The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-11

KENOSHA, Wis, Aug. 10.-Few men
reach the four score years assigned by
the pSalmiSt of Israel as the limit of
human existence and fewer still find
their strength aught but the labor
and sorrow associated by the same
writer with that advanced age. 1t is
the exception for a man beyond eighty
years to be actively engaged in work
or pleasures that demand physical eX-
eXtion and for q man of eighty-four to
risk dangers and undergo the discom-
forts of d cruise on Lake Michigan is
truly remarkable, and yet j. H. Kim
ball, of this city, who will be eighty
four years old next October, is getting
ready for a trip on the lakes in his
yacht Mamie and is as excited over the
anticipated excursion and as enthusi-
astc in the preparations as any
youthful yachtsman who was looking
forward TO his first trip cruise.
For many years past Kimball was
the only representative of the yacht
ing fraternity in this city and the an
nual cruises of the Mamie were cpl
sodes in the life of the community,
for anyone with a sincere love of the
sport was readily welcomed on board
the yacht and was invited to form one
of the party. And into whatever ports
the little yacht sailed she was sure to
be received heartily. During her stay
sailing parties were the regular after
noon programme, in which there were
many delighted participants, for very
few yachts at that time were to be
found on Lake Michigan and yacht
ing party was not the unimportant in
cident that it is today.
Gave Up for While.
About three years ago Kimban drew
up the Mamie on the dock and housed
her for the winter. Everyone thought
11nt ha +aI hi 10
for his family was averse to his going
off on these expeditions thinking that
his advanced years precluded him
from taking pleasure in so active
form as cruising on Lake Michigan.
This summer, however, having be-
come tired of bee culture and painting,
in which he has found his chief pleas
ure since he forsook yachting, Mr.
Kimball discovered that there was re-
ViVing in him strange longing for the
water. His family discouraged the
idea. Apparently he yielded to their
objections. He asserted that he intend
ed to reflt the Mamie and offer her for
sale. Personally he superintendent all
the repairs and for six weeks has been
overhauling the yacht A few days
ago he hired sailor and his family
wondered what he was going to do
with that seemingly unnecessary ap-
pendage in case the yacht were sold.
They were then informed by the owner
that it was his intention to retain the
yacht to make a few short cruises to
Chicago and Milwaukee.
Last Monday the Mamie slid down
the ways and was again in her ele-
ment. She was towed to her anchor
age not far from the Morgan club
house, where she is receiving the final
touches before the first trip to Chi
cago.
Probably the little yacht is the Oldest
pleasure craft sailing Lake Michigan
today. She was built at the BROOKLYN
navy yard more than thirty years ago
for Detroit yachtsman, and was sold
later on to Mr.. Munger, OF Chicago,
who owned her for some years, during
winch time she Won many races and
was regarded then as crack yacht.
handsomely equipped, stanch and pos
sesslng good lines, she won the admir-
alton of all sportsmen. In 1877 Mr..
Munger, desiring a larger yacht, sold
the Mamie to j. H. Kimball, of Ke-
nosha; IN whose possession she has
been since that date, with only a tenn
porary interruption.
And that interruption involves a
story. One night three sailors from
one of the scE%oners trading between
this port and Michigan boarded the
Mamie at her anchorage, where she
lay unmatched and unguarded Hoist
ing sail, the three, who were SNRposed
to be under the influence of@iiquor.
made their way out of the harbor and