The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-08-23
A DAY IN SALTWATER.

a DAY IN SALTWATER.
The summer meeting of the Minneso-
ia Editorial Association was held i'm |
Saltwater Wednesday, preparatory to
an excursion to Dubuque, Iowa, andCbi
cago. Over one hundred Quill drivers
and their ladies took the 9:55 train at
the union depot for the beautiful City of
saltwater, and through the courtesy of
the c., st. p. NJ, & o. Railway Co., were
landed on the bank of the st. Croix in
good time.
The party was met at the station by
Mayor Durant, ex-senator Sabin, the |
newspaper men of the city and other
prominent citizens and escorted to the |
Opera House where the Mayor in a |
highly pleasing manner and in words to
leave no lingering doubt as to the earn
estness of the city TO extend the hespit.
| ality of her citizens, gave most hearty
welcome to all, and babe the fraternity
to enjoy themselves to the full. Major
Newson, who is nothing If not loaded
for all such occasions, responded to the
welcome in his usually happy way, after
which the party was invited 10 a bat
ride down the river to Hudson, Wis, a
distance of six miles. The trip was most
exhilarating and when on the return
trip dinner was announced as in waiting
at the Sawyer House, a war whoop went
forth from the crowd which would have
done credit TO the original aboriginies
in their widest days. 1t is only neces-
sary to say that ample Justice was done
the spread, and while the meal was well
gotten up it was somewhat unfortunate
that the service WAS inadequate to the
demands of the hungry and thirsty
throng. Despite this drawbac all had
their fill in due course of time, and at
the invitation of the entertainment COM
mittee ride on the electric street rail-
way was enjoyed. This is the only line
of lis kind in the Northwest and those
| who have been skeptIcal as to the prac-
ticability of utilizing electricity for motor
power need only examine the perfect
system now i'll operation at Saltwater to
| relieve their minds of any delusion re-
garding the matter. 1t is simply the
best power used for propelling street
cars in cities of ten or twenty thousand,
and the only feature now to be obviated
in bringing them into general use in the
larger cities is the poles which have to
be erected along the streets in order to
stay the main Wire. saltwater is certain
ly to be congratulated for the enterprise
displayed in taking the advance step in
the Northwest of operating an electric
street car line.
! The greater part of the afternoon was
spent within the penitentiary walls,
| where we editors were shown through
the various wards, shops, ETC., under the
guidance of Mr.. Norrish, one of the Pri-
j son Board, and other competent guides.
The institution is in perfect order and
no spot could be found that was not as
neat as wax and tasty to a fault. But
notwithstanding The air of neatness
which everywhere prevails the average
editor seemed to thank his lucky stars
that he WAS not there TO "stay." Perfect
discipline everywhere prevails, and the
inmates are treated in a kind, pleasant
| way for which they give evidence of ap-
probation. The cornet band was ad-
mitted to the inner gates and cEeered
the poor unfortunates who were en-
scoused behind grated doors with sweet
music, and the encores sent forth from
the dreary cells showed that Emusic
hath charms fer the savage breast" A
i noticeable and striking feature which
| impressed the visitors was the large
number of fine looking young men who
are. found among the inmates-young
men whose facial expressions betokened
anything but viciousness or badness, and
who, if found traversing the streets of
our city might readily be taken for genu-
inc gentlemen and society adornments
And many of them are thoroughly INTEL
/ ligent and educated. A striking proof
OF this ID found in the able manner in
| which the Prison Mirror is edited. A
call at the "sanctum' found two bright
| fellows-the editor in chief and assist
Il ant-either of whom is capable of indict-
II ing brighter editorials than are found in
the average country press, and whose
faces betoken unusual intelligence. But
like their companions, they have strayed
at some time from the path of rectitude
i wrongs for which the only atonement
before the law is term of servitude in
confinement. There are many such, and
when they shall have paid the penalty
| and once more attain freedom they can
i not help but be better men for the pun
ishment suffered.
/ Supper was served the visitors in the
officers apartments, and to say the
meal was most elaborate and palatable
is putting it mildly. Henry Alexander,
whom all Mankato people know, Is chief
cook, and rs Henry is about to go out in
to the world again he made an extra eff
success, and he did it to nicely. War
den Randall and deputy, ex-senator Sa-
bin, Mr.. O'Brien and Mayor Durant and
other prominent Stillwaterites joined in
the meal and all did ample justice to the
occasion. The waiter service was per-
feet, and as one of the lady guests COM
plimented the attendant waiter convict
upon the excellent manner i'm which he
performed his duties, the poor fellow
with downcast features replied: eff l
was only outside this place l would serve
you all better" Confession is good for
the SOUL"
After supper, and even before, those
who desired, were granted drive about
the city, and when all was done, no bills
to pay, the editors, gathered at the de-
pot ready to start for st. Paul, gave three
rousing cheers and a tiger for Mayor
Durant and the people of Saltwater.
! 1t was an occasion of great enjoyment
to all and we only regret that want OF
space prevents us from speaking more
extendedly upon many of Stillwater's
attractions and the superb management
of the penitentiary. Suffice it to saw
that II you want 10 spend day In one OF
the handsomest little cities in the North
west, nestled as it is on the banks of the
river st. Croix, surrounded by romantic
scenery and majestic bluffs, 60 to Still.
water.
: NOTES.
, Warden Randall is host to entertain,
and he is destined to prove one of tine
, most faithful and popular officials that
ever nrasided over the lnsfitntiOn
Here's to you, Warden.
, Ex-senator Sabin spent the day assist
ing in entertaining the editorial party,
and all pronounced him a host. More
than this the senator is royal gentle
man.
,, Mayor Durant knows when he has
/ good thing.
I STATE OF Ono, CITY of TOLEDO,
' LUCAS COUNTY, S. S.