Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-03-04

the town to handle it. Among the most
active on such occasions, to man the
lighter, was Judge Hale. MANY of the
citizens of kenosha have still vivid rec
collections of hearing his stentorian
voice, at midnight hours, calling for men
to launch the lighter; when his voice did
not suffice to awaken the sleeper, a
heavy kick against the door never fail
ed to bring them to sense of. wakeful-
ness.
FOR the convenience of navigators
on Lake Michigan, it was found neces-
sary to have some beacon, answering
for lighthouse, at Pike Greek. To
supply this want, large oak tree, on
the bank of the Lake, some twelve rods
south OF the present harbor, was cut
down SO as to leave the stump ten feet
high. On the top of this stump was
put layer OF stones, and on this foun-
dation of fire wood was kindled every
evening at sundewn, during the season
OF navigation. Several citizens of the
place volunteered to perform the duty
OF lighthouse keeper, alternately, one
week each; among the most active of
these was George Kimball, Esq. This
continuance for beacon light served
until the year 1910, when an improved
lighthouse was built, by subscription,
costing $50, which sum was chiefly
raised through the exertions of ]. NJ.
Stryker. 1t consisted of four posts,
twenty-four feet high, on the top OF
which was placed sash lantern, three
feet square. Some two years after this,
the Government lighthouse was built,
which relieved the people from further
trouble and expense of this sort.
The want of proper rules and reg
ulations for the adjustment of difficult
ties, especially those arising from land
claims, was much felt by the early set
tiers. Accordingly, in February, 1886,
meeting was held, and a code adopt
ed, for mutual protection, called the
Claimants Union Soon after. a
convention was held at Racine, at which
more extensive combination was or
gained, entitled the "IHilacdukee In.
io7a."*
The survey of the public lands in
this part of the country, was completed
about the first of February, 1886. In
May following, Thomas Mari, under the
direction Of the Western Emigration
Company, surveyed the village of Pike
Creek, into lots, blocks and streets. On
the plat of this survery, a liberal num-
Der of localities were designed for pub
lie buildings, squares and market pla-
ces. A new Rirvey of the village was
made in 1889, directly after the lands
were sold by the United States sov-
eminent. This last survey was under
different auspices, and less liberal pol
icy prevailed in the width of streets,
and appropriation of grounds for pub
lie uses. The survey last mentioned,
is the now legally recorded one, gov
erning the boundaries oflots at the pres
ent time
The Western Emigration Company,
the history of which has been in part
detailed, was dissolved in December,
1886; 1t proved losing operation to
most of the stockholders. The fina!ity
of this Company, viii be found in Rev.
}. Lothrops History of kenesha Co.
During the year 1886, eight ADDITIONAL
families settled within the limits of the
village. The place, it will be recollect-
ed, was known by the name of Pike
Creek, or Pike, until 1887; after that
period, Southport, until 1850; since which
last mentioned time, Kenosha. The
following statistics, taken from NJ.
Franks Sketch OF the Early History
of Southport" published in 1914, gives
the progress of the village from its first
settlement to 1910: