You're listening to American Shadows, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm & Mild

from Aaron Manky.

As a rule, people are afraid of change.

That change comes uncertainty, a feeling that life is out of control.

As creatures of habit, the status quo feels safer, and there are often consequences from

prior actions to consider.

It's easy to see that fear can be a strong motivator.

Such was the case in Louisiana in 1872.

Like the rest of the South, the end of the Civil War brought economic, social, and political

changes known as the Reconstruction Era.

White Southerners struggled to adjust to life that didn't include slavery or Confederate

secession.

As the nation's political powers began to shift, some felt that elections were their only

voice.

1872 was also the year the gubernatorial election in Louisiana pitted lawyer and conservative

Democrat John McEnnery against Republican Senator William Kellogg.

Before Election Day, rumors of intended voter fraud began to circulate, adding to the

turmoil and resentment.

It came as no surprise then that when McEnnery was declared the winner, Republicans contested

the accuracy of the ballots and filed a complaint.

A federal court decided in the Republican's favor and reversed the election results,

putting Kellogg in power.

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