E 664 
 .L83 C8 
 Copy 1 
 
 THE HERO 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Thirty- Fourth. 
 
 1 I^X^XTSTKA.TEI>. 
 
 THZ CITIZEN STE.'^M BOOK /,ND JOB PRINTING HOUSE. RUSHVILLE, ILL. 
 
THE AUTHOR. 
 
A COMPLETE AND AUTHENTIC 
 
 History of the Campaign 
 
 IN WHICH 
 
 WAS DEFEATED 
 
 IN THE 
 
 
 4th Senatorial District of Illinois, 
 
 WHICH CULMINATED IN THE 
 
 Re-election of Hon. JOHN A. LOGAN 
 
 TO THE UNITED-STATES SENATE. 
 
 By HENRY CRASKE, 
 
 THE ORIGINATOR AND ORGANIZER 
 OF 
 
 a 
 
 THE MOST DARING PIECE GF POLITICAL STRATEGY" 
 
 KYER COXCEIYED -SJS'D '"^O SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED 
 SINCE THE DAYS OF ALEXANDER THE GSEAT." 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 0:JsE of the " FINE Yr'OEKERS," 
 
 RusHYiLLE, Illinois. 
 
 1885. 
 
 * 1 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 At thft earnest solicitation of many friends, who 
 expressed a desire that a history be written of the 
 memorable campaign which wns fought to the end 
 on the (')th day of May, 1885, in the Thirty-Fourth 
 Senatorial District of Illinois (composed of the coun- 
 ties of Cass, Mason Menard and Schuyler), and which 
 resulted in tlie election of a liepublican to the Thirty- 
 Fourth General Assembly, from a District that, in 
 the Presidential campaign of 1884, gave a plurality 
 of over 2,000 and a majority of nearly 1,800 for the 
 Democratic electors; and believing so gallant a fight 
 against such overwhelming odds was successful solely 
 from tlie magnetizing and electrifying influence of the 
 free use of the name of John A. Logan, the author 
 has determined to present the facts in the best manner 
 his humble ability will permit. 
 
 In collecting the facts for this little volume, the 
 magnitude of the grand achievement has been more 
 forcibly impressed u}>on me, showing the necessity 
 (»f i)reserving a record of the events which led to the 
 victory. 
 
 Tlie belief that the people, generally, have a desire 
 to learn the ways and means used to accomplish such 
 a 8i)lendid result is the reason these pages have been 
 written. 
 
 Trusting thi.s little volume will meet the favor of 
 a generous public, it is respectfully submitted by 
 
 The Author. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 OPiIGIN OF THE PLAN. 
 
 Gentlemen: According to promise, I will endeavor 
 to write up for you a correct account of the plan and 
 campaign by which a Eepublican was elected to fill 
 the vacancy in the Thirty-Fourth General Assembly 
 caused by the death of Eepresentative J. Henry Shaw, 
 of Beardstown, who died on the 12tli of April, at the 
 Leland hotel in Springfield. 
 
 In xKU'suance of law, the Governor, on April 13th, 
 issued his proclamation calling a special election in 
 the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District for May 6th. 
 On Wednesday, the 15th April, while thinking over 
 the situation os developed from the fact that Repre- 
 sentative Sittig had stated in the General Assembly 
 that he was paired Avith Shaw until his successor shall 
 have been elected, it occur ed to me that it would be a 
 grand event for the Republican party, and a very 
 great surprise to the Democratic party, and also to 
 Representative Sittig, if a Republican should be 
 elected to succeed Mr. Shaw. With this in view, I 
 determined to write a plan and send it to General 
 Logan to see what he thought of the project. I be- 
 lieved the Republicans of the State, and also the 
 Republicans of the Nation, desired, above all things, 
 that the Legislature of Illinois should elect to the 
 United States Senate that gallant soldier, grand 
 
6 ' -THE MUiUTY i^LEEPElir 
 
 stateBinan, nnd man of the people, John A. Logan, 
 the man who to-day is the central figure in American 
 {x)litics, and, undoubtedly, is the refjresentative man of 
 America. Beli*'ving this, and being inspired with the 
 thought that it was possible to elect a Eepublican to 
 tlie Legislature, ther(4)y insuring the election of our 
 candidate to the United States Senate, I wrote the 
 following plan: 
 
 Original ])lan first sent to General Logan on April 
 ir,, 1885: 
 
 RusiiviLLK, Ii.L., April 1(3, 1885. 
 Hon. .John A. Logan, Springfield, 111. 
 
 VfiirSir: AVo, «'X-nu*nilu'rs of the 
 army, ft*»'l th;it in you thf i)oor tjoUliors hav»' a (•liani])iou who 
 uill figlit tlM'ir canst', as p('rlia])s no other man in this Nation 
 can or will; and for this reason I submit a j)lan to you whicli 1 
 think, if proi)erl3' worked, will turn the enemy's tlank and i)Ut 
 him to utter rout. 
 
 .My j>lari is, for you to select a man in each county <>1" the dis- 
 trict, whom you know you can depiMul ujioii; lit- in turn to select 
 a man in each school district; mIio in turn will select not more 
 than tive staimch Kei>ublicans whoso duty it w ill he to see every 
 trne Republican in their district who can be dci)ended ontokeej) 
 it secret, and thus secun^ the attendance of all Repul)lican voters 
 at the polls at from three to five o'clock v. m,, according to size of 
 t«)wn or j)recinct; and with the apparent apathy that will seem to 
 lie in the Republican ranks, lulling the enemy into fancied 
 x'curity, thert'by electing a Rei)ublican Representative. 
 
 My further plan i.-i to have all the tickets printed at one office. 
 
 I suggest that you call a caucus to select the candidate for 
 Representativt' from any county in the district outside of the 
 county of Schuyler. 
 
 I reft-r you to Representative Logsdon as to wh» I am. 
 
 If you think this worthy of favorable consid«'ration, 1 shall be 
 plea.s«>d to assist, and endeavor to carry to a successful issue the 
 result desired. T remain yours, very respectfully, 
 
 HENRY CRASKE. 
 
ORIGIN OF THE PLAN. 7 
 
 I received the following letter from General Logan 
 at twelve o'clock M., April 18th: 
 
 Leland Hotel, Springfield, III., April 17, 1885. 
 Dear Sir: Your letter received and contents noted. I think 
 your plan a good one and wish the Republicans in your district 
 might go to work, in a quiet way, and elect a Republican. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN A. LOGAN. 
 Henry Craske, Rushville, HI. 
 
 On Saturday, April 18th, the Hon. Perry Logsdon, 
 of Rusliville, 111., Representative to the Thirty-Fourth 
 General Assembly, came into my place of business. 
 Of him I made the inquiry as to whether General 
 Logan had said anything to him about a plan that I 
 had forwarded on the 16th inst. Mr. Logsdon stated 
 that he had not seen the General. I handed a copy of 
 the plan to him. He read it through very carefully, 
 being the first man to read it in my presence. When 
 through reading it, I said to him, "What do you think 
 of it?" He answered, "I think it an inspiration, and 
 cannot help being a success, if there are no blunders 
 made in its execution." I told him that I thought it 
 would take some money to carry the ijlan out success- 
 fully, as it would require time to explain it, and a 
 great deal of special effort to induce the Republican 
 voters to come out and vote on the 6th. Their hope- 
 less minority made it seem an impossibility for them 
 to be victorious in this Senatorial District. 
 
 Mr. Logsdon promised his assistance and hearty 
 co-operation in carrying forward the plan to a success- 
 ful issue. 
 
 On the evening of the 18th, W. I. Larash, of Rush- 
 ville, editor of The Schuyler Citizen, was handed a 
 
8 ^^rilE MIGHTY IS LEEPERr 
 
 C( )py of the plan which had been sent General Logan. 
 He was asked to read it and give me his opinion of it, 
 he being the second person who had read the plan in 
 my presence. He stated that if it could be worked 
 successfidly it would convulse the Nation. 
 
 I then showed him the letter from General Logan, 
 dated April 17. We read the letter, considered it in 
 all its bearings, and talked over the selection of the 
 men to act as township committeemen. Yf e felt that 
 the grand result was almost accomplished. Mr. 
 Larasli said that the Democrats would say: "It was a 
 d — d dirty trick." 
 
 Then doubts would come over the spirit of our 
 dream. AVe read the subject matter over again and 
 agreed that it looked fine on paper. We again became 
 enthusiastic. As our meeting had lasted till a very 
 late hour, it being nearly Sunday morning, we agreed, 
 to adjourn. 
 
 On Monday, the 20th of April, I invited the Rev. 
 Fletcher M. Sisson, pastor of the First M. E. Church,, 
 into my room, and read the plan; also read General 
 Logan's letter, withholding the name. He was asked 
 wliat he thought of the plan, and of the letter. He 
 said he thought the plan was a good one, and it would 
 be a grand good thing if it should prove a success. 
 
 I then told him the plan had been sent to John A. 
 Logan, and the letter read was his answer. He stated 
 that the letter showed very plainly that the General 
 had not much faith that the plan could be successfully 
 carried out; but still was willing to encourage the 
 effort by approving the plan. The more Rev. Sisson 
 thought of it, the more enthusiastic he became. This, 
 was very encouraging. 
 
ORIGIN OF THE PLAY. ' 9 
 
 I expected to hear something further from General 
 Logan. In the meantime it was very hard to possess 
 myself with patience. The whole matter was dis- 
 cussed a great many times with W. A. Crosier, of 
 Piushville, and it was agreed between us, that we 
 would discourage any talk that suggested the possi- 
 bility of carrying the district. We found several men 
 who wanted to talk about the possibility vi such a 
 thing, which suggestion we of course discouraged at 
 once. 
 
10 "2'z/A' mTgety sleeps Ry 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OEGANIZING IN SCHUYLEK. 
 
 On Friday, the 24tli of April, I asked Mr. Crosier 
 if he would not like to read the plan, and also General 
 Logan's letter in answer to same. After reading 
 them, he felt with me, that the General would cer- 
 tainly make some further move in the matter soon. 
 In the mean time I determined to see the men who 
 would do good and efficient work in their respective 
 townships, and the following were selected: 
 
 E. M. Bradley, for Frederick; Sherman B. Dray, 
 for Browning; George W. Ware, for Hickory; Peter 
 Phillips, for Oakland; Wm. C. Thompson (who called 
 to his assistance Dr. Lewis C. Seeley), for Littleton; 
 Jerome Pettijohn, for Huntsville; Charles Phelps 
 and George H. Wier, for Birmingham; Major Robert 
 Blackburn and Alexander M. Prather, for Brooklyn; 
 Capt Robert A. Williams, L. P. Allphin, and John A. 
 Points, for Camden; Martin G. Rice, D. E. Ray, W. 
 B. Ray, Robert McCreery, Wm. Harman and Ed. 
 DeWitt, for Buenavista; Charles W. Davis and 
 Abraham Lamaster, for Bainbridge. Hon. Perry 
 Logsdon agreed, with the assistance of Samuel Lash- 
 brook, to work Woodstock; Leander Kennedy, Wm. 
 Tremble, George W. Bellomy, W. W. Potts, Wm. 
 Ramsey, and George W. Barnhart, for Rushville. 
 
ORGANIZING IN SCUUTLEIL 11 
 
 After making the selection, I determined to see and 
 give instructions to those living in distant townships 
 first. The first man instructed was E. M. Bradley, of 
 Frederick. He was enthused all over and fell readily 
 into the work. The next man was Sherman B. Dray, 
 of Browning. He also thought it was a good thing 
 and promised his hearty co-operation.. The third man 
 was that old wheel-horse of the Eepublican party, 
 Jerome Pettijohn, of Huntsville, who got so enthu- 
 siatic over the matter that he could not stay at home, 
 but had to spend a week in Eushville awaiting devel- 
 opments. 
 
 On Monday, the 27th of April, the Hon. R. W. Mills, 
 of Virginia, Cass county, came to Ivush\ille to attend 
 court. He called on me in the evening and during 
 the conversation that followed, I asked him if he did 
 not think we could do something to help out our can- 
 didate for the United-States Senate, and secure his 
 election. He replied that he saw no other way than 
 to make a "still hunt" and elect a Republican to suc- 
 ceed Shaw. I then told him of the plan, and its 
 details, that had been sent to General Logan; and 
 also of the General's reply. He was also informed of 
 my waiting for something further from Springfield; 
 as it seemed to me an old campaigner like the General, 
 would certainly understand that it would take some 
 money to pay the men who would be engaged in 
 getting the vote out. Mr. Mills agreed with me that 
 it would take about two hundred and fifty dollars for 
 each county; in all about one thousand dollars. 
 
 It was my determination to make the effort to carry 
 the district whether the money was raised or not, be- 
 lieving that each county would be willing to defray its 
 
12 "77/ii' MIGUTY ULEEPElir 
 
 own expense, and wrote the following plan, of wliicli I 
 forwarded a copy to Oapt. S. H. Blaine, of Petersburg, 
 Menard county; and to Capt. Samuel Biyens, of 
 Havana, Mason comity : 
 
 Rusii^'iLLE, III., April 28, 1885. 
 Dtur Sir: Ilerewrth I S"iid you \Ai\\\ ^vhlcli 1 tliiiik, if pro- 
 porly \vurk''l, would elect a itopublictin Keproisentutive in the 
 Thirty-Fourth SouMtorial District. 
 
 It is this: ' That one man b • selected in each county to manage 
 sjiid county, he in turn to select one man in eiich township of 
 the county, he in turn to select one man in each school district, 
 who in turn, will select ti%'0 others to assist him. 
 
 All oiiQ^agod in this v. ork being as secret as the grave. All to 
 start out ou the mcn-ni ng of the Gth to see tiiat nil llepuhlicans 
 are at tlmir respective voting ]>la.ces, promptly at 4 o'clock r. m., 
 tlierehy insuring the election of a Republican He]:>reser.tative. 
 
 liesults to follow this: First, the re-organization of the House; 
 Second, the election of John A. Logan; Third, tiie great satisfac- 
 tion which will p(^rvado the Republican r;inks, tliereby making it 
 possible to have a better organization in the party throughout the 
 .^tate. 
 
 1 think we ought to strain every nerve to .sccomplish such a 
 grand result. Yours, to command, HENRY CRASKE. 
 
 I also sent tlio sasio plan to Eepresen'^.atiYe Logsdon 
 with this addition: — 
 
 In order to carry this to a successful issue it will be necessary 
 to raise one thousand dollars out side of the four counties. I 
 tliink, in fact I know, that two hundred and fifty dollars carefully 
 used in each county would come near getting out the Republican 
 vote. 
 
