Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-15
THE ASH ,eND HICKORY.
"Reminiscences OF tho Election OF 1874
Milford llnpnOcrOf

Keminisceuco OF tho Election Of 1874,
Milford Democrat. /
Since the death of Lewis Rockwell the
papers throughout the country have
teemed with notices of the centenarian,
and the relatives of the deceased have
furnished the HOnesdale press with an &C
count of his election to the office Of
sheriff of Pike county in October, 1874,
by majority of four votes over John
Cornelius, the popular and genial host
of the SaWkiu house. But few who
have read these notices know that the
election of Rockwell was mere accident
and that an ash sapling not thicker than
lady's wrist was the turning point Of this
exciting election. The Cornelius hotel was
known far and wide in those days, and had
long been the stopping place for majority
of the citizens Of the county when attend
ing court or visiting Milford on business.
John had grown up in the hotel. was we'll
acquainted with the business portion OF
the county, and had a decided advantage
in the race over his competitor. At Sep
tember court the preference was so strong
that the friends of Rockwell wanted him
to withdraw from the hustings and escape
a disgraceful defeat.
But there is destiny that shapes mans
ends, and it soon showed itself in this un-
equal contest. In the life time of the
father of John Cornelius, he was one OF
the first to beautify Milford by setting
out shade trees along the margin Of the
streets, and on the grounds near the
academy an ASH had been transplanted ny
the workmen amongst the naples and
still further on was small hickory. The
fall of 1874 was exciting times. James X.
Polk and Henry Clay were rival candidates
for the presidency. The old Wing party
moved heaven and earth. and with their
popular leader had strong hopes of success.
They planted ash poles, and from their tops
flung their banners to the breeze, while
the Democrats stuck to the Jacks0nian
principles and worshiped the hickory.
As tho ides of October approached, a
party of boys visited the Cornelius hotel
and requested John to cut down the ash.
| This was considered an insult, and indig-
nantly refused. That night the sapling
disappeared. John threatened all kinds
of calamities to the guilty parties, and
the whole Wing force of the country raj
lied to his support. Flushed with sue
cess and q popular candidate, the Wings
could not let we'll enough alone, but
held a meeting, appointed a committee
who paid the hotel another visit, and de-
panded as compensation for their united
support tho destruction of the hickory.
John was between two fires. could offer
but little opposition, and without his con-
sent the hickory followed the ash and was
torn up by thee roots. A wild scene en-
sued. Express riders flew up and down
the river road, stage drivers car
ried the news over the Milford
and Oswego turnpike, magnifying
the story at every stopping place. Voters
deserted in platoons, and the sheriffalty
assumed bold, bitter fight. LackawaxeI
then, as now, threw heavy vote, and
uEder the lead of the late BENJAMIN Hol
bert, stood firm for Cornelius, but on the
morning of the second Tuesday Of Octo'
Der, she turned short corner, massed hel
guns and opened fire on the Sawki!I, carry
inc Rockwell through smoke and confu'
sion to victory. Afes bis ID defeat isa,.s soRn
PoIk and Was rewarded for his fealty to
the democratic party by being three times
elected to the Office Of sheriff.