Nathaniel T. Dodge and Public Office

Back in 2018, I posted about Nathaniel T. Dodge's election record and described which public offices he ran for and which elections he won and lost. I've gone back and looked at the available records from the elections he ran in. In particular, The Salida Record and the Salida Mail newspapers that are available online (https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org) have been excellent sources to go to as they published the various election ballots as well as the results of many of the elections, in addition to the minutes of the County Commissioners for Chaffee County. This post will go a little more into the opponents that Nathaniel ran against as well as who won each election, and hopefully give a little more color to the elections that he ran in.

In 1902, Nathaniel ran for Constable in the Town of Buena Vista. This was a position that he was previously elected to in 1886. Below is a copy of the ballot for the 1902 election and the other individuals who ran for this office.

Salida Record - October 30, 1902

His opponents were Henry D. Dickinson and Jack Northrup. Mr. Dickinson was 48 years old in 1902 and a native of Iowa, having arrived in Buena Vista in 1879. Mr. Dickinson was involved in the community over the years, having served with the local police and fire departments as well as being involved in local business. Jack Northrop was 45 years old and a native of Pennsylvania. He appears to have been involved in mining and ranching. Henry D. Dickinson won this election.

In 1904, Nathaniel once again ran for office, this time for County Commissioner. At that time, Chaffee County had a Commissioner Chairman and two commissioners (one from Buena Vista, one from Salida). Nathaniel ran on the Socialist Party ticket, which is published below. (I wasn't able to find a copy of the ballot from the newspapers).

Salida Mail, November 4, 1904

The Socialist Party advocated 'Equal rights to all, special privileges to none. We believe in a government of, by and for the people, instead of as now, a government of, by and for plutocracy for the oppression of the poor. We believe the power of government should be in the hands of the people at all times. Direct legislation, majority rule. The people to have the same power to remove officials they have to elect them. No appointive power. All officers to be elected by the people. We oppose fusion with any political party, labor organization, or any organization whatsoever. The Socialist principles are plain and broad enough to cover all needful and necessary demands. We ask you to join us. With equal rights; to work and to vote to establish the Co-operative Commonwealth, where all are equal under the LAW; all public utilities to be owned and operated collectively for the benefit of all, instead of for Wall Street. We oppose militia, and military rule. We denounce Governor Peabody for using the militia wholly in the interest of the mine owners' association, for the oppression of laborers. We especially denounce Peabody for endeavoring to place the private debts of the mine owners association on the taxpayers of the state. We pledge ourselves to use all legitimate means to prevent such robbery of the people to satisfy the greed of the few.'

His opponents in the 1904 election for County Commissioner were Mell L. DeWitt and Abner E. Wright, Jr. Mr. DeWitt was 37 years old in 1904. Mr. DeWitt would later serve as a County Commissioner, beginning in 1920. Mr. Wright was 43 years old in 1904 and was serving at the Mayor of Buena Vista. He would later serve in the Colorado State Legislature. Both were considerably younger than Nathaniel (he was 56 at this time). Nathaniel lost this election to Mr. Wright.

Nathaniel ran again for public office in 1906, this time as Justice of the Peace. He had previously served as Justice of the Peace in Buena Vista during the 1880's. For Justice of the Peace, there were two people that were to be elected. Looking through the local newspapers and reading the County Commissioners proceedings, it appears the one of the Justices of the Peace who was in office in 1906 was James Garrahan. It is unknown who filled the second Justice of the Peace position. J.L. Dimon resigned in August of 1905 and E. Alvord, who was appointed to replace him, resigned in May of 1906.

Nathaniel ran again on the Socialist Party ticket...and won. The other winner in this election was Andrew V.P. Day. (I was not able to find the published ballot and I was not able to find the other candidates for Justice of the Peace). Mr. Day was born in 1835 in New York and had previously lived in Ohio. He served in the Civil War as a Captain in the Ohio Cavalry. He came to Buena Vista in 1880 and would die in 1911, following his election to another term as Justice of the Peace. 

Nathaniel ran for re-election in 1908, and lost. There were a total of five candidates that ran for Justice of the Peace in the election, and Nathaniel was one of the three who had lost. A copy of the ballot for 1908 is below.

Salida Mail, October 30, 1908

Along with Mr. Day, Nathaniel ran against John Borrell (not much was found on him, other than he lived in Buena Vista since 1880); James McLeod (also, not much was found on him as well); and James Garrahan. Mr. Garrahan, along with Mr. Day, won the 1908 election for Justice of the Peace. Mr. Garrahan was born in Massachusetts and was 62 years old at the time of his election in 1908. Mr. Garrahan appears to have previously served as Justice of the Peace, and he would go on to be elected to several more terms as Justice of the Peace, and serve from his election in 1916 until his resignation in January of 1926.

Nathaniel once again ran for Justice of the Peace in 1910, and once again he would be defeated. His opponents in this election would be Mr. Day, Henry Stewart, and Justus L. Dimon. The ballot from 1910 is below.

Salida Record, November 4, 1910

In addition to Mr. Day's re-election as Justice of the Peace, Mr. Dimon also won election to this office. Mr. Dimon was born in 1837 in New York and served in the Kansas Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, attaining the rank of Corporal. Mr. Dimon had previously served as Justice of the Peace during the 1890's and early 1900's. He would go on to win re-election to Justice of the Peace in 1912, 1914 and 1916 and serve until his death in 1917.

Henry Stewart was another individual who settled in Buena Vista in 1879. He was from Canada and was born in 1857. He would also run for election as Justice of the Peace, but have just as bad luck as Nathaniel. Mr. Stewart would later be appointed to fill vacancies in this position in 1920 and 1922.

