When the newly elected Marion City Council members met for the first time on Monday night, May 6^th of 1963, little did they know it would be the shortest council meeting in city history.

One of the largest fires in Marion history was beginning to rage out of control on the south side of the square as the Goss, Cox, Barbaro and a number of other businesses went up in smoke. The meeting was quickly adjourned.

City council continued again on Wednesday, May 8, 1963 at 7:30 p.m. Council meeting were held the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Heading the finance and water department was Adolph Fluck, Dr. Everett E. Jeter was public property commissioner, William (Bill) Harris was police and fire commissioner, and Lawrence Feurer Feurer, Lawrence H., 1916-1980, Grocer, Commissioner & Treasurerwas appointed head of the street department. The new mayor was Robert L. Butler, who led the department of public affairs.

Under the past administration, Mayor Robert L. Cooksey headed the water department, but under a new arrangement, the water department will be headed by Adolp Fluck, as had been tradition before.

Sam’s Notes: This was the beginning of Robert Butler’s mayoral career and end of a law career. Interestingly enough, on the night of the big fire and the inaugural council meeting, a wall from the burning buildings crashed down on E. College St. to the south and damaged his law office across the street.

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(Data and photos from May 7 and 8, 1963 Marion Daily Republican)