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Early Austin: Fuel, Firefighters & Taxis

Wednesday, February 11, 1920 special called
  • The city council briefly adjourned a special meeting out of respect for the recently deceased former Mayor Lewis Hancock.
  • New appointments were confirmed for three positions within the Fire Department.
  • A permit for a Gulf Refining Company gasoline filling station was shifted, rescinded for one specific plot and immediately re-approved for a neighboring location in the same block.
  • Two individuals were granted permits to operate "service cars," indicating early city regulation of for-hire vehicle services (similar to modern taxis).

Full Transcript

308 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, February 11, 1920. The Council Met with all of the following members present, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, and Haynes. Councilman Ward absent. The Council then adjourned out of respect to former Mayor Lewis Hancock. Notice of whose death had just been learned. The Council then adjourned. REGULAR SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, February 12th, 1920. Roll call was ordered by the Mayor, and the following members answered present, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward. The minutes of the last meeting were read and upon motion of Councilman Graham were adopted by the following vote, Mayor Yett ACouncilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward. Councilman Alford recommended F.L. Gallemore, Emory Hornsby and Dan Fallon for positions in the Fire Department to succeed Nolan Miller, Otis Scarbrough and Alex Abramson, resigned. Nominations were confirmed by the following vote, Mayor Yett, Councilman Graham, Haynes and Ward. Councilman Alford present but not voting. The Mayor laid before the Council the following Resolution: RESOLUTION. Be it resolved by the City Council that the permit heretofore granted the Gulf Refining Company to erect a filling Gasoline Station on 46 feet out of lots four (4) and five (5) be and the same is hereby rescinded and that permission is hereby granted said Gulf Refining Co., to erect said filling station on forty-six (46) feet out of lots three (3) and four (4) in Block six (6) of the City of Austin. The above Resolution was adopted by the following vote, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward. The applications of H.O. Stovall and John R. McCall to operate service cars were granted by the following vote, Mayor Yett, Councilmen Alford, Graham, Haynes and Ward. Removal of location. Gulf Ref. Filling Station