The Shad Treatment Author:Garrett Epps The newspapers called it "the election of the century." Fiery populist Tom Jeff Shadwell was leading a "People's Crusade" to liberate the Virginia Governor's Mansion from the grip of the conservative political machine which had controlled the state for half a centry. Against him were ranged the powerful forces which had kept the state back for... more » so long - unreconstructed race-baiting politicians, gentleman farmers, giant corporations, and the "best families." The campaign promised to be the toughest, the dirtiest, and the most brutal in a lifetime.« less