Kenosha Historical Tidbits from the Past.

Kenosha's Underground Railroad Ties

Many runaway slaves passed through Kenosha (then Southport) coming up from Illinois en route to Canada.  Reverend Reuben Deming, whose home was located on 7th Avenue, just south of 60th Street, and Joseph W. Quarles, were two who provided safe lodging, in their homes and/or barns for the fugitive slaves who desperately sought freedom.

The Rev. Reuben Deming home, a plaque marks the approximate location where the home was located on the east side of Library park, just south of the 60th St. block.

The McCaffery Murder 1850

On July 22, 1850, John McCaffrey (also recorded as McCaffery, and McCaffary) murdered his wife Bridgett, also known as Anny, in a stagnant hogshead well behind their home, which is still located at 5732 13 Ct. in Kenosha. On August 21, 1851, Mr. McCaffrey was executed by hanging, while an estimated 2000-3000 watched. Public records indicate that John and Bridgett had been trying to sell the home since late in May of that same year. Records also indicate, that the day after the murder, the deed was signed over to the lawyer who was appointed to represent Mr. McCaffrey in his trial. The officials were not experienced in hanging criminals, and botched the execution. Instead of being dropped in gallows below, where the neck would break immediately, this man was hoisted into the air, and died a slow agonizing, death. Most of the area's prominent citizens were horrified, and lobbied government to repeal the death penalty in Wisconsin.

In 1853, the death penalty was repealed in the state of Wisconsin, making his the first and last capitol punishment carried out in the state to date. (on record, some accounts state that as many as five were carried out before it was repealed) In 2007, voters elected to re-instate the death penalty, which is up for legislation in the near future.

Did you know? 

Clark Street in Chicago was once part of the old Green Bay Trail (present day Green Bay Road in Wisconsin; Hwy. 31)?

The land that the new Bain school is on was once originally mapped out by the city planners as part of an area for set aside for a racetrack?

Simmons Island was once truly and island bordered by a crescent shaped creek called Pike (not to be confused with the river called Pike that empties into Lake Michigan near the present day bandshell?

At approximately 75th Street and 22nd Avenue, there was once an airport  where there were hangars for five aircraft?