McCoskey, democrat, was chosen surveyor over Ed. Scriven by a, close vote: 209 to 201. There were three candidates for commissioner: Matt Schumacher, republican; F. J. Irvine, democrat ; and Chas. Fowler, peoples independent. The latter was elected, defeating Schumacher by 11 votes, and Irvine by 23. For clerk, C. W. Ford ; for treasurer, C. B. Whipple: for judge, Geo. W. King; for superintendent, L. L. Raymond ; and for coroner, Dr. Jos. H. Miller, were elected by large maporities. The contest for sheriff developed a three cornered fight between E. T. Festervelt, republican ; Chris Gronberg, democrat ; and W. J. Senteny, peoples independent. Westervelt received 170 votes out of a total of 449, the others being almost equally divided. His plurality was 28.

In the battle of 1896, the county was carried by Bryan for president by 14, and by Holcomb for governor by eight. The fusion of the democrats and pebples independents that year was the best in its history. Porter for secretary of state had 15 lead in this county. The balance of the state ticket went republican here by majorities of from four to sixteen. There was a constitutional amendment to increase the number of judges and all parties had nominated candidates. William Neville and John S. Kirkpatrick carried the county over their republican opponents Ryan and Kincaid. They also carried the state but the amendment

failed to carry, so they were elected to offices that did not exist.

The county ticket was only for commissioner and attorney and the fusion forces were successful. T. M. Morrow won over W. J. Richardson by 33 votes or 246 to 213 ; and T. D. Deutsch won over John A. Orr by 28 or 116 to 88. This was the election in which the Courier intimated that trading was practiced but the delivery on one side.