The Miner April 17, 1897

The election of Nelson's first mayor and board of aldermen last Thursday, was attended by an extraordinary interest. For the three weeks preceding, the event was the chief topic of conversation with every resident in the city.

The election of the entire Houston ticket was not expected. The general supposition was that the contest for the mayoralty would be extremely close. So far as the aldermanic candidates were concerned, the opinion appeared to prevail that the tickets would be equally divided.

The polling was done between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and the returning officer was kept extremely busy receiving ballots. Shortly after 8 o'clock the Fire hall was crowded with men to hear what the mayor-elect had to say to them. He made a brief speech in which he told the people what the obligations of his position were and how he intended to discharge them. He was uproariously cheered and then Mr. Lemon announced that there would be a grand torchlight parade accompanied by a brass band. With A.J. Marks as marshall, the line took up its position and amid much cheering commenced to move. The marshall was followed by the band; then the mayor-elect in a light buggy drawn by six men, each weighing over 200 pounds.

By the side of the carriage walked two torobbearers of a corps of bodyguards, the torches consisting of oil-soaked brooms. The column moved irregularly to a position in front of the Nelson house, where a stop was made and the band played Annie Laurie.

Editors Notes
by Shawn Lamb

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