide for the Populists.  There were three tickets in the field, Republicans, Democrats and Populists.  The campaign conducted by the latter party was aggressive.  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: — W. H. Doolittle, Republican, 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. Yan Patten, Populist, 1,030.

      For Judge Superior Court: — R. O. Dunbar, Republican, 926; M. J. Gardon, Republican, 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. Amine, 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., 1,016; 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. Scarborough, 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., 1,008; 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, 1,011.

      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, alleging illegal voting.  S. E. De Rackin, Populist candidate for county clerk, filed a contest against J. C. Martin, the Republican clerk elect,

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alleging that the registration in the city of Sprague was illegal, and that the three Sprague precincts should he thrown out.  This would have given the election to the plaintiff.  On the same grounds Harry Amine, Populist candidate for assessor, filed a contest against J. E. Vest, and Oliver Terwillager brought suit against E. F. Elliot, candidate for school superintendent.  Following the filing of these contests T. P. Donahue filed contest against William H. Williams, Populist sheriff elect, claiming that in Harrington, Yarwood, Columbia, Reardan, Grand Coulee, Fairview, Mondovi, Sassin. Willow Springs, Sedalia, Liberty and Crab Creek precincts, votes were cast for himself and counted for Williams, and that the ballots were not officially stamped in some of the precincts.  J. J. Inkster, also, filed a contest against J. J. Brown, Populist treasurer elect, taking the same legal position as Donahue.

      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 opportunity 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 resignation 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, hut 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, refused to vacate, and for nearly a year the contest waged warmly.  The matter found its way into court and De Rackin lost.  An appeal 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, hitter and expensive.  But he still continued to mix in matters political.  February 2, 1890, 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 office of sheriff vacant and appointed Frank Garber as sheriff to fill said vacancy, and said De Rackin having been contesting the appointment of said Garber, and said resignation having 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 hut 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.  A full Populist ticket was nominated.

      August 19th the Republican county convention 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

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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.  Following is the vote in Lincoln county:

      McKinley electors, 779; Bryan electors, 1,700.

      For Governor: — P. C. Sullivan, Republican, 816; John R. Rogers, Populist, 1,613.

      For Joint State Senator: — S. H. Chase, Republican, 795; F. M. Baum, Populist, 1,640.

      For Representatives  — G. W. Stewart, Republican, 774; H. C. Anderson, Republican, 785; John Wickham, Free Silver, 559 ; George Witt, Populist, 1.584; C. T. Irvin, Populist, 1,141.

      For Judge Superior Court: — Wallace Mount, Republican, 1,066; C. H. Neal, Populist, 1.444.

      For Sheriff : — W. H. Yarwood, Republican, 744; T. M. Cooper, Silver, 682; O. G. Devenish, Populist, 1,098.

      For County Clerk : — J. C. Martin, Republican, 1,062; J. L. Alkire. Populist, 1,406.

      For Auditor: — J. E. Vest, Republican, 699; John W. Siegman, Silver, 592; J. W. Gunning, Populist, 1,257.

      For Treasurer: — J. H. Nicholls, Republican, 829; E. E. Shafer, Silver, 100; O. G. Griffith, Populist, 1,283.

      For Prosecuting Attorney: — Llewellyn Davies, Republican, 844; A. W. Salisbury, Silver, 644; Jackson Brock, Populist, 1,044.

      For Assessor: — A. S. Campbell, Republican, 813; P. H. Wolford, Silver, 368; P. M. Lyse. Populist, 1,341.

      For Superintendent of Schools: — E. F. Elliott, Republican, 1,066; Alice Neal, Populist, 1.443.

      For Surveyor : — Finch, Silver, 445; Ludy, Populist, 1,528.

      For Commissioner, First District: — August Dawell, Silver, 568; F. G. Crisp, Populist, 1,356.

      For Commissioner, Third District: — I. N. Cushman, Republican, 835; W. L. Robinson, Silver, 433; A. E. Stookey, Populist, 1,201.

      County Seat Removal: — For Davenport, 1,582; for Harrington, 240.  Against removal, 537.

      The sweeping victory of Populism in 1896 inspired an enthusiasm that carried the party into the campaign of 1898 apparently vigorous and confident.  Their convention was held in Davenport Thursday, June 23d.  It proved an interesting convocation.  W. M. Priest, of Fairview, was made chairman and I. J. Minnick, secretary.  Early in the day animation was imparted to the affair by the withdrawal of the Reardan delegation from the convention hall, the reason assigned being that all their delegates had not been seated.  Some time before the convention was called to order a committee of Populists had investigated the acts of the county commissioners in regard to the county's settlement with the railroads concerning the payment of delinquent taxes, and had reported that the railroads had secured the best of the agreement.  As a result the Populists incorporated in their platform the following plank:

      Whereas the people's party has been a strenuous advocate of the imperative mandate, claiming it would be a great safeguard against corrupt and insufficient office holders, and in harmony with free institutions and would secure more competent and faithful servants as office holders, and whereas the commissioners of Lincoln county have proven themselves incompetent to care for the best interests of the people of this county by their unbusinesslike methods of compromising the railroad taxes whereby the county suffered great loss.
      Therefore we ask said commissioners to resign their offices on the ground of unbusinesslike methods, thus putting in practice what we preach so far as we have the power.

