The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-19
HARRIET ISLAND A HIT
IN ONE WEEK OVER 10000 PEO-
PIE PATRONIZED THE PUB
LIC BATHS
POPULARITY IS ASSURED
Or. Ohage's Pet Project Has Already
Endeared Itself to One-Ha1f
City by Personal
Comfort.

If you happened to be standing on the
Wabasha street bridge last Sunday any
time after luncheon you saw vending
their way, single file, on the several trails
IN Harriet island, little groups OF men
ard boys.
In twos and threes and sometimes in
parties they picked out their ways to the
end of the long bridge which ends at the
st. Paul public baths, and, once arrived,
they lost no time negotiating for bathing
suits, soap and towels, after which they
plunged merrily into the cool waters of
the Mississippi. This sort of thing hap
pened all afternoon and evening. and
when the bell rang taps, it was found
that over 1900 persons had availed them
selves of the pleasures Of the popular in
stitution during the day.
There used to be a notion that it was
not the healthiest thing in the world TO
go in bathing directly after a meal, but
that Crts small figure With IKE small
army of youngsters Who must have found
themselves directly after lunch to the big
pleasure grounds for a plunge.
They came in droves. The uninitiated
observers who watched them arrive won
dered where they got even the pittance
required to secure the very innocent look
ing trunks, soap, etc, but soon saw them
dig up tights, overalls, shirts and other
articles of clothing from the moss unex-
pected quarters, and get ready for bust
ness
At o'clock a merry little batch started
ecross the Wabasha bridge. There were
eleven of them. Save two brothers, who
had equipped themselves with improvised
life preservers made of salt sacks with
bottle corks in them, not one Of them car
red stitch of extra apparel.
Over the bridge and down the steep ra-
vine they went, spurnlng TO walk half
block further to use the city street. until
when they had done the long tres lie which
ends at the little refreshment pavilion,
each chap had his trunks in his hand and
was eager with expectancy.
Asked why they did not use the ferry,
they responded in a chorus: What's the
use? 1t costs nickel
They disappeared into the small rooms,
and in a trice they were tumbling and
splashing in the river with several thou
sand others, with never a trouble in the
world beyond fearing how soon they
would be told their lips were blue and
ordered to dress.
1t was a banner week for the baths ard
no mistake.
DR. Ohage admits that the heated term
may have had something to do with It,
but he goes in for results not causes,
and is naturally proud that his pet plan
was approved by something over $4,000
persons during the seven days. This is a
daily average of more than 7,000 and Sun
Gay was the banner day of them all in
point of numbers and general enthusiasm.
The doctor, who is rapidly becoming the
IA inf of na Iii dc
less time each day at the baths, and en-
joys unwonted popularity among those
who frequent the place
With no irksome rules, broken because
imperfectly understood, he rules the es-
Enlistment along simple lines. 1t must
be orderly; 1t must be clean. This is his
dictum, and his assistants have his strict
injunction that there must be neither
rough treatment nor language to the pat
rons who are expected to deport them
selves as ladies and gentlemen.
The visitor is impressed with the utter
absence of profanity, and the doctor him
self made the only arrest which has been
necessary during the three months, when
an innocent little tyke was caught appro-
priaung knives and other articles from
the pantaloons of his little neghbor.
The system is nearly perfect in its en-
tire simplicity.
Although over so per cent Of the patrons
of the baths use them absolutely without
expense, few simple rules fix the charge
for suits, towels, soap, ETC., and the
bather may purchase refreshments az the
simpler sort, both solid and liquid at all
outlay that would make a restaurant man
collapse.
Here, again cleanliness is a sine qua
non. The little pagoda-like lunch place is
scrupulOusly clean, the milk is as cold
and sweet as it is inexpensive, and the
humblest newsie who patronizes the place
may have his sandwich spread with butter
from the farm of j. ]. Hill if he has but
two or three cents to buy his sandwich
with.
You may buy ice cream, soda water, CT
garS, pop corn and other harmless re-
freshments at market prices. Whatever
is on sale or for rent must be negotiated
on a basis of metal checks which are is
sued in the administration building by
Miss Marie Hoeler, the pretty cashier who
handles all moneys, and to whom a report
is made by the heads of the different
departments when taps is sounded night
ly at 10 o'clock and the park is declared
closed for the night
With Miss Hoeler may be left valuables,
etc, for safe keeping.
Directly back Of the administra ton
building is an isolated structure where
meals are cooked for the pavilion at
taches.
In the administration building may be
found medicine cases, to be used when
needed, and here also Prof. J. c. Herr
man, who, during his connection with
the public schools, has endeared himself
to thousands Of children, holds forth as
swimming instructor.
He uses the West Point method and has
already started many promising young
sters along the right path to aquatic pro-
lciepcy.
The conditions were well nigh perfect
Sunday. The official indicator showed the
temperature of the water to be S42 de-
grees, and the surface Of the river was
as smooth as a mirror.
Imagine 5000 boys and girls splashing
and plunging about in the two big en-
closures under the watchful eyes of half
q dozen attendants, the latter in boats,
on the inclos:ng pontoons, and actuany
In the water, the merry youngsters striv-
ing 10 mount gayly painted barrels, logs
or diving from the springboards, and you
have an idea of the scene in the middle
Of the afternoon.
The shouting, the friendly duckings, the
little spats for the possession of the
amusement paraphernalia, you may i'm
agine but if you would really enjoy it all
you must visit DR.. Ohage in his bailiwick
The attendants are watchful, for the
kids will be fearless, ana the records
Of the institution show that not a single
little life has been snuffed out although
seven rescues have been made in tn,
three months. The women have the
easterly Enclosure to themselves, and hav,
quite as much entertainment as theil
brothers, even If they do not take it IL
quite as noisy a fashion.
They try all the stunts, and soma O.
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