 If you think it prudent, would like to have you show this to 
 sonio of your colleagues in the House. Of course prompt action 
 must bo taken oa this if acted on at all. 
 
 After a candidate is selected, tickets to be printed at one office. 
 
 E. W. Mills wrote a note to Capt. Blaine, stating 
 that he w^as appointed to manage his county, also 
 
CCBPiESPOXBEyC^, ETC. 13 
 
 stating tliafc he nominated him (Blai.ne) for Eepresen- 
 tative. This note was placed in the envelope with the 
 plan and forwarded to its destination. 
 
 Mr. Mills also wrote a note to Capt. Bivens, notify- 
 ing him that he (Bivens) was selected to manage 
 Mason county. He also wrote on the margin of plan 
 which was sent to Logsdon: 
 
 " I believe Ave can win if we get the funds. The Democrats 
 are not enthusiastic over their man." 
 
 This plan and instructions were mailed on the 
 morning of the 28th of April. Mr. Mills agreed to 
 manage his county with the aid of Hon. F. M. Davis, 
 of Beardstown. On the 29tli, I received the follow- 
 ing letter from the Hon. Perry Logsdon: 
 
 Spkixgfield, III., April 28, lS8o, 
 ITexkv Craske, Rushvilie, 111. 
 
 My Dear S':r: Tiiere is a gentlcmim here 
 from Virginia to see me in reference to the same matter you 
 wrote to J. A. L. I tliink there will be some one to see you before 
 many days. If anything is done it must be done at once. 
 
 This man (Lancaster) thinks this may be worked successfully, 
 and be the means of sending J. A. L. to V. S. S. 
 
 Respectfully yours, PERRY LOGSDON. 
 
 On the 30th of April, the following letter was 
 received from Mr. Logsdon: 
 
 Springfield, III., April 29, 1885. 
 Mr. Henry Craske, Rushville, 111. 
 
 Dmr Sir: Since I wrote you yesterdaj^ a 
 caucus was held in General L.'s room, by some men of our dis- 
 trict, Jacob AV'heeler and Dan Shepard. Your plan was discussed 
 and thought to 'oe a good one. There will be some of our men 
 in Capital to-morrow, who will then determine on seme one for a 
 candidate. 
 
 I write this morning so you may know what to depend on; and 
 
ta, T««, ,.!.» «r. ■ > . I . ill I* in liu>l.ville on Saturday. 
 
 ,, , Vrn irulv vours. 
 
 rnmi m-,.ii.t..f tl.ihMtiT,! iU'tennincdtoBeeallthe 
 BH-n that ^..roH.-WtM to orpuii/.' the towiiHhips as 
 iM-.li «« i-^iM- Our cirrtiit court bt-iiig m session, 
 Ju.l|?o MnllhcuH i.n^i.linM. g"ve iiie n spleiulid oppor- 
 tmiil> to M-** bII of tl:p men especially ei)trusted with 
 ll>« fiork. M,a to Rive them full miuI naiiplete mstnic- 
 li. . Am..iifs' «'ther thiiiRH, the fuUouin^' printed cir- 
 cular. ; ' "1» ^»*»» **'^* aKsiFtnnce of AV. A. Crosier 
 »iu) t'h.- .-hlor of '//•/• Citlzn:, vas hnnded to commit- 
 ti in S<-huyler county: 
 
 ciiurLAR. 
 
 PIJIX K<»K TOWNSHIP (OMMITTKEMAN. 
 
 Ftr^T. T«» M-lKt « irun hi cat h mIiooI dl.-triit, tluit you A:/io?c 
 
 « V nut IhU |.I«n i»llh fitlrliiy aid strii t secrecy. You are 
 
 . the th k••l^ tlir«.n;:h liiin. to ev<ry Republican voter 
 
 lo rw-li •cbtjul dUtrlt t. Y<ni to have the geueral supervision of 
 
 IHTY OF SCIHKJh-DISTIUCT COMMITTEEMAN. 
 
 ri«jrr. T«» apiNiiiii n«i! n:or«' than five voters who can be relied 
 > to a)M»li.t ill ih«' cliMrihution of tickets not earlier than the 
 
 • t«>f«irr lh« r|<«4 tion. 
 Himxn. Thr ronmiitteomnn will, before exposing this plan, 
 II ■ |»lr«ls«*, ii|MMi th«» voter's lioiior, to secrecy; and obtain, if 
 |- . hi* faithful proini.M* to Im' at the voting place promptly 
 
 ■I & • in th«' ••* mine, on the day of eh-etion. 
 
 Pnrticular att^Mition was givon to the fact that no 
 %«itiug hhttuKl Im» done until 5 o'clcK^k. I also notified 
 tli«»iu Uimt I oxijectotl tlie tickets here on Saturday, 
 Wi.v *?.\ f.T.J r*s|U(>htc'd all those remaining in town on 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 15 
 
 that day to call at 2 o'clock p. M., receive the tickets 
 and take them to their several townships for dis- 
 tribution. 
 
 On Friday evening, May 1st, I received the follov>'- 
 ■ ing letter from Captain Bivens: 
 
 Havana, III., April 30, 1885. 
 Messrs. Craske and Mills: 
 
 Oeiits: I am in receipt of j'our communi- 
 cation of .the 28th inst. and will say, I think your plan a good 
 one; hut as. it is my busy season collecting taxes, I can not 
 possibly do the work j'ou assign to me, but would suggest the 
 name of Prof. D. M. Blair, county superintendent of schools, as a 
 very suitable man, and a very zealous M'orker in the Republican 
 cause. I think lie will (if solicited) take hold of the matter 
 and do good M'ork. Ver}^ truly yours, 
 
 SAMUEL BIVENS. 
 
 Accompanying this was a short note from Mr. Mills, 
 in which he says: 
 
 I saw Col. Judy's son, of ]\[enard, to-day. He said, " Dan. 
 Shepard had written the Col. to meet them in Springfield, yester- 
 day." I also saw Cleaveland, Representative from Rock Island. 
 He approved of plan and said he would see to having the mone}" 
 raised. 
 
 We are organized here and ready for the fight. 
 
 Yours truly, R. W. MILLS. 
 
 On the morning of May 2d, I sent the following 
 letter to Mr. Mills, at Virginia. 
 
 RusHviLLE, III., May 2, 1885. 
 
 Dear Sir: Your favor received in connection with Captain 
 Bivens' letter. Would say that we are thoroughly organized here 
 and conversant with the fact that there was a meeting held at 
 Springfield day before yesterday; but do not know the result, 
 only that everything was lovely. 
 
 You must put Prof. D. M. Blair at work at once in Mason. As 
 you see, Bivens declines to work. For God's sake and J. A. L.'s 
 
16 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 sake and the sake of the Republican party in the State, do n't 
 
 fail on this. Very truly yours, 
 
 * , HEXRY CRASKE. 
 
 R. W. Mills, Virginia, 111. 
 
 On Saturday, about 10 o'clock, a. m., tlie Hon. Perry 
 Logsdon called on me. He told me he left Springfield 
 Thursday evening, and that Mr. Beekman, of Menard 
 county, had been selected as the candidate; that Capt. 
 Blaine had been spoken of, but he being ^ State's 
 Attorney, it was thought best to put some one else on 
 the ticket; therefore Beekman was selected. He also 
 said General Logan told him the tickets should be 
 shipped to Rushville, to arrive Saturday; and that 
 Mr. Beekman was the man. 
 
 The tickets failed to arrive on Saturday on either of 
 the trains. We have only two trains each day. One 
 arrives at 12, m., the other at 4, p. M. Mr. Logsdon 
 gave me an order on the express company, in case the 
 tickets were addressed to him. I waited until both 
 trains had arrived, but tickets did not come. I then 
 wired Capt. S. H. Blaine, at Petersburg, Menard 
 county, the following: 
 
 Have you received your goods yet? Mine have not arrived. 
 Please answer. 
 
 I waited till about 7 o'clock, p. m., for an answer. 
 I then made up my mind it would be best to have 
 tickets printed at The Citizen office, sufficient for this 
 county; but when I tried to learn Mr. Beekman's 
 christian name, there was not a man among us who was 
 able to tell me with certainty. I now asked Wm. A. 
 Crosier to go to Beardstown in the morning to see the 
 Hon. P. M. Davis to learn Mr. Beekman's christian 
 name, so the tickets could be printed and distributed 
 
A SABBATH WELL SPENT. 17 
 
 Monday. He said lie thought it would be unwise for 
 him to go, as the Democrats would susx)ect something. 
 It was then agreed that he should see Judge A. C. 
 Matthews, and tell him that I wished to see him on 
 special business. Mr. Crosier soon came back with 
 Judge Matthew^s. I knew the Judge was an ardent 
 Republican and staunch supporter of Logan, and 
 believed he would be williug to sacrifice himself for 
 one day. I therefore explained the whole plan to 
 him and asked him to go to Beardstown fSunday 
 morning. He said, "Use me in any place and manner 
 that you please to accomplish such a glorious result 
 as the election of John A. Logan to the United States 
 Senate." We agreed to start at 7 o'clock, a.m. A 
 carriage and team w ere ordered to be at the Judge's 
 hotel promptly at 7 in the morning, with a good 
 Eepublican driver. To an outsider, our purpose 
 appeared to be to tix up some fences for the Judge, as 
 he thought of being a candidate before the Non- 
 partisan Judicial Convention, called to meet at Mt. 
 Sterling on June 7th. 
 
 The carriage and driver, Mr. John Potts, the 
 Judge and myself were promptly on time Sun- 
 day morning. Like old campaigners, in order that 
 our destination should be unknown, we made a 
 detour in a direction opposite the one in which 
 we wished to go. In an hour and a half we 
 reached Frederick, where we met that staunch old 
 "wheel-horse" and "true-blue" Republican, Grove 
 Coningham, Sr., who invited us to his house to 
 rest ourselves. We informed him that we wanted 
 his boat and a good, true Republican to take 
 us to Beardstown. The Judge also stated that he 
 
18 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 was around looking after his fences a little, as well as 
 other matters. 
 
 Mr. Coningham agreed to get us a good, trusty man. 
 On starting to the boat we inquired where the man 
 was, who was to row us down. Mr. Coningham said 
 he would be along presently. We got in the boat, and 
 were surprised to find that Mr. Coningham, though 
 well into the seventies, was the man. We made the 
 trip down in about one hour and a half, there being 
 a stiff wind up stream. On arrival, we called on Mr. 
 Davis, to whom we explained our visit and found, 
 much to my surprise, that he had heard nothing of the 
 plan. We explained the whole matter to him and 
 gave him a few of the printed plans for township and 
 school-district committeemen. Having given him the 
 necessary instructions, and having obtained from him 
 the candidate's full name, John T. Beekman, we re- 
 turned to Frederick on the steamer Calhoun. (I have 
 since been very glad that we went to Beardstown, as 
 it gave a majority for the Republican ticket of eighty ; 
 the usual majority being about sixty-six the other 
 way). 
 
 We arrived at Frederick about 11 o'clock, A.M., meet- 
 ing there George W. Ware, of Sheldons Grove, E. M. 
 Bradley, John B. Hinton, and others, who were very 
 much pleased to meet Judge Matthews. We also met 
 Dr. D. C. Linn, an old college-mate of the Judge. 
 The affable and gentlemanly officers of the Calhoun 
 made the Judge a present of some early vegetables 
 which were served on Mrs. Coningham 's table for 
 dinner; after which Grove and his accomplished 
 daughter, Bessie, treated us to some very choice 
 selections of vocal and instrumental music. 
 
A SABBATH WELL SPENT. 19 
 
 About 1 o'clock, p. M., E. M. Bradley and John B. 
 Hinton called according to previous agreement. The 
 plan and its details were then explained to Mr. Con- 
 ingham and Mr. Hinton, the latter having learned 
 something about it from Mr. Bradley. Grove re- 
 marked, "Well! I thought there was something 
 besides this judicial business on deck." It was agreed 
 that Mr. Hinton should come to Eushville and get the 
 tickets for Frederick, Browning, and Hickory town- 
 ships, and that Mr. Bradley should deliver them to 
 Browning and Hickory. Having spent a very pleas- 
 ant day, we returned to Eushville, unexpectedly meet- 
 ing on our way home, the Democratic Senator from 
 the Thirty-Fourth District, Hon. J. Munroe Darnell, 
 in company with that staunch Eepublican, George E. 
 Hall, of Eushville. We greeted them very cheerily 
 and passed on, wondering whether the honorable 
 senator would suspect anything, it being so near 
 election day. 
 
 Upon our arrival home, I received a telegram from 
 Capt. Blaine, in reply to mine of the day before, 
 stating: 
 
 "I have received my goods. Yours were shipped Saturday, 
 will arrive Monday." 
 
 I, therefore, expected certainly that the tickets 
 would be on hand at 12 o'clock, Monday noon. 
 
20 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A CLOSE CALL. 
 
 On Monday morning, we were all in fine shape, and 
 the men who were to make the deliveries had every- 
 thing in readiness to start. But I was again sorely 
 disappointed by the non-arrival of the tickets and 
 concluded to have them printed for the county at The 
 Citizen office. I therefore stepped over to Mr. Larash's 
 office and told him that owing to the emergency, he 
 must print the following tickets, at once, as none had 
 arrived so far, and men were waiting to take them to 
 the distant parts of the county : 
 
 For Representative Thirty-Fourth 
 Senatorial District. 
 
 JOHX T. BEEKMAN. 
 
 Larasli being a practical printer, did the printing 
 himself, but was greatly hindered by an unusual 
 number of suspicious appearing Democrats, who 
 seemed to be unusually familiar, causing him to leave 
 the press a number of times, thereby delaying the 
 tickets several hours. This, however, in the end, 
 proved to be a God-send, as the delay prevented my 
 sending out to more than five townships before the 4 
 o'clock freight train came in, bringing the long-looked- 
 for package of tickets, which was delivered at my 
 
A CLOSE CALL. 21 
 
 store by the genial and accommodating railroad 
 agent, Martin G. Eice. To my great surprise and 
 consternation the tickets read: 
 
 "For Representative to General 
 Assembly, 
 
 W. H. WEAVER." 
 
 "V. 
 
 showing plainly that a mistake or change had been 
 made. This was evidence of approaching danger, and 
 soldier-like, we at once set to work to rectify the 
 trouble. Mr. Rice helped arrange tickets in small lots 
 and place them in envelopes for distribution to the 
 townships. 
 
