Ridiculous History: CLASSIC - Kidnapping, Binge Drinking and Costumes: Voter Fraud in the 1800s

Released: February 8, 2025 | Hosts: Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown | Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction: The Wild West of 19th-Century Elections

In this classic episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown delve into the tumultuous and often bizarre landscape of voter fraud in the 1800s United States. They reveal how electoral corruption during this era surpassed modern allegations in both scale and absurdity, involving practices that ranged from forced drinking to elaborate disguises.

The Practice of Cooping: Kidnapping, Intoxication, and Disguises

Ben sets the stage with a hypothetical scenario illustrating the grim reality of "cooping," a prevalent form of voter fraud during the 19th century. He narrates:

“Imagine that you are in the 1800s and you're walking down the street, minding your own business, and you are kidnapped… [00:02:21].”

Noel adds depth to the conversation by describing how victims were not only forced to consume large amounts of alcohol but also made to wear various disguises to vote multiple times. Ben sarcastically remarks on the absurdity of the situation:

“How ridiculous is this? … we are going to put on an all blue or all red onesie. I’ve never seen anybody in a onesie before.” [00:21:27]

Political Machines and Tammany Hall: The Pillars of Corruption

The discussion transitions to the role of political machines, with a focus on the infamous Tammany Hall led by Boss Tweed. Noel explains how Tammany Hall entrenched its power by leveraging immigrant communities, particularly Irish immigrants:

“Tammany Hall reaches out, says, hey, we got you. If you got us, all of a sudden you own the vote, right?” [00:13:22]

Ben underscores the symbiotic relationship between these political entities and street gangs, highlighting the integration of organized crime into the electoral process:

“Cooping was inherently associated with political corruption… the people manning the polls were also in on the game.” [00:12:39]

Election Violence and Coercion: A Normalized Menace

Ben and Noel explore the extent of election-related violence, noting that coercion and intimidation were standard practices. Noel shares a striking account from a 19th-century book:

“Election Day in many towns and boroughs was characterized by riots and mob violence… fight fire with fire or gypsies with bargemen.” [00:28:18]

Ben reflects on the societal acceptance of such violence, pondering its normalization:

“Violence in voting in the 1800s was common enough that up to a point, it was just considered part of the voting process.” [00:22:11]

The Role of Alcohol: Liquid Courage or Liquid Corruption?

Alcohol played a significant role in facilitating cooping and voter manipulation. Noel cites an example involving George Washington, who provided vast quantities of alcoholic beverages to influence voters:

“George Washington himself understood that maybe you might need a little bit of liquid courage at the polls… gave voters at the polls 28 gallons of rum, 50 gallons of rum punch…” [00:23:32]

Ben humorously comments on the scale of alcohol distribution:

“He was not that wealthy, but he was onto something… All those gallons were total for the day. Not per person.” [00:23:51]

Systems of Control: Lack of Identification and Public Voting

The absence of stringent identification measures made it easier to commit voter fraud. Noel questions:

“Was there no means, or if only rudimentary means of confirming someone's identity when they were voting in these days?” [00:15:14]

Ben links this to contemporary debates over voter ID laws, highlighting the vulnerability of public voting systems to manipulation:

“There is a little misogyny in here, of course… if they couldn't man up against a little bit of rowdiness… then were they really even fit to vote?” [00:22:45]

Comparing Past and Present: Lessons and Legacies

The hosts draw parallels between historical voter fraud and modern-day electoral challenges. Ben references the introduction of the Australian ballot in the 1880s, which sought to mitigate such corruption by making votes secret:

“Until the introduction of what was called the Australian ballot in the 1880s… exactly.” [00:16:57]

Noel reflects on the enduring struggle for election integrity:

“We inherited this from our former rulers in the United Kingdom… it was just the thing to be expected.” [00:28:05]

The Intersection of Politics and Public Spectacle

Ben and Noel explore how political campaigns in the 1800s were as much about spectacle as governance. They discuss how public events like "jollification barbecues" and torch-lit rallies were integral to the electoral process:

“Our democracy was louder, meaner and merrier than it had ever been before… gaudy gonzo rituals.” [00:34:01]

Noel likens these events to modern political theatrics, drawing a humorous comparison to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?:

“It makes me think of that scene in O Brother, Where Art Thou? … some of which we still see today, but much more cartoonish.” [00:34:48]

The Aftermath: Legal Repercussions and Public Perception

Despite widespread corruption, legal repercussions were rare due to the ingrained connections between political machines and the judiciary. Ben highlights a rare instance:

“There was a case in Adams County, Ohio… 1,690 voters, 26% of the electorate for selling their votes.” [00:26:54]

Noel and Ben discuss the public's hypocritical stance, where awareness of corrupt practices coexisted with tacit acceptance because such actions were so ubiquitous.

Conclusion: Reflecting on a Turbulent Electoral Past

As the episode concludes, Ben and Noel reflect on the evolution of electoral processes and the persistent issues surrounding voting integrity. They emphasize that while methods have changed, the fundamental challenges of ensuring a fair and honest election remain.

“If we have learned one thing from today's show, it's that no matter how much we knock the voting process today, it's way cooler now.” [00:39:46]

They advocate for continuous vigilance and public engagement to safeguard democratic institutions, drawing lessons from the extreme measures of the past to inform present and future electoral reforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Bowlin at [00:02:21]: “Imagine that you are in the 1800s and you're walking down the street, minding your own business, and you are kidnapped…”

• Noel Brown at [00:13:22]: “Tammany Hall reaches out, says, hey, we got you. If you got us, all of a sudden you own the vote, right?”

• Ben Bowlin at [00:22:45]: “If they couldn't man up against a little bit of rowdiness… then were they really even fit to vote?”

• Noel Brown at [00:23:32]: “George Washington himself understood that maybe you might need a little bit of liquid courage at the polls…”

• Ben Bowlin at [00:34:01]: “Our democracy was louder, meaner and merrier than it had ever been before… gaudy gonzo rituals.”

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About Ridiculous History:

Hosted by Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown, Ridiculous History uncovers the most bizarre, brutal, and beautiful stories from human civilization. Each episode explores unusual historical events with rich narratives and engaging discussions, making history both entertaining and enlightening.

For more episodes and to join the Ridiculous History community, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.