The Phenix Reds

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

At the first meeting in May, 1861, the council proceeded to the election of its officers, for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows: John M. Strong, Clerk and Assessor of personal property; W. A. Dunklin, Treasurer; James M. Dedman, Marshal; Fellows, Dunklin & Haralson, Attorneys--all receiving the salaries as those of the previous year. Dominic Constance was paid $324, after deducting twenty dollars for one basket of champagne, which the Council said was not received. This account is supposes to have been for Extras to the Council, after various debates. The Mayor and Marshal reported the gun carriages all in good condition. A standing committee on missiles, balls and ammunition was appointed an reported a lot of ball cartridges given the city by the "Blues." The Mayor was instructed to furnish Burnsville beat. Summerfield beat and Union beat, each, with one keg of powder. Mrs. Mary E. Keith was paid $120 for making two flags, one for the Phenix Reds fire company and the other for the Franklin No. 2. A supper was given to the two military companies, the Cadets and Governor's Guards, for which Constance & Keipp were paid $325. In accordance with the provisions of and ordinance, the Mayor appointed Alex. White, Dr. W. P. Reese, Rev. A. M. Small, Dr. P. H. Cabell and Joseph R. John, a committee to devise some plan or system of a public school for the city, and report the same to the Council as soon as practicable. This committee reported, and it has been upon their report that the present excellent system of our city schools is conducted. Five thousand dollars were appropriated and paid to A.L. Haden as chairman of the committee of safety, to be used by that committee. Twenty dollars per week was appropriated as a charity found to furnish supplies to the needy widows, women and children of the city. The titles to a lot in Selma, for building an engine house on was obtained in favor of the city. The committee on guns reported the cannon all mounted and ready for use. A committee composed of E. W. Marks, W. A. Dunklin and James W. Lapsley, were appointed to revise the charter and prepare an amendment to authorize the establishment of a system of public schools. On August 31st, 1861, James M. Dedman resigned his position as marshal, and resolutions quite complimentary to him were passed by the Council. Edward M. Gantt was elected to fill the vacancy. The code and ordinances prepared by Jackson and Lapsley were received and adopted. The city paid Henry Vaughn $386 for tents for the Phenix Reds, after their organization as a military Company. Dr. W. P. Reese was elected City Physician. The City Council borrowed $425 form the Phenix Fire Company. The public scales were put up on the corner of Water and Lauderdale streets. An ordinance passed ordering and regulating the planting of water oaks for shade trees. J. D. Monk, A. Haverstick and W. Y. Lundie were appointed managers of the election to be held on the 5th day of May 1862, for a Mayor and Council for the next year as the charter had been changed limiting the terms of Mayor and Council to one year and making seven Councilmen, at which election the following vote was had:

For Mayor--George F. Plant, 59 votes; Jonathan Haralson, 38; W. S. Knox, 32; John Weedon, 19.

For Councilmen--C. E. Thames, 13 votes; e. W. Marks, 87; A. G. Mabry, 25; T. M. Cunningham, 64; Charles Lewis, 120; Robert Hall, 90; Isaiah Morgan, 86; John H. Henry, 28; T. B. Pierce, 53; s. C. Pierce, 82; Andrew Bogle, 97; John R. Wright, 34; wm. L. Saunders, 29; Wm. A. Dunklin, 1; E. T. Watts, 6.

<- PREVIOUS PAGE    |   INDEX    |    NEXT PAGE ->



site by Com'See