The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-07-01


Lucy Augusta Gillett. Miss Gillett
was q native of Genoa, N. Y, and had
been a resident of Kenosha more than
fifty years. She was one of the pioneer
teachers OF Kenosha county, and city.
Her death occurred April 80, 1908.
Hers was one of those heroic lives, the
battle not IN the height seen of all,
but IN the quiet of private life, where
she bravely did what she believed to
be her duty, serving those nearest to
her uncomplainingly, cheerfully, faith
| fully to the end.
The next name appeared last upon
the high school record in '62. It is
name prominent in our association and
prominent in our state. This man had
won the high distinction of being
recognized IS the leader of his profes-
sion IN Wisconsin. His slight, why
frame, his keen, intellectual face, his
characteristic nervous movements are
familiar to many in this company. His
brilliant humor, and genial spirit have
enhvened many of our meetings, and
MS absence this year leaves void for
the older members, impossible to fill.
1t is not in my power here to ex-
press IN any adequate way what
Charles Quarles life meant to these
his friends; or what his service as
an interested, self-sacrifcing citizen
meant to Milwaukee, or what his pro
fessional genius, and attainment meant
to the state. For years there have
been few important cases of litigation
in which he has not figured, and many
Of his cases have attracted national
attention. He was loved and respected
by bench and bar, and no man could
receive higher praise than both have
accorded him. 1t is said that judges
were glad to see him appear as an
advocate, for his arguments to the
Icourt were always to the point, and.
he was right and just at all times. His
addresses to juries were masterful eff
forts, characterized by comprehensive
grasp Of evidence and profound
knowledge Of human nature. He laid
no claims to oratory, his addresses be-
ing usually made in conversational
style; but such was the purity of his
diction, the clearness and beauty Of his
sentences, the richness of his resource
for apt allusion and illustration, that
an argument Of his en- the dryest sub
ject is SAID to have been delight
His lawyer sons have great example
to emulate. From the many strong
beautiful, public expressions of appre
citation, | choose these words Of Rev.
Thos. Edward Barr: "All who knew
him deplore the loss of an intelligence
so Illuminating, heart so fervent,
and a counsel and example unobstru
sive, but so pervading.'
Another name belonging to this
group is that Of Mrs. Rebecca South
worth Bacon, who died in Chicago in
July 1907. Mrs. Bacon was a pupil
in the Kenosha High School in the
50's and in 1860 became one of its
teachers. After few years she went
to Chicago, and met with such success
in her work that she is said to have
paved the way for the rest who fol
lowed to Chicago as public school
teachers. Her reputation and the in
terest in the Kenosha High School,
aroused by her work, on the part Of
the Chicago school authorities, I'M
doubleday aided many other graduates
of our school to secure positions there.
She welded a wonderful influence in
both teachers and pupil. Says one who
knew her: "When [ came to Chicago
Supt. Wells asked if [ went to the
same high school as Rebecca South
worth and Rebecca Jones. It seems,
he said, they teach something besides
what is in books-punctuality and
cheerfulness.
Mrs Maria Clark Thompson of Fari-
bault, Mimi, who was the early school
chum' Of Rebecca Southworth and her
lifelong friend, sends me this tribute:
''one was always giving up self to
serve others. [ do not think she
ever had an enemy. Her husband, her
sons and her daughter always found
her willing to help and serve them.
AS friend I have no words to ex-
press my love for her.
Mrs Bacon was one of the most en-
thusiastic members Of the Chicago
Kenosha Club; and she was the very
first person who came from out Of town
to attend the meeting called in 1891
that notable reunion at the old build
ing when this association was started.
Since then she has not missed a meet
| ing until that of two years ago.
But the great losses which this as
ISOLATION has sustained during the past
two years have not yet been all
enumerated. We miss another who,
like Mrs. Bacon, regularly came up
from Chicago to attend these biennial
gatherings, and came with the spirit
of helpfulness. I mean Jas. E. Petit,
who died at Oak Park, Feb. %, 1909.
He was one of the founders, and for
many years the president of the chi