News
November 10, 2025
From the Journal archives | 1900: A wheelbarrow bet
In the fall of 1900, two Sioux City men, a Democrat and a Republican, made a bet: If William McKinley or William Jennings Bryan won the election that year, the man whose candidate lost would have to wheel the other...
**From the Journal archives | 1900: A wheelbarrow bet**
Sioux City, Iowa – The year is 1900, and the air crackles with political fervor. William McKinley, the Republican incumbent, faces off against William Jennings Bryan, the charismatic Democrat, in a presidential election that has the nation divided. But in Sioux City, the stakes were raised a little higher, thanks to a rather unusual wager between two local gentlemen.
According to archives from the Sioux City Journal, a Democrat and a Republican, whose names are unfortunately lost to history, decided to add a touch of personal humiliation to the already intense political climate. Their bet was simple, yet undeniably public: if McKinley emerged victorious, the Democrat would be forced to wheel the Republican around town in a wheelbarrow. Conversely, should Bryan win the presidency, the Republican would be the one pushing the wheelbarrow, with the Democrat enjoying the ride.
The details surrounding the bet are scarce, but one can imagine the lively debates and good-natured ribbing that must have preceded this agreement. It's a testament to a time when political disagreements, while passionate, often involved a degree of playful camaraderie. The image of two grown men engaging in such a public display of defeat or victory is certainly a memorable one.
The 1900 election was a pivotal moment in American history. McKinley campaigned on a platform of sound money and economic prosperity, while Bryan championed the cause of the common man and advocated for policies like bimetallism. The race was closely watched across the country, and Sioux City was no exception.
Ultimately, as history records, William McKinley secured a second term in office. This meant that the unnamed Democrat of Sioux City had to fulfill his end of the bargain. While the Journal archives don't detail the exact date and route of the wheelbarrow journey, it's safe to assume that it was a spectacle that drew a considerable crowd.
This anecdote from the Journal's archives offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, a reminder of a time when political bets were settled not with angry tweets or online arguments, but with a humble wheelbarrow and a sense of humor. It serves as a quirky snapshot of a bygone era, showcasing the passions and peculiarities that have always shaped American political life. While the specifics of the men involved may be lost, the story of the wheelbarrow bet lives on, a testament to the enduring power of political rivalries and the
Sioux City, Iowa – The year is 1900, and the air crackles with political fervor. William McKinley, the Republican incumbent, faces off against William Jennings Bryan, the charismatic Democrat, in a presidential election that has the nation divided. But in Sioux City, the stakes were raised a little higher, thanks to a rather unusual wager between two local gentlemen.
According to archives from the Sioux City Journal, a Democrat and a Republican, whose names are unfortunately lost to history, decided to add a touch of personal humiliation to the already intense political climate. Their bet was simple, yet undeniably public: if McKinley emerged victorious, the Democrat would be forced to wheel the Republican around town in a wheelbarrow. Conversely, should Bryan win the presidency, the Republican would be the one pushing the wheelbarrow, with the Democrat enjoying the ride.
The details surrounding the bet are scarce, but one can imagine the lively debates and good-natured ribbing that must have preceded this agreement. It's a testament to a time when political disagreements, while passionate, often involved a degree of playful camaraderie. The image of two grown men engaging in such a public display of defeat or victory is certainly a memorable one.
The 1900 election was a pivotal moment in American history. McKinley campaigned on a platform of sound money and economic prosperity, while Bryan championed the cause of the common man and advocated for policies like bimetallism. The race was closely watched across the country, and Sioux City was no exception.
Ultimately, as history records, William McKinley secured a second term in office. This meant that the unnamed Democrat of Sioux City had to fulfill his end of the bargain. While the Journal archives don't detail the exact date and route of the wheelbarrow journey, it's safe to assume that it was a spectacle that drew a considerable crowd.
This anecdote from the Journal's archives offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, a reminder of a time when political bets were settled not with angry tweets or online arguments, but with a humble wheelbarrow and a sense of humor. It serves as a quirky snapshot of a bygone era, showcasing the passions and peculiarities that have always shaped American political life. While the specifics of the men involved may be lost, the story of the wheelbarrow bet lives on, a testament to the enduring power of political rivalries and the
Category:
Politics