The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-26
TUESDAY. EVENING, AUGUST 26, 1902.
MINNETONKA

There is being much inquiry about the
closing of the lake hotels but apparently
anything of that kind is farthest from the
minds Of the proprietors, for everyone mas
enjoyed a season of prosperity. While the
larger hotels have not all received the
same proportion of guests they have
shown a decided gain in business that is
encouraging, while the smaller houses
have been obliged to turn people away
frequently. Both Lake Park and Hotel
ST. Louis will keep open the whole OF
September on the family plan, an arrange
ment which suits many people far better
than regular hotel service. 1t VIII be a
matter of satisfaction to many city people
to know that they can get accommoda-
tion all around the lake during September,
for should the weather be warm and
bright the transient and excursion bus1-
ness is sure to be large, people taking ad-
vantage to every opportunity to put IN
day at the lake.
Arrivals from the south still continue at
Hotel st. Louis and there IS no sign OF a
break up in the july St. Louis party that
has spent the season at the house. The
regular hops have been abandoned this
week, although few more may be given,
but impromptu parties of all kinds I'LL the
time. Last night a masquerade was given
by the guests under the direction Of Mines.
Bauman, Stern and Werner that afforded
as much fun as anything this season.
This is the beginning of the cruising
season, for as the nights become too cool
for the greatest pleasure, all-day rambles
along the byways, drives and long boat
trips increase in number. 1t becomes a
practice with the lake people who stay
late to arrange to have the men OF the
family spend an occasional day or half
day at the lake during the week and for
!, IN o6 r.
r1e1 out
One of the very popular boats for cru1s-
ling is the Florence Dearing, a craft but
little known to casual lake visitors, for,
except when carrying charter parties, she
| lies in the west arm for the accommoda~
| tion Of visitors to Saga Hill. Fugerness
and Jennings Bay. Probably no other boat
on the lake passes so often through the
| narrow dredged channels connecting the
West ARM Crystal Bay, North Arm
Maxwelrs Bay, Stubbs Bay and I1arri-
sons hay in a network that is an und1s-
covered country to many people who
think they know Minnetonka we'll. Cap
| tain Dearng knows the lake bottom like
| he does the plan of his own house and
| this enables him to venture through many
| impossible looking openings. His boat Is
| equipped with powerful machinery and
| this is a very important matter in dealing
with masses of weeds and muddy bot.
toms. His frequent trips through the
channels do much to keep them open fol
the small boats that dare not venture into
| the weeds.
| Another reason for the liking that ole
residents at the lake have for cruising
with Captain Dearing is his enjoyment II
| sharing with his passengers his practically
| ineXhaustible fund Of information abou
| the lake in all Of it's aspects. He makes
the trips entertaining in addition to show
ing beauties little suspected by those only
acquainted with the main lake. AnOthe
| spot frequented by the Florence Dearint
is Halstead's Bay, spot popular for IT
| fishing and it's lotus lilies. The lilies ar
| to be found in but two places at Mime
tonka, the other being the extremity o
Jennings Bay, near the Haugan place. a
The season guests at Hotel del Oter
! have discovered Captain Dearing and hi
! cruising boat this season and they hav
been getting really acquainted with tn
| lake. Judge Shiras entertained severa
parties on the boat before leaving and MI
| Hayes also made cruise with a part
last Friday. The same afternoon 0. E
Brecke gave party for Professor Mark
hus of Decorah, Iowa, on the boat making
a trip from Hotel st. Louis to Halstead'
Bay.
The unfortunate fire at Hotel del Oter
! has not been allowed to cast a dampe
over any ones pleasure and it caused NJ
! Inconvenience to any of the guests. TIL
only discomfort connected with 1t was
little loss of sleep, for the excitement
while somewhat eXhausting, was rathe
enjoyable than otherwise, for there i
in the makeup of most people a keen de
light in witnessing a fire, if one must oc
cur, and the boathouse made a most beau
tiful blaze.
The most perfect order and disciplin
prevailed in. managing affairs during. tn
fire and at breakfast time there was h
Indication on the surface of any ,lnusua
occurrence. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins too
| their loss with philosophy, although i
practically wipes out the seasons profit
which they had earned by, efficient man
agement. A little incident shows thei
thoughtfulness for their guests. It is tn
custom on Sunday evening to continu
the orchestra until 10 O'clock but know
ing that every one was worn out from ex
c1tement and loss of sleep Sunday, tn
musicians were sent in on the o'cfoc
train and quiet reigned, giving every on
a chance to ca tch on.
The bowling alley is mourned most {
all, for it had become feature of life fc
a large number of the guests and visitor
from about the lake. Among the regula