Grandmother Farmer was born on this date in the last third of the 19th century. The two local newspapers did not hide their political views; one was named the Democrat and the other was named the Republican.
Great-grandparents Farmer had ten sons living when Grandmother Farmer was born. She told me that they loved her dearly, but that if she had been the eleventh boy, her parents would have received a free piano: the local Democratic club had a standing offer of a free piano to any family in the area that produced eleven sons. (Only the sons qualified, because women couldn't vote.)
In the time of great-great-grandfather Farmer, in the first third of the 19th century, candidates and party organizations would "treat" voters, meaning offer them whisky from the keg, on election day.
That set me thinking: how would our current crop of candidates "treat" voters? Sam Adams' case is simple: he could offer the beer of the same name. I picture Gordon Smith handing out some sort of non-alcoholic vegetable smoothie. Grey Goose vodka came on the market too late to be of service to Bud Clark's campaigns. And no one will likely lay claim to Old Peculier.
Ideas?