USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 21
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
In 1872, the charter was again amended. The amendment took the appointive power practically out of the hands of the council. The people were to elect six aldermen, three justices of the peace, three constables, one assessor, one street commissioner, one village attorney and three road overseers, while the coun- cil was to select from its own numbers a president, a recorder and a treasurer.
The election was devoid of much of the discord that had char- acterized the previous selection of officers. A straight Republican ticket was placed in nomination against Citizens', People's and Democratic tickets. The following officers were elected: At large: J. M. Greenman; assessor, D. J. Tubbs; street commis- sioner, J. B. Yates. First ward, aldermen, G. G. Clemmer and Seymour Johnson ; justice of the peace, W. II. Merrick ; constable, W. B. Graham; road overseer, Thomas Hinchy. Second ward, aldermen, H. J. Gillham and J. H. C. Huxhold (Huxhold, W. T. Wilkins and N. K. Noble were tied, but upon the casting of lots the choice fell upon Huxhold) ; justice of the peace, T. W. Wood- ard; constable, James Konkel; road overseer, Patrick Garaghty. Third ward, aldermen, W. W. Brownson and G. L. Scofield; jus- tice of the peace, Jesse Rose ; constable, John Minette; road over- seer, Thomas Hinchy. The only ones elected on the straight Republican ticket were Rose, Clemmer and Whipple. Brownson, Scofield and Minette were elected on a straight Democratic ticket. The others were elected on People's or Citizens' tickets, or in the case of the three officers at large, on a combined Dem- ocratie, People's and Citizens' ticket. At the organization of the council, G. G. Clemmer was made president ; Seymour Johnson, recorder, and W. W. Brownson, treasurer. Mr. Clemmer re- signed July 22, and his place was taken by A. J. Phelps; Mr. Scofield resigned April 22, and his place was taken by F. A. Engle.
February 23, 1873, the village charter was amended in several particulars, and the word "city" substituted throughout for "village." Each ward was to have three aldermen, one con- stable and one overseer of roads. There were to be elected at large a city recorder, a city treasurer, a street commissioner, a city attorney and a city assessor.
Two tickets were in the field, one put up by the Republicans and the other by a mixture of Democrats and Republicans, called the People's ticket. The latter was victorious, with the excep- tion of one alderman each, in the second and third wards respec- tively, and the city attorney. These candidates were tied in the returns, but as two votes had been cast for I. M. Hawkins the judges decided to regard the intention, and counted these votes in favor of I. N. Hawkins, giving him the election by two votes
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over J. N. Greenman. The ticket elected follows: At large: At- torney, I. N. Hawkins ; treasurer, W. T. Wilkins; recorder, O. H. Shepley ; assessor, D. T. Tubbs; street commissioner, C. P. Ken- yon. First ward, aldermen, P. O. French, A. Frederich and C. N. Beiseker; road overseer, Geo. B. Morse; constable, Knut Good- son. Second ward, aldermen, Peter Gies, D. B. Smith and H. A. Fairbanks; road overseer, P. Geraghty. Third ward, aldermen, J. H. Benson, L. B. Abbott and J. H. Totten ; justice of the peace, John Houk ; road overseer, A. Whipple ; constable, John Minette. It will be seen that only the third ward voted for a justice, and practically only the third ward for constable, Mr. Goodson re- ceiving but six votes. The council selected D. B. Smith as presi- dent. J. H. Totten resigned October 6, and his place was filled November 4, by T. F. Armstrong ; O. H. Shepley resigned October 6 and his place was filled November 4, by Russ B. Davis; Isaac N. Hawkins resigned October 13, and his place was filled Novem- ber 4, by G. M. Cameron.
In 1874 and 1875 there were no changes in the city charter.
