The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-25
KIDNAPPING A CANDIDATE.
The Attempt the Person of Richard
Yates in 1860.


Yates in 1860.
Lusk's politics and Politicians of illinois,"
The political cam paign OF 1860 was one OF
the most hotly-con tested struggles ever wit
nassed in the State, and the incident OF
which we write occurred in Gallatin county,
which was then regarded as the fountain
head of pure Democracy 1t had been the
early home of many of the great lights OF
the party, and every attempt to dispute IFS
authority was regarded as an invasion OF
sacred RIGHTS.
Indeed the party was so devoted to the
Gauss of the slave power that an outspoken
Republican was held in extreme contempt.
But in this campaign the political world was
moving, and the Democracy were thorough
ly aroused to the necessity of disputing every
inch of ground with their Republican adver-
sarv. The Republicans, few as they were in
number, were equally in earnest,
and there was hot blood in every
quarter The Democracy opened
the campaign of Shawneetown with grand
barbecue 1t was great meeting, and was
addressed by Governor A. Z; IIlard, OF In IN
diana, John A. Logan, candidate for Con-
gress, and L. W. Ross, candidate for Lieu
tenant-governor in the order In which their
names appear.
The speech of Mr. Willard, who at that
time was regarded as the ablest and most elo-
quent champion of the Democratic party OF
the Northwest. was powerful arraignment
of the Republican party, and 1T caused many
of the new converts to waver in their devo-
ton to the cause they had so lately es-
poused. and to have judged the situation
from the temper of that meeting would have
been to predict signal victory for the Dem
oeratic party. But, weak as the Republicans
were, they were not to be overwhelmed by
this single blow, and they set themselves
about holding similar meeting upon the
identical spot. Preparations were made for
barbecue, and cordial invitation was ex-
1aA tba for and to @
present and hear Republican principles dis
cussed from a Republican standpoint
Richard Yates, the Republican can
didate for Governor. was positively
announced to address the meeting He was
then in the very prime of manhood. The
Democrats were afraid of his power on the
stump, and it was determined by few of the
more daring of that party that he should be
kidnaped. thus preventing his appearance
at the meeting. He had spoken the day be-
fore at Carmi The road on which he was
expected to arrive was carefully guarded and
every precaution taken 10 make sure of his
CAPTURE. An all-night watch was kept up,
but in an unguarded moment the sentinels
slept and Yates, unconscious of their de-
signs upon his liberty, arrived safely during
the night, In company with Robert kirkham
(now colonel), and the next day he appeared
in due time as the fearless champion of the
Republican party. The meeting was fully as
large as that held by the Democracy, but
there were comparatively few Republicans
present. Many came through curiosity,
others for mischief. Yates had hardly taken
his seat upon the stand before series of
hideous groans rent the air. They
were given by a party of roughs
who had been selected for that purpose.
But when the speaker was formally intro
duced the noise and confusion knew no
bounds, and it continued until Daniel
Jacobs lifelong Democrat, mounted a
spring wagon which stood in the midst of
the throng, and declared in a tone loud
enough to be heard by all that the distin-
guished speaker should be heard or he him
self would be taken from the grounds a
corpse and then ana there announced his
abandonmentof the Democratic party. This
bold and daring declaration brought order
out of confusion, when Mr.. Yates proceeded
with his address without further Interrupt
ton, save an occasional question from some
of the advanced thinkers of the Democratic
party as to his position upon the black laws
and negro equality subjects which were the
stock in trade of the Democratic leaders of
that section. Bat time brings many changes
in politics Some of the very men who were
foremost in the effort to break up the meet
ing are now leaders in the Republican party
and the name of Yates is held in dear re-
membrance by many who heard him on that
memorable OCCASION