tion to make another
effort to strike Mrs. Gardner's name from the register; but
failing in that, the board adjourned. There was now much
curiosity to know if Alderman Hill would have the nerve to stand
by his initiative; but with him the Rubicon was passed, and on
April 3, Messrs. Hill and Durfee accepted Mrs. Gardner's vote,
Mr. Bond protesting. The Detroit _Post_ gave the following
account:

Mrs. Gardner arrived at the polls of the first precinct of
the ninth ward at about half-past ten o'clock in a carriage,
accompanied by her son, a lad of ten years, Mrs. Starring
and Mrs. Giles B. Stebbins. Barely a dozen by-standers were
present, and the larger part of these were laboring men. No
demonstration followed the appearance of the ladies, the men
remaining quiet, and contenting themselves with comments
_sotto voce_ on this last political development, and with
speculations as to how the newly enfranchised would vote.
Mrs. Gardner presented herself at the polls with a vase of
flowers and also a prepared ballot, which she had decorated
with various appropriate devices. The inspectors asked the
questions usually put to all applicants, and her name being
found duly registered, her ballot was received and deposited
in the box. There was no argument, no challenge, no
variation from the routine traversed by each masculine
exerciser of the elective franchise. Mrs. Gardner voted, as
we understand; for the Republican candidates generally, with
one Democrat and one lady.

At Battle Creek, Mrs. Mary Wilson voted at the election of 1871.
When she registered, she was accompanied by her lawyer.

In the fall of 1872, Peter Hill again registered Mrs. Gardner,
and received her vote. Mr. Hill had been exposed to many
animadversions for his persistence, and as an acknowledgment of
her appreciation of his course, Mrs. Gardner presented him a silk
banner suitably inscribed. A city paper gives this account of it:

Mrs. Gardner, who has for years been a recognized voter in
the ninth ward of Detroit, again voted on Tuesday. She came
on foot, with Mrs. Stebbins, in a drenching rain, as no
carriage could be obtained. After voting, she presented a