Mayor McNair?
Gold in those Archives
Today I discovered a brilliant series in the Brodhead Historical Society's archives. There were a few dozen articles from the Brodhead Independent that were published in 1999, and were reporting on 100 year old news of the day.
Mayor Miles?
Today I'm sharing my personal favorite, as it shows well the strength in character of Miles M. McNair.
The more I research Miles, the more evident his strength of character materializes. A truly honorable and self aware person, who seems unstoppable based on facts, but has shown a depth of self awareness in the following article.
Keep in mind that Miles would have been 76 years of age at the time of the election, and of note ~ that is a Victorian Era 76 years of age, which is quite remarkable ...
When Brodhead Was Young
By Dan Nerhaugen
Brodhead voted, as young and old spoke their minds in 1899
"Local elections were just around the corner 100 years ago this week.
The front page of March 30, 1899's The Brodhead Independent featured a municipal election notice regarding the city's April 4 balloting.
On a sample ballot, candidates were listed not as Democrats or Republicans, but as 'Citizens' Party' or the curiously named 'People's Party For License.'
Topping the tickets were mayoral candidates Warren Gardner and John Young.
It seems, however, that some voters' first choice for mayor was not running.
'So many citizens have spoken to Mr. M.M. McNair and expressed regret that he was unwilling to let his name be used as a candidate for mayor," ran an item in that week's paper, 'that he desires to say that poor health was his only reason for that decision. He feels that the care of his own private business is enough, that he has not the physical strength to assume such responsibilities as come with public office, and there- fore has no right to even appear to desire them.'"
People's Party for License
Historical research really seems to hinge on memory of what you've read, and serendipity in being able to connect it all.
Coincidentally enough, I took photos from the 1885 paper while researching, as the argument for and against "License" in the Independent grabbed my attention.
Stay tuned as I process and prepare the information for more insights on "the curiously named" party.
