, 1889-12-22
A~VERACIOUS CHRONICLE
l0g-Book of Early Events in "Chey-
enne, in Cheyenne"
Organization Mass Meeting and the
First City Election.
A Resume of Proceedings When
Meetings We're Daily.


"ahNh W 1NA 1 b1S I
events become history, though their in
herent importance may be %trifing. The
formation of the municipality of Chey-
enne teens with such incidents and many
of these are of record in the proceedings
of the earlier council meetings. In this
and succeeding articles on tn. same sub
iect THE LEADER will present stories
which can not fail to interest all. The
facts are culled from official documents in
the office ofCity Clerk Dana.
GETTING TOGETHER.
A mass meeting at which it was de-
cided to set up a local government was
held Aug. Z. 1867, a month and three
days after the TOWNSHIP was plated. Ed.
R. Brown was made president of the ses-
sion on motion OF Judge J. r. White.
head and Robert NJ. Beers was selected
to act as recorder.
AN IOWA ORATOR.
After the business OF the first meeting
had been transacted President Brown
called upon Judge Wells Spicer, late of
Iowa" for a speech and according to the
record the distinguished soiourner came
forward and in an eloquent and fluent
speech held the assemblage spellbound
for about half an hour" This far-seeing
Iowan in a iorcible manner showed the
many advantages of our young and grow
ing city.
II CHARTER.
A. IL ..- -.lu-zl -.
the grocery oil A. q. Beckwith and
adopted the charter prepared by their
committee. This was the preamble:
WHEREAS, The citizens OF Cheyenne
City, Dakota territory, in view Of the
fact that they are living in an morgan
lied county and in a territory, the most
settled portions of which, together with
its government officers and courts are so
far distant as to be inaccessible to them
and in view of the fact that they are
without law or civil government with a
population at present of 600 people and
rapidly increasing. for the protection and
safety of themselves. their families,
property and rights, in mass convention
assembled. do adopt the following resolu-
tons and articles for the charter of said
city,"
The exteut of Cheyenne to be the six
teen square miles selected by Gen. &. NJ.
Dodge of the Union Pacific.
RETURNING THANKS.
j.. r. Whitehead submitted a resolu-
ton of thanks to Gen. Stevenson, COM
handing at Fort Russell and his officers
for the effective police measures they had
''inaugurated and maintained in our EN-.
brYo city"
R ELECTION AND RESULT.
The first municipal election was held
Aug. 10. 1867, at the store of A. G.
Beckwith. Polls were kept open from 3
p. m, to 10 p. m. The charter was
ratified and these officers were chosen:
Mayor-H. NJ. Hook.
Councilmen-R. L. Tapley, A. c.
Beckwith, j. G. Willis, G. B. Thompson,
S. NJ. Preshaw and W. H. Harlow.
Police Magistrate-James W. Slaugh-
ter.
City Marshal-Edward Melange.
City Attorney-.I. r. Whitehead.
Clerk and Recorder-Thos. E. Nc
Leland.
The officers we're obligated by Adjutsnt
j. L. Thompkins, of Fort Russell.
A COUNCIL MEETING.
August Is marked the first council
meeting, which was held at the residence
of +. Metcalf.
A committee was appointed to prepare
a code of ordinances.
Jake Overlander and Joshua Felter
were confirmed as policemen.
Mr.. Beckwith moved that ''inasmuch
as the city was without a Jail that persons
requiring so severe punishment as con-
fnement, be placed in irons and guarded
in some building or tent until released By
by the proper authorities"
NJ. +. Metealf was made constable for
the precinct and the council adjourned for
twenty-four hours.
THE ORDINANCES.
At the second council meeting, August
l6, ordinances of a blanket nature were
adopted. The statutes of the territory of
Colorado were endorsed where applicable.
Liberal amendments we're made to the
Colorado laws. CITY was substituted
tor county, " sheriff was made city
marshal and so on.
The city attorney was instructed to send
a o of the poll books of the late cleo
ton to the Secretary of Dakota territory
at Yankton.
John W. Lafever was made a police
man.
LICENSE
A license ordinance was adopted at the
third session of the council, August IL.
Gaze on the list;
Wholesale liquor. S3l.25 the quarter;
retail, $50; bowling alley, S25; billiard
table, $40; hotel, restaurant or eating