The High-Stakes Wager on Walla Walla's Marshal Race
Election fever reaches a fever pitch as local bettors drop thousands on a tight race for police chief.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The outcome of the Brown-Kees fight for chief of police at Monday's election is giving local sportsmen, who are not adverse to laying a wager or two, a chance to place money at even figures. The betting yesterday was the liveliest yet seen in a city election, one prominent sporting man estimating that $3,000 was placed on the two candidates at even money. By tomorrow night, it is estimated that $7,000 will have been placed. The biggest bet is said to have originated in an up-town livery stable, where a pool of $1,000 Kees money was subscribed. Ten minutes after it was in the better's hands it was covered by ten men who believe Brown has the best chance of winning out. Hillman, as tail-ender in the race, is receiving little attention in the betting ring.
“The betting yesterday was the liveliest yet seen in a city election.”
Local municipal elections today are rarely the center of high-stakes gambling rings, but the intensity of the 'turf war' between candidates reflects the enduring civic importance of the chief of police position in Walla Walla's development.
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