The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-01-03

the evening to public addresses, at
which Asahel Finch, Milwaukee law
yer, Rev. S. Peet and Col. Frank were
the speakers. A committee was APP
pointed to prepare an address to the
people of the territory of Wisconsin,.
Col Frank being made chairman of the
committee, the task devolved on him to
prepare the address. This duty he
performed. and it was published in the
Wisconsin Enquirer at Madison. This
was the first temperance appeal to the
people Of the territory by a convention
Col. Frank has during his residence in
the state been counted q friend and
advocate of the temperance interest,
and if it has not made the progress ex-
pected of it years ago, it is no fault of
his.
Col. Frank has had large experience
in editorial life. He had written for
the press before coming west, but had
no connection with any newspaper.
He became joint editor with c. L.
Sholes of the Southport Telegraph
in June, 1910. His connection with
the paper was not continuous in after
years. The Telegraph newspaper
claims to be the oldest continuously
weekly published paper in the state.
The addition Courier is recent. He
always had passion to write for the
papers. He took great interest in de-
scribing the old time remains of towns
in the region about Washington and
historical events in the vicinity of the
National capital Altogether he was
connected with the Telegraph for fifty
two years.
Among the different offices he held
was that of the first President of South
port (Kenosha) after village incorpora-
ton in 1910, and first Mayor of Keno
sha after city incorporation in 1850
Some Of the most important events that
ever occurred in the city took place
during his term of Mayor. Some of
of these will be noticed, not
alone for their historic interest,
but to show what can be accom-
plished by mild means, instead
Of violent measures, which are COM
monty relied upon. The farmers in
the county were in the practice of stor-
ing their wheat, after threshing, in the
Kenosha% warehouses, taking the re-
ceipts of the warehouse owners. 1t was
to be kept until sold. 1t was rumored
in April 1850, that wheat was being
taken unlaWfully from the warehouse
by parties not authorized. This,
whether true or not, created intense
excitement among the farmers who HAD
wheat on deposit, and their neighbors
who had no wheat in store participated
in the feeling Of indignation which
eliminated in riOtOus proceedings.
Mayor Frank was notified in
the morning by the owners of
warehouse property that they wished
TO see him without delay on Market
square. He repaired to the place
named, where he found number Of
business men waiting for him. They
informed him riot was in progress in
the middle warehouse, and proceeded
to tell him what to do in this emergen-
cy. They advised him TO select three
or four strong men, arm them with
clubs and proceed to the warehouse
and forcibly eXpel the lawless intruders
engaged in carrying away wheat. TO
this advice the Mayor did not assent.
The city had no organized police force,
they having just been elected, and to
attempt to control such body of eX-
cited men by the use of clubs was un-
wise. He declared he would not have
his first act as Mayor one OF VIC
cable; that he would go to the ware
house unarmed and see what reasoning
could do. Jacob Mckinney, man adj
vanced in years, had just been chosen
marshal by the city council. He took
this man and proceeded to the ware
house where the riOtOuS operations
were in progress. Here about twenty
men we're engaged in filling bags with
wheat and carrying them to wagons
outside. AS the mayor came to the
door and looked in on these determined
men his courage for the moment rather
failed him. An Irish friend Of his
among the men at work, seeing the
hesitation of the mayor to come in,
called out to him, 9 Come in, Col.
Frank; not hair of your head shall be
hurt" This gave him new confidence.
He asked the attention of the workers
while he said a few words. They read
lily consented to stop work and listen
to what he had to say. He had re-
solved not to use any threatening or
hard words. He expressed sympathy
for those who we're really suffering loss
from unlawful acts; he pledged that
the city authorities would do all they
possibly could to secure the rights of