The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-22
REPUBLICAN VOTER
FROM THE FIRST
''Jake" Covert, Oldest Party
Man in His County.
HE STOOD ALONE IN 1856
His Elation Upon Hearing of Nominal
ton of Lincoln-Now in Govern
ment Printing Office.

There are many Republicans in the
United States. no doubt. who have been
voting the Republican ticket since the
party was first formed. and who have
not missed a vote in a Presidential cleo
ton since that time
This distinction is not only claimed
by Jake Covert, a veteran COmpOsitOr
in the Government Printing Office. but
he makes claim also to what he believes
is an unparalleled record. in that for
four years he was the only Republican
in Daviess county, Ind.
Mr.. Covert says that this was the ac-
tual political situation in that county
from 1856 to 1860. In the latter part Of
the last named year a Republican from
Illinois immigrated to Daviess county,
and he and Mr.. Covert constituted the
Republican party Of the county at that
time.
Harrison on the Stump.
During the State campaign Of 1858,
Benjamin Harrison, then but a young
man making the race for a minor place
on the State ticket, in company with
Tom Corwin, made a trip TO Daviess
county to make political speeches. There
was no committee to meet the visitors.
and no Republicans waited on the cam
paigners at their hotel. as would be the
case nowadays. Finally, Harrison took
the hotel clerk aside and said:
Look here, are there no RepubH-
cans In this county,
The hotel clerk replied that he knew
enc. Jake Covert, a young man about
twenty-one years Of age. Mr.. Harrison
requested that Covert be sent for imme-
diately, as he desired TO see what kind
Of a looking fellow he was.
Mr.. Covert says he took the platforms
OF the parties making nominations IN
1856, read them, and compared them, and
he determined that he would ally him
self with he Republicans, il he was the
only man in the county TO do So
County Carried for Lincoln.
Notwithstanding the small number Of
Republicans in Daviess county at that
time, the county was carried for the Lin
coin electors. The county was about
evenly divided between the four tickets
Of the 1860 election-the Republican. the
Knownothing, and the two Democratic
tickets
Col. Dick Thompson, chairman OF
the KnOwnothing party just before the
election, issued a proclamation to the
effect that as there was no chance for
their party 10 win they should choose
the lesser evil and vote the Republican
ticket. The result was that the Know
nothing voters in Daviess county came
over almost to a man and voted for Lin
coin. This vote, together with that of
the Republican rarty-COvert and the
man from Illinois-gave the county tC
the Republicans
Declined the Postofice.
After the election the former Illinois
Republican waited upon Mr.. Covert and
told him that by reason Of the fact that
he was the Oldest Republican in the
county he should have the postoff1ce. a
position paying at that time the snug
salary Of $500 per year.
Mr.. Covert declined the offer with
thanks and gave his Endorsement TO the
newcomer, who was appointed and held
the Office for twelve years.
NJ. Covert maintains that this record
has no parallel, and he believes he is the
only man that can make claim TO such
answering loyalty 70 party principles
under Ike conditions.
A Great Athlete.
In his youth Mr. Covert was a great
athlete. He led in all the sports in his
native town. and was especially good
at putting the shot and hammer throw.
ing His family on both sides are notec
for longevity.
that I would never die, but I wa.
sixty-sevcn in August and l don't fee
as strong as 1 used to-"
Mr.. Covert will leave Washington FOL
his old home next month and spend his
vacation there. He will be there OF
election day and cast another Repub
lican ballot.
Mr.. Covert tells an interesting story o.
how he received the news Of Lincoln''
nomination
1T was in 1S6O-June. I think-and
vas I'm Washington. Ind Dr. William
4. Herrall, a friend Of mine, was a.
much Interested in the result Of IN.
convention at Chicago as ] was. Th'
telegraph operator at our station was
taking the news off as il passed through
10 the larger towns. and in that way
we managed to keep posted.
He Burned His Hat.
zone day DIT. Herrau came into m,
Office and said. Who do you thinl
they have nominated?
''T don't know said I, but I an
willing TO make a bonfire OF my hat (
it's Lincoln
That's just who # is. said the doc
tor. That was enough I just steppe
out on the sidewalk and stuffed my Ia
fun Of paper. touched a match TO II
and let IL burn. That was the frs
bonfire of the campaign
Mr.. Covert's son, Charles Gran
Covert, is mayor of Evansville. Ind
and as stauch a Republican as hi
father When he assumed the office q
chief executive Of the HOOsier town
was I'm debt. and the new mayors an
bition was 10 put IL on n solid financis
basis This he has accomplished befOT
the end OF the term and the city owe
nothing He IS one OF the best OF
ganizers I'm the party, and Representa-
tive Hemenway's last election was du
in n great measure 20 the efforts {
young Covert.
MARRIAGE LICENSES.