I See by the Papers...

Following a 1904 accident, autos were finally regulated in the same manner as buggies, horses, and wheels (bicycles). Drivers were granted a bump-up from the 6 MPH max proposed by the Council in December.

REGULATE SPEED OF AUTOS NOW
EIGHT MILES AN HOUR TO BE THE SCHEDULE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS
Must Slow Up on the Street Corners and Disobedience of the Ordinance Will be Punished By Fine

At the meeting of the City Council last night the ordinance regulating the speed at which automobiles may be run in the city limits was adopted and will soon become a law. The speed must not exceed eight miles and chaffeurs must slow down at street corners. Penalty for a violation of the ordinance is fixed by fine of not less than five dollars no more than $150.

In submitting the ordinance Chairman Brown suggested that the law should include the use of a "muffler" on the engine of the autos so that the machines should become "noiseless." This clause was stricken out.

- Press Democrat, January 4, 1905