Name/Title
Letter from Walter B. Dent to Austin Crothers about the 1909 election in St. Mary's CountyEntry/Object ID
2008.008.0002Scope and Content
3 sheets ; 2 sheets are 24 3/4" long folded in half x 7 7/8" wide and one sheet is 12 3/8" long x 7 7/8" wide
No date Walter B. Dent and George W. Maddox were part of the Board of Supervisors of Elections in St. Mary's County in 1909. Mr. J. D. Hurry was also a Supervisor. It was the duty of the Board to determine the form and arrangement of the ballots for an election, including the wording of any propositions. It is, of course, possible to skew election results with confusing language. There was an accusation of fraud made against Mr. Dent and Mr. Maddox by Mr. Hurry and others in connection with the November 1909 election. Mr. Dent wrote this letter to Governor Crothers to defend himself and Mr. Maddox against the charges. According to Mr. Dent, Mr. Hurry purposely did not attend the meetings where the wording, etc. of the ballots was decided, but after the ballots were printed and the packages sealed, Hurry demanded to see the finished product. Mr. Dent and others took exception this demand and pistols were waved on each side! High drama in the election world. We thought Florida was exciting .....
A transcription is included with the letter.Collection
Walter B. Dent CollectionArchive Items Details
Date(s) of Creation
1909 - 1910Location
Container
Small Collections, Box 5Shelf
Rack 17, Shelf 4Rack
Rack 17Wall
North wallRoom
Archives 2Building
Tudor HallContainer
Small Collections, Box 5Shelf
Rack 17, Shelf 4Rack
Rack 17Wall
North wallRoom
Archives 2Building
Tudor HallContainer
Small Collections, Box 5Shelf
Rack 17, Shelf 4Rack
Rack 17Wall
North wallRoom
Archives 2Building
Tudor HallRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Crothers, Austin Lane (1860-1912)Person or Organization
Dent, Walter B.Person or Organization
Hurry, J. D.Person or Organization
Maddox, George W.