 Wm. A. Crosier had started for Huntsville, Birm- 
 ingham, and Brooklyn townships, intending to make 
 his quarters for the night at Jerome Pettijohn's, near 
 Huntsville, twenty miles from Rushville. George 
 W. Barnhart had started for Littleton and Oakland 
 townships, intending to stop over night at Samuel 
 Ellis'. Both had started with the Beekman tickets, 
 and the great thing to do now was to find men who 
 could be trusted, and would be willing to ride that 
 distance as quickly as the emergency demanded. 
 Robert McCreery was signaled to follow me to the 
 livery stable. I found at the stable, John Potts, pro- 
 prietor, and Hinman Munroe, a grocer. These gentle- 
 men were told that two men were wanted, one to ride 
 to Huntsville, the other to Littleton and Oakland as 
 fast as horse-flesh could carry them. Mr. McCreery 
 said it would kill him to ride that distance. The 
 other gentlemen said they were willing to do the 
 riding if they knew what it was for. They were told 
 that it rested with them whether or not John A. Logan 
 
23 " THE MIGHT Y SLEEPERr 
 
 should be elected to the United States Senate. A 
 brief explanation was given them. I handed the 
 gentlemen the Weaver tickets, and they immediately 
 started on their mission, which they successfully per- 
 formed. Mr. Potts afterward remarked that he did 
 so at the serious loss of the cuticle from that part of 
 his body tliat came in contact with the saddle ; he will 
 be an applicant for a pension for wounds received 
 while engasred in meritorious service. 
 
 Little did those gentlemen realize how nearly they 
 came to defeating tlie grand object by changing can- 
 didates and by delay in forv,^arding the tickets. At 
 this time I was in the most nervous condition of my 
 life, knowing that the mighty stakes for which we 
 were playing, might be lost on account of this miser- 
 able mistake, but made up my mind to remedy it if it 
 Avas possible to do so. 
 
 John B. Hinton, of Frederick, called and received 
 the tickets for the three townships that he had agreed 
 to supply. Martin G. Rice had taken the tickets for 
 Buenavista township. Walter B. Nell, of Eushville, 
 agreed to start at daybreak and deliver the tickets to 
 Charles W. Davis, of Bainbridge, and Perry Logsdon, 
 of "Woodstock. Mr. Logsdon v/as greatly surprised 
 at the change of candidate but concluded it was all 
 right; yet could not see why he had not been informed 
 of the change. 
 
A JUDICIOUS 3I0VE. 23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A JUDICIOUS MOTS. 
 
 By agreement of some of the EeiJiiblicans in the 
 town and county, it had been arranged to call a meet- 
 ing foi- Monda}^, May 4th, to select delegates to attend 
 the Non-partisan Judicial Convention at Mt. Sterling, 
 o]i Thursday, May 7th; but owing to unavoidable 
 circumstances, the call was issued for Tuesday, the 
 5th, to meet at lawyer Mann's office. As will soon 
 appear, this proved very fortunate for those engaged 
 in carrying forward the grand v/ork of electing a 
 Kepublican Representative. 
 
 Oji Monday night, ¥/illiam Trimble and Leander 
 Kennedy came in for tickets. They also took some 
 to George W. Bellomy. Early Tuesday morning, 
 George Montooth got tickets for Oakland township, 
 and was notified that two hundred had already been 
 sent to Peter Phillips. 
 
 As time rolled on, and the nearer the eventful day 
 approached, the more anxious we became; for it 
 seemed to us the Democrats were growing very suspi- 
 cious. We supposed their suspicions were aroused 
 by seeing numerous groups of active workers of the 
 Republican party consulting on the street. We, 
 therefore, resolved that w^e would not stop on the 
 
24 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 street to talk on any subject, until tlie 6tli of May had 
 passed; for we noticed the Democrats, in groups, very 
 earnestly engaged in discussing some j)roject un- 
 known to us. For the purpose of throwing them ofi 
 their guard, the call for the Judicial Convention 
 furnished the necessary lever. 
 
 The Non-partisan Convention, to meet at Mt. Sterl- 
 ing, May 7tli, was for the purpose of taking into 
 consideration the expediency of making nominations 
 for judges in this (sixth) judicial circuit. We had 
 agreed, in the meantime, that it would be unwise for 
 Schuyler to be represented in any way that would 
 injure Judge Tunnicliff, he being an independent 
 candidate for the Supreme Bench in this district. 
 After thinking the matter over and learning more in 
 regard to the proposed convention, it w^as decided 
 that a caucus should be called to meet, as before 
 mentioned, at the office of P. E. Mann, to select 
 delegates. There being no opportunity to make the 
 call through the papers, it was issued through the 
 postoffice. Owing to the press of business, the editor 
 of The Citizen did not have time to print the call until 
 Tuesday, the 5th. The time appointed was 1 o'clock 
 of that day. This proA-ed to be a lucky delay for the 
 Bepublicans, and as Mr. Larash stated, it would dis- 
 arm whatever suspicions w^ere held by our Democratic 
 friends. We were also very careful to let it leak out 
 that we were opposed to the regular Democratic 
 nominee for Circuit Judge, John C. Bagby. 
 
 Promptly at 1 o'clock, as per call, a number of 
 Republicans appeared at the office before men- 
 tioned. We then learned that Mr. Mann w^as absent 
 on business, and adjourned to the office of Dr. John 
 
A JUDICIOUS MOVE. 25 
 
 A. Harvey. This movement created quite a stir 
 among the Democrats and other citizens who had not 
 "caught on." The excitement ran high on both sides. 
 But the sturdy Bepublicans moved gracefully through 
 the ordeal v/itliout evolving a scintillation of their 
 real object. 
 
 The meeting was composed of the follov/ing gentle- 
 men: John A. Points, of Camden; Wm. A. Crosier, 
 of Buenavista; George AY. Barnhart, Dr. John A. 
 Harvey, of Eushville; and the author. Dr. Harvey 
 was elected chairman and George W. Barnhart, secre- 
 tary. W. B. Nell, Wm. A. Crosier, W. I. Larash, and 
 H. Craske were appointed delegates to the Non- 
 partisan Judicial Convention at Mt. Sterling. 
 
 PUTTING A DEMOCPvAT IN REPUBLICAN 
 
 HARNESS. 
 
 Dr. T. H. Dovrning, the skillful dental physician 
 of Eushville, who is a staunch and active Democrat, 
 occupies two rooms in the rear of the same building 
 in which this caucus was held. The doors of his 
 rooms were open and the dentist, presumably, engaged 
 at his work. After the credentials were made out and 
 signed and the proceedings reduced to writing, on 
 motion of W. I. Larash, who had just stepped into 
 the office, the minutes of the meeting were read in a 
 very loud tone so that the worthy dentist might hear 
 all that had been done. On motion, the caucus 
 adjourned without day. 
 
 The presence of the Democrat worked splendidly, 
 for the caucus had no sooner adiourned than Dr. 
 Downing sounded the alarm all along the lines. He 
 
36 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEP Elir 
 
 was not a very warm supporter of the entire Demo- 
 cratic Judicial ticket, and, while he took a great deal 
 of comfort from the movement, he, at the same time, 
 stirred up Bagby's friends, who naturally construed 
 the action of the Ee]3ublicans as a direct thrust at 
 Judge Bagby. This was just what we desired above 
 all things, as it effectually threw them off the track as 
 to our real object. 
 
 It is said by the Democrats that on Tuesday, about 
 4 or 5 o'clock, P. m., Judge Bagby received a telegram 
 from Hon. Scott Wyke, stating, "We hear rumors of 
 movement to beat Leeper. Sound the alarm." Many 
 Democrats and some Democratic papers subsequently 
 claimed that Judge Bagby failed to "sound the alarm," 
 and that he, indirectly, aided in electing a Eepublican 
 to succeed Shaw; but Eepublicans who were conversant 
 with the facts believe that the action of Tuesday's 
 caucus threw the Judge an^i his friends here com- 
 pletely off their guard. They undoubtedly thought 
 that Judge Matthews' trip on Sunday and tlie caucus 
 held on Tuesday were in harmony with ey,ch other. 
 It has been stated that S. B. Montgomery received a 
 telegram on Monday, May 4th, from Senator Darnell 
 saying, "The boys in Virginia are alarmed. Attend to 
 it at once." Notwithstanding this, Mr. Montgomery's 
 Democracy has never been questioned, nor need it be, 
 I am satisfied that Judge Bagby and S. B. Montgomery 
 believed the telegrams were simply for the purpose 
 of getting out a larger Democratic vote, so as to show 
 that the party was not asleep, and for this reason they 
 did not exert themselves as they would have done had 
 they susi)ected the facts in the case. It, however, 
 was a surprise to Eepublicans, that old campaigners. 
 
A DEMOCRAT IN llEPUBLICAN HARNESS 27 
 
 like the gentlemen above mentioned, suffered their 
 forces to go to sleep in the face of a vigilant enemy. 
 It must be remembered that the Eepublicans, if 
 they followed instructions, had the hard work to do 
 on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning;— that of 
 interviewing the voters, distributing tickets, explaining 
 the situation, and obtaijiing their promise not to say 
 anything to any one, and, also, not to vote l:>efore 5 
 o'clock, p. M. And "as fortune favors the brave," a 
 heavy rain storm came up Tuesday night which tried 
 the mettle of the special workers in the great cause; 
 but they proved equal to the occasion and did 
 splendid work, as the result next day plainly dem- 
 onstrated. 
 
 Wednesday morning, the 6tli of May, dawned bright 
 and clear, which the Republicans believed was a 
 favorable augury for their success. In Rushville, all 
 was quiet as a summer day. The Democrats were 
 apparently quiet, as if they were satisfied that no 
 disturbing forces were at work. This continued 
 until 10 o'clock, a. m., when unusual activity ruled 
 among the Democrats who were in sight. Saddle- 
 horses, teams, buggies, and carriages were hastily 
 secured and might have been seen leaving town with 
 prominent Democrats, riding and driving at break- 
 neck speed; also as soon as a Democrat came in from 
 the country he was sent back post haste, with 
 instructions to rally the voters, as the Republicans 
 were going to run in a "cold deck" late in the day. 
 This flurry was all caused, as we afterwards learned, 
 by a prominent Democratic-Greenback-Republican- 
 Democrat, of Bainbridge township, who told Mark 
 Bogue, the Democratic county clerk, that a Republican 
 
• Tilt: }fi';iiry siEEPEur 
 
 hml wiia to him tho evening' of the 5tli that the 
 Kfpublirniii* w»»re K^iinf? t«> liavo a candidate and do 
 ll;- ' ^«»tJng late in tbo day. We knew from their 
 II. -ts tiiiit tlifv had learned something, but 
 
 U:*i \iii^ ihat our organization was ])erfect, if instruc- 
 tii'MH w«ri» folhmitl, we felt confident of success. AYe 
 III ' ■ 1 that. «>M Hucli short notice, it would be 
 \\: il.U? for the Democrats to rally their men in 
 
 ^ t<.» overcome our organization. It 
 
 h rned since tho election, that on Monday, 
 
 .M.iv -llh, the f«.lK»wiiig "moss-backs," namely, Mark 
 
 I S. IJ. Moiitgomory, and AVm. Bader, met in 
 
 ;' tljo Itushvillo Times, the Democratic 
 
 of'Ti of tli«' county, eiiitinl by Edwin Dyson, who 
 
 >^ -. '<) present liader, Montgomery, and Bogue 
 
 - l tlie ii€»ces.sity of sending a circiUar letter to the 
 
 p. ,, ,^.r..^^ jj, tjj^ county warning them of danger, and 
 
 ill ^11.- uK-iii to vote on tho Uth, as it was possible that 
 
 tlie Hepiiblicans v/oidd undertake quietly to run a 
 
 cfiniliihite, anil defeat the Democratic nominee, thus 
 
 liriii;;ini; HK)ut a terri})lo state of affairs. Mr. Dyson 
 
 '■■ :«'d this step altogether unnecessary, as he did 
 
 not U'iit've tlio Kepublicans would attempt such a 
 
 U. The circulars were not sent out, and thus the 
 
 «»nly njenns that might have defeated the Eepublicans 
 
 wiw ni«;,'h-ct«Hl. to tiio everlasting regret of the four 
 
 Kent I ;, wiio discuss(>d the project and then 
 
 nbnijd«»ne«l it. 
 
 A.-* tiie ihiy wore on, the Republicans, eager and 
 i'X|H^-tnnt, ^jatliered in town, apparently oblivious of 
 tlie fiict that it was election day, but in reality burning 
 ^ith iniimtience. awaiting the time to deposit their 
 halh.tM in conformity with the plan. At last the 
 
qUIET AS A SUMMER DAT. 29 
 
 critical hour arrived and tliey commenced voting and 
 kept up a continuous stream of Bex3ublican votes 
 until the polls closed. 
 
 I know of three Democrats who voted for the 
 Republican candidate. One of them said to me, "Give 
 me one of vour tickets. I am tired of this farce at 
 Springfield." Another said, "I want to vote the 
 Eeioublican ticket to end the 'dead-lock', and elect a 
 U. S. Senator." Still another being in doubt, ^vhen 
 asked if he desired to see matters settled in Spring- 
 field, a United States Senator elected, and the State 
 saved two thousand dollars per day, concluded, in a 
 spirit of economy, to vote the Republican ticket. 
 
 Early in the day, a few patriotic and impulsive 
 Republicans Avho were not posted in the matter 
 and vdio believe in exercising the right to vote 
 whenever opportunity offers, voted the Democratic 
 ticket. 
 
 An event showing quick ap]3reciation of all sur- 
 roundings occurred at the Rushville polls. Several 
 Rei)ublicans were in the room, and were hesitating as 
 to whether they should vote. They did not know the 
 Republicans had a candidate, and were about to vote 
 the Democratic ticket. Dr. J. H. Ewing, one of the 
 clerks of the board, promptly suggested that they 
 vote for John Putman, an ardent Republican, formerly 
 a resident of Rushville, now "an offensive partisan" 
 living at Beardstown, Cass county. This served 
 somewhat to weaken the suspicions of the Democratic 
 strikers who were hovering around the polls and 
 closely scanning every Republican who happened to 
 stroll that way. 
 
 John McCabe, of Rushville, deserves great credit 
 
30 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPEUr 
 
 for effective work in notifying EeiDnblican voters, and 
 getting them to the polls in the "nick of time." 
 
 To J. N. Eoach, the author will ever feel grateful 
 for the words of encouragement and approval which 
 he gave during the organization. 
 
