Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-10-25
IRON CoUNTY's DEMOCRACY,
What the YeOmanry Can Do When the
Occasion Is Given!
A Grand Demonstration!


For one TO say that Arcadia Valley was
aoiaze with Democratic enthusiasm last
saturday night would only half express it
The Democrats from every neighborhoooJ
in the county responded to the invitation ex-
tended to them to be at Ironton October
2oth, and lend a helping hand in the grand
ratification. Arrangements were all made in
due time, and everything was in readiness
for Saturday night. When the gentle rain
was falling on Friday we were little dis
couraged, but at the same time we were de
termined to have a torchlight procession
Notwithstanding the rain and mud, and the
wish of one of 1ronton's prominent Republic
cans, when he said he hoped the rain would
pour in torrents all Saturday night. How
ever, on Saturday morning we turned our
eyes toward the eastern horizon, only to OBJ
serve the golden sun, as he sat on his throne
in the heavens and looked out upon us from
a cloudless sky. This inspired every Demo
crat with new life. By ten o'clock the peo-
pie began to come into Ironton by wagon.
loads. This was kept up all day long until
about five O'Clock when the various Demo-
cratic clubs of the county began to arrive.
The first one to put in its appearance was the
club from Glover, headed by G. W. Scoggln.
All of them came in horseback. About half
past five O'Clock there was deafening hurrah
all along the streets. We rushed out to ascer-
tain the cause and soon saw that it was only
a hurrah of welcome extended TO the Belle
view Cleveland Club-one hundred strong
which was just entering town on horseback
each rider bearing red bandana flag. At
six O'Clock a special train brought in the An
napolis and Des Are clubs, numbering over
three hundred men. At about the same
time the Graniteyille club, more than one
hundred and twenty-five strong, headed by
the Granitevile Cornet Band, marched down
main street. The streets every where in the
southern part of the city were blocked with
enthusiastic DemocI ats. Grand marshal,
W. Il. Edgar, was on hand promptly and is
sued orders for everybody to get into line.
The twenty-five transparencies, which had
been prepared for the occasion, were scat
tered all along the line among the different
clubs. Torches were soon distributed and
lighted. The Graniteville club was honored
with the privilege of leading the procession.
This they did with much credit not only to
themselves but to every one in the parade.
The Ironton club, composed of members
from all over Arcadia township, followed the
club, which was followed by the Annapolis
club. Following closely behind this club was
a long line of gen line Democrats, who are
not members of any club, but are just as en-
in behalf of the Democratic ticket
as any of us. Last, but not least, came the
cavalry. They were from all parts of the
county. Numbers of familiar faces from
Belleyiew, Granitevile, Flat Woods, Marble
Creek, Crane Pond and Big Greek could be
seen in this part of the procession. AT half
past six the procession began to move up
main street. The march was made to Pilot
Knob, through the principal streets of that
place, and then back to Ironton. When the
van was passing the dump at the Pilot Knob
depot, locomotive was whistling the rear
of the line off the track at the Ironton depot.
Thus we see, fully mile long was our DEM
ocratic torchlight procession. There were at
the least calculation twelve hundred voters
in line, besides the boys-the Globe Demo-
Gratis report of IA to the contrary notwith-
standing.
Our Republican friends came out Ike men,
took their medicine, wept aloud, and viewed
the almost innumerabie mass of Democracy
as it passed by making this entire valley fair
ly ring with deafening cheers for Cleveland,
Francis and Clardy. But our Independent
brethren, oh where were they! Probably at
home taking care of the children while the
lady members of their families were out to
see the parade.
The route was made glorious by ilumiDa.
ton and fireworks. In IrOnton number
of business houses were gaily decorated with
flags and Chinese lanterns. The fireworks
at Giovanoni's, opposite the courthouse,
were simply grand, and the blue and red
lights here as well as at Blemeps, longs,
Bonanza, Reese's, and other places, gave
fairy-l appearance to the affair. August
Rieke's place also was brightly Illuminated.
At Pilot Knob, Steffens' hotel and Nc
Gahan's saloon were pillars of flame, beauti-
full beyond description. Capt. Crisp's drug
store in Ironton was "pointer" to all who
desire to illuminate with good effect. His
big lantern. sci on top of the brazen mortar,
blazed like a star of the east, and was sur
mounted by big Cleveland rooster.
When the marching was over everybody
assembled around the courthouse to listen
to the preaching of some sound Democratic
gospel. EX-GOy. r. A. Campbell, of st.
Louis, was introduced and made a strong
and pointed speech in behalf of the Democ-
racy. He pointed out the condition of affairs
in Missouri when the Republicans had con-
troll and showed the present prosperous con-
dition of the State under Democratic rule.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Campbeli's re-
marks Prof. W. ID. Fandiyer, of Caledonia,
was introduced. Prof. V. soon showed us
that he is as well ver>ed in the issues of the
campaign as he is in the principles of his
profession. His remarks were very forclbly
presented.
This procession by far eXcelled anything
of the kind ever held in Iron county.
The clubs of the county, to say the least,
acquitted themselves very creditably. Some
parties claim that there were only 500 DEM
ocratic voters of Iron county in line. The
man who utters such a statement must be
either a knave or fool. Why. the special
train alone brought in 315 and at least 800 Of
them were from the southern portion of Iron
county. And they didn't all come either.
To those who claim that we had only 800
voters and only ia including bows, we will