The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-04-23
For the Gate City.
IWf VIII WV y =
keok uk County Vote.
OTruxwA, April Is, Is.

Dear Sir I'll observe in looking over your
paper of the 10th inst, that in abiding to
the vote in Keokuk County, between Judge
Baldwin and myself, you say "That settles
the question for Judge in favor Of Hender-
shott But the manner Of the settlement
was shameful. Keokuk County has a Re-
publican majority, the northern part being
even stronger Republican than the southern.
A very bitter contest has been waged for
some time between these two sections for the
county seat. Taking advantage of that is
sue, the friends of Hendershott obtained al
most a unanimous vote IN his favor in the
northern part of the county, while the south
ern part was divided rs usual between the
knowing nothing Of the bargain that was con-
summating at their expense in the north"
In this language you not only do me great in
justice, but also the people of keokuk Co..
As simple act Of justice to them and myself,
| doubt not you will permit me to say, through
your columns, that your allusion that the
large majority which ! received in that coun-
ty was the consideration Of some pledge Of
mine, or some Of my friends for me, that if
elected would favor Sigourny rs the
county seat, is untrue in spirit and letter, and
whoever communicated to you any informa-
ton iustifying such an imputation, has not
only committed gross wrong upon me, but
upon the people Of keokuk county. In re-
lation 10 the county seat question in that
county was and am wholly indifferent, and
as far as | know, it was understood by the
voters Of the county that such was my posi-
ton. Some weeks previous TO the election
sent friend of mine, Mr.. ID. ii. Michael,
former Sheriff Of this county, and a very
honest, intelligent, and truthful gentleman,
to make some arrangements with reference to
tickets, and | directed him to inform the
voters Of the county, both at Lancaster and
Sigoufny, if any inquiry was made Of him
on that point, Of my entire indifference upon
their county seat question. On his return he
informed me that some inquiry had been
made of him by Sgourny and Lancaster men
80 " III 4NstiAA- AL " hhOlA NNuhA
seat question, and he uniformly represented
me rs entirely disinterested and wholly in
different on the question That Mr.. Michael
so represented, have no doubt. Subsequent
TO his visit to keokuk county, and but few
DAYS before the election, learned that | was
being represented in and about Lancaster,
by friends Of my competitor, with entertain
ing friendship and partiality towards Sigour
ny and ennity to Lancaster. | Immediately
addressed letters to many of the citizens of
the county,. A. Johnson of Lancaster,
Mr.. Jordan Of Richland, and others in other
parts OF the county-containing in substance
my Instructions to Mr.. Michael, that | was
wholly disconnected in feeling and interest
with their county seat question, AID desired
them to say to all persons that such was my
position, and if any one sought to place me
in any other position it was unauthorized by
me and untrue. heard nothing further of
the matter until after the election, when
learned BY report that the reason Judge
Baldwin did not get larger vote north was
not because the voters IN that part of the
county supposed me partial to Sigourny, but
because Judge h. resided at Fairfield, whose
citizens have always been understood as par
tial to Lancaster. know not whether Judge
Baldwin entertains any personal prejudiees
or partialities upon the keokuk county seat
question, but do know him and know him
TO be Il gentleman Of too much honor and
integrity to be influenced in the discharge of
judicial duties by any considerations Of a
local character.
Although an opponent Of mine in politics,
am not willing to believe you will decline to
do me the justice to publish this explanatory
note. Yours, &C.,
H.B. HENDERSHoTT.
j. b. Howell, Esq.
We told the story as it was told to U.S.
According to our informant the people of the
northern part of Keokuk county were infu-
enced to vote against Baldwin by certain
representations of the friends of Hender-
shott, but according to Mr.. Hendershott's
information they were led to vote against
Baldwin on account Of prejudices against
Fairfield. The public will form their own
opinion a. to the ''weght of probabilities.
We have no unkind feeling towards Mr.. Hen
dershott and are very willing to believe that
he was not personally implicated in any ar
rangements made by his jealous friends
during the canvass
Council Proceedings.
CoUSCrL RooN,
April 22d, 1856.