Bill Kirby: Close election? They say we had one in the 1860s

"All human input invites error."

– Dan Neill

It's Election Day in Georgia and you will probably hear how important your vote is.

Often such pleas recall famous elections of the past determined by "JUST ONE VOTE."

We had one a century ago this week, May 25, 1922, when Chronicle City Editor Tom "Boss" Murphy told Augusta readers about our town's mayoral victory of R.H. May over Foster Blodgett in the 1860s.

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According to Murphy's "Talking It Over" column, May and several friends had gone to their poll to vote. A popular politician, May told his companions that he intended to cast his vote for his opponent because it was "customary" for a gentleman to do so.

His friends, however, protested strongly because the election was expected to be close.

W.H. Stallings, a contractor, and one-time postmaster told May if he thought Blodgett was worth voting for, then Stallings would vote for him, too. Several other May supporters agreed.

"Thus dissuaded," Murphy wrote, "May voted for May."

And May won by one vote.

"Despite three recounts," Murphy would add.

While it's a great story, it's hard to back up.

According to The Chronicle archives, May defeated Blodgett in 1861 by 46 votes, 835-789.

In 1862, May ran unopposed and won.

In 1863, May won, but there were no stories about a tight race or recount.

There is no election story in 1864, but in 1865 May defeated A.D Picquet 964-130.

Then he took a dozen years off.

Then, he returned to the mayor's office, successfully winning election 1879 through 1891.

BRAVES NEW WORLD: Last fall, the Atlanta Braves won the World Series and we all cheered.

This year, they don't seem to be doing so well.

Be patient, Braves fans.

Last year at this point, the Atlanta baseball team had a 21-24 record.

Still time.

SPEAKING OF BASEBALL: If you like baseball in the 1960s and '70s, as I do, you'll like "Good As Gold," by new Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Kaat. He's "old school," as they say, humble, honest and really, really good. He reminds me of the game I grew to love years ago.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "I just got a full tank of gas for $22. Granted, it was for my lawnmower, but I'm trying to stay positive." – PJ Rodgers

TODAY'S JOKE: An elderly mother superior was dying. All the nuns gathered around her deathbed and prayed. One of the older nuns thought a glass of warm milk from the convent dairy might help ease her final hours.

For good measure, she added a little whiskey to the drink.

Returning to the room, she assisted the older woman, who took a sip. Her eyes flickered and she quickly asked for another.

Then she asked to drink the entire glass, finishing it quickly before falling back onto her pillow.

Sensing time was short, one of the younger nuns asked if older woman might share some words of wisdom.

She lifted her head one last time and said softly, "Whatever you do, don't sell that cow."

Bill Kirby has reported, photographed and commented on life in Augusta and Georgia for 45 years.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Bill Kirby: A one-vote victory or a story too good to be true?