 Many amusing incidents occurred and mistakes 
 were made during the day. For instance, while talk- 
 ing to a Democrat a Republican came to me and said 
 in a loud voice, "Sa}^! let me have some of those 
 tickets." As good fortune would have it, a concert was 
 billed for the evening of the 6th. I said to him : " I 
 only secured two tickets, but go to Crosier & Hutton's 
 marVjle shop. They have tickets more than they 
 need." He seemed to take the hint and left, xlgain, 
 a Republican and a Democrat were engaged in 
 conversation. The Democrat handed the Republican 
 a ticket and asked him if he would not vote it. He 
 replied that he did not think he would, and the 
 Democrat walked away. Another Republican, seeing 
 the Democratic ticket, said in a loud voice, " I 've got 
 a different kind of a ticket from that." Fortunately 
 the Democrat did not notice what was said, and 
 passed on. Such incidents were very trying to the 
 nerves, in spite of their amusement 
 
 On Thursday morning. May 7th, W. A. Crosier, 
 "VV. B. Nell, W. I. Larash, and the author started for 
 Mt. Sterling, at 7 o'clock, a. m., to attend the Judicial 
 Convention. We obeyed the stern behests of duty 
 on this occasion, much against our inclination, as we 
 would have preferred very much to remain at home 
 to learn the result of the election. We arrived in 
 Mt. Sterling about 10 o'clock, A. m., and there learned 
 that it was rumored that the Republicans had carried 
 
FAVORABLE NEWS FROM THE ELECTION. 31 
 
 tlie Tliirty-Fourtli District. At 2 o'clock, p. m., a 
 telegram was received from Maj. W. H. Brackenridge, 
 Eepresentative from the Tliirty-Sixtli District, at 
 Springfield, stating, ''From all that I can learn, a 
 Kepnblican will succeed Shaw." This was very 
 gratifying indeed, to those of ns who lived in the 
 Thirty-Fourth. 
 
 After resolving that it was inexpedient to make 
 nominations, the convention a'djourned. After a 
 drive of about three hours, we reached home. Just 
 as we entered town, we met Dr. John A. Harvey, who 
 informed us that the Eepublicans had carried the 
 county by one hundred and sixty-one majority, and 
 that the Democrats were very sick. This was like 
 an exhilirating beverage to us. 
 
 Before leaving home in the morning, I had com- 
 missioned M. G. Eice to answer any telegrams that 
 arrived for me. He received the following: 
 
 Petersburg, III., May 7, 1885. 
 To Henry Craske, Rushville, 111,: 
 
 Menard gave Weaver two hundred and seven majority. How 
 is Schuyler? Answer. S. II. BLANE. 
 
 The following reply was sent: 
 
 RusHViXLE, III., May 7, 1885. 
 To S. H. Blane, Petersburg, 111.: 
 
 Schuyler gives Weaver probably one hundred or more. 
 
 HENRY CRASKE. 
 
 On Friday morning, the 8th, I received the follow- 
 ing message from Gen. Logan: 
 
 Springfield, III., May 7, 1885. 
 To Henry Craske, Rushville, 111.: 
 
 Look closely after returns and certificate. Democratic pro- 
 gramme is to delay count. 
 
 JOHN A. LOGAN. 
 
CO 
 
 2 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 
 
 I immediately called upon County Clerk Bogue 
 and asked liim if he had forwarded abstract of 
 returns to Sjjringiield. He informed me he had sent 
 them out on the early mail. I told him I was very 
 i^lad of that as an effort was being made to delay 
 
 to 
 
 returns. 
 
 The following message was immediately sent to 
 Gen. Logan: 
 
 RusHViLLE, III., May 8, 1885. 
 To Hon. John A. Logan, Springfield, 111. : 
 
 Abstract mailed at eight thirty this morning. Offic'al, one 
 hundred and sixtj^-one for Weaver. Send us official from other 
 counties. We are very anxious. 
 
 HENRY CRASKE. 
 
 About 1 o'clock, p. M., County Clerk Bogue came 
 to me and said: "Harry, what did you mean when 
 you were asking those questions this morning?" I 
 then showed him Gen. Logan's message. He 
 appeared to be very angry, and said: "I have just 
 received this dispatch from Virginia," and handed it 
 to me, saying, " I vv^onder wdiat that fellow takes me 
 for. As an official, I know no party. As a private 
 citizen, of course, I would do anything that is honor- 
 able to defeat the Republican party." Mr. Bogue 
 gave me permission to wire a copy of the dispatch to 
 Gen. Logan. He also expressed a desire that it 
 should be done, " For," said he, " I do not want those 
 gentlemen at Springfield to think, for a moment, that 
 I would lend myself to the purpose of holding back 
 the returns; especially as I sent word some time 
 before the election to the supervisors of the town- 
 ships to forward returns as soon as counted, so I 
 could send official returns to Springfield, Friday. Of 
 
DEMOCP.ATS HOLD BACK RETURNS. 83 
 
 course, the election lias resulted different from what 
 was expected; but that does not alter my duty." 
 I then wired the following: 
 
 RcsHYiLLE, Ii.L,, May 8, 1885, 
 
 To Hox. John A. Logan, Springtield, 111.: 
 
 Telegram just received by couuty clerk, who requested me to 
 
 wire you the facts. Telegram reads: "Hold back returns seven 
 
 days. [Signed] * — . — . — 
 
 A''irginia, Cass county." 
 
 Schuj'ler is safe. 
 
 HENRY CKASKE. 
 *The name is withheld by request. It was sent to Gen. Logan. 
 
 The name signed was that of a prominent county 
 official of Cass county. The name is withheld now 
 at the request of Mr. Bogue. 
 
 About 6 o'clock, p. M., the following dispatch was 
 received from Gqw. Logan: 
 
 Springfield, III., May 8, 1885. 
 
 To H. Craske, Paishville, 111.: 
 
 Dispatch received. i\Ienard 206 majority for Weaver, Cass 98 
 
 for Leeper, Mason 20 for Weaver. This is about correct. Thanks 
 
 to your clerk for doing his (i\xiy. 
 
 JOHX A. LOGAN. 
 
34 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 OFFICIAL KETUENS. 
 
 CASS COUNTY. 
 
 Tlie following is tiie official vote of Cass coimtj^; 
 
 also tlio official vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 
 
 Arthur A. Leeper. W. II. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 
 
 Ashland 103 125 177 105 
 
 Arenzville 66 45 176 140 
 
 Beardstown 274 354 519 464 
 
 Bluff Springs ... 21 20 84 70 
 
 Oreo-on....^ 36 33 117 71 
 
 Chaudlerville ... 114 57 176 87 
 
 Hickory 8 2 49 35 
 
 Indian Greek 11 ... 55 20 
 
 IMonroe 21 19 70 24 
 
 Princeton 12 26 100 59 
 
 Philadelphia 35 32 47 42 
 
 Richmond 87 26 135 48 
 
 Virginia 220 177 351 240 
 
 Total 1008 916 2056 1 405 
 
 Majority 92 651 
 
 MENARD COUNTY. 
 
 The following is the official vote of Menard county; 
 
 also the cfficial vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 
 
 Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 
 
 Athens 47 181 182 262 
 
 Greenview 63 77 137 178 
 
 Indian Creek.... 53 46 104 63 
 
 Petersburij, poll 1 135 109 349 153 
 
 Petersburg, poll 2 103 ■ 70 223 121 
 
 Rock Creek 6 46 133 68 
 
 Sand Ridge 11 .... 241 58 
 
 Sweetwater 38 83 85 99 
 
 Tallula 32 88 125 132 
 
 Total 488 700 1579 1134 
 
 Majority.... 212 445 
 
OFFICIAL RETURNS. ?. 
 
 30 
 
 MASON COUNTY. 
 
 The following is tlie official vote of Mason county, 
 
 also the official vote for Presidential Electors, in 1884: 
 
 Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blaine. 
 
 Aliens Grove 31 77 129 117 
 
 Bath 67 40 211 93 
 
 Crane Creek 19 21 111 60 
 
 Forest City 82 54 103 80 
 
 Havana 308 179 471 329 
 
 Kilbourne 28 40 90 73 
 
 Lj^nchburg 30 29 79 50 
 
 Manito 40 19 140 100 
 
 Mason City 158 231 293 269 
 
 Penns3ivama ... 10 32 79 GO 
 
 Quiver 17 43 74 93 
 
 Salt Creek 34 75 99 9G 
 
 Sherman 19 8 113 59 
 
 Total 793 848 2016 1485 
 
 Majority 55 531 
 
 SCHUYLER COUNTY. 
 
 ■ The following is the official vote of Schuyler 
 
 county; also the official vote for Presidential Electors, 
 
 in 1884: 
 
 Arthur A. Leeper. W. H. Weaver. Cleveland. Blainp. 
 
 Oakland 164 50 144 99 
 
 Littleton G4 114 101 140 
 
 Brooklyn 29 65 100 145 
 
 Birminiiham 27 123 78 148 
 
 Himtsville 60 69 126 101 
 
 Camden 61 30 168 73 
 
 Buenavista 103 120 211 168 
 
 Riishville 197 205 319 290 
 
 Browning- 115 69 215 92 
 
 Hickory 25 15 82 28 
 
 Frederick 11 47 47 56 
 
 Bainbridsfe 60 66 177 108 
 
 Woodstock 91 47 188 85 
 
 Total 859 1020 1956 1533 
 
 Majority.... 161 4.23 
 
36 '^TUE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 
 
 CHAPTER VI, 
 SELECTING THE CANDIDATE. 
 
 On Tuesday eveniiig, April 28tli, the foUovdng 
 gentlemen met at Gen. Logan's room at the Lelancl 
 Hotel: Gen. Logan, Daniel Shepard, Sam. Jones, 
 Jake Wheeler, Eeuben Lancaster, Charles B. Gatton, 
 James B. Black, and Perry Logsdon. At this meet- 
 ing, the plan forwarded to Gen. Logan on April 16 th 
 was presented by him, discussed and approved, and 
 Thursday was the day agreed ujDon as the time to 
 select a candidate. Daniel Shepard invited the fol- 
 lowing gentlemen to be present at Thursday's 
 meeting: Gen. Lippincott and Tree ]\iathews, of 
 Cass; "Wells Corey, of Mason; Col. Judy and Capt. 
 S. H. Blane, of Menard. Of those invited, Capt. S. 
 H. Blane, and Wells Corey responded in i^erson. 
 There Vv^ere also xoresent Gen. Logan, Daniel Shepard, 
 secretary of Republican State Central Committee, 
 Jacob Wheeler of Internal Revenue Department, and 
 Hon. Samuel Jones of Springfield, Reuben Lancaster 
 and Dr. S. Colladay of Virginia, Cass county. This 
 meeting was held in the room occupied by Hon. Wm. 
 R. Morrison until a few days before, when he had 
 given it up and started for Washington. The coterie 
 of gentlemen who assembled on this occasion were 
 anything but favorable to .Morrison's election to the 
 IT. S. Senate. 
 
 Of the names presented, that of John T. Beekman 
 was selected as the most available. Persons from 
 
SELECTING THE CANDIDATE. 37 
 
 Cass county objected to him on account of liis being 
 in favor of lovf license; but this objection was not 
 considered at this meeting. Weaver's name was also 
 suggested, but no action taken. After the meeting 
 was over, it vs\ns decided that, on account of their 
 failure to agree on Beekman, it should be left to the 
 gentlemen from Menard county to make the 
 nomination. 
 
 Yf ells Corey was empowered to print tickets. (The 
 tickets cost Gen. Logan fifteen dollars; and this vras all 
 the election expenses that were defrayed by persons at 
 Springfield. It should be remembered that there was 
 no money used in this campaign excepting what was 
 absolutely necessary, such as horse-and-buggy-hire, 
 and feed for horses, board and lodging for men, while 
 attending to the work. This expense was paid by the 
 gentlemen who had charge of the work in their 
 respective counties. ) 
 
 Capt. S. H. Blane agreed to send the name of the 
 candidate, as soon as one should be selected, to Mr. 
 Corey at Mason City, so that tickets could be printed 
 without delay. Ux^on arrival at Petersburg, Capt. 
 Blane called a caucus. Capt. W. H. Weaver being 
 the choice of the caucus, he was interviewed at once, 
 and finally consented to permit his name to be used. 
 Mr. Corey was duly notified of the fact. He printed 
 tickets and sent them to the several distributino: 
 points, namely: Havana, Petersburg, Yirginia, and 
 Bushville. 
 
 Maj. Buggies of Havana, Theodore Bell of Quiver 
 Tovv^nship, and Wells Corey of Mason City, are the 
 gentlemen v\dio finally had the management of affairs 
 in Mason county. 
 
38 '•'THE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 
 
 CHAPTER YII. - 
 
 JOUENEY TO THE CAPITAL. 
 
 On Monday, May lltli, W. I. Larasli and the author 
 drove to Frederick, whence we went by rail to Spring- 
 field, where we arrived in company with Hon. Perry 
 Logsdon, about 5 o'clock, r. M. Soon after our arrival, 
 we met Hon. Jacob Wheeler, who incited us to go to 
 the Leland Hotel with him to see Gen. Logan; but, 
 Mr. Logsdon having a prior engagement elsewhere, 
 our visit to the General was deferred until later in the 
 day. About 9 o'clock, in the evening, we met Gen. 
 Logan at the Leland. After introductions, the Gen- 
 eral exclaimed: "My God! boys, I didn't believe it 
 practicable; I have known of similar work being done 
 in a town, or in a county, but in a district composed 
 of four counties, I did not believe it could be done. 
 I pronounce it the most daring piece of political 
 strategy, so successfully executed, since the days of 
 Alexander the Great." 
 
 In the meantime, the Democrats were doing all 
 they could to pick flaws in the returns from some of 
 the precincts in Mason, Menard, and Cass counties, 
 and had sent a great many statesmen from the capital 
 to look after matters a little, you know. Presumably 
 to encourage the clerks to hold back the official 
 returns, the full seven days allowed by law. The time 
 
A JOUR^-EF TO THE CAPITAL 
 
 39 
 
 wore away, however, and official returns finally 
 reached Sprmgheld. Those of Mason and Menard 
 came by the Thursday morning (May 14th) mail. The 
 Cass county returns were in charge of a special 
 messenger who was patiently awaited all day. On 
 the arrival of the 4:30 train from Beardst^wn, a 
 special conveyance, with Manning Logan in charge 
 was m waiting at the depot. The messenger entered 
 It and was immediately driven to the State House 
 where the State Canvassers met and the offic^'al can' 
 vass^was concluded and the <^overnor's signature 
 a.tacnea to the Weaver certificate at 5:10, p. m. The 
 House, however, had adjourned till 10 o'clock Friday 
 morning, and the Eepresentatives were obliged to 
 wait to make their new accession available. 
 
