The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-12-07
WESTERN ELECTION DAYS.

New York Tribune. There is an adj.
vantage of living in a territory that tho
people who reside there do not appreciate
as fully as they shoulder fact, they
never seem to appreciate it at all. l re-
fer to their escape from the presidential
Having no notice in these contests,
they. in q measure, lose interest in them,
and become mere lookers,on here in
Vienna. While the state voter puts on a
red muslin coat and a green paper helmet
and tramps through the dust, or mud, or
both. 10 the Wild unhallowed notes of a
brass band, the territorial voter sits
around and abuses the government be-
cause he cantor, at least, because there
is no reason why he should. He is
not happy in his exemption. He
appreciate his freedom. In
deed, it is no uncommon occurrence for
him to band himself together and march
the streets and make night reasonably
hideous, wen if he is not allowed to vote.
He argues that his displays of party
patriotism may encourage his side in the
states, and also. perhaps, in case Of sue
cess, win him the appointment as post
master. With no desire TO say anything
which could possibly offend the most
ardent follower of one of our leading
parties. l would just state in passing the
fact That IN 1884 in Brookings, Oak,
there wal but one democratic vote cast
for that party's candidate for territorial
delegate to congress, it not at that time
being recognized there and having no
local ticket in the field, and after its
national success there were eleven appli-
cations for the position of postmaster,
each setting forth as the basis of the
claim of the applicant thet he had cast
the only democratic ballot in the place at
the last election.
Territorial cities frequently, however,
get up considerable interest in the local
contest for county officers and call out Il
full vote. remember living in Rapid
City, OAK. a few years ago OF election
day. This place is in the Black hills,
and is supported by both the mining and
stock raising industries, though lying
among the oot.hills it is rather more of
a Cow town. than a mining town"
All day the short street where the poll
ing place was situated was crowded for
its full whole width. They were a rough
but good natured lot, all anxious to vote,
and more especially to see their friends
voted and that there was fair play for all
rarties. There were no revolvers carried
owing to a strict city ordinance against
it and a desire on the part of the mcn TO.
as Il of them expressed it, uphold any
dum-fool law the dinged mullet heads
wanted TO pass the six shooters were
left at the various saloons or on the
saddles, where they could be got
mid'lin' suddenin case of rotor anything
of that kind.
Opposite the polling places the Judge
of probate had his office, and he was kept
busy all day making out atfidavits for
those whose right to vote the judges
might question. He was not kept SO
busy, however, that he did not occasion
ally find time TO slip put and secure a
drink of the most stimulating fluid which
was obtainable. He was himself a can
didatc for reelection on one ticket. One
small man, q new arrival in the country,
came in about noon and wished to make
affidavit as to residence, etc, when the
judge said to him.
Vote for me for jedge Of probate
hcyY"
Not much replied the little man.
"Hain't, heyF'
mo"
"Hain't going to vote for old Jake
Rnblee. hey?'
No, sir"
"W'y, the bestprobate jedget the county
ever had, you miserable whelpv' howlet
the judge his anger rising.
Cant help it, l amt going to vote fol
YOU"
Going to vote for Hank Daggctt, bt
you?"
you betl'
Get right out eff this Move RICH
QUIT yelled the excited Judge, graspins
his iron seal; git right up and dust OIL
of this. DO you s'pose I'm going to de
grade this judicial body by swearing
msn that is such a blank fool that h'
don't know how TO vote? Do you thinl
this court will lower itself to let Il dashet
idiot make affidavit? S'pose I've got any
time to fool with low down critters tina
don't know a good man for jedge o
probate when he sees him? If you d.
you'll diskiver your mistake fore yol
get through with met Then the littl,
man went out. and the judge put tn,
swearing iron" as he playfully callc,
the seal, back in its place and turned hi
attention 10 a more intelligent man. TIL,
dignity Of the court was saved.
1t was the generally received opinion
during the day that joe Reynold
should be allowed to vote half a dozcl
times. He was an old hunter, and ais
had a little ranch twenty miles west. II
arrived in town the night before with TIL
largest bear ever killed in the hills. II
was n cinnamon Of silver tip, and as larg,
as a grizzly. The grizzly, old hunters
say, is never found outside the Sierr;
Nevada range. This bear, known by hi
monster tracks. bad been known to carr,
off hogs and calves in the neighborhoot
for three years. He had killed one maj
a year before, who had shot at him. H
killed the man with one stroke of hi
paw. Reynolds shot him once, with NJ
effect. The bear rose up and chargedhim
and only q better shot saved him iron
the other mans fate. The carcass wa!
brought to town in q wagon. the seat be
ing removed to make room for his head
and as it lay OF its back a great paw OK
tended out over each wheel. The propo
sltion to vote the bear was frowneC
down; it was pointed out that he was