Letters by noted Judge & Congressman Elijah C. Phister of Maysville, Kentucky!

Description

A great pair of letters written in 1878 by the prominent judge and attorney E. C. Phister of Maysville, Kentucky. Elijah Conner Phister (1822-1887) was born in Maysville and studied at Augusta College and was a classmate of general U.S. Grant. Her served as mayor (1847-48) of Maysville and as a circuit court judge. He was elected to the Kentucky Legislature in 1867 and was elected to congress in 1878 and served until 1882, when he retired from public life. The two letters are pretty amazing as they concern running for congress during the late summer of 1878 and all the issues that entails. The first is from August 21, 1878 and is written to his friend George Brown at Catlettsburg, where he comments on the wonderful reception he received in Lawrence County: "they called on me in large numbers - and when I spoke the Court House was crowded - doors & windows full & many on the outside, a they all listened to me with earnest & undivided attention." It is clear he is in the primaries at this point, as others are running against him and using dirty tactics to try and defeat him. he "found that the tactics was to instruct for some man of no strength in each county & there try & beat me with some 'dark horse' who dare not cope with me in open sight." He closes the first letter with a note to his supporter: "See all the friends & act decisively next Monday - you can do it!" The second letter is longer and is dated August 29, 1878 at Greenup, Kentucky again to Brown. He notes that Boyd county looks good for him, "& I may say, unless there is some unanticipated 'hitch,' that my nomination is pretty well assured. Still, as we can't see into the future & as every thing is uncertain until it is made certain, I hope no efforts will be spared to carry Lawrence for me." He was aware of the possibility that his enemies might try something at the nominating convention "by which he [a rival named Fulkerson] or Jake might come in as a 'dark horse.' This is the merest moonshine - but has to be met." He concludes "Gather in all my friends at the meeting there next Monday & have them gathered in and I think by proper blandishment to Fulkerson & Jake Rice - & energy & activity - among my friends we can succeed." Really super content in both.
Condition as shown, with tears, splits and stains, but very readable. Buyer to pay shipping, good luck!