As noted earlier, Mr. Day passed away in 1911, while serving in his elected position as Justice of the Peace. The County Commissioners appointed Charles H. Holt to fill the vacancy. Charles Holt would also be appointed to replace Mr. Dimon's vacancy in 1917. Charles Holt would go on to run for the office in 1912 and 1918, losing both election bids. He would also serve as Court Janitor and Court Jailer. He was born in 1858 and was from Massachusetts.

After sitting out the 1912 election, Nathaniel would run again for Justice of the Peace in 1914. This time, Nathaniel would run on the Citizens' Party Ticket, along with Isaac C. Terry. The Salida Record from October 2, 1914 noted that this was to 'a non-partisan ticket. Republicans, progressives, socialists and democrats were named, in fact no attention was paid to party lines.' Below is the ballot from the 1914 election.

Salida Record, October 30, 1914

Even though he ran with a different party, the result was still the same. He lost yet another election. In addition to Mr. Dimon being elected to another term, Mr. Terry was also elected. Isaac Terry was born in Massachusetts in 1847 and was an engineer by profession. Mr. Terry would be elected again in 1918 and 1922. In fact, the 1930 Census lists Mr. Terry as Justice of the Peace, which means that he ran again in 1928 (and won).

After sitting out the 1916 and 1918 elections, Nathaniel ran again for Justice of the Peace in 1920. By this time, Nathaniel was 72 years old, his wife had passed away in 1919, and most of his children had left Buena Vista. A World War had interfered with life in Buena Vista, as one of his sons had been drafted into the Army. For the 1920 election, Nathaniel aligned himself with the Republicans and won the Primary Election that September. In the general election, he would face James Garrahan (who was now a mainstay in the position), Henry Stewart (who had been appointed to fill a vacancy earlier that year), and George Thomson. Not much is known about Mr. Thomson, other than he was born in 1852 in Canada and resided in Buena Vista. The ballot for 1920 is below.

Salida Record, October 30, 1920

The results for this election were much the same as they had been in the past; Nathaniel had lost. Mr. Garrahan and Mr. Thomson were both elected to the positions as Justices of the Peace. Mr. Thomson ended up resigning in 1922 and Henry Stewart was appointed to take his place.

After not running in 1922, Nathaniel ran one last time in 1924, this time as a Democrat. He faced the incumbent, James Garrahan, and Isaac Terry, a familiar opponent from 1914. (I don't have the ballot from The Salida Record, I hope to get this soon as I an going to Buena Vista and Salida in a couple of weeks). This election would turn out differently for Nathaniel. James Garrahan won once again, and Nathaniel and Isaac tied for the second opening for Justice of the Peace. 

The Salida Mail from December 16, 1924 reports 'In the November election, there having been a tie in the number of votes received by J.C. Terry and N.T. Dodge, also the fact that Justice James Garrahan, having received a majority of votes over the other two candidates, and having been indorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties, left a doubt with the canvasing board as to which two were elected. The question was submitted to the attorney general and the opinion given was that Mr. Garrahan was legally elected, which still leaves the question to be settled as to Terry and Dodge, which will be settled in one of the following ways: cut cards, draw straws, or run a foot race.'

Both Isaac C. Terry and Nathaniel T. Dodge were in their mid-70's, so I doubt a foot race would have been held. The tiebreaker was held (again, I'm hoping to look through The Salida Record newspapers in a couple of weeks to find out what the tiebreaker was), and Nathaniel won the tiebreaker. He was elected Justice of the Peace. Nathaniel would serve as Justice of the Peace until January 4, 1926, when he resigned due to health. Mr. Terry was appointed to take his place. As mentioned earlier, Mr. Garrahan also resigned at this time, and Fred Meteer was appointed to take his place.

This was covered in the local newspapers. The Chaffee County Republican, a Buena Vista newspaper, from January 8, 1926 reported: 'Judge Fred Meteer. Hence forth it will be Judge Fred Meteer. This raise in the political history of Buena Vista was brought about Monday, when the county commissioners appointed Fred to take the place of James Garrahan, who is away indefinitely. At the same meeting the commissioners appointed I.C. Terry justice of the peace in place of N.T. Dodge, resigned. Justice of the Peace Fred Meteer has already filed his bond, and is now ready, not only to administer the law in regular style, but will also marry anyone wishing to have the love knot tied by an able Justice of the Peace.'

The Salida Mail from January 12, 1926 noted: 'Judge N.T. Dodge handed his resignation as justice of the peace to the county commissioners, to take effect at once, on account of illness. Mr. Dodge was conveyed to the county hospital. I.C. Terry was appointed by the commissioners to fill the vacancy.'

The Chaffee County Republican, also reporting on the County Commissioners Meeting, reported on February 28, 1926: County Commissioners Proceedings – Buena Vista, Colorado, January 4th, 1926: Proposals – The resignation of N.T. Dodge as Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 4, was received and accepted…Motion by Commissioner DeWitt, seconded by commissioner Snell, and carried, ordered that I.C. Terry be appointed Justice of the Peace in Justice precinct No. 4, to fill the vacancy of said office thru the resignation of N.T. Dodge.'

I am going back to Salida in a couple of weeks to look through The Salida Record newspapers from this time to find any additional newspaper articles from this time.

***UPDATE*** Today (8/25/21), I have searched through The Salida Record newspapers and only found the copy of the ballot that was published (October 31, 1924 issue - below). The Salida Record did not report on the tiebreaker that was held.