 When the joint assembly met, pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment, at 7:30, P.M., and Weaver's certificate having 
 been issued m the meantime, the Eepublicans deter- 
 mined to have the oath of office administered and 
 ask to have him seated, so that he could take part in 
 the joint session; but, by some means Hiq plan 
 miscarried. The joint assembly adjourned till Friday, 
 8:30, A.M. Immediately after the adjournment of 
 the evening joint session, however, Mr. Weaver took 
 his certificate to Judge Gross, who was on the fioor 
 of the House and demanded that he administer the 
 oath of office to him. Judge Gross administered the 
 oath. 
 
 On Friday morning, after a hard fight, the Demo- 
 crats, when they found they could not help them- 
 selves, finally agreed to allow Capt. W. H. Weaver 
 to take his seat; provided, the Eepublicans would 
 agree to cast only formal ballots until Tuesday, the 
 
40 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPEllP 
 
 lOth, when real balloting was to be the order of the 
 
 day. 
 
 Tuesday at length arrived, and on the first ballot 
 Gen. Logan was elected, after a long delay caused 
 by the filibustering tactics of the Democrats, 
 who were willing to vote for any one or anything 
 to beat Logan. But the gallant 103 Eepublicans 
 stood firm and undaunted through the trying ordeal. 
 On motion of Representative Fuller, the Chair 
 appointed Messrs. Fuller, Chapman and Merritt, a 
 committee of three to conduct General Logan into 
 the hall. When Logan appeared, walking down the 
 aisle on the arm of Senator Merritt, a scene of the 
 wildest enthusiasm ensued and it was some minutes 
 before he could be heard. He v^^as introduced by 
 Speaker Haines and spoke as follows: 
 ''Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 State of Illinois: 
 
 "I congratulate, you on having brought to a conclusion this 
 most remarkable contest, which has been going on for nearly 
 four months. I have no words to express my gratitude to the 
 representatives of this great State of Illinois for the compliment 
 they have paid me to-day. Having been elected for the^ third 
 time to represent this great State in the Senate of the United 
 States, I hope ^ I have so acted and deported myself, my party, 
 my State and country; and my past history js the only guarantee 
 I can give for my future course. From the deepest recess of my 
 bosom, I again thank vou for the honor you have conferred upon 
 me. There is no position on earth which could be more gratify- 
 ing than to represent this great State. In this contest, which has 
 been an unusually close and heated one, I am proud to state that 
 notliing has transpired to mar the friendly relations existing 
 between myself and my worthy opponent. For thirty years, this 
 gentleman and my self have been friends, and I trust we shall 
 ahvays remain such. [Loud cheers.] I believe there has never 
 been a contest between two persons waged more earnestly for 
 
ADDRESS BY GEX. LOGA^. 41 
 
 their parties than this, after vrhich the mutual relations of the can- 
 didates remained so pleasant. I respect Mr. Morrison politically 
 and socially, and am proud to say we are friends, and sincerely 
 hope we may ever Le friends. [Cheers.] As to the other gentle- 
 man who was my opponent for a time, I can say nothing against 
 him, nor would I xvant to. Idv. Tree and myself lived neig^iljors 
 for many years in Chicago, and I have always had the hiirhest 
 respect for him. He made as good a contest, coming late into the 
 field and being a little short of votes, as he could make. For him, 
 I have nothing but respect. In conclusion, gentlemen, I desire 
 to say that, no matter what may have occurred during this contest, 
 it has been cjirried on in a spirit of fairness. No such contest 
 has ever been known in this country before, and it has appeared 
 strange to me that there has been s« little bitterness and excite- 
 ment exhibited. It is remarkable, I say, in a contest which has 
 lasted so long and been so close, that there is so little bitterness 
 of feeling displayed, and I desire to say that, in representing the 
 people of this State of Illinois in the United States Senate, I shall 
 ever try to do that which seems to me to be my duty— represent- 
 ing my party and my constituents fairly and honestly. [Cheers, j 
 I leave here having no bitter feeling towards any one who may 
 have opposed me. I respect a man who will stand by his 
 creed and his friends, and 1 expect no more from others accorded 
 to me. If I go to Washington, I do not go there with any fire 
 burning in my bosom, or feeling of antagonism toward any 
 party or the present Administration. I shall endeavor to repre- 
 sent you fairly and honestly, and stand by you in all which I 
 believe to be right. Gentlemen, again I thank you — I tender 
 you my most profound thanks. I have not before repaid, nor 
 can I repay, you for the manner in which you have stood by 
 me in this Legislature and State. I shall ever remember it, 
 and endeavor to prove worthy of the trust this day coniided in 
 me. Thanking you again, I hope you will learn in the future 
 that the wrong man has not been elected." [Applause and 
 cheers.] 
 
 The Hon. Perry Logsclon and W. I. Larasli called 
 at the headquarters of Gen. Logan on the after- 
 noon of May 20th, and before taking their leave. 
 
43 LOGAN'S LETTER TO THE AUTIIOE 
 
 the General requested Mr. Larasli to be the bearer 
 of the followiug letter addressed to the author: 
 
 Leland Hotel, Springfield, III., Miw 20th, 1885. 
 Henry Craske— if^ Dear Sir: The election is over and the 
 victory is ours. To the Thirty-Fourth Representative District are 
 we indebted for the vote that gave us the majority in the Legisla- 
 ture, and to you, my dear sir, there is much due for the organiza- 
 tion and success. You were the first mau who suggested to me 
 the possibility of carrying the district. I wrote you then, saying 
 the plan was a good one. Of course great credit is due to all our 
 friends who aided in carrying out the program, from whom I 
 would not wish to detract anything, but to you I give the credit 
 as the originator of the plan which was a success, and to you I 
 now return my grateful acknowledgements. 
 
 Your Friend, 
 [Signed] .JOHN A. LOGAN. 
 
 [See facsimile on opposite page.] 
 
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PREVALENCE OF THE INSPIBATION. 45 
 
 CHAPTER YIII. 
 PREVALENCE OF THE IXSPIEATION. 
 
 It will be seen by the following letters and items 
 that the idea of electing a Republican was quite 
 prevalent among the active Republican workers of 
 the district: 
 
 The following letter was received on April 20th, by 
 Jacob Hammond, postmaster at Rushville, from John 
 Waner, of Birmingham, Schuyler county: 
 
 Jacob IIammoxd, Rushville, 111.: "^^'"^ ^^' ^^^^• 
 
 Dear Sir: As everything is Democratic, have we not got a 
 good chance to elect a Republican in place of Mr. Shaw° (de- 
 ceased), to the House of Representatives and make Logan, U. S. 
 Senator? I have b,een thinking that we could defeat the Demo- 
 cratic nominee if every working Republican in the district was 
 posted, and would work on the sly, and get every Republican out 
 on the afternoon of May 6th, we could defeat the Democratic 
 nominee. 
 
 I have n't talked to any person yet, and will not until I hear 
 from you. You don't want more than two or three in each 
 township to know anything about it, and let them be the right 
 kind and I know it will w^ork. I think anj^hing, exxept stealhig 
 or murder, would be honorable to do to elect a Republican, if 
 that would elect J. A. Logan senator. 
 
 I may be a little "off ", in your estimation, but I would as soon 
 see Jeff. Davis elected as to see Logan defeated. Jeff. Davis may 
 die, and I want Logan there, when the "Rebels" disgrace the 
 flag by lowering at half-mast to honor a d— d rebel; as they did 
 for that traitor, Thompson. ]\Iy language is not sufficient to do 
 the subject justice. Yours, JOHN WANER. 
 
4G 
 
 ''THE MIGUTY SLEEPERS 
 
 W. W. Potts, of Rushville, in a conversation with 
 Maj. B. C. Gillam, suggested the possibility of carry- 
 ing the district, and asked the Major to see the author 
 in'^regard to the matter. Maj. GiHam approached me 
 on Thursday, April 23d, and said: ''Harry, can't we 
 do something to carry this district?" He was told 
 that something was being done and was cautioned to 
 
 keep still. 
 
 In Mason county, Mr. Theodore Bell considered the 
 matter seriously. He wrote the follow in g letter to 
 
 Hon. Jacob Yv heeler: 
 
 ToPEKA, III., April 25, 1835. 
 
 FiiiEND Jake: I believe, with the proper amount of sj-stem- 
 atic work all over the district, we can elect a Republican on the 
 6th of lilay. My plan is to have the Republicans come to the 
 polls to vote late in the day, so that the Democrats can't rally 
 on us. This can be done by having a good trusty Republican 
 in every neighborhood to notify the Republicans and bring 
 them to the polls. These are busy times with the farmers, and 
 they won't come to vote unless urged to come; and there has 
 been very little said about the election and hundreds of voters 
 in tne district do n't know on what day the election is called. 
 The Democrats will be napping, and if we 'are wide-awake v/e 
 will "get there." 
 
 Write me what you think of this. I would work this up all 
 
 over the district if I had the money to spend, but I have not. 
 
 . Very truly yours, 
 
 ^ THEO. BELL. 
 
 It will be seen from the foregoing that this spirit 
 was agitating some of the Kepublicans all over the 
 district. In Virginia, Cass county, on Monday even- 
 ing, April 27th, the following gentlemen met at Dr. S. 
 Colladay's office, namely: Dr. Colladay, Keuben 
 Lancaster, Charles B. Gatton, and James B. Black. 
 The question was raised as to the feasibility of carry- 
 ing the district for the Republican party. It was 
 
PREVALENCE OF THE INSFIBATJOJSf. 47 
 
 determined that Mr. Black, Mr. Lancaster, cuid Mr. 
 Gatton sliouid go to Springfield next day, tlie 28tli, 
 for the purpose of interviewing Hon. Perry Logsdon 
 on the subject. This explains the presence of "these 
 gentlemen at the meeting in Gen. Logan's room, on 
 the evening of April 28th. 
 
 It has been the aim of the author to place upon the * 
 Eoli of Honor the name of every Republican who 
 was engaged in the work, and to give each one the 
 full measure of praise that is justly due him. If any 
 one is omitted, it is the fault of memory and not the 
 intentional ommission of the author. 
 
48 
 
 rUE MIGHTY SLEEPERy 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CAMPAIGN IN CASS COUNTY. 
 
 The following is a letter received from Hon. F. M. 
 * Davis in regard to the campaign in the Beardstown 
 
 precinct: - i -icr -loor 
 
 Beardstown, III., July 15, 18b5. 
 
 Henry Craske, Enshville, 111.: 
 
 Dear Sir: At your request, I send you the particu- 
 lars of the election held at Beardstown, on May 6th, 
 1885, for Eepresentative to the Legislature from the 
 Thirty-Fourth District. 
 
 I would state that the first information I received 
 
 in the matter was a visit to my home by yourself and 
 
 Col. Asa C. Matthews, on the Sunday preceding the 
 
 election. So short was your visit that no one 
 
 suspected the mission you were on. Upon your 
 
 information that John T. Beekman was our candidate, 
 
 and to carry out the instructions of the circular you 
 
 gave me, I went to work immediately. On Monday 
 
 evening, Wm. H. Weaver was the candidate. On 
 
 Tuesday evening, a meeting was called at T. K. 
 
 Condit's house, and the following persons were 
 
 present: T. L. Mathews, T. K. Condit, Alex. Forsyth, 
 
 C. Pilger, and F. M. Davis, of Beardstown, and Charles 
 
 Condit, of Arenzville. After talking the matter over, 
 
 it was agreed that I should attend to the distribution 
 
 of the tickets, exercising the greatest care that none 
 
CAMFAJG^ I2i GA£3 
 
 CO. 49 
 
 uc- 
 
 but staunch Republicans receive the tickets. Insti^_ 
 tions were also given tliat none should go near th^e 
 polls sooner than 4 o'clock, p. m., which progamme 
 was carried out to the letter, ^vith the exception of a 
 few Eepublicans who came horn the country. 
 
 At 12, M., only twenty-seven votes had been cast. 
 At 1 o'clock, the Democrats at Ashland telephonrd 
 to the Democratic Committee hero that tickets had 
 been found bearing the name of W. H. Weaver; but 
 that no such tickets had been voted, so far. The 
 Democratic Committee replied that it would not 
 amount to anything; that no one was voting here; that 
 only forty votes were polled, and there was no use to 
 give it any attention, as Leeper was sure of election. 
 I gave tickets !o several Republicans who could 
 keep a secret, to be given to Republicans who were 
 working around at ditierent places in the city; and by 
 4 o'clock, there was more winking, as one Republican 
 would meet another, than I ever saw. Mr. Alex. 
 JTorsyth and W. C. Brown were appointed to supply 
 the railroad men vWth tickets, and they performed 
 this duty well. C. Pilger's duty was to watch the 
 voters from the country and send tbem back to the 
 country precincts, which duty he performed accept- 
 ably, by sending home on the double-quick, some 
 of the voters who voted at Bluff Springs precinct. 
 The vote out there (only one majority for Leeper) 
 tells the story. 
 
 Up to 4 o'clock, the Democrats had not found out 
 that we had a candidate in the person of W. H. 
 Weaver. At that time, they were convinced that 
 something was up, and they went to work with all 
 their might. But so still had the Republicans kept 
 
50 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPEIir 
 
 their secret, that the die was irrevocably cast. Several 
 Democrats were told at this time, and Weaver tickets 
 handed them, which they voted, on being told that his 
 election would elect John A. Logan to the IT. S. Senate. 
 
 This precinct, which in November gave Cleveland 
 Electors sixty-six majority, gave Weaver a majority of 
 eighty. The official vote is as follows: Weaver, 354; 
 Leeper, 274; total, 628. 
 
 Some of the Democrats were very angry on receipt 
 
 of nevfs of Weaver's election; but a great many were 
 
 glad, and so expressed themselves; saying that 
 
 Logan was the choice of the people of the vdiole 
 
 State and ought to be elected, as he was such a brave 
 
 general and grand statesman. , 
 
 Yours, respectfully, F. M. DAYIS. 
 
 Ashland, III., July 14th, 1885. 
 H. Ceaske. — O^ear Sir: By your request I wall 
 
 give a few details, or happenings, of the election here 
 on May 6th, 1885, in this noted district, the Thirty- 
 Fourth, in regard to the Weaver vs. Leeper campaign 
 for Kepresentative. 
 
 On Monday before the election, I went to Havana 
 (by way of Yirginia) to visit my sister who was at the 
 time dangerously sick. While I was waiting for my 
 train at Virginia, I was informed of the plan by 
 Heuben Lancaster, of that place. He wanted me to 
 take the tickets and come back and work our precinct. 
 As I was obliged to go to Havana, I prevailed on 
 him to go to Ashland that night, and j^lace the tickets 
 in the hands of AYm. S. Douglas. 
 
