Scanning pages and pages of newspapers on microfilm is (I imagine) a lot like prospecting for gold: you have to dig through a lot of worthless dirt to find a nugget. And in either venture you might come up empty-handed. That hasn’t happened in my case. I am nearing the end of the reel of The Pleader newspaper from Booneville, Mississippi, 1880 to 1887. I’ve learned quite a bit about John S. Boren, my 2nd great grandfather – more than I thought I would. John’s name appears about a dozen times not including the various weekly ads he took out for his sorghum evaporators. The editors of the newspaper thought highly of him. It probably didn’t hurt that he was a good advertising client.

When John announced his candidacy for Prentiss County Treasurer in July of 1887, the newspaper’s editor wrote of him: “Mr. Boren is a man well known to the County. He is competent, faithful, true to every trust and well qualified for the office. If elected, the funds of the county will be safe in his hands.” The editors had good reason to trust John’s money-handling abilities. John had gained experience as the Treasurer of the Auxiliary Bible Society – he was religious and good with money! You would think he’d be the perfect candidate.

Think again.

Only 35 people voted for John out of the nearly 2,000 folks who cast their ballots. G. W. Plaxco ended up winning – 152 votes ahead of M. L. Burns, the incumbent County Treasurer. The only candidate who received fewer votes that year was Charles Livingston in the race for County Floater. Charles ended up with 26 votes in a five-man race.

I suppose that means John had 9 more friends than Charles did – or 8 assuming John voted for himself.

Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relationship: 2nd great grandfather
Common ancestors: John’s parents, Absalom and Harriet (Pearce) Boren are my 3rd great grandparents

References:
“Official Vote of Prentiss County, Nov. 8, 1887.”, The Pleader (Booneville, Mississippi) 17 November 1887, p. 2, col 3; microfilm image, The Pleader Nov. 4 1880 – Dec. 22, 1887, personal collection.
The Pleader (Booneville, Mississippi) 21 July 1887, p. 3, col 4; microfilm image, The Pleader Nov. 4 1880 – Dec. 22, 1887, personal collection.
The Pleader (Booneville, Mississippi) 28 July 1887, p. 3, col 3; microfilm image, The Pleader Nov. 4 1880 – Dec. 22, 1887, personal collection.