Selma Chartered as a City
From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:
At the annual election in January 1848, John M. Strong, W. L. Chapman Edward M. Gantt, Henry S. Blackburn, and David Weaver, were elected Councilmen, who elected John M. Strong, Intendant; E. M. Gantt, Clerk, and Treasurer; and Joseph Hillyard, Marshal and Overseer of roads and streets.
The County Surveyor, was authorized and employed to locate the street centers of the town by the driving of an iron pin.
The most interesting and exciting action this Council had was at a meeting held on the 11th day of May, when, after a most excited discussion for hours, an ordinance was passed by a vote of three to two, prohibiting, under a penalty of twenty dollars fighting chickens, with or without gaffs within the limits of the corporation. As soon the ordinance was passed the Council adjourned to take a drink. And we have no record of their having any other meeting during the rejoinder of the year.
On the first Monday in January, 1849, J. M. Strong, William Waddill, Abner Jones, David Weaver, and Henry S. Blackburn, were elected Councilmen, and organized by the election of James D. Monk, Clerk, assessor and Tax Collector; Joseph Hillyard, Marshal and Overseer of roads and streets; and John M. Strong, Intendant.
But little business of general importance was transacted by this Council Many new streets were opened, and general good order was maintained during the year,
At the annual election of town officers in January 1850, Wiley Melton, David Weaver. R. N. Philpot, John W. Lapsley, and John m. Strong, were elected Councilmen, who organized by the election of John M. Strong, Intendant; E. M. Gantt, Clerk, Joseph Hillyard, Marshal and Overseer of roads and streets; and William Waddill treasurer. The spirit of internal improvement had again revived. Several enterprises were discussed, among which, was the revival of the construction of the Selma and Tennessee Railroad. Strenuous efforts were made upon this council to take stock for the town, but the proposition was laid over from time to time, and finally declined.
An ordinance, enforcing a rigid system of patrolling, was adopted; a large number of ditches opened, and a general spirit of improvement characterized the Council.
A system of taxation and license was adopted; a negro, by the name of Charles, was purchased for the city (the city thus became a slave holder); a mule and cart were purchased, to clean up and move off garbage beyond the limits of the town.
At the annual election on the first Monday in January, 1851, Amos White, John W. Lapsley, R. N. Philpot, William Waddill, and Dr. Isaiah Morgan, were elected Councilmen; Amos White, elected Intendant; James D. Monk, Clerk, Assessor and Tax Collector; and Joseph Hillyard, Marshal and Overseer of roads and streets; and William Waddill, treasurer.
This was a decidedly able Council, composed of the most prominent citizens of the town.
The town had increased in population, and to such an imposing size, as to induce its title to be called a city, consequently the Legislature was induced to amend the charter of the town to that of a city, on the 28th of February 1851, and increasing, considerably, the territorial limits. A fire engine was purchased, hooks, and ladders and leathern water buckets, and all other articles necessary to preserve property from fire, ware also purchased. Quite a number of ordinances were adopted, looking to the general advancement of the place.
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