Letter signed J.B. Crockett, St. Louis, to John F. Darby, care C.C. Zeigler, St. Genevieve, Mo. States that The Union and many persons are charging that in 1846 Darby voted for Bowlin against Wright on the ground that the latter was a native. The talk is so strong that Crockett advises Darby to telegraph his defense of the statement to him. The Bentonites are making a tremendous effort and will poll a heavy vote though not large enough to endanger the Whigs, but they will lead the Antis considerably in Crockett’s district. Bowlin’s speech at Carondelet was as violent as possible, abusing the Hards without stint. Crockett expects on Monday night there will be a rich scene when the two parties get fairly pitted in a discussion. He hopes Darby has made many votes in the lower part of the district. “If you can poll the Whig strength your election is certain.” [filed 1850], 1850 July 27

Item — Box: 3, Folder: 4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists largely of the papers of John F. Darby and his wife Mary F. Darby, and relates mostly to the political, social, and business history of St. Louis. The papers also include family correspondence with relatives in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, and correspondence regarding legal and business matters. Of special note are the minute books of the Jefferson Society and the St. Louis Debating Club (1827-1828), both regional debating societies of which Darby was a member; letters of Mary F. Darby; correspondence with Montgomery Blair, William T. Sherman, and George Caleb Bingham; and fragments of a history of the Mormons by John Corrill, dated 1839.