M.J. A. Keith Re-elected Mayor of Selma

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:

On the first Monday in May 1859, an election was held by the voters of the city, for city officers for the ensuing year, and resulted as follows:

For Mayor.--M.J.A. Keith, 168 votes; John G. Snediker, 76.

For Councilmen--Isaiah Morgan, 155 votes; John Mitchell, 25; George F. Plant, 212; W. A. Dunklin, 176; John Weedon, 163; M. C. Wiley, 175; W. S. Knox, 3; Wm. M. Byrd, 21; Dr. Robert Johnson, 16; Joseph J. Norris, 87; Dr. John E. Prestridge, 50; Dr. James T. Gee, 3; M. J. Williams, 1; R. A. McCrary, 1; electing W. A. Dunklin, Dr. I. Morgan, George F. Plant, M. C. Wiley , and John Weedon. The salaries of the city officers was fixed--for the Mayor, $500; for the Marshal, $800; Clerk, $300; Treasurer, $100; City Attorney, $200. Geo. F. Plant, John Weedon and Dr. I. Morgan, were appointed to assess the real estate of the city for the tax year. Dr. Morgan, city physician, reported that the four negroes belonging to Dr.. Prestridge, who had been confined in the city hospital with small pox, had been discharged, in consequence of a full recovery, their clothing all burned , and that here was no further danger from these negroes. Eight-tenths of one per cent, was laid upon the real estate as a tax for the tax year. The council refused to let Dr. E. J. Kirksey put up a post to hitch his horst to. John M. Strong was elected City Clerk; Jams M. Dedman, Marshal; W. A. Dunklin, Treasurer; Fellows Dunklin & Haralson, Attorneys; John McGrath, City Sexton; and N. W. Shelly, Printer--all at the previous rates of compensation. Henry West regained his position as Deputy Marshal, and R. Purkie was elected to fill his place, at fifty dollars per month, which Purkie thought was better than driving a stage at thirty dollars per month. An ordinance was passed prohibiting slaves, or free persons of color, from playing tenpins, dice, cards, or any other game of chance, under a penalty that the slaves were to be whipped and the free persons of color to work on the streets, which is the first provision for working convicts on the streets. John W. Lapsley was paid $300 to reimburse him for money he paid out in the way of expenses in getting up stock and organizing the Selma and Gulf Railroad. The Marshal was authorized to employ three policemen; and an ordinance passed to regulate the duties of the Marshal, Deputy Marshal and police.

<- PREVIOUS PAGE    |   INDEX    |    NEXT PAGE ->



site by Com'See