On January 24, 1871, the Mississippi legislature approved “An Act to incorporate the Town of Austin, Mississippi, and for other purposes.” The act formally incorporated Austin, specifying its boundaries, and declared that the governor of Mississippi shall appoint one mayor, three alderman, and one city marshal until an official election could be held. One section of the act stated that any vacancy of these public offices, before the election, would be filled by the governor. (Laws of the State of Mississippi, 1871, 353–355)