About 40 of the 153 sacks in the museum’s permanent collection are on display. The bulk of the collection was donated by the owner of the Spokane Flour Mill when it shut down during the early 1970s.

Ruel C. Gridley, an ardent Copperhead, lost the bet and, as agreed, carried a 50 pound sack of flour from his store down the town's main street, marching to the tune of "Old John Brown".

He is the author of the new book, "Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy." Voting is just part of our responsibility.