Old News: Marion County's first election

• In a proclamation published in the Indianapolis Gazette on March 18, 1822, it was announced that the election would take place at homes in Indianapolis, Strawtown, Anderson's Town, Fall Creek and Conner's Station.

Zoom in: There were two parties represented on the ballot, but they weren't divided by political lines.

• Instead, the "White Water" and "Kentucky" factions were geographical separations based on the direction voters traveled to get to Indianapolis.
• James M. Ray was the leader of the White Water, and Morris Morris led the Kentucky.
• There were no caucuses, conventions or primaries. The races were open to any free, white, property-owning male.

By the numbers: A total of 336 votes were cast in the county, with 224 coming from Indianapolis.

• James McIlvain and Eliakim Harding were elected as judges; James M. Ray as clerk; Joseph C. Reed as recorder; and John McCormick, John T. Osborn and William McCartney as county commissioners.
• Ray received 217 votes, the most of any single candidate.
• On April 15, 1822, the commissioners held their first session at a home on the corner of Ohio and Meridian streets, and divided the county into 13 townships.