ON THIS DAY

January 5, 1874

Winnipeg held its first civic election, pitting lawyer Francis Cornish against newspaper editor and teacher William Luxton. Five hundred and sixty-two ballots were cast - by 388 registered voters. Only property holders were allowed to vote and owners of multiple properties took the opportunity to vote multiple times, electing Cornish. He had previously been mayor of London, Ont., and moved to Winnipeg after losing a race for the Ontario legislature.