Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-08
TWAS A WONDROUS VICTORY.
A stormy Time in the Early Political
History Of Rock Island How a City
Ticket was Made" and Won.

A stormy Time in the Early Political
History OF Rock Island How a City
Ticket was Made" and Won.
Referring to the article appearing in
the ARGUS the other day, in reference to
the directory of 1860. an old citizen gave
reporter some7points of equally inter-
esting nature. He said the city election
in the spring of 1859 was more exciting
than any election he had ever seen in
Rock Island-and he had witnessed
good many. R. NJ. Marshall, Kentucky
lawyer living here at that time, and o. J.
Dimick were factional leaders. Both
lived in the Third ward. both were dem
ocrats, both headed rival factions and
both had candidates cor aldermen.
Repeated attempts were made IN the
ward to nominate candidate, but the
meetings all broke up in row. The
ARGUS informant said it was on this
occasion when tremendous meeting was
held in an old building on Madison, now
Twentieth street. The hall was jammed.
Capt. Frlzzell regarded as a man of de-
cision as well as nerve, was made chair.
man. His friends insisted that he could
control the wild elements. His effort
failed. The crowd became boistrous and
angry. and Frizzell, fearing personal at
tack, to escape the angry multitude,
jumped from the platform through a
back window and got out. The lights
were put out and the audience dissolved.
Capt. Frizzell was always joked about
this incident IN his life. but he insisted if
he did lose his hat in the melee,
he got out without any broken bones.
The election day was close at hand.
David Hswes, the present coroner. was the
republican candidate, Dr. Bracket was
on citizens ticket and Mr.. Jacob Norris
was an Independent candidate. The
democrats in the different wards had
failed in their efforts to reconcile the
various factions. A few OF the leaders
decided to call mass meeting in the
court house. The crowd was enormous
Everybody went to see row. The fac
tionists had been seen and given to un-
derstand that they must keep quiet
every now and then there was danger o.
an explosion, but finally the meeting wa
shaped for business. II had been ar
ranged for Mr.. Isaac Negus to act a
chairman. A list of democrats had beer
selected as the committee and ticke
for mayor, aldermen and other officer
had been agreed upon for this committe
to present to the meeting. Mr. Negu
did not show up at the proper time. H
was visited at his home hurriedly. wher
he was found. He insisted he could no
wish to be in it. Every argument posi-
BILE was used to get him out and he final
consented. But after arriving at th
court house he insisted some one els
should take the chair. But he WAS toll
that upon this occasion it WAS expecte
every democrat would do his duty. Fl
took the chair Harry Williams. book
keeper at that time in Mitchell & Cable
bank, was made secretary. He too II
sisted on declining. After word of en-
couragment, quietly spoken to him he too
his seat beside MIR. Negus. With
out being invited, DR.. Ciolna took tn
floor and commenced vehement speech
A whisper in his ear soon silenced him
Then County Treasurer Robert Sha
moved that committee be appointed I
nominate ticket. Mr.. Negus had bee
handed the names of the committee du
ing the day. with the request that |
nemorize them so that he could sppoil
without hesitation or delay.
When the time came for him to al
nounce the committee, the names had e
capped him. He deliberately drew the Ii
from his pocket and commenced repea
ing the names. Quincy Mcneil espit
him. and rising from his seat, yelled OF
"Hello Negus, what are you TAXI
from your pocket"
This created yell, bu. the old m
kept at his work He announced t
committee, they retired and very so
returned with Capt. T. ]. Buford
msyor, Messrs. Mylo Lee, James NJ. B
ford, David l. Cunkle and John War;
forsldermen-sndo other city officers. T
election came off and every man on t
democratic ticket was elected The del
y ocrsts of Rock Island never made me
, complete sweep or gained more triu
plant victory. Everybody was excite
Professions psrsded the streets W
bands playing at the head of enthusias
followers. and the friends of the differ,
tickets worked with will for victory
An Actors Kind Act.
John Dillon, the comedian. well knO
In thea re. poere in this citv q short q