The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-19


Georgetown News from the Dis
trict.
LEXINGTON. KY, Sept. 15.-At 11:SO
both Breckinridge and Owens claim vic
tory. the former by 113 and the latter
by 800. Result very close. VIII take
official count 10 decide.
No election or other occasion ever caused
such a general suspension of business and
Sally duties as the contest today between
w c. Owens, w. G. p. Breckenridge and
r. L. Settle for the democratic nomina-
lion for congress from the Ashland dis
trict For months the district has been
sgitated. 1t was not a political. not even
1 factional fight. 1t was a moral con-
test for weeks and months and during
the last few days it became intensely
personal, so much so that the nomination
was not the only issue. Col. Breckin-
ridge was fighting for life and he never
before made such dispatches or dis
played such executive ability in organiza-
tion. He marshaled every man whom he
could command, but he could not COM
mand the women. They had no votes,
but they were the controlling element in
the fight.
At the Owens headquarters tonight
their claims have run up from 400 at
O'Clock to two, three, four and even five
times that plurality, and they say in
their reIoincing: The ladies did It,"
The ladies' could not get ward workers to
their prayer meetings or other meetings,
but the organization of committees Of
one generally got promises at home out
Of voters who needed no watching on
entering the booths.
With the saloons closed, the women
praying and the best influences all
aroused there was quiet election with
excitement and bitter feeling at their
highest pitch.
The greatest surprise of the day was
the good order everywhere. There were
some personal encounters, but not as
many as usual at closely-contested elec7
tions. There was, however, great preL
caution to prevent trouble. Old friends
and neighbors had been having their
inning and they wanted only the voting
today. If the Breckenridge men had
challenged as strictly as they had ex-
pected there would have been trouble.
So closely had the canvassing and polling
been done that the challengers knew how
almost all the democrats stood and they
could have kept many from voting.
1t was generally understood that re-
publican managers favored Breckenridge,
as they thought in the event Of his NOM
nation their chances would not be hope
less. Very few republicans, however,
voted.
As many precincts are long distances
from telegraph Offices the complete re-
turns will not likely be known before
tomorrow. But Owens seems to be 50
much in the lead that il will not require
the complete returns 10 settle the result
Desha Breckinridge was passing pre-
cinct DIS voting place this afternoon,
when he saw j. Walker Peak a strong
Owens worker. inside the booth preparing
an affidavit Desha spoke TO him through
the window, and tod him that he had
no business in there, and that he had
better come out. Peak replied that he
went In the booth after him. The two
men clinched. but were separated. Peak
soon afterward came out when Breckin-
ridge met him the second time and a
lively fight followed. Both men had their
faces scratched, several blows being
passed Both men had pistols. In the
last figiht they were separated before they
had a chance TO draw their weapons.
Desha drove to all precincts personally
inspecting them during the day.
LEXINGTON, KY, Sept. 16.-The vic
tors seek to possess the entire field; the
vanquished accept defeat manfully. This
conclusion is justified by outside appear
ances here, which began to manifest
themselves early this morning. One no
table indication was the dOffing of Breck-
inridge badges and donning Owens
badges by the most ardent young bloOds
who supported Breckenridge throughout
the campaign with their money and their
personal services. These men say that
they went to the election yesterday be-
Heving that every voter at the primaries
was morally bound TO support the nOm-
inee. Now that their favorite. for whom
they fought 80 valiantly, seems to have
suffered defeat they feel in honor bound
TO support his opponent. They seem 10
acquiesce in the inevitable.
There was a report this afternoon that
Owens, Settle and Breckinridge would
each issue card to the public stating
his case. This was on the theory that
Breckenridge was about to contest the
election. Breckenridge absolutely refuses
10 talk. The most thorough investigation
tonight failed to find shadow of ground
for the rumOr. Everybody is thoroughly
tired Of the fierce contest that termin.
ated in yesterdays primaries. To con
test the election would be to prolong the
struggle. The probabilities, therefore
seem to be against the contest.
1he Rest figures obtainable here to-
night at this hour give totals for candb
dates as follows: Owens, 1890; Breckln.
ridge 1870; Settle. 34O5: Owens's plur.
expected tomorrow, will probably vary
but little from these figures
A special to a Cincinnati paper says
There is nothing definite in the way oi
returns at $50 tonight. 1t Is believed by
many well posted Owens men that
Breckinridge Will contest the election
but he declines to talk for publication.
Col John r. Allen, county attorney
one Of Breckinridge's supporters, say.
that he intends 10 support Owens, and
in fact. Is wearing Owens button.
POyngz Nelson OF the state college, 3
man very close TO Col Breckenridge
said that he did not believe any Of the
rumOrs that Breckenridge would contest
The committee will meet in Frankfort
he said. 10 canvass the vote. and If any
thing wrong is discovered it will b,
righted there.
Owens men are very we'll satisfied. 4
few. however. complain that Brecldn