This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: JohnWOBrien Surnames: BURNELL, CHABLE, CLARK, COMBS, DOUGLAS, O'CONNOR Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.jackson/6795/mb.ashx Message Board Post: "The Kansas City Times" (Missouri) Tuesday, November 10, 1896 ECCENTRIC WAGERS PAID. Two men riding backward astride horses, preceded by a man pushing a wheelbarrow in which a fourth victim sat smoking a cigarette, the quartette followed by a shrieking mob of small boys, was a procession which created no little interest as it went down Main street last night. The men on horseback were compelled to constantly keep their necks twisted half way around so as to see where their horses were going. The man with the wheelbarrow had to keep going at a lively pace to escape being trampled upon by the horses directly behind. Upon the backs of the riders of the horses were large white muslin capes on which were written: "We bet on Bryan --- and lost." The man pushing the wheelbarrow needed no sign. Everybody knows what such an employment means in these days of eccentric election wagers. Occasionally the manipulator of the barrow would yell: "I bet on Bryan. That's why I'm wheelin', and the drinks I'm buyin'." The three luckless Bryan supporters were James O'CONNOR, William BURNELL and R. L. CLARK. The first two rode horses. They bet with Henry CHABLE, Chet DOUGLAS and Roberts COMBS, respectively, that McKinley would not be the next President. All the young men live in the vicinity of Eighteenth and Vine streets, and the losers were to do as they did in the procession last night, starting from Eighteenth and Vine and finishing at Eighth and Main streets, a distance of over two miles. DOUGLAS and CHABLE did not accompany the party down town, leaving their co-partner, COMBS, who rode in the wheelbarrow, to see that the others carried out their part of the contract. ====================================================== (I have no connection with any of these families but I'd appreciate knowing if you found this posting helpful.) johnobrien@kc.rr.com ====================================================== neirbo10 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.