The Redbud City: It happened in April Clyde Wooldridge CITY ELECTION 125 YEARS AGO - The city-wide election on April 8, 1896, was a highly emotional contest between two competing political views. The local news media called it “a grand and glorious victory for the good people of Shawnee. It cannot be called a Republican victory for the fact that many good Democratic citizens voted for Mr. Search.” Charles Knox, the Democrat, was elected as city clerk by 102 votes over George Boggs, the Republican. From the First Ward, Dr. H.J. Keith and Oscar Lee were selected as aldermen; Robert Reed and L.C. Thompson won their posts in the Second Ward; in the Third Ward, Charles Linn and Eastes tied and would have to be selected by lot, won by Linn; and finally, in the Fourth Ward, George Overstreet and C.C. Blake were elected. William S. Search was elected mayor by a count of 285-218 over Bob Galbreath. William K. Dodge earned the city attorney over Hammond by 35 votes. B.K. Brown, the incumbent, was re-elected as police judge over Judd by a count of 278-174. Rush Chrisman edged Richards by a count of 205-186 for assessor. In the city treasurer’s race, the Democratic candidate, W.C. Jones, beat his rival Ragan by a vote of 224 to 192.