The Saint Paul globe., 1901-06-03
PUBLIC BATHS ARE OPEN.
NEARLY 25,OoG PEOPLE RATIFIED
AT HARRIET ISLAND YES
TERDAY
RECEIPTS AMOUNT TO s115
DR.. ohage Was Present to witness
Formal Opening-Extensive Inn
provements Have Been
Made This Year

Made This Year
The st. Paul public baths were opened
yesterday and nearly 25. eco people visited
Harriet island during the day and even
ing. The receipts for the day were over
Sll5, and DR.. Ohage. who was on hand
to see that everything was carried on in
the proper manner, was very we'll
pleased with the results of the first day
All afternoon there was a throng OF
children and older folks in lire waiting
for their turn to purchase checks
admitting them. The Young BOYS
amused themselves by performing funny
tricks in the water and adults too joined
in the sport. Quite a number of Young
ladies' were on hand and partook of the
advantages offered in the bathing pool
Others who did not care to go in bathing
lounged about i'll the park and sat in the
several shady places discussing the
beauties of the island.
There are twenty eight emploves on
the island and all We're kept busy yester-
day. The female attendants wore navy
Dlue dresses with white aprons and white
caps. while the male attendants wore
navy blue shirts with white duck trous-
ers and white caps. On tie caps of all
The attendants was a blue silk ribbon
with the words: est. Paul Public Baths"
ming pools, two Of them in boats and the
ether two on the platform. These
guards are kept there constantly, so as
to avoid any accidents that may happen
to the bathers.
Miss Mary Hoehler. Who was cashier
last year, officiated in the same capacity
yesterday and distributed the checks to
the superintendents of the several de-
partments. The system used in taking
care of the cash is a very good one and
is carried out to the letter. The checks
which are distributed during the day are
called in every evening when the baths
are closed for the night and are checked
up so that accounts will balance The
money is taken to the police station by
two of the special police officers on duty
and kept there until tho next morning
when it is taken to the health office AMI
after being counted, is deposited in the
First National bank.
IS BEAUTY SPOT.
The scenery is most beautiful, espe-
ciaIly from the west end of the island
and anyone looking toward the high
bluffs to the south, covered with green
trees cannot help but remark that it is
one of natures most beautiful scenes
A number of new improvements have
been made this season by Dr. Onage,
who is not going to spare anything TO
rake the island and the baths one of the
most attractive places ir the Northwest
One of the new improvements is a pavil-
ion which has been built about the CEN
ter of the island. This pavilion can be
used for dancing by any private parties
who may wish to picnic on the island
and use 1T for such purposes. A number
of new benches and tables on which to
serve lunch nave also been built so that
the place is in excellent shape to be
used by any private picnicking parties.
In the bathing department there are
now 1000 bathing suits, which is more
than twice as many as there were last
year. There are also seventy-twe extra
lockers this season, which makes about
450 lockers in all.
The prices are very reasonable, and for
5 cents a bather is given q locker in
which to put his clothes, a towel and
soap. For cents he is given towel
and soap and is allowed to dress in the
general dressing room. No charge IS
made to those who bring their own bath
ing suits, towels and soap, and they are
allowed to use the general dressing room
free of charge.
The restaurant is well patronized, and
at this stand one can buy either glass
OF the purest buttermilk or sweet milk for
the small sum of 2 cents. For cents one
can get a cup of coffee with two rolls and
butter.
A(I~I IlI4oI1A Elm ID AXE Cf1EAR.
The refreshment stand is also well pat
ronized, and here one can buy all kinds
Of soft drinks, soda water, ice cream,
candy, fruits, cigars and fruits for a
very nominal price. No cigarettes or
chewing gum is sold on the island, how
ever, and no one is allowed to smoke
cigarettes.
At least four officers are on duty every
Sunday and in the evenings Their serv-
ices. however, are voluntary, as there is
no special demand for their presence.
The best of order is kept on the island
Five cents will check a bicycle, and
there is also repair outfit, so that if
any one has wheel that needs atten-
ton it can be repaired on the island
The laundry has modern machinery,
and 10000 pieces can be washed there
every day if necessary The machinery
Is run by a modern gasoline engine, and
there is also force pump attached,
which can be used in case Of fire
The island is lighted by fifty incan-
descent gasoline lamps and 100 small six
teen-candle-power incandescent electric
lights illuminate the several buildings. A
large arc light gives plenty of light at
the entrance to the baths, and the swim
ming pools are lighted by three large
arc lights in the evening.
Even the birds have not been forgotten,
and DR.. Ohage has had 100 small bird
houses, for wrens, placed in the trees
around the park
The baths ar3 kept open f>nna o'clock
in the morning until II o'clock at night,
and on account of the long hours the en-
ployes are fed on the island The kitchen
is furnished in the latest style, and ad-
joining it is a good-sized dining room,
where the employees eat.
There is also a large garden in which
vegetables are raised for consumption by
the employees, along the south shore of
the island
Everything is in the best of shape and
this season bids fair to be a more pros
porous one than last year.