A Saloonkeeper in a Wheelbarrow

Early in 1904, Ed Sauter sold his Ainsworth saloon business for $2,100 to a man named Claus Ziegler. (I'm not sure where Claus was living then, since I can't identify him in the 1900 Census, but by the 1910 Census he was living in Hobart and giving his occupation as saloonkeeper.) Ed still owned and operated his blacksmith shop and dance hall in Ainsworth.

In November of that year, Claus found himself at political odds with a friend of his, Charles Seydel. Each was backing a different candidate for Hobart Township trustee. The two of them made a wager: the one whose candidate lost would have to carry the other in a wheelbarrow from Lake* to Hobart — a distance of about four miles.

When Claus' candidate won, he took pity on the 57-year-old Charles and modified the terms of the wager. Charles would be required only to wheel Claus around the streets of Lake; then they and their entourage would ride to Hobart, where Charles would again have to wheel Claus around the streets.

On the afternoon of Saturday, November 12, 1904, Charles made good on his bet. He performed the wheelbarrow parade through Lake first. Then he and Claus and their friends climbed into a horse-drawn bus and several rigs, and — along with the wheelbarrow — rode to Hobart.

I will let the Hobart Gazette tell the story from here.

The delegation was met by the Hobart band at the brick yards at 4 o'clock. … Mr. Ziegler who weighs about 225 pounds seated himself in a well-decorated wheelbarrow and Mr. Seydel with strap from the handles thrown over his shoulder began pushing his human freight mid cheers of many onlookers and strains of charming music. At the Pedersen & Niksch blacksmith shop a few minutes' stop was allowed for breathing, and then the march was resumed, some on foot and some in rigs. At the corner of Main and Third streets where the column turned towards the east several hundred people gathered, eagerly craning their necks to get a look at the most peaceful and serene expression upon Mr. Ziegler's face as he lay contentedly upon the wheelbarrow and upon the loser who was manfully performing his part with apparent ease but determination that nothing should interfere with the full carrying out of the wager as far as in his power. It was a thrilling but happy ending when the "Farmer's Home" was reached, the wager paid and "pleasant smiles" amid laughter and good cheer imbibed. Thus endeth the last chapter to be written in the noted township trustee race of 1904.

No, I don't know where or what the "Farmer's Home" was.

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*I'm assuming that "Lake" refers to the town now known as Lake Station.

Sources:
♦ "Local Drifts." Hobart Gazette 5 Feb. 1904.
♦ "Unique Election Bet Paid." Hobart Gazette 18 Nov. 1904.