I propose to see this young man safe ... out of this town as soon as he wants to go

SWMODave

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Missourian's don't agree on much when it comes to the Civil War, but many tend to agree that the subject of this story was a credit to the state. Read on.

Missouri Historical Review Vol 7 - Story told by Senator James C McGinniss to Senator Sheldon A Wight

McGinniss said, "I was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri in 1858. I was quite a young man, but had learned the carpenter's trade and at the time of election was working at my trade in Lafayette county some miles away from the city of Lexington. I was old enough to vote and had been in the state long enough to entitle me to that privilege. I was then a Republican in politics as now and wanted to vote for Abraham Lincoln for President. On the day of the election I rode to Lexington for that purpose. Voting in those days was viva voice, the voter calling out the names of the candidates of his choice. I went to the Court House and found some very dignified looking gentlemen who were the judges of election in that precinct. I signified my desire to vote and when I said I wanted to vote for the Lincoln electors, I was informed by the apparently surprised and disgusted judges that I could not vote that ticket there, that they had no poll books for the Republican ticket and that they didn't propose to make one out for my vote. As there was quite a spirited contest between the Whig and Democratic candidates for congress, as well as a sharp local contest for sheriff and as I had previously indicated by choice for those offices, the respective candidates wanted my vote and as I wouldn't vote unless permitted to vote the whole ticket they insisted on my vote being taken, tainted as it was by its Republican affinity.

So after considerable fuss and trouble and some excitement, I was permitted to vote for Abraham Lincoln. I afterwards learned that mine was the only vote he received in that precinct. After voting, I strolled over to the City Hotel and while standing in the office noticed that the room was filling up quite rapidly with a lot of young fellows with riding whips in their hands and I also noticed that their looks was directed towards me, not pleasantly but quite threateningly. Some of them saying, 'where is the black Abolitionist' and using other terms more approbrious than complimentary. Some of them volunteered to furnish a rope, while others advised the milder punishment of tar and feathers or a good blackjacking. I backed up in a corner, seeing no avenue of escape, concluding that I would die fighting rather than undergo the indignities threatened. About that time I noticed a young man, broad shouldered, medium height with a look of determination on his face, come in at the door of the office and shouldering himself somewhat roughly through the crowd, came directly to me and addressing me in a voice loud enough to be heard by the crowd, asked, 'Are you the young man who voted for Mr. Lincoln for President today?' I replied that I was.

'Well sir' he answered, 'while I have no sympathy with your political principles, this is a free country and I recognize, what the law guarantees, the right of every man to vote as he pleases.' And turning to the crowd he told them in a manner that admitted no mistake as to his intentions, said, 'Gentlemen, you know me, many of you are my friends, but friends or not I propose to see this young man safe and harmless out of this town as soon as he wants to go and any one who interferes with him, will have me to deal with.' The crowd gradually dispersed and he then turned to me and asked me where my horse was hitched and said, 'You had better leave town as soon as possible, for while I may be able to protect you in daylight, I might not be able to do so after dark.' He accompanied me to my horse and I rode to Concordia, where there was quite a lot of German Republicans.

My rescuer was J.O. Shelby, the famous commander afterwards of Shelby's Brigade." McGinniss added that after Shelby returned to Missouri, after the war, they became personal friends and that he (McGinniss) was able in some degree during the hot political conditions that followed the war to show his gratitude.

As told by Nevada, MO attorney Sheldon A. Wight and veteran of 35th New York Infantry. Also State Senator, and Nevada Mayor - bio courtesy Missouri, The Center State Vol 4
 
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