Summertime in election years often involve barbecues and politics, and it's a reminder of a great tradition of political activity and outdoor eating stretching back to the 1800s.

A dictionary of Americanisms published in the 1850s linked the word "barbecue" to political meetings in the South and West. And a political cartoon published in 1834 titled "The Political Barbecue" had fun with the concept by depicting the president, Andrew Jackson, with the body of a pig, being grilled by his political enemies, including Henry Clay.

Politicians learned that good food drew voters to hear stump speeches, so oxen and pigs were enthusiastically cooked over the coals. A dive into 19th century newspapers reveals some entertaining accounts:

• New York Tribune, October 26, 1842: At an Indianapolis barbecue Henry Clay gave one of his classic orations.
• The Boon's Lick Times, July 20, 1844: An advertisement for a typical small town political barbecue, at which attendees can eat — and hear candidates from both parties — for 25 cents.
• New York Tribune, October 11, 1856: The young Republican Party held a massive barbecue in Ohio at which six large oxen were roasted and consumed along with "thousands" of "chickens, pigs, pies, etc."
• New York Tribune, July 28, 1860: A lurid description of a Democratic Party barbecue which turned into a wild scene. Food flew, as did fists: "No less than four rough and tumble fights occurred inside the building, and two on the outside."
• New York Tribune, September 13, 1860: Stephen Douglas, running on the Democratic ticket, attended a barbecue in New York City. The newspaper of Horace Greeley, in the Lincoln camp, reveled in deck headlines such as "The Kentucky Ox Devoured" and "Disgusting Details."