 While I was still in Virginia, I met the Democratic 
 
 candidate for Representative. The first words he 
 spoke was to accuse me of working some scheme to 
 
campaig:s' in cass. 51 
 
 defeat him; and after I had gone to the deiDot, he 
 and his friend, Jack McDonald, came there to inter- 
 view me. I assured them that if I was working such 
 a scheme I would endeavor not to "give it away." I 
 jokingly retorted that it would be a nice thing for the 
 Kepublican party if such a thing could be done. As 
 the train was late and they were still uneas}^, they 
 concluded to go to Havana v\^ith me and see what I 
 was going to do. As we passed through Snicarte, a 
 place consisting of only tv/o or three houses and a 
 few corn cribs and is almost lost in a desert of sand, 
 Jack McDonald (the friend of the Democratic can- 
 didate) remarked to me that he thought that vv^ould 
 be a good place for my candidate to come to the next 
 day after the election. He seemed to think that 
 Snicarte was a very lonely ]place and a good place 
 for a defeated candidate. I have never heard whetJier 
 Leeper ever vv^ent there or not. After reaching 
 Havana, the first man I found was Lawyer Brown. I 
 informed him of their business and put him on their 
 track to throw them off, if possible. This he (Brown) 
 did completely, and they returned to Yirginia the 
 next morning, feeling assured the coast was clear. 
 
 I returned home to xA.shland the next morning, and 
 found Wm. Douglas in the height of his glory; and 
 that afternoon, his son Charles was exhibiting a fine 
 stallion all over the precinct. He was a Eepublican 
 horse and, of course, was only shown to the Eepub- 
 Hcans, as everybody knows a Democrat would not 
 have anything to do with a Kepublican horse. 
 Several of us had business in the country at that 
 time, but all in different directions, and no suspicion 
 was created to alarm Democrats. 
 
53 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 All went lovely until about 10 o'clock on the day 
 of tlie election, when they received a telegram to look 
 out, — that the Kepublicans were going to spring a 
 candidate; but we baffled them by abusing the 
 saloons, threatening to prosecute them for keeping 
 open doors on election day. We protested that 
 saloons had to be closed on all election days. While 
 we were parleying over that, they forgot all about 
 the election until 1 o'clock, when another telegram 
 came stating that there was surely a Republican 
 candidate out, and that they must go to work at once; 
 but they could not believe it as there had been only 
 three Republican votes during the day. They, how- 
 ever, got to pushing us too hard and we saw we had 
 to get up some excitement to keep them quiet, so w^e 
 commenced on this little scheme: There w^as an old 
 foundation of a wind-mill which had about five feet 
 of water in it, and the little boys were fishing almost 
 continually there. The project was to take a baby's 
 dress and cut a few holes in it with a knife and 
 sprinkle it with blood, and have some good-sized boy 
 fish it out, and pretend he saw the dead body in the 
 water. It was all done in less time than I have been 
 writing this. It was a grand success. In less than a 
 half-hour there were two or three hundred people 
 crowding around the old foundation, expecting every 
 minute to see some one rake up the dead and murdered 
 baby. Even the judges of the election had to take 
 their turns and visit the place of search. One very 
 amusing thing was, every Republican believed there 
 was a baby there. After failing to find it with rakes, 
 some one proposed to dip the water out, so as to be 
 sure; and in about tw^enty minutes there were nearly 
 
CAMP^UGN IN GA8S. 53 
 
 a liimdrecl buckets in oi^eration i^ailing out tlie water. 
 There being two or tliree liundred barrels of water 
 to pail out, it continued until about 4 o'clock, wlien 
 some Eepublican, carelessly, "gave it away," and 
 now^ the ball commenced rolling. Some of the Dem- 
 ocrats could not believe there was anything of it. 
 Others believed it, but had no fears of a defeat and 
 bragged how easily they ''caught on" and expressed 
 themselves as believing that they would have been 
 defeated if they had not found it out. 
 
 At 4 o'clock, there were over ninety votes polled 
 and only three for Weaver. At 6 o'clock, Avhen the 
 votes were counted. Weaver was twenty-two votes 
 ahead. As this precinct went thirty-six Democratic 
 last fall, this made the Democrats feel pretty blue. 
 AVe soon heard, by telegraph, that Greenview had 
 given Weaver a majority of eightj^ Next came 
 Athens, one hundred and seventy-four majority for 
 Weaver. Beardstown, seventy-six for Weaver. 
 
 A Democrat was not now to be found and the town 
 
 was full of Eepublicans. Anvils were being fired, 
 
 flags were floating in the breeze, and excitement was 
 
 unbounded. Every message that came was so much 
 
 for Weaver, and thus it continued. A great many of 
 
 us kept up the enthusiasm until John A. Logan was 
 
 re-elected U. S. Senator. This w^as our purpose all 
 
 the time; and not until then did we get satisfaction. 
 
 The Democrats have not fully recovered jet. 
 
 Whether they ever will or not is to be seen in the 
 
 future. It is to be hoped that they never will. 
 
 Hoping this will be of some benefit to you and 
 that we may win for our "Black Jack" what he 
 richly deserves, the presidency in 1888, 
 
 I am yours, truly, A. F. BUENHAM, M.D. 
 
54 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPER:' 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CAMPAIGN IN MENAED COUNTY. 
 
 The following is a brief history of the "still hunt" 
 in Menard county, as furnished me by a prominent 
 Eepublican of Petersburg: 
 
 Petersburg, III., July 16, 1885. 
 
 Henry Craske, Esq.: — (Dear Sir: Enclosed find 
 brief sketch of campaign here: The history of the 
 "still hunt" in Menard county may be briefly told. 
 On April 29th, a letter was received by Capt. S. H. 
 Blane, from Henry Craske, of Kushville, Schuyler 
 county, submitting the plan which was afterward 
 substantially adopted and carried out. In the Craske 
 letter was also one from E. W. Mills, of Virginia, Cass 
 county, approving the scheme and nominating Capt. 
 Blane for Eepresentative. By same mail, a com- 
 munication was received from Dan. Sliei)ard, written 
 at Springfield, requesting an interview at the Leland, 
 on the 30th. On the day last named, room 14 at the 
 Leland found several gentlemen assembled, whose 
 conversation was not very loud. Captain Blane 
 declined to run and urged his ineligibility by reason 
 of holding the office of State's Attorney in his county. 
 It was thought best by those present that Menard 
 county should furnish the candidate. Several names 
 were discussed, among others that of John T. Beek- 
 
THE CAMPAIGN IN MENARD. 
 
 55 
 
 man and it was finally agreed tliat lie should be the 
 candidate; but objections were raised by some £?entle 
 men from one of tlie other counties and it was 
 afterward agreed that another should be selected 
 It was left for Menard county to select and report 
 name to ^\ells Corey, of Mason City, who had agreed 
 to print the tickets and send them by express to the 
 different counties. 
 
 On the way home on the train, Mr. Corey and Capt 
 l>lane continued ih^ question of candidate. Mr 
 Corey spoke favorably of Capt. Weaver on account of 
 ins extensive acquaintance in three of the counti-s 
 Arriving at Petersburg by the evening train after the 
 shaaes of night had fallen, the telephone was called 
 into requisition and by a sort of "cipher-alley" con- 
 versation a small coterie of Republicans were soon 
 in consultation. Three names were prominently 
 be.ore the conspirators. Capt. Weaver's was first on 
 the list. He was to be seen, urged to run, and, in 
 case of his refusal, then the second was to be seen- 
 and, m case of his refusal, the third was to be called 
 on. A committee of two called at Capt. W. F 
 Weaver's residence and were invited in, the Captain 
 being m another room. Upon recognizing the voices 
 of the two callers, he came in, sans coat and vest 
 sans hoots, sans shirt collar, and smilingly apologized 
 for the situation, and invited his friends to be seated 
 Drawing their chairs up close to the Captain, one on 
 each side, the night prowlers opened on their un- 
 suspecting victim. The political situation was 
 broached. Gen. Logan's chances discussed, his sacri- 
 fice m the late presidential election referred to, and 
 about the time Capt. Weaver's blood began to warm 
 
50 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 up at the recollection of St. John's yillainy, and Dr. 
 Burchard's infirmity, the subject-matter of the visit 
 was introduced. The Captain was taken unawares. 
 He pleaded poverty, — he was too poor to make the 
 race, and could not afford to drop his business and 
 incur the necessary expense of the race. 
 
 These objections were promptly met by the per- 
 sonal assurance that the campaign should not cost 
 him a dollar. He urged the names of other Repub- 
 licans. Each name was objected to, when compared 
 with his own, as not the best, all things considered. 
 The great imi:)ortance of the situation was urged upon 
 him; the far-reaching effects of success, if obtained; 
 the great consolation there would come from snatch- 
 ing victory from the jaws of defeat; and how much 
 of the poison of last fall's humiliation would be 
 extracted if Gen. Logan was sent back to the U. S. 
 Senate. The Captain fully entered into the spirit of 
 these matters, and finally said, if the two friends who 
 were urging his candidacy, really considered it a duty 
 to the Republican party and Gen. Logan for him to 
 run, he would consent to lead the forlorn hope, and 
 take the consequences, for better or for worse. 
 
 In five minutes, the "still hunt" began. A few of 
 the faithful were let into the secret, but "mum's the 
 word," The most of the actual canvassing wag done 
 the two days and nights previous to the election. The 
 tickets were printed by that prince of Republicans, 
 Wells Corey, and by him sent to the several dis- 
 tributing points. Tickets were sent out by private 
 messengers to the proper men in each precinct, with 
 instructions that no other word by mail or otherwise 
 would be sent; but each man was to work up his own 
 
TUE CAMPAIGN IN JIENARD. -57 
 
 precinct, without asking further questions. To get 
 the tickets and word to the several precincts without 
 creating suspicion was the most difficult part of the 
 campaign. John Purkapile, a wounded soldier, who 
 of late years had been buying butchers' stock for the 
 Petersburg butchers, was called in, given the "coun- 
 tersign" and directed to be ready on a certain morn- 
 ing to proceed to certain points in the east part of 
 the county. The morning designated found Purkapile 
 on his blue -roan pony, with a cattle -whip coiled 
 around the horn of his saddle, and with a couple of 
 shepherd dogs following. He started on his journey, 
 making frequent inquiries for "butchers' stock," of 
 all Democratic travelers he met on the road. It is 
 estimated that the number of beeves looked at on 
 that trip and conditionally bargained for would fill a 
 respectable army contract. According to instructions, 
 Purkapile rounded up about noon at "Bob" Young's, 
 near Indian Point. "Bob,"' by the way, is an old 
 soldier and had been in Petersburg a day or so 
 previously, and when Purkapile rode up it was some- 
 what surprising to "Bob's" family that he, obviousty, 
 had been expecting a visitor. After dinner, Purkapile 
 meandered on eastward to the residence of Henry C. 
 Graham, where another order was delivered, and 
 from there to E. C. Read's, in the Sweetwater precinct, 
 Purkapile and his shepherd dogs wended their way 
 intent on bringing in a herd of fat cows, if any could 
 be bought "right,"— this being very difficult to do 
 that day. 
 
 John Willson, an insurance agent, was sent out into 
 other parts of the county to deliver tickets. It was 
 somewhat remarkable to the Democrats how quickly 
 
58 " THE MIGHTY SLEEFEP,:' 
 
 this insurance agent would get tlirougli talking 
 insurance. 
 
 One Eepublican, Eli Eeep, in the west part of the 
 county, had a great deal of trouble, apparently, in 
 finding the kind of seed corn he wanted. For two 
 days and nights prior to the election, he was riding 
 about the country, sampling everyone's seed-corn, and 
 declaring he Avas greatly discouraged at the unsound- 
 ness of the "sprout." As he has made no complaint 
 lately, ^YQ presume he found some that grew. 
 
 Saul Austin, an old war-horse of the "sixties," at 
 SAveetwater, found his health a "little off" for a 
 couple of days before the election, and loitered 
 around the postoflice, where he met a great many men 
 from the countr}^ He apparently wanted to buy a 
 work-horse; as he followed a number of farmers to 
 their wagons and was examining their horses' limbs 
 and occasionally got in and drove the team around a 
 little. 
 
 In the Greenyiew precinct, "Bob" Kiilion kept 
 the boys quiet and in line until the pre-arranged hour 
 of 5 o'clock, when they were turned loose to the great 
 consternation of the "unterrified." It was afterward 
 remarked by some of the observing Democrats, who 
 can see better out of their hindsights than they can 
 out of their foresights, that Homer Tice had to salt 
 his cattle in a distant pasture several times the last 
 few days before the election. 
 
 In the Tallula district, John T. Beekman, George 
 C. Spears, "Dock" Glenn, John Q. Spears, C. C. Judy, 
 and John Hfdey Spears moved on tlie enemy in 
 splendid style. Dr. Bobertson, an old-time Bourbon, 
 remarked frequently during election day, that it 
 
THE CAMPAIGN IN MENAIW. 59 
 
 seemed to liim the Republicans were just completely 
 whipjoed out, as they did not have enough spunk left 
 to even bring out a candidate. To these remarks, the 
 boys returned very vague answers, telling the old 
 doctor that, since Cleveland had been elected, they 
 had concluded to "let the tail go with the hide." 
 When the time came and the Eepublicans began to 
 vote, the old doctor remarked that the}^ ought to have 
 brought out their man sooner and let him receive a 
 respectable vote. The next morning he concluded 
 the "respectable vote" was lacking for the other man. 
 
 In the Petersburg precinct, the strictest secrecy 
 was observed. But fevv^ knew anything of the scheme. 
 Men, usually active in political affairs, were ignorant 
 of what was going on; and, when the Democrats be- 
 came somewhat suspicious, they naturally plied these 
 old-time politicians with questions, watched their 
 movements, and neither hearing nor seeing anything 
 about them out of the usual routine, settled down 
 complacently in the assurance that all was right. The 
 secret consj^irators were sorely tried to keep a careless 
 and indifferent exterior, and in passing each other on 
 the street adopted Burns' idea to " look as ye were na 
 lookin' at me." Secret caucuses Avere held late at 
 night in the third story of a certain furniture store, 
 where, by the dim light of a turn-down lamp, showed 
 the queer surroundings, where " coffins stood 'round 
 like open presses," which, while they did not show 
 the "dead in their last dresses," suggested to the 
 caucus the possibility of a corpse being in prepara- 
 tion to occupy one of them in the very near future. 
 The manner in which this upper story was reached 
 without arousing suspicion, the way each fellow 
 
60 " THE MIQRTY SLEEPER:' 
 
 would " syne up the back stile, and let nae body see," 
 can better be imagined than described.. The many 
 hair-breadth escapes from discovery were too nnmer-' 
 ous to relate. Secrecy had to be enforced, and yet 
 the Republican yoters had to be notified. 
 
