The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-10-23
A MEXICAN WAR STORY.
THE IMPORTANT PART PLAYED BY A
PAIR OF BOOTS.


ence When Indiana Elections Were Close
Uncle Daniel DlOcher, an Old-Time
Politician, Tells an Interesting Tale.
Uncle Daniel Blocher, the venera-
BILE Representative from Scott
county, Indiana, to the legislature,
who can better interest one with his
stories touching the early history OF
hat state than any other person in
southern Indiana, has related to the
chicago Record On incident pertain.
lag to the annexation of Texas by the
United States in which he figured Inn
portantly. The truth of this singular
story has never been questioned, and
30 far as possible reliable records en-
tirely substantiate it. 1t is an anec-
tlote of value from historical stand
point and will also constitute part
of the unwritten history of Indiana.
The central figure Of the sketch,
"Uncle Dan," as be is Familiarity
known, is fast nearing the century
mark, but nevertheless he is rs active
and jovial as he ives forty years ago:
He stands six feet three inches In his
stocking feet and as the dignifed poll;
tician rides into town, astride his old
white mule, his snow-white head
covered with the high silk hat pur-
chased during Lincoln's time, he re-
minds one of picture of member OF
the "Albany regency" going to see
Jackson on some affair concerning the
formation of the ''kitchen cabinet. "
Ind, in truth, he is perfect type Of
fhe politician Of ante-bellum days.
Mr.. Blocher never engages In story
telling unless requested to do 90. The
story which follows has never before
been related by Mr.: Blocher expressly
for publication, though, of course, it
forms part of every schoolboy's edu-
cation in this county.
The gist of the story is that pair
of his boots caused the Mexican war.
They were not patent-leather ones,
but a pair Of old, everyday boots. Yet
they were an important factor in caus-
ing that difficulty, which acquired for
the United States the land between
the Nueces and the Rio Grande, as
well as California, with its gold fields
and immense fruit lands.
In the fall of 1912 an election of
candidates for the state legislature
was held in Indiana. Scott county
wa.> then entitled to representative,
and TIE election was held every year:
At that time the county was very
close, politically, between the Wings
and Democrats. Samuel Davis, d
farmer, was candidate for state rep
resentative on the Democratic ticket
The election, which was held in Lexs
angton, the old cuuhsy-seat Of this
county, was a hotly contested one,
and it behooved the stalwarts to bring
out every possible vote for their nomi-
nee. This was especially desirable,
IS the man elected to the general as
sembly from Scott county would be
entitled to vote for United States
senator at the coming Session.
Towards evening, as the time for
closing the polls drew near, Uncle Dan
sought the counsel Of William H. Eng
glish, who was then resident of the
county: Both sides had kept strict
66count Of every vote polled and it was
EVIDENT that the result would be very
Gloss. In the extremity Of the situas
lion NJ. English happened to remem-
Der d single Democratic voter; Wash
ington Owens by name; who had not
voted. Mr.: Owens lived in the coun.
try, in the old Undertook district,
and though but few miles distant no
time was to be lost. With great haste,
in his blackboard, Uncle Dan
started after the delinquent voter. AS
he gave the old nag sharp jerk and
pulled up under the, pig pine tree id
front Of the quaint little log houae he
spied Owens seated in the doorway,
tlreamily putting away at corncob
pipe. He explained the situation to
the latter, but no persuasion whatever
could induce him to go, Owens finally
declaring as the reason that he had no
boots to wear: Uncle Dan was equal
" the emergency and promising, the
man his own boots the two started fer
town: Upon arriving at the edge. Of
the town, after pulling off his ample
boots and giving them to his friend,
together with so cents as d token Of
good will, Uncle Dan .alighted from
the buggy and seated himself on top
of rail fence, where, by agreement.
he was to wait until Owens returned,
while with his buggy the latter drove
into town and voted. He was just in
time, as the polls closed few min
1tes later, he being the last man te
vote. The result proved that thai
vote had been the salvation OF the
Democratic nominee, as Davis was
elected by but one vote.
The important result of that vote
was soon manifested. Davis was duly
qualified and proceeded, with the rest
of the legislators, to ballot for United
States senator. The candidates were
Oliver H. Smith, Wing, and Edward
Hannegan, Democrat, finally substi
tuted for Howard, whom the Demo
Gratis were unable to elect, owing to
the action of member from Switzer
land county, who persisted in voting
for Hannegan. Again hot was tn
contest, which resulted in another tri
umph for the Democrats and Hanne
gan was declared elected by one ma
jority, including the vote Of Davi