Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-01-19
KIRKENDALL
FOR MAYOR

Monday evening. the Democrats OF
the city of Wilkesbarre met in conven-
tion and placed in nomination candl-
dates for the several Offices to be voted
for at the coming February election.
The ticket is strong one, and the
choice of the Convention for Mayor
was Fred O. Kirkendsll, a son-in-law
of George NJ. Gearhart, Of this city,
and we'll known here Mr.. Kirkendall
was nominated by Attorney Paul Bed
ford, who said in part:
Il am reminded at this time Of an
incident related 5y Judge Woodward
at a former Democratic convention
when a nomination by the Democratic
party was equivalent to an election.
Judge Woodward, or Mr.. Woodward,
as he was then, was chairman OF this
particular convention. The incident
happened about thirty years ago and
was thereby prevented from being a
witness to it, 1t seems that the con-
| veutIon was rather turbulent one and
there were many contests for all the
offices. Matters became more and more
exciting as the proceedings went on.
When nominations for the office OF
sheriff were called several delegates
| Jumped to the floor. each one more ex-
cited and anxious than the rest to be
recognized by the chair. But one Of
the delegates waved above his head in
a very pointed manner from the stand
point of the chairman, a revolver.
1.-The chairman hastily rose to his
feet and demanded that order be re-
stored and announced in his loudest
tones that he would recognize the dele
gate with the gun. The favored dele
gate took the floor and placed in nomi-
nation the name of William Penn Kirk
endall. Needless to say he was nomi-
mated by the convention and elected
by an overwhelming majority. His
brother, Ira Kirkendall, was the first
mayor of Wilkesbarre when it was in
corporated city, aud this former ex'
ecutive has a son who is not far away
from Us tonight.
Fred O. Kirkendall is a man young
in years, but not so young as to be
without wide experience and fitness
for the position Of mayor. He is a
citizen of spotless integrity. who has
! always taken a patriotic interest in
the welfare OF his native city, and q
political candidate whose strength at
the polls has been forcibly demonstrat-
ed. He is a man whom all Democrats
and men of other political creeds who
wish to see an executive who will give
the city clean, honest and respeot-
able government. can support.
He is business man of the very
widest experience and one who stan DIS
upon a good platform. He was born
and reared in the city, and has the
power of looking into matters which
would help wonderfully i'll bringing
the city to the front rank. His name
present for consideration"
Every time the name of Kirkendsll
was mentioned by the speaker it was
met with hearty handclspping and
stamping Of feet and at the conclusion
it looked as if the proverbial Bedlam
had broken loose.
When order was finally restored. a
delegate moved that the nominations
close which was done. The secretary
was then instructed to cast the ballot
and Mr. Kirkendall was at once plso'
ed on the ticket by AN unanimous vote.
The nominee was then called to the
front and he responded by thanking
the delegates for the honor they had
thrust upon him. He sail that the
past few days he had been i'll and was
IN such a shape that nothing but a
Democratic convention could have
brought him out. He concluded by
again thanking the convention.