 One instance will illustrate the manner of getting 
 out the Petersburg vote. Ed. Goodman, a plasterer, 
 whitewasher, and brick-mason, took his whitewash 
 bucket on his arm* the morning. of the election, and 
 with pole and brush on his shoulder started out 
 through the resident part of town apparently looking 
 for a job. When he called at a Bepublican's house 
 he, of course, made his business known secretly and 
 passed. Did he meet a Democrat, his inquiry was 
 for a job, which, if ready for him would be declined 
 under some pretext, until some future day. 
 
 There was little talk on the streets or in public 
 places. It is impossible to give the names of all who 
 actively worked out the scheme. There was one 
 watch-word which never failed to enlist the most 
 lethargic Republican, — the name of John A. Logan. 
 When the plan was revealed to a " doubting Thomas," 
 the assurance that Logan was personally interested 
 and was expecting every Republican to do his duty, 
 was sufficient to put him to work. The potency of 
 Logan's name was remarkable. Its mention set on 
 fire the latent enthusiasm of every man to whom the 
 subject y/as introduced. 
 
 In Athens precinct, Henry C. Graham, "Bob" 
 Young, "Buck" Williams, Capt. Hurt, W. S. Hurt, 
 Jeff. Johnson, John Kinhart, J. H. Kincaid, John A. 
 Kincaid, R. Y. Kincaid, and many others managed 
 the campaign skillfully. 
 
THE CAMPAIGN IN MENARD. 61 
 
 The names of Petersburg workers are too numerous 
 to mention. Among tliem were tlie following: C. R. 
 Collin, D. M. Bone, W. R. Park, John Purkapile, Ed. 
 Goodman, George Freeze, Capt. McDougall, Jojm 
 Harper, A. Golden, John Willson, S. H. Plane, N. W. 
 Branson, George Morris, W. T. Beekman, and Capt. 
 Weaver. 
 
 It is thought worthy of note that the colored voters 
 in Petersburg were faithful to their convictions. In 
 order to bring them in full force to the polls it was 
 only necessary to tell them John A. Logan needed 
 their votes. Yours, . 
 
C2 ''THE MIGHTY sleeper:' 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ANECDOTES. 
 
 A TALLULA DEMOCRAT VOTES FOE YvEAVER. 
 
 This anecdote comes from Taliula, Menard x^onnty, 
 as told by that staunch Republican, G. C. Spears, in 
 ansY/er to a request for the particulars : 
 
 Tallula, III., July 27, 1885. 
 
 Henry Craske, Rushyille, lu^.—Oear Sir: Yours 
 of the 21st received in due time. Should have 
 answered sooner but have been quite sick for the last 
 week, better this morning. 
 
 You wished me to write you about my Democratic 
 friend voting the Republican ticket. I have no 
 objection to giving the circumstances, but must with- 
 hold the name, as he is very sensitive on that subject. 
 
 We were working very quietly and the Democrats 
 not suspecting anything. My friend, W. C. Roe, one 
 of our mischievous Republicans, said, "I am going 
 to make ' Sam ' vote for Weaver." Seeing him stand- 
 ing on the opi)osite side of the street, he (Roe) ap- 
 proached him thus: "Sam, have you voted yet?" 
 " No. There is no use of voting, for there is no oppo- 
 sition, and our man will be elected any way. But I 
 ought to vote, for I went to school to that man." 
 " Well, I think so, too. Come on. I will go with you 
 and vote," giving him a ticket (a Weaver ticket fojded 
 up), so they walked to the polls, ''Sam" voting first, 
 
ANECDOTES. 63 
 
 then Eoe. After Toting, lie saw some Weaver tickets. 
 "What does this mean? Is Weaver running?" Roe" 
 replied, "Of course, he is; and you voted for him.' 
 He exclaimed, "That beats the d — 1!" 
 
 I can join you a hearty hurrah for John A. Logan 
 for the next president. 
 
 Respectfully, G. C. SPEAES. 
 
 CAPT. weaver's STOEY. 
 
 There is a story extant that is very amusing in 
 regard to an aged Republican of Mason county, who 
 went to Havana early ou the morning of May 6th. 
 Upon inquiry, he was assured by the Democrats that 
 Mr. Leeper was the only candidate running, and they 
 insisted that he must vote for him. He, however, 
 declined to do so; but they continued to insist, and, 
 using some of their persuasive methods, finally in- 
 duced him to vote for Leeper. The old Republican 
 started for home about 5 o'clock, p. M. On the road, 
 he met a number of Republican neighbors v>^ho 
 informed him they were going to town to vote. He 
 told them it v/as no use, as they would have to vote 
 for Leeper, as he was the onl}^ candidate that was 
 running. The neighbors told him he was mistaken; 
 for W. H. Weaver was running, and they were going 
 in to vote for him. The aged Republican novr got 
 very angry at himself for being gulled so easil}-, and 
 induced to vote for the Democratic candidate. He 
 went home loathing himself, and determined to have 
 revenge. He got a rope from the barn and went to 
 the orchard and putting the rope around his neck, 
 threw the end over a limb of the tree, laid hold of it 
 with both hands and drew it tight, then eased up and 
 
64 
 
 a 7' 
 
 THE MIGHTY SLEEPER. 
 
 yelled out, "Vote the Democratic ticket will you? 
 g — d d — m you." He would then tighten the rope, 
 ease up, and draw himself again until the flesh 
 weakened and he finally took a solemn oath, that if 
 the good Lord would forgive him this time for voting 
 til© democratic ticket, he would never do so any more. 
 
A WELL -EARNED TRIBUTE. 65 
 
 A DESEEYED TRIBUTE. 
 
 To the EeiDublicans of the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial 
 District, the author wishes to say, that to you, all 
 hotior is clue for the high state of discipline, organi- 
 zation, and obedience, without which success would 
 not have been possible. To you, therefore, the thanks 
 of the Republicans of the Nation are due. For by 
 your prompt action on the 6th, the grand result 
 desired and hoped for was successfully accomplished 
 on the 19th day of May, — the election of Hon. John 
 A. Logan to the United States Senate. And through 
 you has been demonstrated the fact that thorough 
 disciplined organization and obedience are the neces- 
 sary adjuncts to a successful political campaign under 
 difficulties. You have also demonstrated the fact 
 that the Republicans can do, and ever have done their 
 most efficient work without hope of pecuniary reward 
 or official position. 
 
 Note. — Does not this campaign show conclusively that in 
 accomplishing results, good generalship and practical politics are 
 far superior to that peculiar kind known as "sentimental politics" 
 which exists, to some extent, in the Republican party? Are there 
 not Republicans, who, believing in the justice of their cause, 
 think it must be victorious, that if not victorious now, it surely 
 will be by and by, and are thus willing to wait? 
 
 To those "goody, goody" fellows allow me to say, that, although 
 we had right and at least 25,000 majority of the voters of the 
 State for the Republican party, General Logan would not have 
 been elected to the U. S. Senate had it not been for that brave and 
 gallant little band of practical Republicans, whose good fortune 
 permitted them to live in the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District 
 of Illinois. 
 
60 " THE MIGHTY SLEEPS W 
 
 PRESS NOTES. 
 
 BEFOEE LOGAN'S ELECTION. 
 
 The Chicago Times, May 8, 1885, says: 
 
 The result of the special election in the Thirty-Fourth Legisla- 
 tive District of Illinois is a surprise which is not without decid- 
 edly amusing features, though it can hardly be expected that the 
 Democrats will he able to appreciate the comic side of it. The 
 district was admitted to be hopelessly Democratic. In November 
 last every county in it gave a Democratic majority, the aggregate 
 for the district being 2,050. When the vacancy occurred, three 
 or four weeks ago, the majority party nominated a Mr. Leeper 
 to fill it. The Republicans apparently accepted the situation, 
 and, so far as tlie public knew, had no purpose to contest the 
 election. Mr. Leeper — should not the name have been Sleeper? 
 —and his party certainly accepted the situation — and quite too 
 contidentl}^, as the outcome proves. When election day came, a 
 few Democrats went to the polls in a perfunctory sort of way, and 
 supposed they had elected their man. But suddenl}', two or three 
 hours before the closing time, the Republicans began to swarm 
 around the voting places, and, by strict attention to business dur- 
 ing the remainder of the daj^, succeeded in "snowing uniler" the 
 Democratic ballots in the boxes, and — from the returns at hand 
 at this writing — electing a candidate of their own. The surprise 
 and disgust of j\Ir. Nye when the "Heathen Chinee" brought out 
 his reserves, in the celebrated contest recorded by Bret Harte, 
 only faintly foreshadowed the feelings of the Thirty-Fourth 
 District Democrats when the trick of their opponents was dis- 
 covered; for Islr. Nye "went for that Heathen Chinee," and 
 obtained satisfaction and redress, but what balm or solace is there 
 for the abused confidence and bruised feelings of the sufferers 
 from this lost game of ballot-boxing. 
 
 A modern proverb asserts that "All 's fair in politics," as well as 
 in war. The ambuscade and surprise in the Thirty-Fourth Dis- 
 
PHESS NOTES. 67 
 
 trict was certainly as sharp a piece of strategy as lias been 
 executed in either field lately; and the Republicans who planned 
 and carried it to success have a right to felicitate themselves 
 upon their shrewdness, the exceeding skill with which they con- 
 cealed their purpose from the drowsy enem3" until the appointed 
 moment, and the energy that brought their forces into the field 
 and won the victory before "night or Blucher" could come to the 
 rescue of the bewildered foe. 
 
 Turning from the exultant Republicans, the situation of the 
 Democrats of Illinois, after this unexpected defeat, is found to 
 be most humiliating. Four months ago their legislative repre- 
 sentatives assembled at Springfield, exactly equal in numbers to 
 their opponents, but with the prestige of the national victory in 
 jSTovember to give them strength and confidence in their ability 
 to elect a United-States Senator. The circumstances and condi- 
 tions rendered that confidence not unreasonable, and it certainly 
 pervaded the party throughout the State. A caucus selected a 
 candidate, but as soon as the balloting began it became apparent 
 that this chosen standard-bearer was not able to command the 
 full party vote, or to secure the odd man v.ithout whom an 
 election was impossible. The opposing candidate was equally 
 unfortunate, some Republicans stubbornly refusing to vote for 
 him; and it was generally admitted that this defection was of a 
 character which v»^ould insure the election of any Democrat who 
 could get the votes of all the members chosen as Democrats. 
 From this situation a systematic procrastination and avoidance of 
 plain legal duties was developed by both parties in the legisla- 
 ture. Xo effort was made by either side to break the "deadlock," 
 or to change the conditions of the contest in any way that might 
 result in breaking it. The captains chosen at the beginning held 
 on to the empty honor of their positions, each seemingly prefer- 
 ring: the chance of the other's success in some accidental shufile 
 of the cards to any action that would leave his partj^ free to seek 
 victory under another leader. 
 
 At length a change has come. The death of a Democratic 
 member opened the way for it, and the Republican leaders, by an 
 exploit of almost unparalleled audacity, have elected his sucessor 
 in the face of a vastly superior but feebly commanded host. The 
 senatorial prize, which at almost any time in the last dozen weeks 
 seemed to be within easv reach of a united Democratic force, lies 
 
08 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPElir 
 
 now at the disposal of the Republicans. The^responsibility for 
 its loss seems to rest wholl}" upon the incapable and selfish 
 leaders of the Democrats who, in imbecile inactivity or absorbed 
 in personal ambitions, have permitted themselves and the party 
 to be outgeneraled and outwitted by an alert and energetic foe. 
 The disaster seems to be irremediable. To the party in Illinois 
 and in the countrjf at large, the failure to elect a United-States 
 Senator from this State will appear something in the nature of a 
 calamity; and the mortification and anger with which it must be 
 regarded will be very certain to cause serious discomfort for 
 those to whom it is chargeable. 
 
 The Indianapolis (Ind.) Journal, May 18, says: 
 The duty of the Illinois Legislature is now so palpable, how- 
 ever, and the outcome of its action so important, not only to that 
 but other States, that people not residents of Illinois may be 
 excused for urging prompt and decisive action on this point. 
 Gen. John A. Logan, b}^ his great services in war and his eminent 
 abilities as an active, vigilant member of the United States Senate, 
 has established a reputation as a careful, strong man, peculiarly 
 fitted for the occasion now at hand. In addition to his services as 
 a soldier and legislator, ho stands before the Illinois Legislature 
 as the exponent of the National Republican party. He cannot' 
 be set aside without harm to the party, and to attempt it or to 
 allow it would be the most stupendous folly. He went into the 
 last National campaign a strong man, and closed it with the 
 l^frestige of greater popularity than he ever enjoyed. A man 
 who could do what he did is the man for the occasion, and his 
 presence in the Senate is demanded by the Republican party of 
 the entire Nation. 
 
 The New York Times, May 18: 
 
 Gen. John A. Logan should be elected at 12 o'clock to-morrow, 
 or so soon thereafter as the call of the roll can be made. 
 
 The Philadelphia Press: 
 
 If the Republican members of the Illinois Legislature heed 
 the unanimous voice of their party's press, they will elect Gen. 
 Logan at once to the United States Senate. Some of the Inde- 
 pendent papers which have heretofore opposed him are also 
 
PRESS XOTES. 69 
 
 acknowledging his admirable bearing during the loHg content and 
 urging his election. It is a good time now, when so maijy 
 ex-rebels are being placated with office, and loyalty seems to be 
 at a discount, to honor conspicuously a man who remained true to 
 the Government, and who did not fear to declare in the face of 
 Southern threats that "the men of the Northwest will hew their 
 way to the Gulf." There should be no further deky in maki-ng 
 this result certain. 
 
 The Cleveland Leader: 
 
 Republicans all over the country are united in the opinion tiiat 
 Gen. John A. Logan should now be elected United States Senator 
 from Illinois. The great majority of Democrats also feel that if 
 a Republican is to be elected, it ought to be " Black Jack." 
 
 « 
 
 The Chicago Morning News, May 13: 
 
 This is the Republican opportunit}". Victory is placed within 
 their grasp through Logan's tenacity of purpose and the political 
 sagacity and adroitness which organized the success in the 
 Thirty-Fourth District. 
 
 The Illinois State Journal, May 14: 
 
 The interest felt in the contest has been National, and has feeen 
 largely due to the anxiet}' felt for the re-election of Gen. Logan 
 himself, as well as the desire to see a Republican chosen. 
 
