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Show 1 (OdD Years Ags Todlay County elections excite the citizenry The Summit County elections were just two days away when the Park Mining Record published its August 2, 1884 edition. On the ballot were candidates for probate judge, selectmen, select-men, sheriff, assessor and collector, recorder, clerk, prosecuting attorney, attor-ney, coroner, justice of the, peace, constables and fence viewers. "Do you want the Mormon Church to run the County affairs two years longer?" bellowed the Record. "Park City has 1,215 registered voters. She should cast at the least 1,000 Liberal votes." To ensure that readers stayed fired up, the Record interspersed one-line election promos pro-mos between stories: "Be sure you don't forget to go to the polls!" And, "Mormons vote as a unit for candidates good or bad. Fight them with their own weapons!" For those who were getting gray hair worrying about the outcome of the election, there were advertisements advertise-ments in the newspaper for Hall's Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer, and Buckingham's dye for the whiskers "when the beard is gray naturally or of an undesirable shade." For many, the election hubbub just plain made them want to get out of town for a few days. The Record noted 10 passengers in one moming hopped aboard the Kimball Stage for a long, bumpy trip to Salt Lake. "Two coaches were employed to carry them down," exclaimed the Record. "Verily, this is becoming a popular route with the citizens." There was much in the way of gossip and upcoming events to pique the interest of readers that week. "On Thursday afternoon, there was quite an interesting scene on Main Street which savors much of scandal," began the titillating Record story. It described the plight of local character Henry Jobe, a man who "when cut off from liquor has average intelligence." The Record was quick to point out, however, that Jobe was wearing off the effects of a binge in an uptown saloon when Mrs. Hallett stopped in to see him, an infant cradled in her arms. In a booming voice, Mrs. Hallett stuck the baby out toward Jobe and announced, announc-ed, "There, you take care of that child now. You know as well as I do you are the father!" Despite the astonished looks from fellow barsitters, Jobe "took the child like a spaniel to water," said an equally surprised Record. When last seen, Jobe was standing on a hillside overlooking town, surveying a piece of land suitable for his new family. No doubt every eye was drawn to the tattletale headline: "Mrs. Hallett Places The Paternity of Her Child Where She Claims It Belongs!" Coming soon was the Nelson-Her-riman Combination variety company. The Record promised that the act "comprises some novelties never seen in this place." They included trained doves, rabbits and dogs. In addition, Master Balzac, just 13 years of age, was said to be thoroughly at home on the slack wire, which was described as being even thinner than the whisker of a broom. And Joseph Harriman was scheduled to appear with his pupil Frank Dean in a "Greco Roman friendly wrestle." In the event the act might put off those with daintier tastes, the Record assured that "There is nothing in the entertainment entertain-ment to offend even the most fastidious." Even more entertainment was around the corner for Parkites. In a Park Record classified ad, W.D. Howe challenged any man in Park City to shoot a match at 50 live pigeons. Mr. Howe was most accommodating, and offered "Twenty-four single rises, 30 yards rise, and 13 pair double rises, 21 yards rise, Harhingham rules to govern. Or 50 single rises, 25 yards rise, Bogardus rules to govern." The prize? A purse to suit the acceptor of the challenge and the loser was to pay all expenses for the birds. Parkites rubbed their hands in excitement, and waited anxiously for the challenge to be taken up. |