Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-05-02
AN OLD-TIME ELECTION.

THERE is an old man living near me (says
Western correspondent who came into
this section of the country fifty years ago
when he was young man of thirty. He
is now quite as vigorous at eighty as most
men are at sixty; has rosy, full face and
bright eye; and has been known on oc-
casions to go out into the harvest field aud
help his grandsons to get in the wheat. 1t
is easy to see from his massive form and
limbs that he must have been athletic and
powerful in his youth; and the very few
who still survive, who were his neighbors
then, say that he was as strong as horse,
fleet as deer, quick as a panther, and
brave as lion. But when Enoch Page
first came here and commenced to clear
patch of ground, all this was not so well
known to the people as it was afterward
am writing now of times half a century
past, when instead of all these flourishing
cities and villages these productive farms
and orchards, and these railroads and can
ais, there were dense forests a few little
settlements at the crossings of roads, and
the roads themselves few in number and
indifferent in condition. The population.
sparse as it was, had buried itself in the
woods, and by judicious and energetic use
of the AK, was fast solving the first prob
lem of civilization. But the people were
coming in rapidly, and at Blunt's which
was central point, the settlement was fast
increasing to the proportions of village.
This was the condition of things when
the first election in the new coun-
ty took place. 1t was held at Blunt's;
and, being a novel occasion, it called out
a large crowd. Several hundred voters
were present, besides many who were not
voters. The election was for sheriff which
in new county is always an Office of
great importance. 1t was felt TO be doubly
important here, for threatening element
of scoundrelism had lately been added to
the population, which could be suppressed
or held in check only by firm and deter
mined administration of the laws. The
election was by ballot; but there being no
printing press within hundred miles the
ballots were all written out.
The candidates, by common consent
Qor there were no caucusses), were two
Col. WALTON and Dr. Reed The former
was, perhaps, the most substantial man in
the county, possessing education, expert
ence, and integrity, and was supported by
the best men, those who were anxious to
have law and order prevail The latter
was quiet, inefficient person, wholly un-
fitted by nature and habit for the office !;
but he had been put forward by a clique
of idle, dissolute fellows, who considered
IL QtClutNll lOT lutlT lultTCSJ 10 yet u man
elected who would not execute the laws.
And knowing that they could not COM
mand sufficient votes to elect one of them
selves, they did the next best thing in
putting up man who they knew they
could control if successful and for whom
they hoped to catch some respectable
votes.
The ringleader of this precious set was
one Ham Perkins-a great brawny ruffian
who delighted in affrays and combats of
all kinds; and he rallied his peculiar fol-
lowers on election day, and they all put
forth united effort to elect Reed. The
votes Of this gang were all in within two
hours after the opening of the polls, and
they next began to exercise their terror
ism over respectable voters Many who
detested them were compelled to vote for
their candidate merely from fear of per
sonal violence or injury to their property;
and so many there were who were willing
to pursue this weak course, that at noon
one of Perkins party, who had kept a
tally, announced that Reed was then five
ahead The intelligence was received
with whoop and a yell of exultation,
and the rowdies became more insolent
than ever
The leaders of the Walton party were
in anxious consultation, which seemed as
hopeless as it was anxious; and affairs
bore this aspect when Enoch Page, who
had just arrived on the ground, came up
TO vote. AS he approached the window
a ballot was handed him by one of Colonel
Walton's friends He took it and read
the name, nodded approval to the man
from whom he had received it, and step
ped up to deposit ii.
Ham Perkins had witnessed the Incl
dent, and familiarly accosted the young
man as he approached.
81 say, my boy, you've made a mistake
in the paper you've got there in your fist
This here is the ticket you want"
He held up the Reed ticket toward
Enoch, who without paying the slightest
heed to the paper or the man who offered
it, stepped past to the window Perkins
started and scowled, and then laid his
brawny hand on Enoch's shoulder.
"Didn't you hear what said, my lad?"
he inquired in high and menacing key
"That amt the name we're voting her to-
day. you take this one and put it right in
there"
Enoch shook off the hand from his
shoulder, and returning the rufflan's bully
ing look with one of undaunted firmness,
replied;
81 believe l did not ask your advice on
this subject. | shall vote for Colonel
Walton. Stand out of the way if you
please"
II was the first manly opposition that the
bully had met that day, and the words
were spoken in tone that told him he
was dealing with brave and determined
spirit. But Perkins had welded his pecu.
liar power too long to brook such defiance
as this, uttered in the ears of hundred
men, who were now gazing at him to see
what he would do next.
"Ho! putin on airs, are We, lad?" he
vociferated, while his face Redeemed with
anger Now, say ye shan't vote that
ticket-s0p'
With the words he reached out his hand
and snatching the ballot from Enoch, tore
1t TO pieces, With promptness that
amazed the crowd, and with an audacity
that made them hold their breath with
fright, Enoch seized the bully by the nose
and tweaked it vigorously, and then with
his nat hand, smote him on both sides of
his face with noise that sounded like the
crack of muskets. ~ ' IA
The young man took two steps back and
planting himself against the building,
gathered his muscle for the onset that he
knew would follow. 1t did follow imme.
diately. emarting with pain, and fairly
bowling with rage, Perkins made head.
long rush, Ikea wild beast springing on
its prey. The spectators shuddered, ex-