New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-19
MAYORS OF NEW ORLEANS.

MAYORS OF NEW ORLEANS.
The following is, we believe, a correct
list of the names of those who have filled
the Office of Mayor of New Orleans since
the acquisition Of Louisiana by the United
States on December 20, 1903. Previously
the Office corresponding to that of Mayor
was held by several gentlemen, under ap.
pointment by the French government; and
it was by the first legislature that met in
1904, that the office of Mayor, as it now
exists, was created.
The first Mayor under United States au-
thority was John Watkins, who resigned in
a very short time. and was succeeded by j.
d. Degoutin Bellechasse, who professed to
assume the office without requiring any sal
ary. Some months afterward, however, a
bill for some misdemeanor was found against
him by the Grand Jury. He was succeeded
as follows: In 1907, Joseph Mather; 1872,
Nicholas Girod, the donor of the we'll
known legacy to the city for the benefit of
certain class of orphans; 1915. Auguste
Macarty; 1890, j. Rofignac; 1923, Denis
Prieur; 1888, C. Genois; 1910, William Ere
ret, who, with his brothers, was the pro
prietor of extensive brick kilns where Bro
kers' Row, on Carondelet street, now stands;
1913, Denis Prieur, who, after his retire
tnent, fought duel with George A. Wagga-
man, formerly United States Senator, and
+1a Of ha GAofa 70
In this conflict Mr.. Waggaman received a
wound. from the effects of which he died
some days afterward. 1874, E. Montegut;
1916, A. D. Crossman, one of the most pOpu-
lar and able men that ever filed the posi-
ton. There was an amusing popular fal-
lacy respecting Mr.. Crossman and another
able public man, Samuel j. Peters, that
they were Englishmen. They were, how
ever, full-blooded Yankees. both being ma
tives of Connecticut. 1854, John L. Lewis,
who was as popular as Mayor as he was in
all the public positions he ever held. 1856,
Charles NJ. Waterman. The unaccount-
able disappearance of Mr. Waterman, TO
which no clue has ever been had,
will be remembered by many pres
ent residents of New Orleans.
In 1858, Gerard Stith was elected,
having previously served a term as Recorder
of the First District, and in both positions
he fully justified the choice of those who
elected him as a high toned gentleman, of
unimpeached honor and remarkable admin
istrative talents. During Mr.. Stith's ad-
ha h., A. sc
welcoming General Scott on the part of the
authorities of New Orleans. In 1860. John
T. Monroe succeeded Colonel Stith, and
during this mayoralty the Confederacy was
born and died, at least as far as New Or
leans is concerned. At the approach of
Farragut's feet, when the capture Of the
city became a certainty, Mr.. Monroe issued
number of official bulletins or pronuncla
mientos, very Napoleonic il their style,
but very much like dampened powder in
their effects.
Then followed series of military ap-
pointments, as follows: May, 1862, G. +.
Shepley, military commandant; July, 1862,
G.. Wejtzel; August, 1862, Jonas H. French,
provost marshal and acting mayor; Septem
Der, 1862, General Weitzel resumed; in
October, 1862, Henry c.. Deming, colonel
United States volunteers, was acting mayor;
1868, Captain James F. Miller. In the
month of September, 1868, Judge E. H.
Durell filed the office, Captain Miller re-
Stephen Hoyt, United States army, was
Mayor. In March of the same year Hugh
Kennedy, who was superseded IN May by
Colonel S. NJ. Quincy, and in June
by G. Burke. In July, Mr.. Ken
nedy was reinstated by orders from
Washington. In 1866, John T. Monroe was
elected at an election held by military author
ity, but there being some difficulty about his
status as an ex-confederate, he went to
Washington to adjust the matter, j. Ad.
Rozier, and afterward George Clarke, act
ing in his place. Monroe returned, having
been whitewashed by Andrew johnson,
and resumed the Office of Mayor, which he
held until dismissed by General Sheridan,
who appointed f. Heath in his place. Mr.
Heath held the position until the election OF
John R. Conway under the reconstruction.
Mr.. Conway was superseded by the action
of the present city charter, and B. F. Flan-
ders succeeded him by gubernatorial ap
pointment, holding the Office until his cleo
ton in November, 1870. Altogether New
Orleans has had as many mayors during the
last nine years as ought to serve any well
ordered city for century.