1913 private laws – Ch.68 Sec.1

That the inhabitants within the territory described in section three of article one shall continue, as they have heretofore been, a body politic and corporate, under the name and style of the City of Hickory, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, may contract and be contracted with, may acquire and hold such property, real and personal, as may be devised, bequeathed, sold, or in any manner conveyed to it, and may invest, sell, or dispose of same, and may have a common seal and alter and renew the same at pleasure, and may have and exercise all the powers, rights, and privileges necessary for its proper government or usually appertaining to municipal corporations.