Hurley Family Tree

Historical newspaper accounts from the time (such as coverage in the Wichita Daily Eagle on July 17, 1896) describe the Prohibition Party state convention in Kansas as a lively but divided gathering. The delegates were nearly evenly split on key issues or procedural matters, leading to some contention. Ultimately, Horace Hurley was nominated for governor after initial reluctance—he had scruples or hesitations about accepting, but they were overcome, and he received the nomination by acclamation or majority vote.

The convention focused on reinforcing Kansas's existing statewide prohibition (enacted constitutionally in 1881), pushing for stricter enforcement against lingering saloons and "joints," and broader temperance reforms. This was in a year when national Prohibition forces were splitting (into "narrow-gauge" and "broad-gauge" factions over adding issues like free silver), but Kansas's state ticket stayed aligned with the main party line.

During the 1896 gubernatorial election (November 3, 1896), the Prohibition Party fielded Horace Hurley as its candidate for governor. The race was dominated by the fusion Populist-Democratic ticket (John W. Leedy) vs. Republican incumbent Edmund Needham Morrill, amid the national Populist surge in the state.
Here are the key results for governor in Kansas, 1896:

John W. Leedy (Populist/Democratic fusion) → Winner, ~50.5% of the vote.
Edmund Needham Morrill (Republican) → ~48.3%.
Horace Hurley (Prohibition Party) → 2,347 votes (~0.71%).
Other minor Prohibition-aligned or independent candidates (including Henry L. Douthart for National Prohibition and A. E. Kepford as Independent Prohibition) received a combined ~1,460 votes (~0.44%).