The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-10-20
They Were Delighted With the
Magnificent Scenery.
Deal For the Pretty Site Will
Be Concluded.
Was Fine Outing For the Gov
ern0r and His Aids.
From Saturdays Daily.

afternoon. So did Attorney General f.
T. Young and State Auditor Iverson
These three state officials were delight
ed with what will soon be the common
wealth's new possession. They were not
slow to express their approval of the
action of the legislature in making pro-
vision for the purchase of this Justly
famous beauty spot. With one ac-
cord the gentlemen said that it was a
wise move, and future generations will
bless the men who had the foresight to
preserve such an enchanting place. The
rude spirit of commercialism will not be
permitted to invade MIinneopa. Its
loneliness will always remain as it now
is. and children yet to he will enjoy its
grandeur.
Yesterday was an ideal day for visit
to the park. Under the bright Indian
summers sun overcoats were not neces-
sary. The air was balmy, yet clear and
refreshing. 1t was really a holiday for
the state officials and they were more
than pleased with the few hours they
spent communing with Nature. and get
ting far away from the maddening
throng. Governor Johnson was like a
boy unfettered and released from school
duties. He could walk about at ease
and with no expectation of some hungry
office seeker darting out from behind a
tree to plead his cause. Messrs. Iver
son and Young forgot the cares of of
flee for the time being and gazed in rap
ture at the ever changing scenes as they
climbed the hills and ran down into the
canyons and gorges.
The governor and the gentlemen ac
complaining him were joined at Man
katO by the members of the Board of
Trade committee, Messrs. Hughes, c.. n.
and ]. w. Andrews. and General j. III.
Baker. County Auditor Weaver, County
Commissioner Paddock. j. NJ Wiser and
representatives of the daily papers. A
run of ten or fifteen minutes brought
the train to Minneopa station, and there
the party was met by Superintendent
w. c. johnson of the Winston Bros.
company camp and Thomas Brogan who
is in charge of the construction work
for the Omaha road at that point. Mr..
Brogan is a st. Peter man and the greet
ings between the governor and Mr.. Bro
gan were: Hello Tom" and "Hello
John. There is nothing formal about
the governor. Agent Hooge was on hand
to give the visitors any assistance that
they required. Orange Little, owner of
the Minneopa Falls property, joined the
party ut this point. A walk of short
but before going into dinner they went
on to the flowing well on the farm of
W. r. Williams, and here the governor
acted as waiter, serving every one else
with a mug of Adams ale, and guench-
ing his own thirst at the last. Finally
Mr.. johnson announced that dinner was
ready, and the party sat down to we'll
ladened table, prepared by Alex Lyons
and his assistant Oscar Larson Hardly
had the meal began when someone
counted and found that thirteen persons
were seated at the table and added that il
was Friday. Someone else remarked
that that was an unlucky number and a
recruit should be enlisted. But General
Baker drove away the gloom from the
superstitious ones by saying that some
of the greatest and grandest events rec
orded in history took place on Friday
''Ies, and some very eminent men have
been hanged on Friday" put in Mr.
Iverson. This caused a laugh and un-
lucky numbers and superstitions took
fight out the door. The best of spirits
Johnson produced the cigars. Soon af-
terward the party started out to view
what will be officially known in the flu.
ture as Minneopa state park. Mr.. Will
liams was invited to participate in the
tour of inspection, but he demurred, re
marking that he did not feel that he
was properly CARRIED, adding that the
governor was decked out with a nose
gay In an instant Governor johnson
turned about and with as graceful {
move as ever Chesterfield himself made
transferred the flower from the lapel o
his own Prince Albert to the frock O
Mr.. Williams. The act was applaudet
and Mr. Williams joined the throng.
The party climbed the hills overlook
ing the falls and were entranced with thu
magnificent scenery. The trees were IL
their most gorgeous attire. Jack Eros
has painted the leaves in varied colors