The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-09-22
Colonel Breckenridge Consigned
to Political Grave.
OWENS SURE OF NOMINATION
Breckenridge MarshalIed Every Man He
Could Command But He Gould Not
Command the Women.

or other occasion ever caused such
general suspension of business and
daily duties as the contest today be-
tween w. Q. Owens, w. G, p. Breck-
inridge and Il. K. Settle for the demo-
cratic nomination for congress from the
Seventh district. For months the dis
trict has been agitated in the most Bit
ter manner. It was not a political,
not even factional fight. 1t was q
moral contest for weeks and months,
and during the last few days 1t became
intensely personal. Colonel Breckin-
ridge was fighting for his life. and he
never before made such speeches or
displayed such executive ability In the
organization. HIS marshalled every
man he could command, but he could
not command the women. They had
no votes, but they were the controlling
element IN the fight.
The Ladies' Did 1t.
AT the Owens headquarters tonight
their claims have run from 400, at
o'clock, to two, three, four, and even
five times that plurality, and they say,
In their rejoicing, "The ladies did lt.n
The ladies could not get the ward
workers to their prayer meetings, but
their organization of committees of
one generally got promises at home
from the voters who needed no watch
ing on entering the booths.
With the saloons closed, the women
praying, and the best influences all
aroused, there was a quiet election,
with excitement and bitter feeling at
their highest pitch.
Good Order the Rule
The greatest surprise of the day was
the good order everywhere. There
were some personal encounters. but
not as many as usual at election. There
was, however, great precautiOn TO pre-
vent trouble. Old friends and neigh
bors had been having their innings be-
forehand ana they wanted only voting
today. If the Breckenridge men had
enforced their challenge rule as strictly
as they expected there would have been
trouble. So clearly had the canvassing
and polling been done that the cnal-
lengers knew how almost all the DEM
ocrats stood and could have kept many
from voting. 1t was generally be-
lieved that the republican managers
favored Breckenridge, as they thought
in the event of his nomination their
candidates election would not be hope
less. Very few republicans, however.
voted. AS many precincts are long
distances from telegraph offices, the
returns will likely not be known before
morning. but Owens seems to be so far
in the lead that 1t will not require a
full canvass to tell.
"My Son Desha" Had a Fight.
Desha Breckenridge was passing a
precinct voting place this afternoon
when he saw j. w. Peak, a strong
Owens worker, inside the booth pre-
pairing an affidavit. Desha told him
he had no business in there and had
better come out. Peak replied that he
would not come out, and Breckenridge
went In the booth after him. The two
men clinched, but were afterward sepa-
rated. Peak soon afterward came out,
when Breckenridge met him a second
time and lively fight followed. Both
men had their faces scratched, several
blows being passed.
Bitter Fight in Every District.
At .. M. the Daily Transcript an
nounced the following: The returns
are only partially in from the con-
gressional primaries of to-day, but in-
dications point to q victory for Owens
by about 1000 majority. There has
been a bitter fight in every precinct in
the district, but the Owens men have
succeeded in carrying the day as far
as can be learned at this hour. No
serious difficulties have occurred.
Oldham and Henry Counties safe.
LOUISVILLE, Sept. ia special to
the Post from Lexington says: Owens
has carried Oldham and Henry ooun-
ties. and his friends here are going
wild with delight. They claim his
| (Owens) nomination by from 1900 to
$500 votes.
Fatal Encounter Near Versailles.
VERSAILLES, KY, Sept. 15.-Out in
the Haywood neighborhood, five miles
east of this city, this morning there
was pitched battle between Is or 20
Breckenridge and Owens men. G. w.
Gillespie, a Breckenridge man, was
stabbed twice just above the heart in
the back. 1t was impossible to find
out who did the cutting. The wounded
man says he is coming to Versailles to
"vote for Bill Breckinridge If It kills
him." His physician says he will die
if he persists.
Owens Plurality Put at LOO.
CINCINNATI, Sept. 15.-The papers
have returns from all the precincts of
Ashland that can be reached tonight.
The Enquirer puts Ovens plurality at
1,025 and the Commercial Gazette at
1,15O.