In 1874, two tickets were in the field. One was designated as the "Anti-Monopolists' " and the other as the "People's." In the third ward, the former party only was in the field, though there were several independent candidates in the field in that ward. A preconcerted effort was made throughout the city to de- feat the Anti-Monopolists' candidates for justice of the peace in all the wards, but the effort was successful only in the second ward, where R. I. Smith defeated T. W. Woodard. The ticket elected was as follows: Recorder, R. B. Davis; city attorney, G. M. Cameron; city assessor, William Richards; city treasurer, C. W. Austin; street commissioner, Christian Johnson; aldermen, John F. Cook, Seymour Johnson and B. F. Morgan; J. C. Kaiser, R. N. Paden and D. B. Smith ; J. F. Atherton, John Bache and John Varger; justices of the peace L. N. Griffith, R. I. Smith and .J. S. Putnam ; constables, William Olson, George Martin and John Minette; road overseers; R. J. Tyler, P. Geraghty and J. Gal- lagher. Bache resigned and Varger did not qualify. An election was held April 17 to fill the vacancies, and Thomas Meany and C. B. Slade were elected. The president of the council this year was D. B. Smith.
In 1875, the following officers were elected: Recorder, Robert Griffith ; city attorney, John T. Carey; treasurer, Rudolph Dun- kelman; assessor, John Walsh; street commissioner, John F. Cook ; aldermen, R. O. French, O. E. Anderson, A. Friedrich ; E. C. Dorr, F. J. Mayhew, D. B. Smith, Michael Collins, Charles B. Slade, D. G. Wachlin ; road overseers, S. Gates, Patrick Geraghty, Patrick Conlon ; constable, C. H. Gatfield.
The incorporation of the city of Austin really dates from
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February 28, 1876, although the name "city" had been used since 1873. The new city charter described the limits of the city as follows: The north half of section 3; all the south half of section 3 lying west of the Cedar river ; all that part of the south- west quarter of section 2, surveyed and platted as part of Bal- com's addition to the village of Austin; the northwest quarter of section 2; and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 2, all in township 102, north of range 18, west. There were to be three wards, one on the west side of the Red Cedar, and two on the east side, divided by the center line of Bridge and Center streets. There were to be elected a mayor, treasurer, recorder and one assessor, at large; and from each ward, two aldermen, one justice of the peace and one constable.
The election took place March 12. Not for several years had there been exhibited so great an interest in a local election. There were two tickets in the field, the People's and the Repub- lican. In the first and third wards the former ticket won out, while in the second the latter triumphed, with the exception of the constable. W. T. Wilkins, the candidate for treasurer on the People's ticket, threw his influence on the side of the oppos- ing candidate, but even then was defeated by but one vote. The following were elected, all being on the People's ticket unless otherwise indicated. At large: Mayor, P. O. French ; assessor, William Richards (Republican) ; recorder, Robert Griffith (no opposition) ; treasurer, R. Dunkelman. First ward, Joseph Schwan, H. E. Anderson, aldermen; L. N. Griffith, justice ; Thomas Riley (independent), constable. Second ward, E. P. Van Valkenburgh, Oscar Ayers (both Republican), aldermen; T. W. Woodard (Republican), justice; James Konkle, constable. Third ward, Thomas Meany, Lewis Beekel, aldermen; J. S. Put- nam, justice; John Minette, constable. The office of Lewis Beckel was taken in January, 1877, by C. C. Kinsman. Patrick Geraghty was appointed street commissioner and Thomas Riley, chief of police.
The election of 1877 was quiet, and while there were two tickets in the field, the candidates for most of the important of- fices were identical on both sides. In the second ward, Joseph Reinsmith and E. J. Phillips were tied for alderman, and by lot the choice fell on the former. It was also found that the electors had made a mistake in the middle initial of C. A. Pooler, but that matter was also satisfactorily settled. The following officers were elected: Mayor, E. C. Dorr; treasurer, C. A. Pooler; as- sessor, Robert MeDonald; recorder, Robert Griffith; aldermen first ward, George H. Wilbour ; second ward, Joseph Reinsmith : third ward, C. C. Kinsman. Aldermen Schwan, Van Valkenburgh and Meany held over from the previous year.
