Board of Alderman (1855-1862)

Minutes of the proceedings of the coperation [corperation] of the City of Nacogdoches had at their first meeting holden at the Court House in said city on the 15th April AD 1851. Pursuant to previous notice the following members of the Corperation met at the Court house [inelligible] aid at 10 o clock a.m. viz. Henry Raguet = James Hart Chas Chevallier = Phillip U Ford Geo Clevenger = James H Starr On motion Henry Raguet was called to the Chair, and James Hart appointed secretary for this meeting. The following resolution was then presented, adopted and ordered to be entered on the Minutes to wit. Resolved that whereas it appears from the return of the Hon. [Honorable] Bennet Blake. Cheif [Chief] of Justice of the County of Nacogdoches. that at an election holden on Monday the 4th April 1851 under authority of an act approved January 28th AD 1850, Entitiled an act to incoperate [incorporate] the City of Nacogdoches approved March 16th AD 1848. The following named persons were elected Alderman for said City for the term of one year. viz. Haden [Hayden] H. Edward., Thos. J Jennings James Hart = Charles Chevallier Phillip U. Ford = Henry Raguet George Clevenger & James H. Starr therefore they are duly declared Alderman in accordance with [line cut off]

an election was then held by ballot for Major Secretary and Treasurer of said coperation [corporation] for the period of one year which resulted as follows James H Starr, was elected Major H.H Edwards " Secretary Henry Raguet " Treasurer The oath of office was then duty administered by James Hart Justice of the Peace to James H. Starr as major and he was announced duly. Qualified to perform the duties of that office. It appearing from the return of the Hon [Honorable] Cheif [Chief] Justice that at said election held on the 4th Just. Jepe. H. Muckleroy - was elected corporation collector and John C. Morrison Corporation Constable for the term of one year they appeared before the board and took the oath of office for their respective stations, - and on motion it was ordered that the said collector and constable be each furnished with a certificate under the hand of the Major and secretary of their having qualified in their respective offices. It was ordered by the board that the bonds required to be taken of the treasurer and collector each be in the sum of Six hundred dollards and made payable to the coperation [corporation] of the City of Nacogdoches. Therefore the treasurer and collector presented their bonds, which wereappraised by the major and ordered to be recorded [added above line] according to law. On motion the following resolutions were adopted. [lines cut off]

to employ a surveyor to make a survey of the Corporation limits as regarded by law, allowing him the legal fees payable out of the first funds of the Corporation. Resolved that a Commitee of three be appointed to draft by laws and ordanin-ces [ordinances] for the Corporation of the City of Nacogdoches and report the same to the next meeting of the board [illegible] Thos J Jennings, James H Starr and H H Edwards were appointed said Committee - It was further reported that the treasurer be authorized to purchase such Books, and the stationary as may be required by the Major [Mayor] secretary and treasurer and report the amount of their cost to this board. On motion Board adjourned to meet again on Thursday the 22 [illegible] at 10 o clock A.M - Henry Raguet Chairman Jas. [James] Hart Sety [Secretary]

Board met 22 April 1857 pursuant to adjournment present James H Starr Major [Mayor]. H H. Edwards, Henry Raguet George Clevenger Chas Chevallier and James Hart. A quorum being present the perceedings of the previous meeting was read and adopted. A majority of the committee appointed to - draft laws and ordinances for the Corporation to with James H. Starr and H H Edwards reported as [illegible] of By laws and ordinances which were read seperately and adopted [page cut off]

and ordered to be recorded in a Book to be kept by the secretary for that purpose the ordinances were also ordered to be transcribed appeared signed and published by putting them whom the Court House door of the City of Nacogdoches and to take effect and be in force after ten days notice so given - Resolved that so soon as the secretary has mended and transcribed the law and ordinances herein minded for that he shall notify the Mayor of the same who shall there upon convene a special meeting of the board for the inspection and correcting of laid laws before publishing them.

Resolved that whereas Jeke H. Muckleroy who was elected Collector for the Coperation [Corporation] of the City of Nacogdoches at the last regular election is found from the report of the surveyor appointed to survey the Conoration limits not to be resident if said Corporation and is therefore ineligable to hold said Office of Collector. The same is therefore and that his bond be cancelled and returned declared vacant and the Mayor is hereby instructed to hold an election according to law to fill said vacancy.- On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at the regular times [illegible] specially [illegible] by the Mayor to meet earlier.- H.H. Edwards Ja [James] H. Starr Secretary Mayor

Nacogdoches 24th, April 1857. Board of Alderman of the City of Nacog doches met on this day at the office. The secretary present James H Starr Mayor Henry Raguet. James Hart Geo Clevenger = HH Edwards A Quorem [quorum] being present the minutes of the proceeding meeting were read an adopted. On motion, the By laws as recorded were read, corrected, and approved. On motion, the City Ordinances were read: altered by interfering as follows. In ordinance, 1st in sec, 3a intertimed the words - and other stores = for each establishments same sec 4th the words annual and the proviso = provided that each and every person who shall pursue any avocation a calling made taxable by this ordinance who shall commence after the first of August. Next = shall [illegible] and to the Collector the [illegible] taxes herein provided for. In ordinance, 3rd the words for purposes of trade in ordinance 9th the words and sums not exceeding twenty dollars. They were then appointed.

On motion, the Board adjourned to meet at their regular period. H.H. Edwards Secretary