The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1902-06-26
llnn q NllorIty Of oue Msas History

Thi. Is a strange ye, true story u
how big events Ia the history Of this
country hinged on one vote, e. told by
Col. Dan Blocher, Of Scott county,
Ind, and rctold by Hon. I.aio Pence,
b, moiist and orator and cx.mcmOCr
oi Congress from Colorado, TO q group
Of friends al the Riggs house, says the
Washington Post:
The Democratic National Com
mi,tcc, said Mr.. Pence, IN 1896
wanted my services 90 the stump, and
/ was given my choice Of Territory.
OF course / chose 10 20 back 10 my
old ilUo.igr home, among the friends
Of my boyhood, aud one Of my first
assignments was ut Lexington in Scott
county, a part Of thel world still un-
contaminated by the rgiiUcmrnls % An
chete civilization.
Tho instant Of my arrival 10 LcNlng-
ton was siczcd upon hy Col Dan
Blochcr, one Of the fines. specimens
Of Jclcrsouiaa Democrat that ever
drew breath, aud a lifelong friend Of
Hon. vs.. 81. English, aud, though
vcTgiug upon tourscore, Sctiye in body,
alert mentally, aad as enthusiastic a
paslsen rs be was IN The outset Of biz
career
We had much 70 talk oyer, aud e.
nally the old man, pointing 10 a Iltle
clump Of trees that stood ucar by,
sold. n.I- u--.., D. suur speech this
afternoon / want you 10 alludc TO these
trees aud tell OF scene that happened
under them IN which WAS IA actor
Al this country was once well wooded,
tut that little clump is about all Of
The original forest left. L happened
this way Ny father was about the
cTaziest Democrat that over lived 10
Indiana, On q certain election day
be had done bis usual vigorous work,
but aitcF going homo was not satisfied.
II lacked only about an hour Of the
closing Of the polls, but he had mo
hitch up The wagon and We started 10
town. just as we go, about where
these trees are VIC came across two
young fellows eating timber.
What's the matter with you,
boys' Ain't you voters aud amt you
Democrats? said my father They
answered both questions In tho affirm
alive, but they bad not voted because
ono Of them, Billy, was bAreioo,ed.
lie was too proud 10 go to the polls
without shoes. Ny father asked him
his number, aud was told Billy wore
1913 'Aino Won't fit but maybe
Dams will. Dan, whats your size ?
| wore :0's. and my parent Instantly
remarked;
4" Daniel shuek them boots; climb
in the wsgon, boys, aud Billy aud bis
mate climbed in, aud VIC drove 10 the
polls.
"Well, the result of that election
was lhpt the Democratic candidate for
the Legislature IN Scott county was
elected By one vot0. By bic election
tho Legislature was Democratic by a
margin Of one vote, and this Oecasioned
the election Of Ned Hannigan 10 the
United States Senate by majority Of
one vote.
''In the United States Senate Han
nigan's vote was bndly needed, for
only by the slender majority Of oDe
was Texas admitted to The Onion.
Now, Mr.. Pence, am not proud and
DO not claim that my old pair Of boots
caused the admission Of Texas, but !,
certainly was n great thing that they
brought in those two yuaDg farmers,
for otherwise the opposition would
have triumpied "
"0f esurse,' continued Air. Pence,
81 told the story that afternoon, and
Il was received with thunderons mp
plause. and when ] bad concluded
Col BlocheF got up amid wild cheer
Ing aud gave his word that The story
was IFuc In Overy detail, and exboTtea
every man in the audience 10 60 forth
aud work FOR Just ono more vote"
''Aud did scott county go Demo.
orasicf" asked an Interested auditor.
''To the best Of my recollection
said Dir. Pence. 'sesery county 10
Endiania 10 which | spoke weas for