Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-09-17
Breckenridge Fails to GET the
Nomination to Congress.
MADELlNES DESTROYER DESTROYED.
The Saloons Closed and Churches
Filled With Women.

LExISGToN. KY, Sept 17.-No cleo
ton or other occasion ever CAUSED such
general Suspension of business as the
contest between Owens and Brecken-
ridge and E. E. Settle, for the demo-
cratic nomination for congress from the
seventh, better known as the Ashland
district.
For months the district has been agi.
at d in the most bitter manner. 1t
was not political, not even fractional
fight; it ives moral contest for weeks
and months. aud during the lest few
days II became Intensely personal. Col.
Breckenridge was fighting for lie, d
he never before made such speeches or
displayed such ex cutive ability in or
eanizatioD. He ma shailed every man
he could command, but he could rot
command tbs women. They had no
votes, but they were the controlling
element in the fight.
The ladies could not get the ward
workers 10 their prayer meetings or
other meetings, but their organizations
of committees of one generally got
promises at home out of voters who
needsd no watching on entering the
boOlhs.
With the saloons closed, the women
praying and the best influences all
aroused, there was a quiet election,
with excitement and bitter feeling al
elr highest pitch.
The greatest surprise of the day was
the good order everywhere. There
were some personal encounters though
not ss many as usual at elections.
There was, however, great precaution
taken TO prevent trouble. Old friends
aud neighbors had been having their
innings and they wanted the voting
today. If the Breckenridge men had
enforced their challenge rule as strictly
as they expected, there would have
ben trouble. So cleverly had the can
vassiDg and polling been done that the
challengers knew how almost all the
Democrats stood, and they could have
kept many from voting. 1t was gener-
ally believed the Republican managers
favored Breckenridge as they thought
In the event Of his nomination, their
candidates. election would not be b Pc
lees. Very few Republicans, however,
voted. AS many precincts were long
distances from the telegraph ffices, the
, complete returns will likely not be
known before morning, but Owens
seems to to SO much in the lead that it
will not require the complete returns to
settle the result.
Desha Breckenridge was passing pre-
cinct I'D" voting place this afternoon
when he saw J. w. Peak, strong
Ow ens worker, inside the booth prepar-
ing an affidavit. Desha spoke to him
through the window and told him
that he had no business there and that
he had better come out. Peak replied
that he would not come out and Breck-
inTidge went into the booth after him.
The two men clinebed, but were sep
arated. Peak soon afterwards came
out, when Breckinridge met him the
second time and lively fight followed.
Both men had their faces badly
scratched. several blows being passed.
Both men bad pistols. In the last fight
they were separated before they had
chance 10 draw their weapons. Desha
drove to all precincts, personally In
specting them during the day.
At late hour Saturday night, while
the RreckinTidge people still claimed
their man would pull through, their
confidence was not very parked. They
are evidently greatly surprised at the
outcome OF the days voting. In Fayeste
county they had not expected anything
short of7co CT 500 majority. But the
work that was done against him
brought bis majority down 10 a little