 The St. Louis Gloce-Democrat, May 16, 1885: 
 In the whole history of American politics there is scarcely to 
 be found a parallel to the Senatorial contest at Springfield, in the 
 one fact of personal allegiance to a candidate who had neither 
 money nor office to give or to promise as the reward of fidelity. 
 John A. Logan, representing a political party without patronage, 
 and himself a man totally destitute of what the world calls means, 
 has not lost a single supporter out of the even hundred who 
 pledged themselves to him five months ago. They have answered 
 the roll-call every time and are more strongly attached to him 
 to-day than ever before. And yet w^e are told by some that Logan 
 is a "spoils" politician; that he holds office only by the power of 
 patronage and all that sort of thing. Where are his spoils now? 
 Which one of his supporters can hope for an offi.ce in reward for * 
 his devotion? To ask the question is to answer it. The speclftcle 
 
70 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERS 
 
 at Springfield on the Republican side is a magnificent one. It is, 
 on one hand, a grand tribute to Logan's worth as a man and as a 
 party leader, and it is, on the other hand, a still grander testi- 
 monial to the unselfish devotion of the true men who espoused 
 Logan's payless cause last January, and v/ho will stand by it until 
 it is crowned by success, be it next Tuesday or next Christmas. 
 All honor to Logan and all honor to the Logan men at Springfield. 
 
 The National Tribune, Wasliington, D.C., May 21: 
 
 Contrary to general expectation nothing was accomplished 
 last week toward electing a Senator from Illinois. The Legisla- 
 ture met in joint session, and Gen. Logan had 103 Republicans 
 present read}" to vote for him, but Speaker Haines refused to 
 recognize Weaver because his credentials had not been formally 
 presented. The Democrats made a most astonishing departure, 
 by suddenly dropping their candidates and voting almost solidly 
 for a man named Lambert Tree, of Chicago, whose sole recom- 
 mendation is that a number of years ago he married a large 
 quantity of Chicago real estate, which has become quite valuable. 
 It is a burning disgrace to the party that it should turn for an 
 instant from such men as Morrison and Black, to attempt to put 
 another mere money-bag in the Senate. There is reason to hope 
 that Gen. Logan will be elected before this paper reaches our 
 readers. Mr. Weaver has presented his credentials in regular 
 form, and has been sworn in. This gives the Republicans a 
 majority of one on joint ballot, and if all are true to their duty — 
 as all promise to be — the election of Gen. Logan is assured. 
 
 AFTEE LOGAN'S ELECTION. 
 
 The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, May 20, 1885 : 
 
 Grand old Illinois! All honor to the Logan Legion at Spring- 
 field. The victorious 103 are worthy successors of the glorious 
 306. Illinois is a very pronounced Logan State; we said so five 
 months ago. The men who elected John A. Logan to the Senate 
 3^esterday paved the way to the triumph of the Republican party 
 in 1888. If the question of Gen. Logan's election to the Senate 
 had been submitted to a vote of the Republicans of the whole 
 country, the result would have been a practically unanimous 
 
PBESS NOTES. 71 
 
 decision in his favor. The Illinois Legislature deserves thanks, 
 therefore, for having recognized the importance of doing what is 
 at once both an advantage to the State and a gratification to the 
 party everywhere. 
 
 Chicago Tribune, May 20, 1885: 
 
 Gen. John A. Logan was yesterday elected United States 
 Senator from Illinois. When the roll was called it was found 
 that there vrere no absentees in either'house. The announcement 
 that 204 members of the joint assembly were present was received 
 with cheers. When the roll was again called for Senator, the 
 Republicans spoke one after another for John A. Logan. The 
 Democrats refused to vote. Sittig was silent when his name was 
 reached. The roll-call was finished and 102 votes had been cast 
 for Logan — within one of the number necessary to elect him.* 
 On the call for absentees Sittig voted for John A. Logan, giving 
 him the necessary 103 votes. As soon as the enthusiasm which 
 greeted the announcement of Sittig's vote had subsided the Dem- 
 ocrats were permitted to have their say. Their only chance was to 
 try to cause a stampede from Logan to some other Republican; so 
 after voting, most of them, for Tree, they flew over to Farwell, 
 and gave that gentleman ninety-six votes. The Republicans, 
 however, stood solidly by Gen. Logan, who was finally declared 
 elected. There was great enthusiasm last night all through the 
 State over the result of the contest, and Senator Logan received 
 letters from all parts of the country congratulating him and con- 
 vej'ing predictions that he was to be the next President of the 
 United States. 
 
 The re-election of John A. Logan to the U. S. Senate just as 
 soon as the Republicans secured a majority of votes on the joint 
 ballot was an event equallj^ honorable to the successful candidate 
 and to the Republican members of the Illinois Legislature. On 
 Gen. Logan's part, it was a glorious victory, earned by a straight- 
 forward, manly, and stubborn fight; on the part of the Repub- 
 lican members, it was an evidence that neither corruption nor 
 intrigue could impair the loyalty of any man who had been 
 elected as a Republican. The cont;est thus closed is one of the 
 most remarkable in political records. WheiT^he Legislature met 
 the two parties were equally divided on joint ballot. Gen. Logan 
 was the choice of the Republican caucus, but personal enmity 
 
72 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEPERy 
 
 deprived him of two votes to Avhich he anus entitled. Col. 
 Morrison was the nominee of the Demoratic caucus, but was like- 
 wise unable to command the full vote of his party. Neither 
 candidate, however, could have been elected as the Legislature 
 was originally constituted, even if he had received all the votes of 
 his part}'. There M'as a deadlock which nothing short of treach- 
 ery' and bribery could apparently break- Tlie interests of the 
 rival candidates were watched with the utmost vigilance, and both 
 Democrats and Republicans alternately refrained from voting 
 and thus broke a quorum wiienever the other side acquired a tem- 
 porary advantage. Then death came in as a factor in the fight. 
 First, the Republicans lost a member — Representative Logan of 
 the Nineteenth District. But the Democrats could not summon 
 <i quorum in the joint assembly, and there was still no election. 
 A Republican successor to Representative Logan was elected and 
 the tie restored. Then the Democrats lost Senator Bridges of 
 the Thirty-Seventh District, but a Democratic successor was 
 chosen to fill the vacancy caused by his death, and the status 
 remained the same. The turning point came when Representa- 
 tive Shaw, Democrat from the Thirty-Fourth District, died. 
 Here w^as an opportunity for the Republicans to secure a majorit}', 
 and, though the district in which the vacancy occurred was Dem- 
 ocratic by 2,000 majority, the Logan managers captured it and 
 elected Weaver, a pronounced Logan man. 
 
 National Teibune, Wasliington, D. C, May 28, '85: 
 
 There is a strong satisfaction everjov^here at the manned* in which 
 the struggle in Illinois has terminated. Gen. Logan's victory is a 
 victory for the old soldiers, whose illustrious representative and 
 champion he is, and it is a victory for the middle classes of the 
 country against the corporations and monopolies, which are 
 threatening to gain complete control of the Senate. Gen. Logan 
 is a poor man, and this is one of his highest claims to honor. 
 He has devoted his magnificent abilities wholly to the service of 
 the people, and given them what, if applied to the advancement 
 of his own interests, would have made him a millionaire manj^ 
 times over. The people everywhere are beginning to thoroughly 
 understand this, and it has made John A. Logan the foremost 
 man in the Republican partj^ as it will, in all probability make 
 him the foremost man in the Nation in 1888. Nothing but his 
 death can prevent his nomination for President, and almost 
 oertain election. 
 
PMESS NOTES. TS 
 
 The Indianapolis Journal, May 20, 1885: 
 
 The re-election of Senator John A. Logan is a victory worthy 
 to be celebrated with the greatest enthusiasm. The contest had 
 assumed a National character, and the triumph of the man and 
 of the party is only second in importance and influence to the 
 election of a President. 
 
 The Chicago Teibune, July 29, 1885: 
 
 We wish to call the attention of the readers throu£>-hout the 
 State, and of Democrats especially, to the present condition of 
 affairs in the old Sixth Representative District, the one which 
 turned from its evil vrays not long ago and sent Weaver to the 
 Legislature and Logan to the United States Senate. Reliable 
 agriculturists from that region frequeutl}^ visit Chicago, and from 
 them facts of the greatest interest have been secured. We are 
 informed that throughout the counties of Mason, Schuyler, 
 Menard, and Cass — all in the Sixth District before the new 
 apportionment — a degree of prosperity is now felt never before 
 known in the history of the region, and that the crops, when fully 
 garnered, promise to surpass any product of past j^ears. Imme- 
 diately after the election, corn seemed to take a new start and has 
 attained a remarkable hight, while the ears are now tilling out 
 beautifully. To see three or four large ears on one stalk is 
 nothing uncommon, and the total yield will be something 
 enormous. Wheat has thrived ec^ually well ; there is less chess 
 in it than formerly, and, in order to learn what a weevil looks 
 like, the farmers have to get down an old Agricultural Depart- 
 ment report. Oats, rye, and other small grains are not behind. 
 The potato crop will be something stupendous; the tops fairly 
 cumber the ground, the jield beneath is not less exceptional, and 
 such is the freedom of the plants from insect enemies that as 
 high as 50 cents has been paid in Menard county for a potato-bug 
 as a curiosit}'. The same exceptional vigor seems to have extended 
 to animal life; Schuyler county calves look like yearlings; there 
 never were such shoats before in Cass, and in Mason some of the 
 mule colts have shown such points that they will be trained for 
 the race-course and the steeplechase instead of the plow. As for 
 chickens and turkeys— well, this season's pullets are laying two 
 eggs a day already, and one thrifty but unscrupulous husband- 
 man is said to have sold a young turkey hatched in March to a 
 
74 ''THE MIGHTY SLEEFERr 
 
 circus-inau for an ostricli. Aud so it goes, all over the district 
 Xature seems to have been in a gracious mood since the special 
 election, and the people of the district are reaping the benefits of 
 her good ■\^ull. It is scarcely necessary to call attention to the 
 moral. It rests "VN'ith the people of the counties named to deter- 
 mine whether or not the present state of things shall continue. 
 The responsibilit}' will come upon them again with the next 
 election. 
 
WELCOME TO LOGAN. 75 
 
 WELCOME TO LOGAIST. 
 
 BY THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB. 
 
 The Union League Club, of Chicago, tendered Gen. 
 
 Logan a reception which he accepted for the evening 
 
 of May 26th. The meeting was called to order and 
 
 President Adams delivered the address of welcome. 
 
 Gen. Logan was then introduced and responded as 
 
 follows : 
 
 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: I ^Yo^ld be less than a man 
 if I should fail to appreciate the compliment extended to me on 
 this occasion by the Union League Club of Chicago. This club 
 is an association of gentlemen, whose primary purpose is to aid in 
 the preservation of the integrity of the Union and to promote the 
 prosperity of all the people by an honest administration of the 
 Government. [Applause.] These objects should have the in- 
 dorsement of ever}^ honest citizen, and I hope I may be believed 
 when I declare they are most dear to vaj own heart. I feel the 
 strongest attachment for my country. My most fervent prayer is 
 for its prosperity and permanence. I have from my earliest man- 
 hood exerted my best energies and abilities in its behalf. If in 
 so doing I have failed in any degree in securing the approbation 
 of my fellow-citizens, I have at least the consolation of knowing 
 that the rectitude of my intentions has not thus far been called in 
 question. [Applause.] It is not my purpose to enter into the 
 history or details of our recent Senatorial contest. Neither shall 
 I speak of the trials through which we passed or the perils which 
 were averted. Suffice it to say that the victory is ours. [Applause.] 
 To the steadfastness of our people and the integrity of the 
 Kepublican representatives in our Legislature is the credit for 
 our success due. [Applause.] I wish to disclaim the idea that 
 the gatherings of people at the different towns and villages along 
 
TG " THE MIGHT Y SLEEPER:' 
 
 the road from Springfield to Cliicago and the grand reception 
 
 tendered by the people the night of my arrival here or this 
 
 banquet are considered by me as intended to be personally 
 
 comi^limentary to myself, but recognitions of the principles 
 
 \uiderlying the Republican party for which this contest was made. 
 
 [Applause.] A contest for a seat in the United States Senate has 
 
 seldom caused much popular solicitude, but the protracted 
 
 controversy, the fact that the parties were equally divided, and 
 
 the loss of members of the Legislature by death— all conspired to 
 
 bring the contest prominently to the notice of the people 
 
 throughout the United States. That the opponents of the 
 
 Republican party had become at this early day tired of the 
 
 management of l^ational affairs in the hands of their own friends 
 
 is shown in the fact that they actually staid away from the polls 
 
 in the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District [laughter and applause], 
 
 giving us a majority, so that a Republican miglit again be chosen 
 
 to represent the State of Illinois in the United States Senate. 
 
 [Applause.] This has caused the Republicans throughout the 
 
 country to discover the turn of the tide in favor of Republican 
 
 principles, and the hearts of all true patriots to leap with joy. 
 
 [Applause.] To the energy and fidelity of the Republicans of 
 
 this district are we indebted for this result. [Applause.] 
 
 If I may be permitted to speak of myself in connection with 
 this contest, I will say that I am very much gratified that again I 
 have the honor of representing in the United States Senate this 
 great State with a population of over 3,000,000 intelligent people, 
 with an area of 56,650 square miles, comprising 36,256,000 acres 
 of land, with more miles of railroad than any other State, and a 
 canal that must become a National highway in the future [cheers], 
 whose citizens possess property valued at $3,210,000,000, being 
 the third State in the Union in the production of coal and second 
 in the number of universities and colleges, and occupying the 
 same high place in the number of scholars enrolled at school. 
 
 Illinois is varied in its agricultural products, its trade and man- 
 facturing industries, presenting to view a landscape as beautiful 
 as a picture, dotted all over with towns, villages and cities; washed 
 on either side by the two great rivers of our country; with the 
 city of Chicago enthroned on the margin of one of the most 
 beautiful lakes on the continent, possessing a growth, energy, and 
 
WELCOME TO LOG AX. 77 
 
 prosperity which are the marvels of the age. Why should a man 
 not feel a pardonable pride in having been selected as a 
 representative of such a State against combinations of patronage 
 and money, Avithout the influence or use of either? The people 
 of this, m^' native, State have been more than kind to me in the 
 past, Whether I shall be able to fill the full measure of my 
 public dut}^ my future must disclose. I can only promise that I 
 shall in all things try to be faithful to their great interest and do 
 no act that shall cause them to regret the choice they have just 
 made. [Applause.] That I may be able to satisfy my constituents 
 of the honesty of my intentions and to continue in strict devotion 
 to my duties as one of their representatives is my most ardent 
 desire. 
 
 To the members of the Union League Club, Mr. Chairman, 
 through j-ou, I return my thanks, and with a heart full of 
 gratitude I bow to the people of the State of Illinois. [Applause.] 
 
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