and clerks of the election, that in a few minutes a horse race would take place, probably near where the railroad depot now is in Nevada. Well, these said officers of the ballot-box concluded to adjourn to see the races, taking the ballot-box with them. After the races were over they returned to the but and renewed the voting conflict. But by this adjournment they learned that "one horse did not run as fast as the other."
H. C. French, Esq., of our county, probably the only surviving officer now of that occasion, can tell you more.
About these times, (1855), L. J. McFarland, Judge of the Court then for Story County, is said to have had the happy faculty of impressing men into the service to get the drinks, as he termed it, which was usually as follows: "lie would select his man, always a liberal hearted farmer, and have an attorney make a motion for his admission to practice as an attorney of the Courts. The Judge would appoint a committee to examine the applicant. The qualifications were to furnish the whisky. When that was done the committee would report favorably, and the party would be sworn in as an attorney of the Court. But if he refused, (to furnish whisky,) he would be reprimanded by the Judge for contempt of Court. In this way, Wm. H. James, Samuel Davidson, Eli H. French, Franklin Thompson and S. P. O'Brien, all farmers of medium capacity, were admitted to practice as attorneys of the Court, none of whom ever attempted to practice. During Court the Judge would stealthily, at times, slip down from his seat and make a visit to his whisky bottle which was hidden outside the Court House. Sometimes he would engage, with the outsiders, in a scuffle, or in jumping, while a trial was going on inside. On one occasion, or more than one, he had to be sent for by some of the attorneys who were much excited in their case. The Judge went in and boisterously called out; " W hat's up ? What's wanting?" After getting things quieted down a little—the Judge and attorneys—he would take, from a side pocket, a flask of whisky and drink, and invite others to drink, after which they would proceed to business.
"In 1856, Judge McFarland, in charging the Grand Jury, in Marion County, Iowa, is reported to have said: `This Maine Liquor Law, fanatics made it, and some people think it unconstitutional, but that is none of your business. It is your business to indict all persons who sell liquor. There is plenty of liquor sold in this town. If you want to know where it is sold, wait until Court adjourns and watch the bystanders and see where the Judge goes."'
September 20, 1878.—"During the month of August there were shipped from the station, (Nevada,) sixty cars of grain; seven cars of live stock; nine cars of other goods, and 73,499 lbs. of other freight. Total charges on freight shipped $4,490.61. During the same time there were received thirty-three cars of lumber and sixteen cars and 222,114 lbs. of other freight. Total charges on