Civilian Government Appointed
From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:
In January 1868, W. R. Ditmars, who had been appointed to ascertain what the bonded debt of the city was up to the first day of that month, reported it to be, with over due and unpaid interest, $508,133, and the Council had employed Amy & Co., of New York, to fund as much of it as possible. The Jewish cemetery in East Selma was put in good order. About this time quite a number of coupons commenced making their appearance, which had been paid, and several hundred dollars of them were taken by the city officers before the fraud was discovered. Wm. J. Norris was appointed Auditor, and no claim upon the city was paid unless reported correct to him. W. B. Bill Geo O Baker and Harvey Gatchell were appointed a committee to assess real estate for the year 1868. This Council rescinded the ordinance authorizing issuing of bonds to the Selma and Gulf railroads for $60,000, and that to the Selma and Meridian railroad, in 1862, for $40,000. During the month of April 1868, the income from the wharf was thirty-seven dollars and twenty cents--John W. Davis, Wharfinger. The ordinance subscribing $100,000 to the Alabama and Tennessee Railroad Company, in 1860, was repealed. The city physician's salary was reduced to $1,200 per annum. The Broad Street Hotel Company was allowed to pay half taxes. The last meeting of this Council was held on the 6th day of July 1868. A State government having been established, A Governor elected, and a civil government having taken the place of a military one to some extent, Gov. W. H. Smith set aside this Council, as one instituted by the military authorities, and appointed a Mayor an Council for the city.
On the 4th day of September 1868, ex-Mayor Saffold swore into office W. B. Gill, as Mayor; B. F. Saffold and J. L. Perkins, Councilmen for the first ward; John K. Goodwin and M. R. Boggs, for the second ward; Edward Wood and D. R. Purviance, for the third ward and Robert Hall for the fourth ward who entered upon the duties of Mayor and Councilmen for the city of Selma, under an appointment by Gov. W. H. Smith, of the State of Alabama. William Hart was elected to full the vacancy in the fourth ward who took his seat as a Councilman, The Council then elected Henry Gatchell, Clerk; J. M. Dedman, Marshal; W. B. Gill, (the Mayor) Treasurer; Dr. H. S. Hudson, Physician J. C. Waite, Street Commissioner; W. Hart, (the Councilman) Market Clerk. The Mayor and Marshal appointed the following policemen: J. C. Scarff, C. M. Attaway, A. W. Woodson, A. M. Barnett, Wm. Pettibone, John O'Rourke, Henry C. Lea, Wm. C. Coney--white; and Henry Robinson, Thomas Picket and Thad. King--colored.
<- PREVIOUS PAGE | INDEX | NEXT PAGE ->
site by Com'See