      Instead of resigning in accordance with this singular request the commissioners came before the convention and explained their acts

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concerning the taxation of railroads and other matters.  The Populists then turned their attention to the nomination of a full county ticket.

      The Lincoln county Republicans gathered in convention at Davenport Wednesday, July 27th, and placed in nomination a county ticket.  J. F. Hill was selected chairman and J. P. Lawrence, secretary of the convention, which was harmonious throughout.  The Democratic convention was held at Davenport Thursday, September 1st.  T. M. Cooper was chosen chairman and Henry Anderson, secretary.

      The election of November 8, 1898, was preceded by a long campaign.  The three tickets in the field contained, each, candidates for all the various offices.  Fusion between the Democrats and Populists did not materialize, although an attempt was made to defeat the Republican candidate for representative by combining the vote of the Democrats and Populists on two of the candidates, one Populist and one Democrat.  But a great change had occurred in the complexion of Lincoln county politics within two years.  The Populists who had proved so strong in 1896 were completely overthrown in 1898.  Not one of their candidates was elected.  The cause of the Populists' defeat was the voluntary support given Republicans by Democrats.  The county went strongly Republican; every candidate, with the exception of prosecuting attorney and auditor, being elected, the two latter offices being captured by the Democrats.  The official vote of the county is appended:

      For Members of Congress: — F. W. Cushman, Republican, 1,055; W. L. Jones, Republican, 1,016; J. Hamilton Lewis, Populist, 805; W. C. Jones, Populist, 742; A. C. Dickinson, Prohibitionist, 34; C. L. Haggard. Prohibitionist, 25; Walter Walker, Socialist Labor, 27; M. A. Hamilton, Socialist Labor, 33.

      For State Representatives: — H. A. P. Meyers, Republican, 1,076; James M. Parrish, Republican, 1,093; Charles W. Bethel, Democrat. 428; Byron W. Richards, Democrat, 298; George M. Witt, Populist, 576; M. Priest, Populist, 415.

      For Sheriff: — J. H. Gardner, Republican, 903; John Moylan, Democrat, 625; O. G. DeVinish, Populist, 496.

      For County Clerk: — William H. Yarwood, Republican, 932; R. P. Short, Democrat, 342; J. P. Alkine, Populist, 721.

      For Auditor: — George W. Weaks, Republican, 819; J. W. Anderson, Democrat, 840; E. J. Holland, Populist, 354.

      For Treasurer: — S. S. Shipherd, Republican, 891; P. H. Dencer, Democrat, 386; C. G. Griffith, Populist, 737.

      For Prosecuting Attorney: — Llewllyn Davies, Republican, 747; N. T. Caton, Democrat, 881; Joseph Sessions, Populist, 399.

      For Assessor : — George G Grimes, Republican, 976; J. W. Mann, Democrat, 418; I. J. Minnick, Populist, 598.

      For Superintendent of Schools: — Lena Bemis, Republican, 883 ; Mrs. Dora Morgan, Democrat, 337; Alice E. Neal, Populist, 789.

      For Surveyor: — Jerry Rockhold, Republican, 1,008; J. E. Ludy, Democrat, 852.

      For Coroner: — C. M. McKinley, Republican, 985; M. T. Setters, Democrat, 550; Daniel Winters, Populist, 429.

      For Commissioner, First District: — Hugh S. McNeilly, Republican, 1.005; Jacob Smith, Democrat, 506; L. Y. Williams. Populist, 458.

      For Commissioner, Second District: — Eli D. Kellogg, Republican, 854; Frank Hardin, Democrat, 653; J. B. Pershall, Populist, 483.

      The Republican county convention of 1900 was held at Davenport, Tuesday, July 10th.  Lieutenant Governor F. H. Luce was elected chairman, and H. J. Neilly. of Wilbur, secretary. Nearly every precinct in the county was represented and the convention moved without friction.  A full county ticket was nominated.  Throughout the county, at this period, many McKinley and Roosevelt and Bryan clubs were organized.  The Democrats and Populists held their conventions at Davenport Wednesday,

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July 18th, and the resulting movement was complete fusion of the two parties which, practically, sounded the death knell of the Populist party.  The candidates nominated all went on the ticket as Democrats.  Still, the Populists named candidates for one representative, commissioner for the second district, sheriff, treasurer, clerk and assessor.  The Democrats named candidates for one representative, commissioner for the third district, auditor, prosecuting attorney, school superintendent, surveyor and coroner.  Of the Populist convention T. G. Stevenson presided as temporary chairman and E. A. Hesseltine as temporary secretary. George M. Witt was made permanent chairman and E. A. Hesseltine was continued permanent secretary.  The Democratic convention was presided over by John Bartol, chairman, and Edward Sharp served as secretary.  The campaign was spirited, but one of the cleanest ever known in Lincoln county.  Personalities were conspicuous by their absence.  There were polled in Lincoln county 3,184 votes.

