The Sentinel=record., 1911-02-15

'hirty-six years ago, wien the village was but a cluster of few wooden huts, and was not incof Dorated Judge Kirk and others thought there should be municipal incorporation, and Kirk got up petition to Circuit Judge Smith, asking that the four sections of land surrounding be incorporated into Ia city. Circuit Judge Smith refused the petition because the land to be taken over covered the mountains, and an amended petition was gotten up, wnich eliminated that feature and lit was accepted, acted on favorably, and the city incorporated.
 Tn iGe first municipal election, held in 1876, there was mayor and five counc. men elected W. A. Kirk. democrat, and |. w. Carhart, repub- lican, were the candidates, and Car hart won. Two days later, when the commission was issued the council met in a little frame hut, 10x12 feet square, which was built on the side of the mountain.
 'T made the first speech in that body" said Dr. Barry. q did the best I collc to defeat you, and worked my best to elect democrat, but now that you are elected I will work as hard for the success of the administration as I cid against your election" That was the first speech made in mu. |nicipal body in Hot Springs, and now that Dr. Barry has grown gray in pub- lie service, it is pardonable to de- clare that it expresses something of the spirit of our people that has made possible the change from that frontier scene to the city of today.
 The council was composed of Dr. H. NJ. Rector, Billy McFague. Joe Molen, Patsy Dugan and Dr. W. H. Barry Mayor Carhart. new a resident of Texas. Dr. Barry and Patsy Dugan, are the survivors of that first munic ipal body.
 Dr. Barry then engaged in remin- scenes of the days of that period, re citing by comparisons the difference between affairs then and now, and lauding the spirit of enterprise that has brought the rapid development. He spoke of the old log city prison the boards across the creek leading to the bathing place, the first build ings, and the first "city hall"
 The presentation of the certificate was greeted with applause by the council. and Mayor todd made pleas ing reply. in which he thanked Dr.. Barry and MT. Carhart, and appointed a committee composed of Alderman Stearns, Little and Strauss, to draft suitable resolutions covering the sub ject.
 Alderman Stearns then grew rem niscent, and told an interesting story of his first day in Hot Springs thirty five years ago. He was a Maine youth, entering the great west with wonderment and awe. On the day of his arrival he met two young compan. ions, and they decided on horseback ride. Horses were secured, and away they rode On Park avenue a man ran out grappled the bridle of his horse.  and commanded him to halt. Mir. Stearns thought 1t might be a western hold-up. He had a 22caliber pistol in his pocket and a riding whip in his hand. He struck the man with the w1ip. spurred his horse, and dashed away under cover of his small arms Joining his companions he first learn ed that the man he had struck was a police officer, Henry Grim, and that he would be arrested. He tried to find way --c get back in the city without coming back on Park avenue, but could find no path around. He returned On Park avenue and was ar rested and taken to the little log jail Dr. Barry had described. Here May or Linde met him, heard his story, and signed his bond. The next morn ing ne was fined $20 for striking the officer. and freed of. the charge of fast riding. Coming over, he had 5 cents and s20 bill, and he spent the nickel at Malvern for an apple. The $20 bill he contributed to munic- ipal affairs, which gave him his lib erty on the police charge, but left him broke.