Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1878 — Singular Election Contest. [ARTICLE]

Singular Election Contest.

Per Laps one of the most singular political contests that ever occurred came off in Butler, Pa, at the recent spring election, between “Uncle” Jake Ziegler and ex-Burgess Keck. Both had been nominated for the office of burgess but neither wanted to serve. Each therefore determined to defeat himself and elect his opponent. Un ele Jake t irned out his entire office force and instructed every man to “vote for Mr. Keck and then go to work for him like blazes!” Bel eving in the old saying, that if a man wants his work well done he must do it himself, “Uncle” Jake banged his hat on his head and went into his ward and worked like a Troj in for his opponent. On the other hand, Mr. Keck got out his family and Lis hired man, and told his friends and all hands in his ward to cast every vote for Uncle Jake, and he put in the whole day in working as he never worked at the polls before. The result was both men were beaten by a “handsome majority” in their respective wards, but “Uncle Jake” failed to get his work in as well as Mr. Keck, for he was elected by three votes. He says it’s the worst beat hs ever got in his life—in fact is a d—d shame he can’t have things his way once in a while.