This "town government" lasted until 1742 when the "northern mayor" was made the "directing mayor" by the Danish King. From this position came what was later known as the First Mayor. The second mayor simply bore the title "mayor" (""Bürgermeister""). After the town had been ceded to Prussia, the mayors were elected by the townsfolk as of 1870, and the First Mayor was given the title "Oberbürgermeister", still the usual title in German towns and cities. During the Third Reich, the town head was appointed by those who held power locally at the time.