The Republican Factional War Declares a Truce
Walla Walla’s rival GOP camps—the 'Holy Rollers' and the 'Boxers'—met in a stormy midnight session at the sheriff's office to pause their bitter power struggle.
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From all outward appearances, the 'Holy Rollers' and 'Boxers' have reached an understanding, and the bitter political war that has carried on by the two factions of the Republican party for many years seems to be at an end for the present. Committees from the two opposing factions met in the sheriff's office last night and, after a stormy session lasting until nearly midnight, an agreement was reached. Some of the leaders of the 'Holy Rollers' were determined that a reconciliation should not be made, but after three hours of strenuous persuasion, they gave in and agreed to make some concessions to the 'Boxers.' While on the surface there appears to be harmony in the Republican ranks, it is evident that the two factions have not been completely cemented. There will be a fight made in the next convention over the selection of delegates to the state convention and agreeing upon a candidate for delegate to the national convention from Walla Walla County.
“Some of the leaders of the 'Holy Rollers' were determined that a reconciliation should not be made, but after three hours of strenuous persuasion, they gave in.”
Internal party warfare over delegate selection is a recurring feature of American politics, though the colorful nicknames of 'Holy Rollers' vs 'Boxers' have evolved into the more standardized labels of today. This 1904 account highlights how local, personality-driven party politics often prioritize factional control over broader party cohesion.
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