After weeks of an ugly and bitter campaign between Madill and Kingston for the prize of housing the county seat, election day finally arrived, asorderedbyGovernor Charles Haskell. It was July 10, 1908, the second Friday of the month. Over the previous two-plus months, accusations were hurled back and forth between the two sides, alleging all manner of campaign violations. The parties engaged in name-calling and personal attacks. Complaints about vote buying, bullying and threats were commonplace. And, on at least one occasion, a prominent campaigner for one side was effectively poisoned to prevent him from being able to appear at a speaking event. In the end, the 1908 campaign for the MarshallCountyseatwasnot much different from the 2024 presidential election. Yes, in 1908, there was no television, radio or internet, but despite this, the hearts and minds of each side were no different. As previously stated in this column, we aren’t much different in2024thanthepeople in 1908. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up for debate, but in the end, things never really change.
Two days before the election, the Marshall County Democratmadeitsfinalargument in support of Madill as the county seat. In the July 8th edition, the Democrat printed a “sample ballot” to familiarize the citizens with the process. Then, in that same edition, the Democrat stated, “Madill and Kingston started building at the same time, and that was when the Frisco railroad was built through this country. They aresituatedabouteightmiles apart in a rich agricultural belt of land, which is bounded on the south by Red river and on the north and east by Washita and on the west by the trade which was drawn by Ardmore. They are both agricultural towns and have received their support entirely from this surrounding country.”
“Which town has developed the more rapidly since they started nearly eight years ago? The Federal census of1907showsthatMadill, at that time had a population of 1587, while Kingston had a population of only 477. Why this difference?”
“This territory of which we have been speaking is now embraced in the County of Marshall, of which Madill and Kingston each, wants to be her county seat. If it was not the convenience in reaching Madill and the market she offers the people that caused her to outstrip her twin sister on the south what was it?”
“For the same reason that Madill is a more convenient place for you to come to sell your produce and buy your supplies, it will be a more convenient for you to come and transact your business with the courts. The larger Madill may become, the better market you will have in which to buy and sell.”
But after a positive message, the Democrat went negative, attacking the Kingston Messenger. The Democrat editor wrote, “The Kingston Messenger has become the paper of affidavits. they will swear that they did and then swear that they didn't. We would not be surprised that some of them will swear before the campaign is over that if Madill is successful and is electedthepermanentcounty seat of Marshall County, that the sun will forbear to shine, that the moon will hide her face, that earth will refuse to bring forth its abundance, that the rippling Glasses Creek will quit running, that Kingston will love the people of Madill the same as she did before she transgressed the lawofcommonpropriety,and that she will humbly ask the people of Marshall County to forgive her of the many sins, which she has committed against them.”
Then,theDemocratended its arguments for the county seat with a warning. “Realizing Their Defeat, Certain Kingston Parties Talk Of Contesting The Election. In anticipation of defeat, we understand that certain Kingston supporters are talking of contesting the election that is to be held Friday. We have been carrying on a clean campaign and hope that when the election is over, there will be no bitterness but that all parts of thecountywillbeinharmony andwillworkforthecommon good of her citizenship. A contest of the election could not avail any good to the county and would not change the result as will be expressed by the sovereign will of the people. Instead of discord, let harmony and peace prevail.”
Then, in the July 10th edition of the Madill News, the editor wrote, “THE LAST WORD. We anticipate the result of today's election by extending to Kingston and Kingston supporters the courtesies of Madill asatownandasthecounty seat of Marshall County, the home of her officers. We are done. We feel that we have fought a good fight; we know that we have kept the faith and that we have done not one thing to be sorry for; hence, the path is clear for us to go forward andpresenttoeachandevery honest man in the county a clean record, The paper, the town and the campaign managers have been fair and honest in their dealings throughout this campaign. Hence, we have no hesitancy in proffering you, as has always been our won’t, the best there is in the way of marketsandbusinessaccommodations and assure you there will be no need of your feeling any delicacy whatever in coming to Madill for your supplies, selling your crops or attending to business of any nature at the county seat. We expect to be Madill, the same yesterday, today and forever: just what we have claimed throughout the campaign, and to always have the best foot foremost in the interest of the people.”
“To those supporting Madill as the capital of the county we are more than thankful; while against those opposing, we hold nothing and believe it was from honest convictions and for the greatest good to the greatest number; and yet, with the announcement of the result of the election tonight and the realization of the sentiment of the majority of the people, you, too, will be willing to annul your ballot and make Madill unanimously the people's choice as the place for the transaction of all county business.”
But the News ended with the following warning. “WARNING: It has come to our ears that the Messenger will this week publish a number of false and fraudulent affidavits, and we warn the people of Marshall County to look out for them. There will be no opportunity for the Madill papers to expose them, and they may be freely used. Look out for fraudulent affidavits.”