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In 1878 the question of license and no license was the principal issue, the temperance people winning out on the no license propo- sition by a vote of 406 to 155. Republican and Democratic tick- ets were in the field. In the following list of officers the word "Union" does not signify a Union ticket, but indicates that the candidate mentioned was nominated on both tickets: Mayor, E. P. Van Valkenburgh (Union) ; recorder, Robert Griffith (Union) ; treasurer, C. A. Pooler (Republican) ; assessor, Oscar Ayers (Re- publican). First ward, aldermen, J. B. Yates (Democrat) ; jus- tice, L. N. Griffith (Democrat) ; constable, Thomas Riley (Union). Second ward, aldermen, James McGrath (Union) ; justice, N. K. Noble (Republican) ; constable, R. J. McDonald (Republican). Third ward, aldermen, Thomas Meany (Democrat) ; justice, Jesse Rose (Republican) ; constable, John Minette (Democrat). Aldermen Wilbour, Reinsmith and Kinsman held over from the previous year. J. B. Yates retired October 21, 1878, and his place was taken by Seymour Johnson. Joseph Reinsmith re- tired the same date and his office was filled by E. C. Dorr. Pat- rick Geraghty, who was appointed street commissioner, resigned July 1, and his place was taken by J. Woodard. Thomas Riley was chief of police.
In 1879 the city went back to the license plan, the vote being 283 to 239. The People's ticket was victorious, with the excep- tion of one instance in the second ward, where H. W. Page, the temperance candidate, won out over W. L. Hollister. The entire list of officers for the year 1879 is as follows: Mayor, H. B. Ball; aldermen, Seymour Johnson (held over), George E. Wil- bour, James McGrath (held over), Harlan W. Page, Thomas Meany (held over), and Jacob Weisel; recorder, Robert Griffith ; treasurer, C. A. Pooler; assessor, Oscar Ayers; street commis- sioner, T. K. Keyser ; chief of police, Thomas Riley.
In 1880, the officers of the city were as follows: Mayor, H. B. Ball; treasurer, Fay R. Smith ; recorder, Robert Griffith ; assessor, E. D. Fenton ; aldermen, Peter Gies, E. J. Phillips, A. Fairbanks ; justices, L. N. Griffith, N. K. Noble, E. H. Gerard; constables, Thomas Riley, James Konkle, John Minette. The vote in favor of license was 249 to 180. The hold-over aldermen were George E. Wilbour, Harlan W. Page and Jacob Weisel. The place of A. Fairbanks was taken by D. J. Ames, May 7, 1880. Patrick Geraghty was appointed street commissioner and Thomas Riley chief of police.
In 1881, the Republican ticket was elected throughout, with the exception of one alderman in the first ward, George W. Fish being elected over George E. Wilbour. The complete list of of- ficers follows: Mayor, E. C. Dorr; recorder, Robert Griffith ; treasurer, F. R. Smith ; assessor, Joseph Adams ; aldermen, George
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
W. Fish, R. O. Hall, Jacob Weisel. Vote in favor of court house bonds, 398 to 14; vote in favor of license, 246 to 106. Aldermen Gies, Phillips and Ames held over. The street commissioner and chief of police were the same as during the previous year.
In 1882, the following officers were elected: Mayor, E. C. Dorr; treasurer, Fay R. Smith ; assessor, G. E. Wilbour ; recorder, Robert Griffith; aldermen, Orris Hayes, E. J. Phillips, Thomas Meany ; justices, L. N. Griffith, N. K. Noble and J. B. Waddick ; constables, Thomas Riley, Y. T. Cameron and William Way.
In 1883 the officers elected were: Mayor, E. C. Dorr; asses- sor, George E. Wilbour; treasurer, J. H. Patterson; recorder, Robert Griffith ; aldermen, H. S. Smith, R. O. Hall, J. Weisel. A. Frederick, who was nominated for mayor, declined to run.
In 1884, E. C. Dorr was again elected. The other officers elected were: Assessor, G. E. Wilbour; treasurer, J. H. Patter- son ; recorder, Robert Griffith ; justices, James D. Sheedy and N. K. Noble ; aldermen, Ed. A. Dallager, Geo. H. Litchfield and C. J. Miller; constables, Thomas Riley, Y. T. Cameron and William H. Way.
In 1885, Lafayette French became mayor. The other officers elected were: Recorder, Robert Griffith ; treasurer, J. H. Patter- son ; assessor, F. K. Keyser ; aldermen, Joseph Adams, P. C. Sul- livan and II. Herzog.
