Samuel G. Heiskell
Samuel Gordon Heiskell (August 7, 1858 – September 17, 1923) was an American lawyer, politician, and writer.[1] He was elected mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, United States for five terms, in office during the years 1896–98, 1900–02, 1906–08, 1910–15.[3] Heiskell was perceived as a progressive of the New South, who established "a public library, fought to keep liquor legal, banned spanking in city schools and used fines and nuisance laws to corral the city's prostitutes into the red-light district along Central Avenue and keep them out of 'respectable' neighborhoods.The mayor endorsed racial segregation but championed educational improvements for black and white students alike."[1] Heiskell supported the establishment of several segregated social service programs for African-Americans in Knox County including a mental hospital, library, elementary schools, and a YMCA.