The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-26
.Throw Down" of F.
e. Huckins of Grafton
VARIOUS OPINIONS.
eKlondike Fairy Tales De-
q !.
8 . plored by Graftonite.

e Grafton. Feb. 25.-The all-absorbing
topic of conversation on the streets, in
the stores, aboard trains and electric
cars, and everywhere where two or
more Grafton men met today, was the
Rfhrowdown given the chairman Of the
present board Of selectmen, Francis e.
Huckins, at the eventful republican
caucus held in town hall last evening.
ITS clear case of biting of his own
head" was the expression heard from
AL sides.
" OF the 212 ballots cast at the caucus.
the other members of the board, with
the exception of Henry q. Brooks, re.
ceived from 1877 to 156 votes, while the
chairman. the man who is said by many
TO have served other interests than
those of the town during the past year
received only the paltry number of 80.
His follower. Henry e. Brooks. rsceiy.
Cd the support OF only IS of his fellow
citizens.
The new phase now put ON town at
ratrA as regards the board of select
men, Is as much welcomed as 1t is sur
pr1sing to even the ones most strongly
past term. Mr.. Huckins while de-
teated on the republican ticket, is a
candidate of the democrats, who held
a caucus at which IS ballots were cast
Thursday night, and while he did not
receive the best support Of those who
were the candidates Of that party, he
ranked fairly well.
His possibility of election on the DEM
ocratic ticket, however, is decidedly
slim, as the minority which that party
enjoys locally, is about one-fourth the
republican strength. The wild cheers
of vented enthusiasm which went
forth when the result of the Friday
night caucus was announced, were suf-
ncient proof Of what may be expected
at the March election.
The republicans now have but one
North Grafton man on their ticket,
George B. Brooks, who has been an
unsuccessful candidate for several
years. His prospects for election this
year are generally considered as being
far better than in years past. The CEN
ter puts forth two candidates on the
majority ticket, Clarence H. Elliot and
Edward Estabrook. The latter is from
the Merriam district, and has as many
followers as Elliot. He has had sew
eraI terms experience on the board,
and has always been a satisfactory in
cumbent
Of the candidates from the south
part, the strong popularity of Ellsworth
e. Howe, as previously stated in the
Spy, was proven by the 1873 voters who
supported him. Thomas Wilmarth re-
ceived 1873 ballots, and stands second
on the republican ticket.
The only close contest for a position
on the coming board, promises to be,
as formerly, between the Brooks broth
ers of North Grafton, Henry, the DEM
ocratic candidate, and George b., the
candidate of the republicans.
The family of William C. Fletcher is
in receipt of a letter from Mr.. Fletcher,
written at Dawson City, Jan. 10. He
states that he had been sick for two
weeks and was unable to work at the
time OF writing. The temperature
ranged from 20 to 40 degrees below zero
at Dawson, and much suffering was
being endured. The hospitals-such as
they are--were filled with sick prospect
ors and there were also large numbers
who were severely suffering at their
cabins. Meat had become scarce with
most of the inhabitants and in order to
prevent scurvy it was necessary to
drink spruce tea twice week.
The hill towns lone Klondiker was
living in cabin 12x12. about one mile
from the city proper. Days were but
three and one-haf hours long, and in
order to see Old Sol's face that length
Of time it was necessary to climb to the