In 1886 all the Republican candidates were elected except one, A. H. Loucks, a Democrat, being elected treasurer. The full list of officers elected consisted of: Mayor, Lafayette French; re- corder, Robert Griffith ; treasurer, A. H. Loucks ; assessor, George E. Wilbour; aldermen, C. H. Davidson, Andrew Knox, C. J. Mil- ler ; justices, N. K. Noble, M. J. Engle, J. D. Sheedy ; constables, Thomas Riley, John Beckel, William Way.
In 1887 the new charter provided for the election of an alder- man at large as well as one from each of the wards. The officers elected were: Mayor, Lafayette French; recorder, J. H. Make- peace; treasurer, A. H. Loucks; assessor, George E. Wilbour; aldermen, C. N. Beiseker, L. E. Day, B. W. Lovell, D. A. McFad- den ; constables (to fill vacancies), E. R. Earl, John Beckel.
In 1888, the Democrats elected a mayor and the alderman at large. The officers elected were : Mayor, O. W. Gibson ; recorder, Johan Wold; assessor, George E. Wilbour ; treasurer, N. F. Ban- field ; aldermen, William Todd, Seymour Johnson. C. L. West, C. J. Miller : justices, James Sheedy, N. K. Noble, E. Myers; con- stables, C. Ed Clark, Jerry Ingalls, John Beckel. The conneil elected Patrick Geraghty street commissioner. Mayor Gibson nominated Y. T. Cameron chief of police, but the council refused to confirm the appointment. As soon as the vote was announced. Mayor Gibson nominated J. H. Makepeace for the place and he
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
also failed of confirmation, so Jerry Ingalls continued to hold the office of chief of police. Dr. Phillips resigned as chairman of the board of health and Dr. J. N. Wheat was appointed to fill the vacancy. It was in this year that Ira Padden, who for so many years represented the third ward, came to the city council. A special election was held on April 19 of this year to elect an alderman. Thomas Meany received 102 votes and William Du- gan 103 votes. When the council came to canvass the vote, it passed a resolution declaring the election invalid; the returns appeared illegal on the face. Another election was held May 1, when Ira Padden secured all but seven of the votes cast at the election. J. M. Greenman was elected city attorney and superin- tendent of the water works. J. H. Makepeace, who failed to become chief of police, was made fire marshal July 6.
In 1889, the following ticket was elected: Mayor, O. W. Gibson ; alderman at large, T. F. Leonard; treasurer, N. F. Ban- field ; assessor, George E. Wilbour ; recorder, Johan Wold ; alder- men, L. E. Day, E. J. Phillips, Ira Padden ; justice of the peace, E. Myers. Appointments were made as follows: Chief of po- lice, J. E. Ingalls; J. M. Greenman, city attorney and superin- tendent of the water works; E. J. Ames, fire marshal. Alder- man Phillips resigned November 1, and B. W. Lovell was chosen by the council to fill the vacancy.
In 1890 the ticket elected was: Mayor, O. W. Gibson; treas- urer, N. F. Banfield; assessor, George E. Wilbour; recorder, Johan Wold; aldermen, Joseph Adams, Seymour Johnson, C. L. West, J. T. Sargent, L. G. Campbell ; justices, J. D. Sheedy, N. K. Noble, F. H. Stokes; constables, F. Riley, J. E. Ingalls, John Beckel. The following appointments were made: Joseph Lamping, street commissioner ; E. J. Ames, fire marshal. October 3, Lamping resigned and E. J. McGovern was elected to fill the vacancy. Greenman continued to hold the offices of superin- tendent of water works and city attorney and Ingalls was chief of police.
In 1891, the following ticket was elected: Mayor, C. H. Johnson; treasurer, N. F. Banfield; assessor, George E. Wil- bour; recorder, Johan Wold; aldermen, Joseph Adams, L. A. Foots, J. T. Sargent, Ira Padden; justices of the peace, W. H. Hazel, W. W. Ranney. The following appointments were made : J. M. Greenman, city attorney and superintendent of water works; Jerry Ingalls. chief of police; E. J. Ames, fire marshal ; E. J. McGovern, street commissioner. William Todd was appointed to succeed M. Beeker, chief engineer of the water works. This year the council voted to use the old Methodist church for a city hall. The building stood on the site of the Carnegie Public
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Library. The question of liquor license had been submitted to the people, the vote being, for license 498, and against 119.
