28 TEQUESTA


 John Sewell wrote that his boss, J. A. McDonald, had put
together a proposed slate of candidates but had chosen banker Wil-
liam M. Brown for mayor."' Sewell felt that the honor of being the
first mayor of Miami should go to a Flagler man and chose John B.
Reilly, who happened to be McDonald's son-in-law. McDonald didn't
think it would look good if he put his relative in the top spot, but later
acquiesced when Sewell told him that he, McDonald, could be an
alderman. Sewell then went to Tuttle and let her choose an alderman
candidate and then did the same with the Brickells.112
 The resulting "citizen's ticket" carried the election. This slate
probably was the best that could be found among the early residents
and was instrumental in the development of the fledgling city, with
the notable exception of Marshal Gray, a bibulous lawman, who was
replaced in 1899 by John Frohock.113
 The incorporation meeting on July 28 and the prior meeting on
June 17 were both held "at the room over The Lobby.""l4 The exact
location of this building had been somewhat of a mystery in recent
years. The only known picture of a building labeled "The Lobby"
depicted a small, one-story wood frame structure that was not large
enough to have held all of the incorporators.115 This photograph ap-
peared in a Miami Herald feature called "The Good Old Days" on
January 29, 1939. The caption claimed J. M. Graham provided the
picture, "which was taken a short time before Miami's incorporation.
The Lobby Pool and Billiard Parlor, housed in the low-lying structure
in mid-scene, was the center, Graham recalled, of the city's early
social life. The men working on the Royal Palm Hotel used to come
over there [on] evenings and shoot pool.""6
 In its first edition, which appeared on May 15, 1896, the Miami
Metropolis carried a brief description of several of Miami's busi-
nessmen, one of whom was Willis M. Myers, proprietor of the Lobby:

 Myers... was one of the first businessmen in Miami. When he
 talked about a pool room and cold drink stand about three
 months ago, most people thought he was wild or foolish. But
 he started the affair just the same. Nobody thinks he was a fool
 now. Look at the crowd at his place every night. He must be
 coining money and he deserves to. He is gentlemanly, courte-
 ous and obliging. I"