It’s again time to delve into the past and peruse the news from The Baldwin Times o f yesteryear.

This week in 1896, The Times continued to focus on the then upcoming elections. This is evidenced by a story that completely covers the front page.

Titled, “Richest man in Maine,” the article profiles 1896 Democratic Vice presidential candidate Arthur Sewall of Bath, Maine.

“His wealth is estimated from $2-3 million,” the article states (Remember, that’s money in 1896.).

It seems Sewell amassed that fortune as a successful businessman.

“He is known in the nation as a man of business, rather than as a man of politics,” the article states.

Before vieing for vice president, Sewall never held political office. But, according to The Victorian publication, that didn’t hinder his influence.

“He has nonetheless for many years a power in Democratic national councils,” the article stated.

Sewall’s background stemmed from co-managing his family’s ship-building business with his brother “which had been developed by his father and grandfather,” according to the article.

“Through the combined energies and abilities of the two brothers, the business grew and the ships multiplied,” the 19th-century article stated, explaining that Sewall ships ended up filling ports throughout the world.

For his venture into the election arena, Sewall did so with a campaign of supporting bimetallism, government-issued currency and a law allowing federal income tax.

“When I find a man not willing to pay his share of the burden of the government which protects him, I find a man who is unworthy to enjoy the blessings of a government like ours,” Sewall said in a published speech.

Also in the 1896 publication is an announcement of Alabamian H.D. Clayton to the National Democratic Convention.

This week’s local news was much less political. For instance, one report announced that a dentist planned to make a two-week visit to Bay Minette to see patients later in the month.

Another report indicates that general health is Brady was not well, at all.

“Charles Hall has been very low with typhoid fever,” correspondent “R.E.D.” wrote, ”and also Mrs. Mollie Gulledge has been quite ill.”

In addition to health care, area news also warned Victorian readers of transportation problems.

“The public road leading from Daphne to Bay Minette is said to be in an almost impassible condition near Loxley’s Camp,” an article states, “from being cut up by the log counts and great complaint is made by the traveling public that the log men won’t make their own roads.”

It seems that things actually haven’t changed that much in 115 years after all.

That’s it for this edition. Check back next week for more news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.