In 1892, the officers elected were: Mayor, C. Il. Johnson ; treasurer, N. F. Banfield; assessor, G. E. Wilbour; recorder, Johan Wold; aldermen, Joseph Adams, John Robertson, Wilson Beach (for one year), H. S. Merrill (for two years), L. G. Camp- bell; justices of the peace, C. J. Short, W. W. Ranney, F. II. Stokes ; constables, Frank Riley, J. E. Ingalls, Grant Miller. The following appointments were made: City attorney and superin- tendent of water works, J. M. Greenman ; fire chief, E. J. Ames ; street commissioner, E. J. McGovern ; chief of police, Jerry In- galls. On May 20, Alderman Foote resigned and George Burn- ham was elected by the council to fill the vacancy. H. S. Merrill also resigned from the board and T. F. Leonard was elected by the conneil to fill the vacancy. It is interesting to know that the council passed the first street-paving resolution and also inaugurated the present sewer system as mapped out by Expert Engineer Tehirgi.
In 1893, the following officers were elected and appointments made: Mayor, C. H. Johnson ; recorder, Johan Wold; treasurer, .J. L. Mitchell; assessor, George E. Wilbour; aldermen, E. C. Dorr, A. W. Wright, T. F. Leonard (to fill vacancy), R. E. Shep- herd, Ira Padden; constable, third ward, N. N. Wilsey. For license 395, against 233. City attorney and superintendent of water works, J. M. Greenman; fire marshal, Thomas Dugan; chief of police, J. E. Ingalls; street commissioner, Chris Han- son ; chairman board of health, Dr. Wheat. The records show that on May 5, James M. Galt became chief of police.
Up to this time Austin had used the ordinary kerosene lamps for street lights and each council was called upon to decide who should be official lamp lighter from among a large number of applicants. In the summer of 1893, a private concern known as the Austin Electric Light Company asked the city to enter into a contract for lighting the city with electricity. This innova- tion met with unanimous approbation of the council and the of- ficial lamp lighter, like Othello, lost his occupation.
In 1894, a Republican mayor was elected for the first time in seven years, being placed in office by a majority of twenty- five votes, out of 1,049 east. The complete ticket elected was: Mayor, Lyman D. Baird; recorder, Johan Wold ; treasurer, H. L. Banfield; assessor, J. C. Belding : aldermen. Jacob Weisel, John Robertson. Henry Curtis, John Gulden; justices, J. E. Robin- son, W. W. Ranney, F. H. Stokes; constables, J. M. Galt, John Manning, L. N. Willsey. The year 1894 was a strenuous one. The great railway strike had thrown many men out of work, and the council, to keep the unemployed, hired many of them
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
to work on city improvements. Feeling against the railroads ran high and when the C., M. & St. P. road built a high board fence along the east side of its yards, shutting off all travel on eertain streets that erossed the yards, there was great indigna- tion. The council held a special meeting and passed a resolu- tion condemning the action of the railroad in "unlawfully ob- structing some of our streets" and ordered street superintendent Chris Hanson to tear down the fenee where Bridge street crossed the tracks. The railroad got busy and at the next meeting of the council, which was held March 2, 1895, the same council that ordered the fence torn down, ordered the same street superintendent to erect the fence and put it in as good condi- tion as it was originally. A petition addressed to the railroad company by the council asked that the company allow the use of a foot-path aeross the tracks, the city agreeing to pay the salary of a flagman to be stationed at the crossing. The coun- cil also asked the county commissioners to erect a viaduct over the traeks. That body was not sure that the county funds could be expended for such a purpose, but agreed to erect such a structure, provided the eity would agree to repay the county the sum of $5,000, the cost of the viaduct, should the courts decide that the couny board had ordered contrary to law. The iron bridge which spans the yards at the east end of Water street is a monument to the council of 1894. That council elected was: L. D. Baird, mayor; Jacob Weisel, alderman at large; John Robertson, Henry Curtis and J. L. Gulden ; H. L. Banfield, treasurer; Johan Wold, recorder. The latter died in October and IIerman Gunz was elected to fill the vacancy. Other elective officers that year were: Justice of the peace, J. E. Robinson, W. W. Ranney, F. H. Stokes ; constables, J. W. Manning and L. N. Wilsey. The city voted for license, 664 to 302. The appointive officers were: J. M. Galt, chief of police; Chris Hanson, superin- tendent of streets; Thomas Dugan, fire chief, and J. M. Green- man, city attorney and superintendent of the water works.
