New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-04
WESTERN ELECTION DAYS.
crrp1ors EPISODES IN DAKOTA.


rs they Shouldn't fact, they never seem TO appreciate
n al all refer to their escape from the Presidential
campaigns.
Having no voice In these contests, they, In meas
ure lose interest In Them and become mere lookeis-on
here In Vienna While the state voter puts rcd
muslin coat and green paper helmet, and tramps
through the dust or mud, both, to tho wild. unhal-
lowed notes Of brass band the Territorial voter sits
around and abuses The Government because he can't
or, at least because there why he should
lie is not happy in his exemption. He doesn't appre-
cate his freedom. Indeed. 1t is no uncommon occur
renee for him to band himself together and march the
streets and make night reasonably hideous II be
is not allowed to vote He argues that his displays
Of party patriotism may encourage his side in the
States, and also perhaps In of success win him
the appointment as postmaster. With no desire TO
say anything which could possibly offend the most
ardent follower of Of leading parties, would
Just state In passing the fact that In 1854 in Broongs
OAK there was but Democratic vote cast for that
psrtys candidate for Territorial delegate Congress
II not at that time being recognized there and having
local Ticket in the field and after its National sue
cess there eleven apple for the position
Of postmaster each setting forth the basis Of the
claim OF the applicant that he had cast the only
Democratic ballot in the place at the last election.
Territorial cities frequently however, get up con-
siderable interest In the local contest for county
officers and call out full vote. / remember living
day. This place is in the Black Hills. and Is sup
ported by both the mining and the stock-raising in
duses though living among the foothills II is rather
moro Of COW town. than mine town. Voting pre-
cincts the county outside of the town seemed to be
scarce or at least, poorly patronized, as the men
in from the ranches and mines for miles rom all
directions The day rather cold, with occasional
banks Of snow-clouds, downywhite above, BLACK and
threatening below Further up in the mountains there
Was fall Of snow several inches in depth. Up on the
hills which came close down 70 the town on the west
the dark pines-so dark that they gave the namc 10
the filis-mo.ned as the sharp November wind hur-
ried through their branches. The moan became a
steady still further on the highest hill directly
10 the west of where the wind was stronger, and
rushed through murdcrer's tree and companions
scattered about on the very crest and with their long
irregular branches broken and deformed by many
tempest standing out sharply against the deep blue
sky when looked at from town. Some say that on
dark nights, very late, just as the first faint glow
can be noticed far of the rolling plain TO the
east that cries, even rising above the moaning OF
the uight-wind In the pines be heard about this
tree for four murcerers and horse~thieves had met
their fate there few before, at about that time
Of the night-thcir bodies could be seen outlined
AGAINST the shy in the morning and OF the four one
OF them was little more than boy who pro'by want
so very much TO blame, but he was mighty keeriess
who he camped with. specially for night when the
no time to sort out tenderfeet at that time o. night
This election day the town crowded from early
morning There was bunch Of ponies standing
sadd!ed, with the reins thrown over their
heads and trailing On the ground, before
evory saloon, while their owners surged In ana GU
Of these centres Of trade or up and down the side
walks occasionally going around 10 the polhngplac'
and voting They all kept their spurs, large
Mexican ones, with either "jnglers" on them or
slack chain which ratified the sidewalk Indeed
a man without spurs much OF an exception
that before 10 o'clock l went around to the barr
where my horse was stabbed, and put on my spur
so as not 10 attract attention
All day the short street whore the polnng-plac
was situated was crowded for It's whole width They
were rough but good natured lot, ali anxious TO vote
and moro especially 10 see that their friends voice
and that there fair play for all parties Iher
were no revoIvers carried, owing to strict city or
dinance against 1t and a desire on the part Oh the
men To- a. one Of them expressed it, uphold any
dum-fool law the dlnged mulletheads wanted t'
pass; the six-shooters were left al the VARIOUS
saloons or on the saddles where they "could be go
md'lin' sudden In case of riot anything of tina
kind
Opposite the pollin g-place the Judge Of Probate
had his Office and he was kept busy all day making
out adavits for those whose right TO vote the judge
might question. lie not kept so busy. however
that he did not occasionally find time TO slip gu
and secure a drink of the most stimulating Hui
which was obtainable. He was himself a candidat
FOR reelection on one ticket One small man,
new arrival in the country came in about noon, an
wished to make AFFIDAVIT as to residence, etc.. whe
the judge said TO him
.Yoting for me for Judge of Probate, hey
"Not much.' replied the little man.
Haint, hey n
mo"
aUan, going TO vote for old Jake Rublee, hey
"NO. SIR
aW'y. made the best Probate Jedge the count
ever had you miserable whelp!' hUwled the iudg
his anger rising.
"Can't help it. l amt going to vote for you
"Going to vote for Hank DagSett be you!'
"You bet
@Cn right ont of this. Move right out !" yelle
the excited judge grasping his iron seal; git rsf
up and dust out Of ths Do you s. pose I'm going
degrade this judicial body by swearing man Una
Is such blank fool that he don't know now 70 V"'e
DO you think ;Lis court will lower itself to let
dashed idiot make andavtl sposc I've got an
time to fool with low-dOwn critters that don't Know
a good man for ledge of Probate when he sees him
II You do you'll diskiver your mistake fore you re
through With me = Then the little man went ou
and the Judge put the swearing iron,' as he play
fully called the SEAL back in its place, and turne
his attention to moro intelligent mall Aho oishi'
O. the court was saved.
AS the day wore on the crowd increased Ne
arrivals wero generally promptly escorted to tn
polls by their friends ana gwen SH@"'0 ~ w. -
which an adjournment was taken to some saiooi
Tho fayorte ON that day Jim Tippes, from IA
fact that Jesse Borland, from the ii. E horse ranc
had shot and killed the City Marshal there not lon
before 1t appears that Jesse was violating the CIT
ordinance against carrying arms and the Marshal II
terfcred only to be promptly extingIhshec. Mr. boi
land was subsequently acquitted by regularly
selected Jury Of his peers, the ground that ne wa
poing into the saloon leave his arms az the Tine
and consequently Marshal had been In rather nor
of a hurry than should have been In fact'
was self-defencc as the officer was making active an
alarming preparations to open bomhardment hinsci
awhercS demanded Jesse's lawyer a. the trial. woui
man 90 10 leave his gun but in a saloonf Woul
n man hang his gun a lamp post when ne come
a., town. Would he 20 ard put Il IN the MethOdi,