While researching another topic, I came across this old newspaper article dealing with county efforts to curb vote-buying. I wanted to share it with you all, and then I thought it might be fun to specifically seek out old election news and do some blog posts based upon what I find in our lead up to the election(s). So here's the first one, and I hope it's of interest and that you enjoy it. I've also added a picture of Rube Fields to the blog post on him.
In the summer of 1913, the chairman of the Bath County Democratic Party, John T. Kimbrough, called a meeting to "request all Democratic candidates" to pledge "not to use money or other things of value, especially intoxicating liquor, for the purpose of influencing voters." Pledges were evidently signed, by both voters and candidates, but a resolution in regard to such activity was voted down by the executive committee.
When I showed this clipping to my husband, Don, he just kind of shook his head, chuckled, and said something about how we're still dealing with it all a hundred years later and how Mr. Kimbrough must have rolled over in his grave a few years back when the vote buying scandal hit our county.
We probably shouldn't joke about it at all, though, because it is a serious issue. Vote buying does go way back, but that's not an excuse to participate in it today. We all know better, so let's do Mr. Kimbrough proud and behave ourselves this election season. ~Ginger
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| From the June 12, 1913 issue of the Owingsville Outlook. |
John T. Kimbrough, circa unknown
(Photo courtesy of The History of Bath County by John Adair Richards)
Kimbrough Drugstore in Owingsville, Ky.
The Kimbrough name can still be found on the building on Main Street.
(Photo courtesy of The History of Bath County by John Adair Richards)
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Receipt from the Kimbrough drugstore, dated 1911.
(Image from Kincaid/Darnell family collection) |
Labels: Kimbrough, Politics
