The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-04-27


commerce.
Agitation for federal appropria-
ton for harbor improvement began
early. On the 22nd of February, 1910,
public meeting assembled at 9 a. m.
continuing in session all day, at which
the subject was discussed in all its
various phases. Dissatisfaction was ex-
pressed with the Government Engin-
eer's report which was said to unfairly
favor Racine, causing much jealousy.
Petitions for an appropriation by
Congress were circulated by citizens of
Southport in the counties Of Lake, Nc
Henry, Boone, Walworth, Rock, jeff
erson and the western portion of Ra-
cine.
A well printed poster, probably from
the press of the Southport Telegraph
announces that GA Donation Party
will be held at the home of O. F. Dana
on Friday evening, the 28th of Janu-
airy, 1912, having for it's object the
raising of sufficient funds to defray
the expenses Of Gen. D. Hugunin as an
agent to Washington City for the pur-
pose of securing, if possible, an appro-
priation to construct harbor at the
south mouth of Pike Creek"
Two hundred and thirty dollars was
the sum realized by this novel enter
tainment Of SO years ago.
1t is interesting to note that the
identical house in which this party was
held in 1912 is now the home of Mrs
Gilbert M. Simmons at 375 Chicago
street.
On the fifth day of December, 1910,
meeting was held to take into con
sideration the propriety of incorporat-
ing the village. A committee was ap-
pointed to draft an act of incorpora-
ton to be submitted at an adjourned
meeting. On the 10th of the following
February the report was adopted and
on the fifth day Of April, 1871,
approximately seventy years ago, by
popular vote, the charter was
adopted and village officers were
chosen. Michael Frank, receiving
104 of the Ill votes cast, was
made village president, thus becoming
the first chief official of our corpora
ton.
In 1850, our people, aspiring to
greater municipal dignity and to a
more distinguishing name, adopted a
city charter and changed the name
from Southport to Kenosha and again
honored Col. Frank by electing him
first Mayor.
1t is pertinent to ask where, in the
early days, did the village boards and
city councils meet.
The board elected April 5, 1841, as
just noted, met the same evening in
private Office and thereafter for years
in Offices and stores as they were avail
able and convenient. Later the Groom
over the Engine House" became the
City Hall, and today, we are met to
dedicate the first structure devoted ex-
clusively to the official business of the
city, credit to it's promoters and
builders.
Exactly seventy years ago to-
day Benjamin P. Calhoon began
the construction Of the first of our
three piers.
Before the days of deep-water har-
bors and railroads the pier afforded the
only landing place for passenger steam
ers and freight vessels and became in
dispensible to the prosperity of lake
port. Ours was the first on the lakes
and was viewed with distrust and de-
rision by rival lake towns and by
steamboat men, until it's practicability
was demonstrated.
The high intellectually and refine
ment of our progressive pioneers is
strongly manifested by the character
of their local organizations for self
improvement.
There were lectures on astronomy,
chemistry, temperance, and common
schools.
During the early forties there were
among others temperance society, a
mechanics institute, philosophical So
ciety, Mozart society, and lyceum.
1t is interesting to review the profound
questions of ethics, economics and
world-politics debated at its meetings.
On March the 3rd, 1912, the question
was: Should members of Congress be
bound by the will of their constitu-
ents. There was an affirmative decis
ion. Evidently the "recall - idea was
already terminating. On the 10th the
question, "Have Women Greater Infu-
ence in the World Than Men, !" was
discussed and decided afirmativelv.
Here is strong ground for his
torieal inference that women at
tended lyceum meetings and were
allowed to vote on the question
debated. On March the 18th the
question "Should Common Schools be
Supported by Taxation on Property, =
was discussed and as a matter of
course decided afirmatively. Deem
per the 30th the question was "Should
the United States Extend It's Jurisdic-
tion Beyond the Rocky Mountains. .,