The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-05-27

out where tney can get Jneir hooks ant
bats in the water of the deep channel
where the fish really are. The blacl
minnows that are caught with thu
seins, as the water is now are not very
attractive to the fish. What the fisher
men want are the bright minnows, tina
they will catch from the deep water
as soon as they get chance to ge
their seines into it.
The city has three good boats in thu
superintendent charge. These boats ar,
free to the use of any proper and &C
countable person, who can have them fo
pleasure rides up and down the tive
rivers, on application to the superinten
dent.
An easy road leads from the eating
ground to the top of the bluff. Alon.
this road one may see what appears t.
be the result of some volcanic eruption
in prehistoric times. Hugh masses O.
lime stone lie here and there, more O.
less covered with grass and moss. On
reaching the top of the mound, one see
that it is fairly level plateau, with al
/ area of about IA acres, shaped oblong
The top is covered with good sized trees
of nearly all the varieties that are pro
duced in this latitude. Spaces that were
once open have been planted with spruc,
and pines, which, with their evergreen
foliage, present charming appearance
in midwinter, when all the deciduou.
trees have shed their leaves. A Ions
row of mountain juniper stands along
the south side of the bluff.
Robins, blue jays, woodpeckers, ant
all kinds of birds that summer in thi
climate fit about and build in the trees
! both on this bluff and elsewhere in tn,
park. There might be more birds wer'
it not for the innumerable squirrels
mostly gray, but some black, that in
habit these woods. The squirrels are fee
on corn to keep them. Otherwise 81
many could not possibly find a living il
the park. Nobody dares to modest eithe
birds or squirrels in the park, under Thu
penalties of the ordinance, providing $10'
fine or 80 days imprisonment, for thu
person who does so.
From the southern brow of the mound
one may see not only over the entir'
athletic field of the park, but over ,
large part of the city as well. The view
is truly enchanting.
On the edge of the hill, near the to-
of the fight of steps leading up from
| the grandstand, stands the great fla
pole, 81 feet high, from which on ma
tional holidays and important occasions
waves the country's emblem, measurin,
20xl4 feet. Not far off stands cannon
that was mounted upon Admiral Ger
verera's flagship on the day of the mem
orable naval battle off Santiago. Thu
cannon was presented to the city for thu
park through the influence of Congress
man McCleary.
| Superintendent Blake ten years agt
found the park entirely uncultivated. HI
takes great pride in its appearance today
and is enthusiastic over the plan he has
made for its further Identification in the
future. Just below the bluff near tn,
southeast corner is beautiful arbor
lOOx50 feet and completely covered will
a single grape vine. Tables and seats
are arranged through the center. Thu
grape vine, though very beautiful, never
bore grapes. 1t is well that it never did
for if it did, the boys would tear it t.
pieces This arbor he has named ''Ba1
Sicour," a French phrase signifyins
| "Good Luck" On the west side of thu
park another arbor has been construct
ed, and is being covered with ever bloom
i ing, climbing roses. On this side of the
park too, the superintendent has planted
III varieties of roses. Here too are Ions
rows of rose scented peonies. All these
| flowers will bloom in June.
Mr. Blake has had good success will
some foreign trees he has introduced in
to the park. Some are natives of Arabia
| and others of Australia.
The sheds at the southwest corner Of
| the park contain all the necessary ma
chinery for the keeping of the park il
tiptop trim. There are two big rollers fol
the race track, one weighing 400 and
the other 1920 pounds.
Just south of the park proper the city
has four lots that are used as tree
nursery. Here are thousand of mum
erous varieties.
Near the main gate of the park, al
| the southeast corner, where most people
come in and out is the largest mountain
juniper known in the state of Minnesota
being % feet in diameter. This was
planted by Mr.. Blake seven years ago.
At this season of the year, when the
days as a rule are beautiful, and unpleas.
ant days are the exception, the benefits
of Sibley park, this natural and artifi
cial beauty spot, should be known, appre.
ciated and enjoyed by all who can pos.
sibly get to this part of the city.