The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-10-27
Henry 7. West Sends Congratulations to Keno
sha as He Reaches Nearly the Century
Mark at Caldwell, Idaho.
SERVED AS CITY OFFICIAL in FTFTY-SIX
Sends Interesting Letter Which He Received from
Mayor George Fl. Paul in the Winter of 49,.
Recalling Early Politics Here.

Gray boards in Kenosha will be in
terested in the announcement which
comes from Caldwell, Idaho, that
Henry T. West, the oldest living
former officiol of Kenosha has just
celebrated his. ninety birth
day. Mr., West is still in good health
but he is much weakened by extreme
age but with the passing of his ami
versary he sent word to Mayor John
G. Joachim of Kenosha that he was
still interested in Kenosha and its
growth. Former City Clerk West has
directed that at his death a full
length photograph of Abram Hanson,
who served Kenosha in the office Of
City treasurer from 1853 to 1859 be
sent to the city of Kenosha that it
may be made a part of the archives
of the city. The picture will be of
unusual interest to Kenosha as Abram
Hanson became one Of the best known
of the pioneers Of Kenosha. He was
f. appointed by President Lincoln to
serve as Consul to Liberia.
Was City Clerk in "56".
Henry T. West was elected City
Clerk of Kenosha at special election
held in 1855 and he was reelected
the following year. Later he removed
to Kewanee, ILL.,, in company with
Nelson Lay, one of the best known
of the pioneer residents of Kenosha
Later on Mr.. West removed to Cald-
well being one of the pioneer citizens
Of the leading city of Idaho.
At the time Mr.. Lay served as City
Clerk Of Kenosha George H. Paul was
Mayor Of the city. In his letter to
the mayor the old city clerk has en-
closed an interesting bit of history in
the way of a letter which he received
from Mayor Paul under the date of
February 20, 1859.
Mayor Paul had a wonderful vein of
the humorous in him and the letter
is a breezy description of events go
ing on in Kenosha which were of
especial interest to mutual friends.
OF interest in the. letter was the story
of an ancient scism in the Masonic
bdges and the revival Of the Masonic
Chapter in Kenosha. 1t also to5d
some interesting facts in regard to
the election held in 1858.
Council Was Gyrating Then.
Many people who live in Kenosha
today may be of the opinion that
vaudeville sessions Of the common
council had been limited to the mod
ern meetings held at the city hall re-
treat but this evidently is not the
fact. Mayor Paul had some vaudeville
over which he acted as ring master
way back in 1897. In his letter to
former city clerk Westhe says:
1T would make you laugh heartily
to observe the gyrations of our city
council. You will win your bet as
to current expenses. 10 departments
will run up higher than ever before,
with no single good accomplished. They
are now pulling each others ears ter
ribly, each accusing each of derelic-
tion. Our poor account, especially.
would astonish you. Quarles runs
one institution for the county and Fish
another. 1t is we'll. There is already
some agitation as to the spring cleo
tion. My peculiar friends are about
40 SUAAS4bAOuS as usual, out this time
am determined to remain firm
against all temptation"
Secure Against Defeat.
s'I shall at least in this way secure
myself, against all possibilities of de-
reat,, though l think it looks quite
as favorable as last year. Cyrus will
be candidate for reelection; also
Abrham.""
"Joy be with thee Henry in all thy
paths. l have now the pleasure of
presenting you my right hand in
token Of the continuance of my bro
therly love and affection and with
all the appearance of my distinguished
con liberation"
An examination Of the records of
the city show that Mayor Paul held out
against the determination of his
friends to make him candidate for
reelection at the election held in
April of 1859. DR.. Asabel Farr was
elected mayor of the city. "Cyrus" re-
e. -.