The only candidate for state office on the Democratic ticket from the extreme southern portion of the state, commonly called “Egypt,” is Winstead D. Walton of Union County, who is an aspirant for the office of State Treasurer. In all the 30 counties which form the south one-third of the state, Mr. Walton is the only candidate for any office on the ticket, and unless he is nominated that great section of the state will not be represented.
    Winstead Davie Walton is a native son of Illinois, having been born on a farm near Anna, Union County, in 1856, and has resided in that county continuously. He comes from gold old Democratic stock, and the three families with which he is connected form the solid force that has kept Union county in the safely Democratic ranks while all the counties immediately adjoining it have gone Republican. The Walton, Willard and Davie families are all numerous and prominent in Lower Egypt and to their credit may it be said that for three-quarters of a century they have remained steadfastly loyal to the Democratic party. In all those years Union county has never given less than 900 majority to the Democratic ticket.
    James K. Walton, father of Winstead, came to Illinois in 1853, from Lancaster county, Pa., and reared his family in Union county.
    On his mother’s side Mr. Walton has a distinguished ancestry. His mother was a daughter of Winstead Davie, who came to Illinois from North Carolina in 1819 and was the head of a large family. His wife was Anna Willard, daughter of Jonathan Willard, who came to Illinois in 1817 from the state of Vermont. The descendants of Jonathan Willard, Winstead Davie and J. K. Walton are a legion in Lower Egypt and they are a strong force behind the demand that Southern Illinois be given representation on the Democratic ticket.
    Winstead D. Walton is a prosperous farmer and stock raiser and is also actively identified with the business interests of the cities of Anna and Jonesboro, being a director of the Anna National Bank and connected with other business affairs. He is a man of thorough integrity, unblemished reputation and universal popularity.
    As a practical and successful farmer, Mr. Walton has done a great work for Southern Illinois in the introduction of improved scientific methods of farming. One of his notable works is the practical demonstration of the adaptability of Southern Illinois soil to the growing alfalfa. He is growing alfalfa on a considerable portion of his 1,000-acre farm, and is showing by actual results what can be done with Southern Illinois land. To all who come – and they are many – he cheerfully and clearly explains the methods employed in the raising of this profitable crop, which bids fair to revolutionize farming in Southern Illinois and add greatly to the wealth of rural communities.
    Wherever Mr. Walton is known he will make heavy inroads on the strength of the opposition and will add greatly to the chances of Democratic success. His unquestioned loyalty to the Democratic party is a strong point in his favor, especially at this time, when charges of bi-partisan alliances and secret leagues with the opposition are being hurled broadcast by candidates and their speakers in the primary campaign. In every campaign the influence of Mr. Walton has been exerted loyally for the entire Democratic ticket, from top to bottom, and no hint of lukewarmness on account of business connections has ever been whispered concerning him.
    Democrats should rise to the great responsibility that rests upon them in the primary, that of making good, strong nominations.
One way to accomplish this is to mark your ballots for Winstead D. Walton the last name on the ticket for State Treasurer.
--Robinson Constitution (Crawford County, Illinois) 3 April 1912.