William Luxton, the owner and editor of the Winnipeg Free Press decided to run for mayor in the 1874 election. On the ballot for mayor there where two well-known local names, William F. Luxton and Francis Evans Cornish, the former mayor of London Ontario.
In those rough and tumble times where tar and feathering political opponents was a election ploy and Members of the Legislative Assembly routinely wore pistols while they made speeches, saying that the vote count for Mayor of Winnipeg in 1874 was a little suspect was an understatement.
On a clear and frosty day when all businesses were closed except for the hotels and saloons doing a land-office trade, the vote for Mayor of Winnipeg took place.
In a town where the entire eligible voters in the 3.1 square miles of The City of Winnipeg totaled just 382 people, 741 votes were cast. 562 votes for Cornish and 179 votes for Luxton.
Understandably a little miffed Luxton called for a recount. After the recount Cornish was found to have had 179 repeat voters, and Luxton had 5 repeat voters.
Cornish was declared the winner by 34 votes.
Rick Ranson 