In 1895, three independent candidates were elected, C. H. Johnson, T. M. Foster and A. W. Wright. The entire list elected was as follows: Mayor, C. H. Johnson ; treasurer, H. L. Banfield ; recorder, T. M. Foster ; assessor, J. C. Belding ; aldermen, A. W. Wright, S. A. Emerson, M. J. Haney and Ira Padden. The city voted for license, but a curious fact is that the records of the city do not show what the vote was, the statement being made, "On motion the license vote was placed on file." The appointive officers that year were, chief of police, J. M. Galt; city attorney and superintendent of water works, J. M. Greemnan ; fire chief, Thomas Dugan; street superintendent, B. Maxwell.
The year 1896 found the city divided into two factions, the
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northenders and the southenders. The former wanted the north end of the city developed, the others wanted to see the south end grow. The fight came on in a contest for the location of a city hall. L. D. Baird offered the eity a deed for land at the north end of Main street. F. A. Tieknor, acting for the south- enders, offered the city the MeKenna lots at the corner of Bridge and River streets. The council adopted a resolution accepting Mr. Baird's land. The newly elected Mayor, F. I. Crane, promptly vetoed the resolution. The council as promptly passed it over his head and an architeet was ordered to draw plans for the new building. Those plans are now buried under the dust and await other years for city development. The election of 1896 resulted as follows: Mayor. F. I. Crane ; treasurer, J. L. Mitchell ; recorder, T. M. Foster : assessor, J. C. Belding ; aldermen, George A. Hormel, Joseph Adams, H. A. Avery, J. L. Gulden; justices of peace, J. E. Robinson, W. W. Ranney, F. H. Stokes ; constables, J. M. Galt, John Manning, John Beekel; chief of police, J. M. Galt ; street superintendent, Burr Maxwell ; attorney and superin- tendent of water works, J. M. Greenman. Dr. Wheat, who for many years had been chairman of the board of health, was sue- ceeded by Dr. MeKenna.
In 1897 the result of the election was: Mayor, F. I. Crane; treasurer, J. L. Mitehell ; assessor, J. C. Belding ; recorder, T. N. Foster; aldermen, George Hormel, S. A. Emerson, John Robert- son, M. J. Haney and Ira Padden. James D. Smith was ap- pointed street commissioner. The other officers remained the same as in 1896. License carried by a majority of sixty-one, which was an indication of the growing "dry" sentiment.
In 1898 there was a strenuous temperance campaign, result- ing in a vietory for no license by 102 votes. This was the first time that Austin had been "dry" in twenty years, and the usual erop of "blind pigs" resulted. The entire ticket elected was: Mayor, F. I. Crane; treasurer, J. L. Mitchell; recorder, T. M. Foster ; assessor, J. C. Belding; aldermen, W. C. Holmes, Jolın Robertson, Perey Bump and Alex. S. Campbell; justices, John E. Robinson, W. W. Ranney, F. H. Stokes; constables, J. M. Galt and Herbert Bordy. The appointments were as follows: Chief of police, J. M. Galt; city attorney, A. W. Wright. This year the Austin Gas. Light & Heating Company was granted a franchise. A controversy arose as to what caused the death of shade trees on Chatham street. Some believed that gas leaking from the mains was the cause. The eouneil held several meet- ings, at which the subject was thoroughly discussed. In July; 1899, the company surrendered its charter. It is perhaps sig- nificant that the city council began to look for an additional water supply within three months after the city had voted ont
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