The Last Town Crier

As far back as anyone can remember, information was once proclaimed by a town crier or what is sometimes referred to as a bellman, in an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements, as required by the court.

Newspapers and pamphlets did the same, but they had to be bought and many were illiterate.

The town crier  used to make public announcements in the streets and often dressed elaborately.

In  a tradition dating to the 18th century,  criers wore  a red and gold coat, white breeches, black boots and a tricorne hat, which is why sometimes we see illustrations of Paul Revere wearing the same.

They carried a hand bell along with their outfits,  to attract people’s attention, as they shout the words “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” before making their announcements.

A word “Oyez” that meant “hear ye,” which is a call for silence and attention. Oyez derives from the Anglo-Norman word for listen (modern French, oyez, infinitive, ouïr, but largely replaced by the verb écouter).

Town criers were responsible for shouting out the relevant news to towns people.

But , times progressed and news traveled by more efficient means , the town crier’s job description transitioned into an advertising role.

Companies would pay them to advertise their goods and services.

Town governments would pay them to announce times and locations of sporting events and parades.

Which is how the last town crier, entered into the profession.

His name was Julius Myers, the last known American crier.

Myers was known for riding through town on his horse, Tootsy, up and down the streets, handing out flyers from local businesses and calling out details of the products. Marks says Myers was also known as Megaphone Myers, because of his booming voice.

Ironically, it was a weak voice, that brought to the place of his dying profession.

Julius Myers was born in New York, in 1868 and moved to Luling, Texas at around age 20.

According to a newspapers report, he moved to Texas, due to a tuberculosis scare, but the proclaimed “Texas cure”  of dry heat and a lot of time riding out of doors.

He wasn’t the only one,  between 1910 and 1930, the town of San Antonio, Texas more than doubled in size.

He opened a small grocery business and began advertising with posters and hand bills.

Soon after , other companies noted his success, and paid him to advertise for them as well.

At the time, newspapers only came out once a week, so this form of additional advertising proved quite effective and his business thrived.

In 1912, Julius moved to San Antonio and became the official town crier.

Partnered with his horse, Tootsy, he could be seen roaming up and down Houston and Commerce streets of San Antonio, on a daily basis.

When he carried a megaphone and call out details pertaining to store sales, theater performances, and sporting events, he would dress in costume to match what he was advertising.

A farmer for a farm and ranch show, a clown for a dog show, even a frontiersman with buckskin and six shooter.

He also donated his time and voice to charitable causes like the Red Cross and the Elks Lodge when they sponsored events to raise money for needy children.

In 1926, things start to change and accusations brought to the public said,  criers had begun to irritate the townspeople.

This resulted in an official ban on town criers in the same year, by the San Antonio City Council. Part of the rationale was that residents disliked how criers slowed traffic. Also, radio allowed for more efficient advertising.

Eventually, automobiles congested  downtown streets, and people began to complain.

In 1927, the mayor officially asked Julius to resign his position as town crier.

But San Antonio, was not ready to let him go.

Many sent out  petitions, which  were signed and demands were made to reinstate him, calling him a San Antonio institution and a unique tourist attraction.

Because he was such an institution, he did make a brief comeback and the town allowed him to resume his town crying on two conditions:

1. He could only advertise baseball games,
2. Tootsy, had to remain in the barn.

 

 

 

So , Julius took up riding his bicycle, and was given special permission to resume his role on a limited basis.

Myers died two years later,  on Sept. 18, 1929, at 62 years old.

As the last town crier in the U.S., his death was national news, and San Antonio philanthropist E.B. Chandler wrote a eulogy comparing his legacy to that of the Alamo.

” His voice , like the Alamo, can never be replicated. They talk about repairing the Almao, but there is no occasion to repair Julius’ voice, it is as perfect now as it ever was. “