The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-05-28

Benevolent and Protective Order OF
Elks today. They have come in droves
to herd for day or'so,ln our pleasant
valley and enjoy the sweet herbs Of
spring and taste of the deer ticks.
They began to gather from abroad
last evening" when twenty-five from
Austin, Albert Lea and Wells got off
the Milwaukee train. They were met
at the depot by Mankato lodge No.
225 and the Concordia band and were
escorted to The Saulpaugh, where
they were made at home and given
that royal welcome which peculiarly
becomes the Elks.
Later in the evening twenty more
Elks and fawns from Red Wing and
Faribault arrived, and were met at
the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot by
a delegation and escorted to the big
hotel.
The lobby of the hotel presented a
lively scene throughout the evening.
The ConcOrdia band played a number
of selections, and there were intro
auctions and Misunderstanding on all
sides. The ceiling was decorated
with streamers of white and royal
purple, hung gracefully from the CEN
ter to the sides. AS each Elk and
fawn arrived he WIS given badge,
and the fawns were conducted to room
one, where the names and other nee
essary information were entered on a
book kept for the purpose. T. H.
Williams and John Lulsdorf presided
in this room.
Grand District Deputy John E.
King, of ST. Paul, was learly on the
scene aud assisted in welcoming the
visitors. The night trains increased
the number of strangers, and every
room was taken at The Saulpaugh, as
well as many others that had been en-
gagged for the occasion.
At about $50 o'clock last evening
the Elks and fawns were gathered in
parlor B, and S. R. Snow, exalted
ruler of No. 225, intl oduced Mayor
Pfau, who wore an Elk badge, and
who said:
ct gives me great pleasure to meet
you gentlemen and Brother Elks to-
night. 1t is pleasure, however,
mixed with alloy. In the position
that l occupy, there is feeling that
1 ought to turn the keys of the city
over to the visitors. 1 have felt that
there was some risk in turning the
keys over on account of the tender
fawns. But the hunting season is
over and there is no danger. Our
spOrtsmen can't shoot, anyway. l am
here, gentlemen, to turn over the
keys .of the city, making it yours
while you are with US, except a few
things. 1 have taken more precau-
tions than you are probably aware of.
The courts are closed and the police
are safelyslocked'in the.calaboose and
the keys thrown down the we'll. Con-
slider the city yours, and lock and un-
lock it at your pleasure" (Applause.)
MIR. Snow then introduced Grand
District Deputy King, who said:
'tAfter the kindness of the mayor in
extending the hospitality of the city,
we appreciate him more. To know
him is to appreciate him, This is not
my first visit to Mankato, and after
you have been here awhile you will
be sure to go away with a kindly feel
ing for Mankato and No. 225. The
mayor has stated that the police are
locked up. Be careful, Elks, in turn
ing loose, that you so conduct your
selves that the citizens will feel as
kindly toward us when we 60 away as
we do toward them. l will say more
tomorrow, especially to the fawns, land
some things, perhaps, that they
haven't heard about" (Applause.)
There were calls for song by Dick
Spencer, of St. Paul, but that Elk
promised to respond today, and was
let off for the,time being.
g. Mr.. Snow announced that a deer
lick had been established in the hall,
and an adjournment was taken. The
deer lick proved to be huge bowl of
excellent claret punch.
The Elks parade came off this fore
noon, starting from The Saulpaugh at
about nine o'clock, and going along
some of the principal streets. The
Concordia band headed the parade,
and then came Charley L. Taylor in
childrens' trap driving small
Shetland pony. Citizens in carriages,
with theS visiting Elks and fawns,
followed, and formed long line. The
goat came next, harnessed to little
child's play cart, upon which sat
sD0c" Wickersham, The Model dog
brought up at the rear. Members of
No. z25 walked on foot Oh either side
of Jhe line of carriages. The visitors
were given drive around the city.