The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-04-22
4 cheer went Up for Kei4ey. LED by
Lafe Thomas. II IL. !, +. :sS,>..

A cheer went up for Kelley. led by
Lafe Thomas. 3 8 II =s..I
The final vote stood:
Dudley Collier.
James kelsey. .......................s
''Wall I'll be durned,'' was the ex-
pressed emotion of the township at the
result.
A special election was called for the
election of justice of the peace. The
vote was the same as at the previous
election. A deadlock existed, Not
one of those stubborn farmers could
be induced to change his vote. Feel
ing ran high. It mattered little who
was justice of the peace SO far as the
welfare of the community was con-
cerned. In fact. it is almost certain
it could have existed without such Of
fee. But to these farmers politics
took the place of other amusements.
Another special election was called,
And now came the surprise. John
Clark announced himself an independ-
ent candidate for the contested Office.
He had three votes to begin swith-his
own and those of his two sons. These
three votes represented the balance of
power. Both warning factions recog-
nized this. Cast for Clark the old re-
suit would come about, Collier eight
and Kelsey seven; cast for Kelsey.
the vote would be Kelsey ten and COL
lier eight; cast for Collier the result
would be Collier II, Kelsey seven.
Excitement reached high-water mark
in that township. It seemed as though
the deadlock would be broken at last.
Each voter apparently retained his
ingrained stubbornness
James Kelsey recognized that if each
voter remained true to his convictions
he was defeated man. A brilliant
idea occurred to him. If he could not
be elected he could at least keep COL
lier from being reelected. Giving up
his cherished ambition did nos appeal
particularly to Kelsey, but politics
was politics.
''Il retire that man to private life"
threatened Kelsey.
lie held a conference of his adher-
ents. At this conference Kelsey said:
II can't be elected, and so I'm willing
to help beat the other fellow. OF
course, I'd rather win than lose, but
seeing as l can't win I'd rather see
dark horse win than to see Collier
win.''
After a stormy time it was decided
to transfer the Kelsey support to
Clark. Would Collier be surprised?
Well, rather.
Dudley Collier was deeply troubled.
There were signs of disaffection in his
ranks. Two of his stanchest support
ers were suspected of being Clerk SYM
pathizers. Not that there was any
reasonable ground of suspicion.
Trifles light as air make politicians
change their plans. Confirmation of
political suspicious is never required.
From mere trouble, Collier passed to
worry, and from worry to terror. De-
feat stared him in the face. What
ever might happen, jim Kelsey should
not have the Office. He had an in
SEPARATION. If he couldn't be elected,
neither could Kelsey. He decided on
a conference. His faithfuls, with two
exceptions, attended the meeting.
The exceptions were the ones he sus-
pected of treachery. After long dis
cussion it was decided to throw the
Collier strength to Clark. The deci-
sion was to be kept secret. It was AL
lowed" that Jim Kelsey would die of
sheer surprise.
Election day came and when the
votes were counted the result stood
thus:
Dudley Collier.
James Kelsey. Observation-Disclosures.
John Clark. ..................16
Il always said bud Collier d catch
it, said Kelsey to Clark, "but didn't
think his defeat d be so near unan-
imous. San Francisco Argonaut