HILLSBORO WINS OUT AS SIERRA SHIRETOWN
One of the hottest contested elections held in Sierra county for many
years was held December 2, when the question of moving the county seat was
definitely settled by Hillsboro getting a safe majority of the votes. The
total number of votes cast was 1705. In order to win it was necessary for Hot
Springs to receive 60 per cent of the votes cast. The did not get the
necessary 60 per cent of the votes, and therefore the much coveted county seat
will remain where it is. Hot Springs received 908 votes and Hillsboro received
797 votes, leaving Hot Springs short 109 votes.
Deming Headlight, December 17, 1920
NOTE: The County seat was later moved to Truth or
Consequences.
SIERRA MAN NEAR VICTIM OF A PRE-ELECTION
PLOT
Hillsboro -- That R. P. Panqey, active in the campaign to
remove the county seat of Sierra county from Hillsboro to Hot Springs,
narrowly averted the burning of his car and perhaps serious injury to himself
a day or two before election, has come known here.
Knowing that Mr. Pankey was actively campaigning for Hot Springs and seeing
his car standing on the streets of Hillsboro, a friend went to take charge of
it. He found Mr. Pankey making a futile effort to start the car. On
investigation it was discovered that the lubricating oil had been drained from
the engine and replaced with gasoline. It is the opinion of garage men that
had Pankey succeeded in starting the engine the gasoline would have caught
fire immediately and perhaps spread to or caused the explosion of the tank,
which contained five gallons of oil. It is assumed that someone whose enmity
Mr. Pankey had aroused through his support of Hot Springs, set the trap for
him.
Deming Headlight, December 17, 1920