Typed as spelled by Lena Stone Criswell
THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirty-First Year - Number 169
Marlin, Texas, Tuesday, November 17, 1931
---------PROPOSALS MADE TO UTILIZE HOT WATER
First One and Then Another Sought Permits--Application Also for Telephone
Franchise.
Early in January, 1895, the council ordered H. G. Carter and S. N.
Donohoo to pay $5.00 each, for the use of artesian water from the hot well,
inasmuch as they were using the water for purposes other than use. (Line
torn out can't read).
A motion ws made that the amount be $10.00. When the vote was taken,
Alderman Horne, Rickelmann and Quaid voted, , yea; Perkins, Branson and
Oltorf, nay. Mayor Bartlett voted off the tie and the $5.00 charge ws
sustained.
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A motion, also, was made that no person be granted the privilege of
using the water for any purpose outside the the corporate limits. This,
also, brought a tie vote and Mayor Bartlett voted against the move.
---
A few weeks later, March 6, Dr. S. P. Rice petitioned the council "in
behalf of town asking for permission to tap mains for use of the artesian
water." The petition was granted and at the same time a general order was
passed giving other citizens the same privilege, provided they would pay the
expense of making the tap and laying their own pipes, and "said permits would
not be considered a permanent franchise."
---
Early in 1895, numerous small additions were made the fire department.
The minutes show purchase of hose, nozzles, and other items. "On account of
continual bad weather." the minutes read, "the committee on sewer and
drainage was unable to anything and was granted more time in which to make
report." The office of
night-watchman was discontinued in February--after being in existence several
years.
---
In order that Marlin would properly comply with a new state law which
went into effect early in 1895 and which pertained to towns having 10,000
inhabitants or less, it was necessary for all officers whose terms did not
automatically expire in the spring elections to resign and be reelected if
their tenure remained legal. Holdover Alderman M. Quaid, A. L. Brannon and
W. A. Oltorf tendered their resignations at the council meeting March 6. At
the same time the mayor issued the election proclamation.
---
There were several candidates for each office. When the votes were
counted the following were elected: C. H. Bartlett was re-elected mayor; F.E.
Hailey was elected secretary over several opponents; Aldermen elected or
re-elected were M. Barry, C. H. King, T. S. Clark, W. A. Oltorf, H.
Rickelmann and J. W. Perkins.
---
J. W. Robinson, Dr. R. B. Dupree and Donohoo and Cousins offered to
lease the hot well in April. Action was postponed and the records show the
well was never leased to anyone. About this same time R. M. Odell received
permission for the Southern "Specialty Company "to tap the hot-water mains
back of A. L. Branson's store."
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May 9, 1895, the council met in special session to consider another
proposition for use of the artesian water. P. H. Stein and John L. Smith
offered to pay the city $25.00 a month for water for a natatorium, proposing
to build the natatorium according to plans which were attached to the offer.
After some discussion action was postponed until the next meeting. At the
next meeting Messrs. Stein and Smith did not appear and the matter
indefinitely passed.
---
Abe Louis made a proposition similar to the one of Stein and Smith,
but after some discussion withdrew it. On June 7, J. W. Robinson and others
offers to pay the city $25.00 for a maximum of 75,000 gallons a day for use
in a natatorium they proposed to build. They agreed to build a natatorium to
cost not less than $6,000, including the lot, the lot costing not over $650.
Work was to begin in 30 days. Alderman T. S. Clark immediately moved that
the proposition be accepted and the motion carried after a tie vote, three
for and three against, with Mayor Bartlett voting off the tie.
---
In May of this year (1895), J. T. Fuller and others petitioned for a
franchise to set up telephone poles and run lines on the streets of Marlin
and to operate a telephone system Action was postponed indefinitely.
(to be continued)
Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls County, Texas.