The Mankato free press., 1909-05-28

/ Inc tF deilSHtS oI the "Trip up tH
river and return were appreciated il
the fullest measure, despite the fact
that the weather was not ideal fol
an outing such as this. The party
was enchanted with the scenic grandeur
! along the river, and the "Trip was sc
greatly enjoyed that the gentlemen de.
clared they would make it at every
opportunity during the summer.
The start was made about 9:30 from
the boat landing at the foot of Main
street near the high bridge. Among
the guests were c. III. Saulpaugh, who
has become greatly interested in steam
boating during the past few weeks, and
has already won the title of commodore,
Secretary Otto of tine Commercial club
Paul Iverson, George E. Brett, Henry
Madison, B. F. Pay, Rev. +. H. Willis
ford. c. f. Wise, T. j. Gardner. H. f..
Carney, W. s. Beard. DR.. Hobrook,
H. Hanson, f. r. Kennedy, August
Blissenbach and others. to the number
of approximately forty.
The party found many sights of in
rapping and dixie work done along the
North Mankato bank of the river
was first to attract attention. Next
was the yards and plant of the North
Star Concrete and Tile company, com
paratively new industry, which is en-
joying great prosperity having found
ready demand for all the concrete
products it can turn out. Next along
the river was the brick yards and
Carney's cement works, both of which
are running to full capacity.
From that point on up the river,
magnificent scenery attracted the eye
in every direction. The beauty of
the bluffs along the river clad in the
beautiful green of spring and made
more picturesque by the outcroppings of
stone, surpass description. The trip
must be made on the river to fully
appreciate the beauty and grandeur of
the scenery along the stream.
A few fishermen were seen as the
boat steamed along up the river. Sib-
ley park looked very inviting and the
business men on board saw new beau
ties in the spot, and after the trip
thought more than ever of the value
of this public pleasure ground
The boat landed at point Just
above the mouth of ATinneopa creek
about 1880 and the party walked
over to the park. The distance from
the landing to the park limits is es-
timated at half mile. but the
tramp up through a ravine paved
with wild flowers of every variety
and through the wonderful cut on the
Omaha line was so enjoyed that the
distance was not noticed.
NJ. c. Johnson, who had become in
terested in the business mems eXcur-
sion, acted in the capacity of guide,
pointing out the points of interest
along the river and plotting the party
from the landing over to the park
The advisability of the state acquiring
the land lying between the river and
the park was called to the attention
of the business men by Mr.. Johnson.
and all agreed that the property was
vicinity and should be made part of
the beautiful park. It is not improb-
able that the matter will be called to
the attention of the state authori-
ties and an effort made to bring about
its purchase by the state
As they walked down the railroad
track to the park, some members of the
party viewed for the first time the
great improvements made at that point
by the Omaha company. The big cut
was marveled at and the immense re-
tanning wall along the track, just
east of Minneopa cemetery, was pro-
nounced one of the finest pieces of
masonry of the kind in this section of
the state.
Mlnneopa park is seldom prettier
than it is at the present time. A
quantity of water is pour
ing over the falls. the grounds are
well kept and everything looks most
inviting The park furniture is newly
painted and the station building, the
stand and other build
ings look neat and trim. The number
of visitors at the park on pleasant
days is steadily increasing, and with
the boat running excursions at fre-
quent intervals and combining the at
fractions of the river trip with the
beauties of the park, it is predicted
that the attendance at the park this
wear will be several times greater