1855 election fraud involves area

     Communities in Dunn, Eau Claire and Polk counties were involved in one of the earliest political frauds in the state although no votes were cast in the towns.
     The incident centered around the gubernatorial campaign in 1855 between Gov. William A. Barstow, a democrat, and his Republican opponent, Coles Bashford.
     Democrats had control of major state officials since the first elections of 1848 when statehood was granted.
     Thomas Randall wrote in 1875:
     "In the incipient organization of any government the promotion of persons to positions of trust and official power, whether by the executive or the choice of the people, is usually attended by the appointment of a larger percent of corrupt, faithless and designing men to carry on the government."

Two non-existent towns

     His statement appears to have captured the scope of the 1855 election when non-existent Spring Grove in Chippewa County and Spring Creek in Polk County and the communities of Bridge Creek, then in Chippewa County, and Gilbert's Mill in Dunn County became a part of the election.
     There were no pollsters in those days, but the election was deemed "close."
      Officials holding appointed offices owe their allegiance to the person who appointed them; their positions ride upon his political success. Thus, these persons more than likely can be expected to do the bidding of their "boss."
      A member of the State Board of school lands came to the area from Madison a few days before the election to inspect work being done by its agents.
      Randall wrote, "...these men had special instructions. If Barstow received a clear majority, nothing was to be done...if Bashford received an overwhelming majority, nothing was to be done but to prepare to abdicate. But if a few hundred votes were necessary...they were to be manufactured and if new and unheard of election precincts were required, they, too, were to be manufactured as the safest way of multiplying votes.
      When the board of canvassers, under control of the governor, determined the results, it showed Barstow the winner with a vote of 36, 355 to 36, 198. Evidence of wrongdoing came to light when it was learned that Barstow had carried precincts at Bridge Creek, Spring Grove and Spring Creek; the later two did not exist. Also, the canvas showed Barstow had carried Gilbert's Mill in Dunn County, but the record showed there was no precinct there and no votes cast. Similar incidents were reported elsewhere.
      In the case of Bridge Creek and Spring Grove, it would have been the duty of election inspectors to make their returns to canvassers at Chippewa Falls, then the county seat.
      Inspectors there would have known there were no precincts at these joints. However, these "bogus" returns were sent directly to Madison.
      During the Supreme Court inspection of the returns, they found although the Bridge Creek and Spring Grove precincts were 50 miles apart, the two half sheets of paper carrying the results fitted together to prove they had once been the same sheet of paper. It was further noted the report had been written in Madison.
      Testimony from Gilbert's Mill noted no election had taken place, although the board of canvassers recorded that community favored Barstow by 53-14. After the Supreme Court took charge of the case, Gov. Barstow notified the court he was withdrawing from the case, again asserting the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction. The governor sent a message to the Legislature reciting what had gone on in the court and stating he deemed proceedings on the part of the court a "bold and dangerous assumption and usurpation of the power which was the duty of every department of government and of every good citizen to resist to the last."

Bashford declared governor

     After the court heard testimony of fraudulent returns from Gilbert's Mil, Spring Grove, Bridge Creek, Spring Creek and other communities, it entered a judgment declaring Bashford elected.
     Barstow concluded he could not win and had resigned several days before the Supreme Court's decision. he was succeeded by Lt. Gov. Arthur MacArthur.
     After the judgment, MacArthur, having served as governor four days, relinquished office to Gov. Bashford.

-- Arnie Hoffman

Extracted from the Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Special Publication, Our Story 'The Chippewa Valley and Beyond', published 1976
Used with permission.