In 1927, the mayor officially asked Julius to resign his position as town crier.īut San Antonio, was not ready to let him go. Also, radio allowed for more efficient advertising.Įventually, automobiles congested downtown streets, and people began to complain. Part of the rationale was that residents disliked how criers slowed traffic. This resulted in an official ban on town criers in the same year, by the San Antonio City Council. In 1926, things start to change and accusations brought to the public said, criers had begun to irritate the townspeople. 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 this image from the 1920s, readers of “Downtown San Antonio” can look over the shoulder of this unknown man at Alamo Plaza. 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.Ī farmer for a farm and ranch show, a clown for a dog show, even a frontiersman with buckskin and six shooter. Partnered with his horse, Tootsy, he could be seen roaming up and down Houston and Commerce streets of San Antonio, on a daily basis. In 1912, Julius moved to San Antonio and became the official town crier. Soon after, other companies noted his success, and paid him to advertise for them as well.Īt the time, newspapers only came out once a week, so this form of additional advertising proved quite effective and his business thrived. He opened a small grocery business and began advertising with posters and hand bills. He wasn’t the only one, between 19, the town of San Antonio, Texas more than doubled in size. Julius Myers was born in New York, in 1868 and moved to Luling, Texas at around age 20.Īccording 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. Ironically, it was a weak voice, that brought to the place of his dying profession. Marks says Myers was also known as Megaphone Myers, because of his booming voice. 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. His name was Julius Myers, the last known American crier. Which is how the last town crier, entered into the profession. Town governments would pay them to announce times and locations of sporting events and parades. Town criers were responsible for shouting out the relevant news to towns people.īut, times progressed and news traveled by more efficient means, the town crier’s job description transitioned into an advertising role.Ĭompanies would pay them to advertise their goods and services. Oyez derives from the Anglo-Norman word for listen (modern French, oyez, infinitive, ouïr, but largely replaced by the verb écouter). 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.Ī word “ Oyez” that meant “hear ye,” which is a call for silence and attention. 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. The town crier used to make public announcements in the streets and often dressed elaborately. Newspapers and pamphlets did the same, but they had to be bought and many were illiterate. 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.
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