The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-07-29
LAKE TETONKA.
Waterville's Summer Resort the
Rendezvous For MankatOites.
The M. & st. L. Ry. Co. Makes the Trip
a Very Pleasant One...Te.
tOnka Notes.

hooO pSOPiS Souuoy' Liz ooy opSh
ed cool and mild, with wafery,
soft clouds resisting the suns rays
and continued pleasant throughout
the entire day. The excursion had
been well advertised by Station
Agent Barr and the success of the
first Of a series of Observation-Disclosures
excursions was in measure due to him
Characteristic of the M. & St. L.
Railway Co., the train steamed out Of
Mankato on schedule time-9:00 a. m.
in charge of Engineer Mahoney and
conductor HOWE - with about
400 on board. Telegraph Operator
Nelson, of the St. Louis, accompanied
the excursion, and furnished tickets
to those who boarded the train at
stopping places along the line, where
there are no depots. About six hun
dred passengers were on board when
the train reached the park, and about
as many came from Red Wing and in
termediate points. Ample cars had
been provided, so thatsall had seats,
and the comfort of the passengers had
been well planned by.Messrs. Peterson
and Beach, the gentlemenly excursion
agents of the Minneapolis and St.
Louis road. The scenery along the
line from Mankato to Waterville is
picturesque in many places, and the
wheat and grain fields showed evil
dence of bountiful crop. Some
wheat has been cut, and by the end
of the week it will all be in shock and
ready for stacking or the thresher.
Tetonka park was reached
shortly after ten o'clock, and
the lake breeze was pleasant
change from the dust and
smoke incident to travel at this time
of year.
Although practically new, Tetonka
park is rapidly gaining popularity
throughout Southern Minnesota and
Iowa, as one of the prettiest and most
healthful summer resorts in this, the
land of many sllvery lake. The park
covers over thirty acres of ground,and
is prettily located on the banks of
Lake Tetonka, one and half miles
northwest of Waterville, and reached
by spur track of the M. & st. L.
road. The grounds are provided with
a magnificent hotel, abundance of
shade, pavillions, rustic seats, barns,
race track and ball grounds. A large
feet of steam, sail and row boats is
anchored in the shay, and is s1n
charge of Commodore Lawrence and
staff of boatmen. There are also bath
houses and water toboggan slide.
The little steamer Tetonka phys the
water from the park boat house to
VanFleet's Point, making the trip
every hour.
The hotel, with it's broad and extern
sive verandas, overlooking the bay,
and shaded by huge forest trees, de-
lights the pleasure-seeker. 1t is a
model in architectural design and
deliberately furnished. Six hundred
people can be seated at one time in
the dining room and annex, and the
house contains siXty-four rooms. The
hostelry is in charge of Judge and Mrs.
J. o. Andrews, and that 1T is in eff
cient hands goes without saying.
The Judge is courteous and devotes
his entire time to the care of guests.
A pretty feature of the days out
ing was the concert given at three
o'clock in the afternoon under the
leadership of Mr.. Ed. Andrews. The
music rendered was one act of the
beautiful opera Martha" Those tax
ing part were Mr.. and Mrs, Ed. An
drews, Mrs. Clayton, and DR.. N. M.
King. of Minneapolis. Miss Maud
Leekley, of Minneapolis, presided at
the piano. The concert was given on
one of the large hotel verandas, and
was much enjoyed.
The Andrews Opera Co., which are
now playing at Lowell, Mass, will
wind up their eastern engagements
and return to the park next month.
Soon after their return, and in con.
junction with the members now at
the park, they will produce the play
"Pinafore," and are now preparing
fac smile of battleship and scenery
to match. The opera company has
had successful season. The produce
tion of "Pinafore" next month will
no doubt be witnessed by many of our
people. Until the arrival of the
opera company, musical concerts will
be given at the park.
The Ely sian and Waterville ball
teams played game in the afternoon.
resulting in victory for the former
club. The score was 16 %.
The Andrews Bros. have some we'll
bred horses at the park barns, and
DR.. Case. Of Waterville, and other
horse breeders have trotting stock
there. Later in the season horse
racing will be among the numerous
attractions