Early Days in Fort Worth, Much of Which I saw and Part of Which I Was

by B. B. Paddock

FORT WORTH BECOMES A CITY.

It has been stated that having nothing better to do—and there are few better things to do—the people took an active interest in politics. The first political movement of importance occurring about that time was the incorporation of the city. The Thirteenth Legislature in which Major K. M. VanZandt represented this county, passed an act authorizing the incorporation and the people were active in the preparation of a charter. Meetings were held almost nightly in the Court House for this purpose. The most active participants were John Y. Hogsett and Frank W. Ball who represented the conflicting opinions.

The charter was effective March 1st, 1873, and the first city election was held on the third day of April, following. The opposing candidates for mayor were Dr. W. P. Burts and P. M. Thurmond. The election was spirited and exciting. Most of the more recent citizens were for Thurmond who was himself a “new comer” as they were designated. When the votes were counted Dr. Burts was elected by a majority of 68 votes. The total vote being 366. The other officials were, Ed. Terrell, Marshal; N. M. Maben, Assessor and Collector; F. W. Ball, City Attorney and J. F. Swayne, City Secretary. The Board of Aldermen were, M. B. Loyd, M. D. McCall, A. Blakeney, W. J. Boaz and A. G. Rintleman. There were twenty candidates for alderman, all of whom but two have answered the last roll-call and passed over the river.

When the panic of 1873 fell upon the country the city government suspended business as far as practicable. The city officials agreed to draw no salaries and depended on the fees of the Mayor’s Court for whatever compensation they received. All ordinances were suspended except those pertaining to the preservation of the peace. The city election was held at the proper time when Dr. Burts was re-elected. The following comprised the official roster: T. M. Ewing, City Marshal; John S. Loving, Treasurer; Theo. Hitchcock, Secretary; G. F. Parnham, Collector and J. L. Chapman, City Attorney. The Aldermen were R. H. King. A. B. Fraser. W. H. Overton, W. H. Williams and Joseph H. Kane.

Among the defeated candidates for aldermen were: W. J. Boaz and J. P. Alexander, who stood for re-election and Col. J. P. Smith. Ewing resigned as City Marshal the following December and at an election for his successor T. P. Redding, N. M. Maben and H. P. Shiel were the candidates. Redding received 47 votes and Maben and Shiel 68 votes each. Another election was ordered and Redding withdrew and Columbus Fitzgerald, who had been the deputy of Ewing entered the race and went off with the goods.

At the succeeding election Capt. G. H. Day and J. F. Cooper were the rival candidates for mayor. Day received 206 votes and Cooper 136. J. C. Scott was elected City Attorney; C. McDougall. City Secretary; H. P. Shiel, City Marshal; G. F. Parmer, Assessor and Collector; J. S. Loving, Treasurer. The Board of Aldermen were W. T. Maddox, P. J. Bowdry, D. R. Crawford, Isaac Dahlman and J. J. Jarvis.

Much interest was manifested in this election because of the alleged profligacy of the former administration. The city debt had been run up to the mammoth sum of $4,952.91 and something had to be done or the city would be financially ruined. There was also a delinquent tax list of $19.85 showing a gross lack of attention to city affairs by those in authority.

The next city election was probably the most exciting political contest ever pulled off in this city. Capt. Day, who had been twice mayor, was not in favor with a large number of people and a herculean effort was made to defeat him. The aspirations of several good men was a serious handicap to their efforts. The contest finally settled down to Day, Larry Steele and John D. Templeton. When the ballots were counted it was found that Day and Templeton were tied and Steele three votes behind them. A second election was ordered and Steele was prevailed upon to withdraw. The result was another tie and a third election was ordered. Interested parties began to scan the poll lists to ascertain if any fraudulent or illegal votes had been cast when the discovery was made that B. B. Paddock, who then lived where he now does, at the corner of Jennings Avenue and Terrell Avenue, and Hugh W. Davis, who lived across the street from him where John Laneri now lives, and both of whom were outside of the city limits had voted in each election. Both were and had been active in city affairs and it had not occurred to them that they were not citizens of the city and allowed to participate in the election and Day was elected by three votes. Paddock and Davis had to behave themselves for a season and were threatened with prosecution for illegal voting every time they became too active in matters that did not concern them.

At the succeeding election Day was beaten by Col. R. E. Beckham, who held the place for two terms when he declined to again be a candidate. Col. John Peter Smith was chosen as his successor. This is enough on this subject, although there were other and interesting contests in the late 80’s and early 90’s.