The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21

to Como Park. 1t is the objective point
OF al steamers on the lake, and is a con-
slant center of attraction from all parts
OF. the lake and the surrounding country
during, the entire summer
mite Bear Was In serious danger some
years ago, when the st. Paul City Water
works, ignoring the fact that the lake has
no visable inlet and is presumably solely
dependent upon springs, rain and snow
and the natural water shed surrounding
1t for its supply of water. sought to tap
II Tor the benefit of the water consumers
III the sanity city. Fortunately the prop
eIty owners were aroused in time and q
big fight wass made, which ended in a
complete triumph for the White Bear peo-
pie. 1t Is now acknowledged on all sides
that this timely action saved the lake
from irreparable injury
Much interest is now manifested in pro-
tecting the lake from any possible dimin-
utlon OF Its supply Of water. Many per-
sons who Were9concerned In the fight with
the water works company contend that
any unnecessary destruction of trees or
shrubbery. or disturbance of the vege-
table growth 'or grass about the shores
and the Immediately contiguous country
VIII inevitably prove of permanent injury
to this beautiful sheet Of water. A recent
appropriation has been made by the leg
1slature for improvements about White
Bear. III conducted on proper lines. free
from all mere jobbery, this may be Of in
calcuiable benefit; but should 1T merely
mean further destruction of trees and
shrubbery and ploughing up of land, there
is strong reason to look with grave con-
Germ upon the ultimate consequences. We
write this in no spirit of suspicion of
those public spirited gentlemen who have
this matter In hand, but merely to i'm
press upon them that the responsibility
fha,1 ic nd
that water once taken from White Bear.
by whatever errors of judgment. will in
all probability never be recovered.
1t Is needless to say that on all sides
OF White Bear are smaller lakes and
beauty spots OF nature which can be
reached on foot, by drives or on the
wheel. One of the most important Of these
is Bald Eagle lake. We have not space
enough to describe these places here. But
Bald Eagle is dotted with cottages Of St.
Paul people. and many Of the property
owners now, find themselves facing the
same problem as White Bear of old, viz:
are the City Water works to be permitted
to carry out their project of pumping the
surplus water into Otter Lake. to flow
from there into ST. Paul? We do not pre-
sumo to judge OF the. merits of this ques-
ton, or. Of the peculiar. conditions that
may exist@at Bald Eagle; but the citizens
of, ST. Pauh as well as local residents,
should see TO it that this does not mean
a permanent injury to4-this pretty lake
for the sake Of a purely temporary bene-
fit to the city of st. Paul. These lakes
are of incafeulable benefit to the sanity
city. benefit far exceeding in value any
benefit that can accrue from the use Of
their waters for. drinking purposes in the
city, If such use In any way jeapordizes
the existence off the lakes themselves
Birch Lake is another pretty spot close
to White Bear village. Between these
two lakes-BaTd Eagle and Birch-lies the
little Catholic cemetery of the church Of
st: Mary's,- of the lake. When improved
as intended, this will be a pretty resting
place for the remains Of the deceased, and
1T can be made easily accessible by we'll
laid roads and good cycle paths.
Neither have we space to dwell upon the
social life abouttthe lake. One pleasing
feature of White Bear is that each one
has his choice IN this respect. He can be
as gay and -sociable or as peaceful and
quiet as his natural disposition may die
tate. The social life about White Bear
is an exceedingly pleasant one, but noisy
turmoil and registering is encouraged to
seek other fields and amongst that class
White Bear .is-to its credit be it said
not popular resort.