Advertisement In 1864, the voters of Austin, Nevada were almost evenly divided between supporters of the Union (Republicans) and advocates for an immediate peace treaty with the Confederacy (Copperheads). Two eminent citizens bet on the outcome of the election. Ruel C. Gridley, an ardent Copperhead, lost the bet and, as agreed, carried a 50 pound … Continue reading How A Sack Of Flour Healed A Divided Electorate