Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-26
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN WYOMING.
An Election in Which Women We're the Can
ditateS-A Husband Who Eluded His Wife's
Xinilannn and Voted AGAINST Her

D6lOug 10 WUI1du IiSnIo S1uDs
writes a correspondent of The Detroit
Free Press, and last spring we decided that
it would be a good idea to send one of
our members to Wyoming territory to see
he practical workings of woman's suf
rage. We hoped that great deal would
be done for our cause in our state by the
new legislature which was to be elected,
and so wanted all the information we
could obtain. I have cousin living in
wyoming and at the request Of the sis
tiers / agreed to go. | must say | was
surprised at the methods used to obtain
votes My cousin Theodore seemed to be
a meek sort of a man different from the
other members of the Hopkin family.
Day afte day he staid quietly at home,
taking care of the children, while Elmina,
his wife, was electioneering, fer she was
a candidate for an office. This Just suit
ed me, for it gave me a capital chance 10
get the desired facts as L accompanied
her in her tour among the voters. One
day she drove the shaggy little pouy up
to a settlers shanty, before going in she
said: II do hate to go among such peo-
pie, but one must, you know, for every
vote counts So she smiled sweetly on
the slovenly woman who met us at the
door and said: "Mrs. Higgins, my duties
are many and my leisure moments few
which must be my excuse for not coming
sooner. Just then hungary-loOking pig
trotted in as if thoroughly at home. 1
knew EImina was shocked to the very
depths of her soul, but she was equal to
the occasion, and said: ooh, what cum
ing pet piggie you have; so tame docile,
too"
''Then taking up the baby, who was
eating bread and molasses, and whose
face and dress were both far from clean,
she exclaimed: "And what dear, cute
baby you have; how old is it, and how
many toothies has it got, and what is its
name?"
Mrs. Higgins replied:
'Yes, mum, we think he's right peart
young 'un His name is Abraham. He
hez four teeth, and kin say pap and mann
rale plain when he's mind to-"
Then Elmina said:
"Next Tuesday, you know, is election
day, and as I know you have no way of
getting out, [ will be glad to send my
pony and buggy after you, and do bring
the sweet baby, too, for he'll be taken care
Of"
oval, wall" said Mrs. Higgins, 'ef that
don't beat all creation. I'm gittin' pOpu-
lar, must say, fur Miss Bennett was jist
over Yesterday and promised to sem her
kerridge out to tote me in, and promis-
ed to be ready. Too bad, mum! I'm rale
sorry, / am, indeed, an her runnin' agin
We as she is makes it seem so much wus-
sell"
Another woman on whom we called
said:
mo, mann, I'm not a vOtin' woman, not
by no means, but take off yer bunnits and
set to and take bite with US, fur dinner
is jist ready, and my sister in Missouri
sent me a lot o dried apples which I've
cooked up inter as good sass as you ever
see'
We declined, however. We were treat
ed kindly at most places, but one woman,
when she found out who Emma was,
said:
II don't want nOthin' to do with no
won rights palaverin' around me;
an d yit and never expect ter vote.
My does all that kink o. bizness for
thi. oh and [ don't low that he's agoin'
to We for no woman, not eff I knows my
self he amt"
At last the eventful day arrived. Emma
was not SO we'll known as her two OPP
ponents, one being a man, the other a
woman, for three candidates were in the
field for nearly all the offices. She hired
a large hall, borrowed rocking chairs and
cradles from her constituents, and then
the tlreless pony went to and fro bring
Ing in old women and invalids' some of
whom had not left their homes for years
before. They were duly installed in the
easy chairs. Some were knitting, some
piecing quilts, and for those who smoked
there were plenty of pipes and tobacco.
hqnU of than rnokpH a oroHln with
foot so that the mother of its occupant
could work outside trying to influence
doubtful voters. A lunch with hot tea
and coffee was served at noon to merry
crowd. A motley group it was assembled
there, and what baOel of tongues! Yet
IN Justice L must say all was peaceable,
with no cry of fraud in the land. Ell
NINA had been In doubt as to how Theo-
dore felt on the ubject of woman suffrage,
and she had fear in her heart that in
spite of his quiet acceptance of the
household duties which she had put up
ION him he was not in favor of women
either voting or holding office. She said
he was greatly opposed to it
though he said nothing against it, now
she half feared he held the same views.
So we plotted to keep him away from the
polls on this day.
Providence seemed to aid US, for the
5aby was far from well, and so Elmina
aid: at is too bad, Theodore, but you
will really be obliged to stay with the
poor little dear; you know she will have
nothing to do with stranger, especially
when she is sick, or would hire woman
to stay, and we will try and get home in
time for you to goin before the poles
close this evening""
The town was only half a mile dis
tant. We meant, however, 10 be I'M
lvoikably delayed or pretend we had
Seen. My cousin said nothing, and I
really was quite indignant to see a Hop
kins have SO little spirit.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon Ell
nina, who had been suffering all day
with a headache, came to me and said:
Il am obliged to go home; my head is
growing more painful" So 1 accom-
panied her. When we arrived there she
said to her husband: II am so sorry you
cannot go to town, but am suffering
with nervous headache and cannot at
tend to the baby; please keep the chill
dren as quiet as possible and Cousin