There was most likely quite a bit of ideological rivalry on the Hill back in day (just like now?). I wonder just how serious it became (a la Gangs of New York, perhaps?). Of course, the conservatives were likely the Democrats back then, and the Republicans were probably considered ‘the liberals’ (and certainly not ‘the radical right’ you see now with the likes of G.W. “I am the decider” Bush and Palin, (‘Goin’ rogue, you know’).

From the Daily Dispatch, August 7, 1880:

A meeting of the Conservatives of Oregon Hill is announced for to-night, at which Captain George D. Wise, Hon. A.M. Keiley, and S.B. Witt, Esq. are expected to speak.