The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-04-22
Aldermen and Members of Library
Board Go to NicoIiet.
]. B. Beans Mounted Animals and
Birds Carefully Inspected.
Over 500 Birds Eggs, Besides Birds
Nests, Curios, etc.
Collection Would be Desirable, There
We're Plenty of Funds.
From Wednesdays Daily.

The party that went to Nicollet yes
terday to inspect ]. B. Beams collection
of curios, birds eggs, and mounted birds
and animals had very enjoyable time
Those composing the party were Post
master Benedict, who had charge of the
party, Aldermen Schroeder, Coy, Jorgen-
sen and Roemer, and ]. C. Thro, w. D.
Wilmot, Oscar Bierbauer and John Krost
of the library board, and A. G. Bier
bouer and Mic Kleinschnidt, who with
Mr.. Benedict are personal friends of Mr..
Bean.
The party took the 1l:3O a. m. train,
and on arriving at Nicollet were enter
| tanned at dinner at the restaurant. Then
| the party were driven to Mr. Beams
farm, short distance from the village
The collection was examined in detail,
and then the party returned to Nicollet
and arrived in Maukato at $50 p. m.
Most of the members had never seen
the collection, although it has consider
esoiC ioSdl ICputdClOh III 1NlCOllCt Guilty
All were greatly pleased with it, and
considered it very fine collection, and
a desirable one to have if it could be
secured reasonably and the city or the
library board was in position to make
the purchase without neglecting other in
terests that are more pressing at this
time
The collection consists of some 500
birds eggs, some of which have a dis
tinct market value, it is said, some
curios, skulls found in the neighborhood,
over l60 mounted birds, and large
number of animals, including white
deer, which is a rarely, and snakes. The
birds and animals were all shot or trap
ped in the vicinity of Swan lake, and
were all mounted by Mr.. Bean, who is.
quite skillful taxidermist. There are
also number of birds nests in the col
lection. The collection is of value espec-
tally as showing the great variety of
animal and bird life in this vicinity,
present and past. 1t is also of inter
est to students of natural history, and
has more than passing interest to the
general observer Mr.. Bean promised to
send the council schedule of the collec-
ton. He wants $500 for the collection,
but will take $1,000.
Members of the council who have been
interviewed ON the subject say that they
feel that it would be nice thing if
the collection could be secured for Man
kato, but they realize that the city does
not have money that could be devoted
to that purpose without sighting the
streets and other interests that are of
more pressing Importance.
The party noticed on the trip that the
ground is very wet in many places, and
the sloughs all full. Farmers were
seeding with difficulty in places, using
four horses to pull the seeders through
the mud
Mr.. Bean was visitor to the city to-
day. He formerly represented Nicollet
county in the lower branch of the leg
islature, and is very pleasant gentle
man. He states that owing to the re-
cent death of his wife he has decided to
rent his farm and therefore desires to
dispose of his collection, which he has
been twenty-six years in making. He
has decided to throw off $500 from his
original price and make the price 81
600, which he considers is about half
what the collection is worth. He will
consult the members of the library board
| about the matter, and will return to the
city Monday with detailed schedule
of the entire collection, even down to
each birds egg.
A good many of the citizens would be
glad if the library board could see ats
| way clear to make the purchase, apd it
| is known that some of the members are
heartily in favor of it. The collection
would certainly be an attractive feature
in the library.
L