The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-29
Henry Heitfeld, a Populist with DEM
ocratic Antecedents, Elected to
the United States Senate.
GEO. F. TURNER, OF SPOKANE
NOMINATED FOR SENATOR BY THE
POPULISTS OF WASHINGTON.
Lawyer Who BOIted Republication
for Organism Last FaII-Nevada
Jones Now n ProtectiOnist.

BOISE, Ida. Jan. 2s.-Henry Hetfeld
Populist was to-day elected United States
senator to succeed Senator Dubois. The
vote stood: Heitfeld, 80; Dubois. so; T. A
Nelson, /. Fourteen Democrats joined the
Populists for Heitfed and he also received
the vote of the single Republican member.
Four Democrats went to Dubois.
In the campaign the Democrats and Pop
ulsts entered into a fusion, under which
the Populists were to have the congress
man and senator. The Democrats refused
to indorse any man named by the Populist
caucus for senator. Judge w. II. Claggett
was overwhelmingly the choice of the Pop
uiists but the Democrats would not vote
for him in sufficient numbers to elect him.
Finally, on Tuesday night, Claggett had his
friends nominate Heitfeld. There were thir
teen Democrats ready by this time to vote
for most any Populist except Claggett.
When the Democratic caucus was held
Wednesday morning it resolved to support,
but there was such talk of a bolt that the
purpose was abandoned. Last night the
matter was arranged, the thirteen Demo-
Gratis pledging their votes TO Heitfeld and
the deal was closed. Three Populists bolted,
but they were got back this morning
and Heitfeld secured his full party
ished and before any changes had been
made. it was seen that Heitfeld had 15 one
less than a majority. Then Mr.. Fent the
only gold Republican elected to the Legis-
lature changed his vote from Fisher to
Hetfed.
Senator Dubois appeared before the joint
assembly at an adjourned session this aft
ernoon. He thanked his friends for the fight
they had made and counseled them to go
to work vigorously to enact good laws for
the State.
Since the Legislature assembled Secretary
c. A. Walsh, of the Democratic national
committee, has been here working in the
interest of Dubois and every effort has
been made by the Democratic national
leaders to secure for him the support of
the party here. The result is a great dis
appointment to Mr.. Walsh, but he declines
to make any statement.
Henry HeitfeId IS a man of limited edu
cation. He was born in st. Louis, January
300 His father, Henry Heitfeld. was OK
German birth. The future Idaho senator at
tended the common schools of ST. Louis
until 1870. when, with his mother, he moved
TO Seneca, Kan. He lived there until 1857
being employed at farm work anG learning
the trade of stone mason. In 1852 Mr.. Het-
field moved to the Northwest locating at
Pomeroy. Wash. For time he worked in
the shops of the Northern Pacific Railroad
at Sprague Wash, remaining there until
the fall of 1883, when he became a resident
of Nez Perces county. Idaho. Since that
time he has been engaged as a farmer
fruit grower and cattleman. In politics Mr.
Heitfeld was a Democrat until he Joined
the Populist party. He is a member of
the Farmers Alliance and ii was through
his connection with that organization that
he was influenced to ally himself with the
Populist party. He was elected to the
State Senate as Populist in 1884 and again
in 1896