The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-02-22

latter part of October paid visit to
my friend Jones, who owns a big sheep
ranch in the Buckhorn Canyon. When
1 reached his ranch he was just prepar-
ing to leave. In a few words he ex-
planned himself: "5
..Eleckshon koms off ther seventh NV
mex month";" he said. Hits pine
blank sartin Wen hev a tightrace in this
county for Sheriff. Thar's no reg'lar
ticket an three candidates in ther field.
A sort Nv er go-as-ye-please. The pres
ent incumbent hez power O friends
an Mexican wife. He'll poll big
vote, but Kunnul Smith hez about an
ekal number O. friends an Mexican
wife, Too. Hit viii be nip an tuck
'twixt them two. The people at their
settlement air for one of ther tother NV
these men. We ranchmen are solid for
ther dark horse-'t 'ther Major Ye know
'ther Majorp Mighty clever man. Will
make q good Sheriff. Wall, ez I.was a
sayin', we're for 'ther Major an we
manage ther river preoinck right. he'd
q pollin'-box sent tew Dead Man sRanch
an eleckshon officers appointed thar
I'll manage that precinck an she kin be
safely counted ON for jest 583 majority
for thar Major.''' -
s.Where is Dead Mans Ranche" /
asked.
Down hyer in ther Cheeses,' an
swered Jones, and then continuing:
'.Never been tharp Well, go long with
us. Wen hev lots NV fun an ther' s
ded loads Nv pretty Mexican gals thar"
This latter inducement decided me
and an hour later was riding across
the plain in company with my friend
Jones, two other ranchmen and three
Mexicans. bound for Dead Mans Ranch
and q rousing majority for The Maj
orr @
In conversation with one of the ranch
men incidentally mentioned that Dead
Mans Ranch must be town of consid-
cradle importance.
Jones located hit," was the reply
81 don't reckin' ez how hits much big
ger than San Antonio. l know the riv-
er kentry tolerbul well, an I'll be darn
ed eff ever hearn tell NV Dead Mans
Ranch till Jones jumped hit up"
'.But, SIR" / demonstrated, ..Mr. Jones
told me that the Ranch would give near
" six hundred majority for his candi-
date"
''Wsll?" drawled the ranchman.
'Unless it has large population it
can't return such number OF
votes, unless"
''WaHp'' again drawled the ranch
man. at the same time cycling me quiz
zically.
/ hesitated moment and then, motto.
ing that my companion looked peacea-
BILE, continued:
'Unless you falsify the returns or stuff
the ballot-box."s
'tLook a hyar.n said the ranchman,
leaning over in his saddle in confiden.
tial way. you're from the States,
amt ye."
1 nodded assent.
"Wall, up whar ye kum from this
hyar false returns and stuffin' may do
very well. Down hyar on the frontier
hit won't work. We're an ignor-
ant people an tolerable rough in oul
manners, but we're honest, thank
Gods"
He delivered the information with con-
siderable emphasis, and 1 fastened to
assure him that my belief in the honesty
IF the frontier people had never been
and could never be shaken. NV conf
1ence in their integrity was blind. i'm
olicit. This frank admission seemed to
nollify the ranchman.
We reached Dead Mans Ranch safe.
y and were Hospitality received by the
owner, Don Patrieio o. Hallan, formerly
If New York City, who inquired after
,he Major.
'.He's tolerbul.' said Jones. '.Sent
,is best regards an he pine blank de-
bends on ther ranch for his ,nejority."
''Sure, he'll git it an its ther trooth
I'm tellin' yees.E bought up that ould
levil nv & Justice Juan Jose this bless
ID day for fifteen dollars an jug Nv mes
al. All we hev ter do row is ter reg
ster ther votes, an ther divil fly away
vid US eff we amt shmart enough fur
hat" @
The election took place three days af-
erward, and the night before the all
important day Jones assured me conf
lentially that "The Majors election
vas settled fact. The votes were de-
,osited in the reception room of the
ASA. The could diEil Nv Justice"
|uan Jose, was judge of the election;
he two ranchmen were inspectors, my
riend Jones was clerk and he pressed
ne into service as his assistant.
Voting began early. The first thirty
Totes cast for Sheriff were equally divid-
for the ''present Incumbent"
md fifteen for 'Kunnul Smith,"
tibet thar's tew make ther thing look
old, explained my friend Jones in
whisper. ..We'll begin to roll 'em in
low for ''ther Major"
They did roll in at such q rapid rate
hat for two hours my pen few across
he registration book, writing down
ong and almost unpronounceable Cas-
ilian names. At the end of that time
ve rested, drank bottle of aqua diente
Ind smoked fragrant puro.
l took stroll outside. About thirty
Mexicans were ranged in front of the
,asa, each with y ballot in his hand
The Don was bustling about giving or
iers in his native tongue. noticed
hen that several of the faces of the
waiting voters looked familiar, but it
vas not until we adjourned for dinner
hat learned thet these thirty retain
,rs of proud Don had cast all the votes,
which then footed up $50. By four o.
,lock that evening 600 votes had been
East.
.How miney more duz yees want,
'yesP''. queried the Don, thrusting his
head into the room.
'.Let me see," said Jones consulting
,he book. ''Ther Major hez $40. I
promised pine blank to bring in 583 me-
ority. We want essackly thirteen votes
more"
''Be Jasus we'll give ther wimin an
,hilder er whack ct it," cried the Don,
and he disappeared.
In few moments he reappeared with
, crowd of blushing senoritas and sever
n big-eyed children.
''Hooray for the frontier, be gobsr'
shouted the Don, as the Senorita Isabel
Ia de Casa Some-thing-or-Ot Other blush
+ngly deposited her ballot and was reg