The Madill News warning was based on a short article two weeks before by the Kingston Messenger warning that the Messenger had proof that Madill was “buying votes.” In that article, the Messenger wrote, “MADILL'S CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE BUYING VOTES. Positive Proof and Sworn Affidavit that Madill Has Bought Men and Influence With Part of Her Million Dollars. Complaint after complaint has come to us that members of the Madill campaign committee have been and are now buying men and influences' for the purpose of thwarting the will of the people and electing their town county seat.”
“THE MESSENGER has the positive proof and sworn evidence to justify its action and sustain the charges of fraud and corruption which it now and here makes against the campaign committee of Madill: We have the positive proof that a member of the Madill campaign committee paid a man more than $40.00 for his influence and support of Madill. We have the name of the Madill man who paid the money; we have the name of the man to whom the money was paid; we have the exact amount of one payment, and the day of the week, month and year on which this payment was made, and how it was paid.”
“Wehaveaswornaffidavit in our possession that the same Madill man mentioned above bought the 'editorial support and general influence' of a Marshall County newspaper for the purpose of supporting Madill for county seat. We have the amount of the consideration, by whom and to whom paid. We also have a sworn affidavit that a certain man made a contract with the above-mentioned Madill man to deliver the voting box of Woodville to Madill for the county seat for financial consideration; we havethefullamountthatwas to be paid and the amount in part which has been paid. If theMadillcampaigncommittee will deny these charges, we will publish our sworn proof, giving the names of the men, amount of money and the details and particulars in our possession.”
“We appeal to the sovereign citizenship of Marshall County, both inside and outside of Madill, to resent anddenouncethecorruptand unlawful practice of buying and selling votes and influence. We believe they will. Webelievethetimewillnever come when any great percent of the honor and integrity of American manhood can be bartered for commercial and selfish purposes by men who are driven to desperation by realization of defeat.”
However, as predicted by the Madill News, the Kingston Messenger printed the affidavit. Thisbombshellwould today be called an “October Surprise.” While “October Surprise” applies to any unexpected event, it’s most commonly associated with last-minute political revelations strategically timed to sway voters.
TheKingstonMessenger’s “October Surprise” was an affidavit from L. E. Moss, the editor of the Woodville Star newspaper. In an article released on July 10, 1908, the Messenger wrote, “MADILL'S CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE BUYING VOTES.”
“Positive Proof and Sworn Affidavit that Madill Has Bought Men and Influence With Part of Her Million Dollars. Under the above caption, THE MESSENGER said on June 26: 'We have a sworn affidavit in our possession that a Madill man bought the 'editorial support and general influence' of a Marshall County newspaper for the purpose of supporting Madill for county seat. We have the amount of the consideration, by whom and to whom paid.”
“The above charges were published, as stated, nearly two weeks ago; and Madill, knowing the charges to be true, and knowing that we have the proof when we so state, refuses to call for same. Her refusal to make a denial and demand our proof is evidence of her guilt. The affidavit is hereby given to the public:” To whom it may concern: Woodville, Ok., June 18, 1908, I, L. E. Moss, editor and proprietor of the Woodville Star, a paper published in MarshallCounty,Oklahoma, hereby make the following voluntary statement of facts: When I left Kingston and moved to this place, I was a Kingston man and favored that place for county seat of Marshall County, but being in need of ready money, agreed to support Madill for county seat of said county.”
“I met with David Russell, SECRETARY OF THE MADILL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, atMadill,Marshall County, Oklahoma, and CONTRACTED WITH HIM TOSUPPORTMADILLFOR COUNTY SEAT.”
“They agreed to pay me ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT ($138.00) DOLLARS for my EDITORIAL SUPPORT and the general use of my paper and the DELIVERY OF THE WOODVILLE BOX TO MADILL FORCOUNTYSEAT.”
“I have received from said SECRETARY,DavidRussell, thesumofFIFTYDOLLARS ($50.00) as part payment on said contract. (Signed) L. E. MOSS. Editor and Proprietor. The Woodville Star. Subscribed and sworn to before me, this the 18th day of June, 1908. (SEAL) D. R. JOHNSTON, Notary Public. Commission expires Feby. 11, 1911.”
Election Day had arrived. A bombshell was dropped. And each side had made all the arguments they had to make. Weeks of dirty and bitter campaigning was over. Or was it? Now, all that was left to do was wait for the polls to close and then count the votes. But would the election outcome end the fight between Madill and Kingston? Or would the fight go on regardless of the outcome? Would the rivalry betweenMadillandKingston finally be put to rest? The people would soon find out.