The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-05-29
FIRST FREE SCHOOL IN WISCONSIN.

established in KenoSha (then SOUTHPORT
in 1915 This was not only the first free
school in Wisconsin, but is believed
TO have been the first in what
was known as the Northwest Terri
tory, now comprising number
OF states, and extending west to the Paci-
fic. In February, 1915, law was passed
by the Territorial legislature allowing the
legal voters in the corporate limits Of
Southport to establish free school, to be
supported by the taxable property Of the
town. By a prOviso of the law, it was re-
quired to be submitted to "a vote of the
people to render it effective. The law en-
countered strenuous opposition; frequent
meetings being held to discuss the expedi-
ency Of free Scl5OO% The first meeting
called to vote on the question of it's adop-
tIon broke up in great cOnfuSiOn; at a sec
ond meeting the law was adopted by
small majority. Steps were at once taken
to establish the free schools and
the success of this pioneer enterprise was
satisfactory.
The high school house in Kenosha was
built and dedicated in 1855. 1t was re-
garded as equal to the best public school
building in the state Some of its early
principals had a state reputation.
LIGHTHOUSE.
Steamboats, and sail vessels were Occas-
ionally seen on the lake, soon after the
first settlement Of the town; these We're
mainly employed between Chicago and
Buffalo. When freight began to be brought
to to this point the landing place could
not be distinguished at night. The first
effort to provide for the necessary light was
the kindling a fire at night on the bank
Of the lake. This served for time, when
George Kimble, a large town property
holder, conceived a plan for d more con-
spicuOuS light; he caused large tree on
the lake bank to be cut down, leaving the
stump ten feet high. a layer of fiat
stones was put on top of the stump, and
on this elevation fire was made every
night at shutdown. Mr. KimbIe being a
gentleman of leisure and public spirit,
Superintended this imprOviSed beacon
light. AS time passed, a more pretentious
light was needed. James NJ Stryker
being the mover four posts twenty-five
feet long were erected in square, and on
the top of these sash lantern was con-
Structed. This answered for while
and not long after the government
built a lighthouse on Washington Island.
CITY GOVERNMENT
At the session of the legislature in 1850,
the county Of Kenosha was set off from
Racine county, the name of Southport
changed to Kenosha and the place was
incorporated as a city. The first election
for city officers was held on the first Mon
day i'll April, 1850
The following are the names of those
who held the Office Of mayor and the
years i'll which they served:
1850. NJ. Frank; 1851, ID. c. Gaskell;
1852, G. c. Sholes; 1858, c.. c.. Sholes;
1854, c. G. Sholes; 1855, G. G. Sholes;
1856, Volney Hughes; 1857 G.. H. Paul;
1858, g. H. Paul 1859, Asahel Farr 1860,
l. w. Webster 1861, NJ H. Petit; 1862,
+. Robinson; 1868, F. Robinson; 1864,
ASahel FAIR; 1865 nj. H. Petit; 1866,
Dennis J. Hines; 1867 NJ. H. Petit;
1868, l. w. Webster; 1869, F. Robinson;
1870, M. H. Petit; 1871 Asahel Farr;
1872, Asahel Farr; 1878, Asahel FAIR;
1874, |. w. Webster; 1875, O. G.. King;
1876, J. V. QuarIes; 1877, Asahel Farr;
1878, Asahe Farr; 1879 F. Robinson;
1880, n. G. Sinclair 1881, H. Williams;
1882, H. Williams; 1888, o. s. Newell;
1884, Z. q. Simmons; 1885, Z. q. Sim
mons; 1886, E. L. Grant; 1887 Fred.
Stemm; 1888, H. Williams; 1889, H.
Williams; 1890, J, b. Kupfer
There have been during forty years Of
city government, nineteen different per-
sons mayor OF this number twelve are
living.
THE TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER.
The first number Of the Southport
Telegraph, now the KenOsha TELEGRAPH
COURIER was issued June II, 1910;
this issue of the paper closing its
first half century of existence. About
the period of the establishment of
the Telegraph, there were three,
perhaps four papers printed in
the Territory Of Wisconsin. These pa
pers We're located in Milwaukee,, Madison
and Green Bay. The subject Of starting
a newspaper in Southport began to be
agitated in 1899, and in the following
winter there was much excitement arising
from the rivalry between the north and
south side of the river. The north side
claimed the location of the proposed pa
per, for the reason that it had more
wealth, and besides influence to sustain a
newspaper, and the south side claimed it
because it had the largest number of in