Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-04-23
The Election "A Bloody Farce in
Indianapolis.
from tho Indianapolis Sentinel, 7tb.

Tho township election, held at IN,
Courthouse in this city yesterday, wa
the most perfect burlesque on a free cleo
ton ever enacted outside Of Baltimore o,
Louisville, in the days Of Plug Ugly rule
and it is only owing TO the forbearanct
OF the Democrats as party that il did
not result in bloodshed. We have nc
heart to comment upon the disgraceful
scene which has stamped blot upon the
lair fame Of our city, and but for our du
ty as Journalists, would gladly leave the
day blank. a few facts must suffice
to give an idea Of the manner of conduc-
ting the election. ....
The Republicans, as we stated yester.
day, had refused the Democra ats a repre-.
sentation on the boards, and to this de-
cision, in spite Of all iemonstrance. they
adhered. This was not very promising
Introduction and many advised the with.
drawal Of the ticket. This advice how
ever, did not prevail The Democrats
had full confidence in General Caring
ton that he wcnld enforce the orders he
had issued in regard to the military, and
they hoped to be able to poll their
strength and take their chances for the
result.
For two hours or more after the polls
were opened, matters went on smoothly
and pleasantly. Candidates were around.
electioneering as usual, and their friends
had tickets in abundance to offer. Occa-
sionally, some rabid Republicans would
denounce "Butternuts," and look cross
at the persons who held Democratic tick
cts; but no attention was paid to them,
and it was fondly hoped that the day
would pass off quietly and without any
occurrence to add to the embittered state
of feeling.
Gen. Carrington came on the ground
about nine o'clock, saying that he had
himself visited the camps the night before
and gave personal instructions as to en-
forcing his orders. He said that the
number Of men entitled to vote would
not exceed two hundred and twenty-five.
None of the Seventy first were raised
here, and they of course would not inter.
fere with the election.
The General had scarcely left the
ground when squads of soldiers began to
arrive, and they came and went very free
ly. The two hundred and twenty five
were likely to string ont to q full regi.
ment. The appearance OF the soldiers
was the signal for loud talk and bluster
on the part of the bullies who ALWAYS
frequent such places. Still the Democrats
kept quiet. They were determined to
have no general fight. Two Republicans.
gentlemen of standing in the community.
Sims A Colley and Mr.. w. II. Roll, got
up the first fight. They pitched into each
other. Among the outsiders of the crowd
it was only known there was a fight up,
and it was concluded of course that il
was party fight. The tiger had got
taste and the fighting commenced shortly
after that. Men who held Democratic
tickets within the enclosure were COM
PEELED to leave. If they hesitated, it
would be proclaimed that they had utter
ed disloyal sentiment, and the mob
would run bowling after them. The sol
diers were used by the cowardly political
tricksters for this purpose. There was
a Provost guard stationed on or near the
Court house grounds, but they seldom or
ever got to the scene of fight until the
victim of mobrule was severely punish.
ed, or had escaped by free use of his
legs. In one or two instances they did
probably save life, in several protected
the wounded men from further violence
by marching them off to place of safety.
Mr. Hoefgen, one of the candidates for
Justice of the Peace, was chased by a
mob from the Courthouse all the way to
Temperance Hall-a distance of three
squares down Washington-street. Officer
j Johnson, of the Police force, interfered |
in his behalf on The square between Del
aware and Pennsylvania streets, and ena-
bled him to get the start of his pursuers.
1t was noble act of Captain johnson,
and we hope he will not lose his place
for it.
Mr.. Burt, a clnliiate for the nomina.
tion for City Marshal, on the Democratic
tlket, was beset by a crowd. Every effort
was made to draw him into controversy.
He was told that the tickets he held in
his hand wore Secession tickets. The Gin.
cinnati Enquirer and the Sentinel were
called Secession organs, and Mr.. Burt
was told that any man who patronized /
them was a traitor. He replied that he
took those papers, and intended to take |
them-that he voted the Democratic tick. /
et and intended to vote it, if he voted at
oil. This waS the signal for a general
shaking oftists. Mr.. Burt told the crowd
that if any one shook his fist under his
nose, he would blow his heart out. He
did not draw weapon, for he was so hem
med up that he could not. Thre policemen
secured him from behind, and luSged him
off on a charge of carrying concealed
weapons; and Mayor Maxwell fined him
S195, for the offense.
So they went on. Men could be seen
running for dear life pursued by frantic
and bowling crowd every few minutes,
until all those who had taken an active
part in supplying tickets were driven from
the precin ct. Prominent among the ring
eaders in these outrages was daguerrean
artist named Crane, who holds forth
somewhere on Washington. street. He
should be made Brigadier at once.
One poor fellow was chased from the
nclosure and took refuge in bakery on
he opposite side of Washington street.
lie passed through into an alley in the
ear, when his prosecutors again got
tight of him. He ran down no1ou,o,,