Miller County Primary Elections, 1916

(Printed in THE MILLER COUNTY AUTOGRAM-SENTINEL in the column, 'WINDOW TO THE PAST', Nov. 12, 2012)

I was recently sent an old 1916 newspaper, THE IBERIA SENTINEL, dated 11 August 1916 published at Iberia, Miller County, MO. It was Volume 12, Number 7, making the newspaper in existence for 12+ years. It was sent to John Ferguson of Iberia, handwritten with only his name on it and no address. In those years everyone knew everyone else! John, called Squire, was an old Civil War soldier who had lived around Iberia for many years and lived until 1940, well beyond 100 years.

On the front page were the official returns of the Primary Election, that had been held on August 1, 1916; the polling places listed for District #1 were-----

Tuscumbia, West Aurora, Bagnell, Rocky Mount, Mt. Pleasant, Eldon, Etterville, Olean, Rock Island, Spring Garden

The polling places listed for District #2 were------

Alder Springs, Browns, Brays, Iberia, Elm Springs, Brumley, Ulman, Capps, Pleasant Farm, Claxby, St. Elizabeth, Marys Home

TOTAL POLLING PLACES----22

The winners of the 1916 Primary Election on the Republican ticket were:

REPRESENTATIVE----------------------------------- PROSECUTING ATTORNEY--------------------------SHERIFF----------------------------------------------ASSESSOR--------------------------------------------TREASURER------------------------------------------SURVEYOR--------------------------------------------

JUDGE DISTRICT #2---------------------------------

John Connor

Charles F. Artz

L. J. "Bud" Mayfield

Jesse H. Catron

Ira W. Harbison

S. C. Knight

Thomas J. Duncan

There were no Democrats listed so I do not know if anyone was running in opposition on the Democrat ticket. Also missing, according to today's elections, were the offices of Presiding Judge, Judge District #1, Collector, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Probate Judge, Coroner, Circuit Judge.

This old newspaper is such a treasure but in a very poor condition. I had to be very careful as I separated the pages and finally put them in plastic sheet binders to help preserve them. My daughter (Kelly) accomplished most of the work because her eyesight is much better than mine. - Peggy