Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1934-08-02
VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETS
PROPOSE GAS ORDINANCE

council held Wednesday evening
Mayor Bernhard Mercer read the
following letter:
Hon. Bernhard Mercer,
Mayor Of McConnelsville,
McConnelsville, Ohio.
Re: Bessie E. Murray
Dear Sir:-We represent Bessie
E. Murray, who, on the 30th day of
June, 1894, was getting into her
automobile which was parked in an
alley leading off Kennebec avenue,
and being the first alley to the left
after leaving the square leading
north on Kennebec, and She informs
us that it was what is known as a
"street window" level with the
pavement of the alley, and extend
ing out into the alley, no cover, and
two iron bars across the opening
about two feet from the top, Or the
level of the alley.
In stepping into this unlighted
and unprotected excavation, she fell
and broke the right fibula in her
leg, causing communited fracture.
This fracture is located just below
the knee joint and is very serious
fracture and will, in all probability
leave her with a permanent injury.
She has been confined to her bed
the greater portion of time except
the little time she has been able to
be up in a chair, and we are con-
vinced from the facts of the case
that she gave us that this "open
window being located in an alley,
and having been there for consider
able time, and your street commits
sioner having knowledge of this
opening in the alley, he was guilty
of negligence, and that Mrs. Muir
ray would be entitled to reasonable
compensation for the injury she sus-
tanned, caused by reason of the
negligence of your street commits
sioner
We believe if you will consult
your city solicitor he will inform
you that if the city officials are neg
ngent-and the leaving open an ex-
cavation at night on any street Oh
alley is negligent-and any injury
caused by reason of said negligence
your municipality would be liable
for such injury.
We are therefore writing you this
letter requesting that you take this
matter up with your city officials
and especially your city solicitor
and if the matter cannot be amica
bly, adjusted, it will be necessary fol
us to file suit for Mrs. Murray.
Therefore, we are asking you tt
take this up with the other official!
OF your city and notify us as tt
their decision, and unless we hea,
from you within reasonable time
We will take it that you do not car,
to talk over the matter and we will
prepare petition and file suit il
the common pleas court of youl
county.
Awaiting and appreciating al
early reply we are very truly yours
Graham & Graham. By Clarence A
Graham.
Mayor Mercers suggestion to thu
council was that they see Mrs. Muir
ray and get from her a reasonable
settlement, in order to avoid pos
sible litigation, with much expense
to the town. The matter was plac
ed in the hands of the street com
mittee for investigation.
Two bids were submitted for the
rent of the room in the opera house
building, now occupied by the Twin
City Electric Co. One bid was by
said company at $22 per month; r
H. Lawrence submitted bid of $2S
per month for a five year period
with option for renewal for five
years. The latter bid was accepted.
The Twin City Electric Co. has been
paying $50 per month.
The council expressed it's appre-
citation for Camp Morgan men, who
assisted in cleaning up the Brook
side addition streets, and else
where following the rain last Friday
night, and Mayor Mercer was in
structed to write letter of apprecia-
ton to Camp Morgan officials.
The proposed gas rate ordinance
was submitted and passed to the
second reading. The ordinance
calls for a price of 81 per M for
first 1000 cubic feet; 55c for next
M, and 45c thereafter, with an av-
erage rate for five years of 59.7
cents.