See first quotation.
1888. The “Spellbinders’” end of the Republican party in this vicinity had its innings of rejoicing last night. It took the form of a dinner at Delmonico’s, and there were just 111 “Spellbinders” present. Each one was a campaign speaker, and had in his time held an audience “spellbound,” or thought he had. Hence their title.—New York World, Nov. 15.
1891. And who, in Kansas at that time, was not an orator? I believe they call them “Spellbinders” in these modern, slangy, and degenerate days.—‘Kansas Hist. Collections,’ v. 52 (1896).
1908. Party spellbinders are lustily declaiming.—N.Y. Evening Post, Oct. 22.
1910. Lee Fairchild, a campaign “spellbinder,” newspaper and magazine writer, and “man about town,” died on Saturday morning at Roosevelt Hospital of pneumonia.—Id., March 21.