      For Governor: — J. M. Frink, Republican, 1,130; John R. Rogers, Democrat, 1,851; R. E. Dunlap, Prohibition, 62; William McCormick, Social Labor, 6; W. C. B. Randolph. Social Democrat, 27.

      For State Senator: — M. E. Hay, Republican. 1,390; Gotleib Garber, Democrat, 1,621.

      For State Representatives: — A. L. Smaller, Republican, 1,355; J. A. Talkington, Republican, 1,261; John Raymer, Democrat, 1,610; J. J. Cameron, Democrat, 1,536.

      For Superior Court Judge: — H. A. P. Meyers, Republican, 1,286; C. H. Neal, Democrat, 1,740.

      For Sheriff: — J. H. Gardner, Republican, 1,632; L. A. Kennedy, Democrat, 1,389.

      For County Clerk : — W. H. Yarwood, Republican, 1,573; C. C. Gibson, Democrat, 1,460.

      For Auditor: — R. D. Anderson. Republican, 949; J. W. Anderson, Democrat, 2,099.

      For Treasurer: — S. S. Shepherd, Republican, 1,388; I. J. Minnick, Democrat, 1,616.

      For Prosecuting Attorney: — W. T. Warren, Republican, 1,211; N. T. Caton, Democrat, 1,838.

      For Assessor: — G. G Grimes, Republican, 1,403; D. M. McRea, Democrat, 1,612.

      For Superintendent of Schools: — Lena Bemis, Republican, 1,486; Alice Neal, Democrat, 1,556.

      For Surveyor: — E. C. Davis, Republican, 1,361; George R. Sawyer, Democrat, 1,642.

      For Coroner: — C. P. Richards, Republican, 1,203; R. P. Moore, Democrat, 1,716.

      For Commissioner, Second District: — E. D. Kellogg, Republican, 1,331; J. R. Davidson, Democrat, 1,700.

      For Commissioner, Third District: — William Gemmill, Republican, 1,361; Henry Thompson, Democrat, 1,625.

      The Lincoln county Republican convention of 1902 was held at Wilbur, Thursday, July 10th.  C. E. Meyers presided over the convention and R. M. Dye was elected secretary.  The Democrats convened at Harrington Tuesday, July 15th, and placed in nomination a full county ticket.  P. W. Dillon presided over the convention and Frank Garber served as secretary.  During the two years previous there had been a considerable influx of population in Lincoln county, and this added vote seems to have materially aided the Republican party.  The remarkable splitting up of the vote shows that there was a strong independent sentiment to be reckoned with which neither of the two parties was able to control.  We append the vote:

      For Congressmen: — F. W. Cushman, Republican, 1,553; W. L. Jones, Republican, 1,531; W. E. Humphrey, 1,512; Cottrill, Democrat, 1,252; Holcomb, Democrat. 1,258; Cole, Democrat, 1,249.

      For State Representatives: — George E.

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Smith, Republican, 1,421; J. E. Howard, Republican, 1,460; J. J. Cameron, Democrat, 1,433.

      For Sheriff: — J. J. Inkster, Republican, 1,579; J. F. Hall, Democrat, 1,372.

      For County Clerk: — W. W. Downey, Republican, 1,528; F. B. Squires, Democrat. 1,358.

      For Auditor: — W. H. Yarwood, Republican, 1,364; A. S. Brown, 1,570.

      For Treasurer: — C. G. Hettman, Republican, 1,269; I. S. Minnick, Democrat, 1,648.

      For Prosecuting Attorney: — R. M. Dye, Republican, 1,554; T. M. Maxwell, Democrat, 1,345.

      For Assessor: — S. G. Noble, Republican, 1,508; David McRea, Democrat, 1,409.

      For Superintendent of Schools: — Charles Deets, Republican, 1,425; Alice Neal, Democrat, 1,500.

      For Surveyor: — Jerry Rockhold, Republican, 1,445; George R. Sawyer, Democrat, 1,469.

      For Coroner: — Freer, Republican, 1,461; Dr. Setters, Democrat, 1,421.

      For Commissioner, First District : — Charles Kellum, Republican, 1,473; Charles Bethel, Democrat, 1,399.

      For Commissioner, Third District: — J. P. Martin, Republican, 1,574; Bishop, Democrat, 1,293.

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ch. 7, pt. 1: p 199        TABLE OF CONTENTS        chapter 8

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BIG BEND p. 199: LINCOLN COUNTY POLITICAL, pt. 1

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 ch. 6, pt. 2: p 195        TABLE OF CONTENTS        ch. 7, pt. 2: p 204

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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.

      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.

      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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 ch. 6, pt. 2: p 195        TABLE OF CONTENTS        ch. 7, pt. 2: p 204

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