The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-07-19
GEORGE T. BLAKE DIED
TODAY FROM INJURIES
From Mondays Daily.

tnlS HlOTlllnS dl the lllliduuel HOS-
pital, from injuries received in a
collision with an Omaha freight
train, Saturday morning about 1880
without having regained his con-
seriousness since the accident. The
most familiar figure at Sibley park
is gone; the pet deer and animals
at the park will see him no more.
He was their best friend, and they
were his best friends, responding
to his call or whistle at all times.
His brother, Sherman Blake ar
rived in Mankato Saturday night
from Faribault, and his daughter,
Miss Sadie Blake arrived here about
seven o'clock Saturday evening
from Wells, where she was visiting
for a few days Both were at the
hospital during the entire day Sun
day, as his death was expected to
occur at any time.
The funeral will be held Wednes-
day afternoon at one o'clock from
the house, and at two o'clock at
the Christian church, Rev. c. B.
Osgood to officiate All funeral
arrangements are in the care of the
]. O. o. F. lodge, of which he was a
member.
The deceased will be buried at
Minneopa beside the remains of his
wife, and parents.
George E. Blake was born in
South Durham township, now called
Dandy, Quebec, Canada, on Octo-
Der IL, seventy-three years ago this
fall. He was the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Ephraim Blake, and remained
with his father in Canada until he
was twenty-four years old. taking
up the work of his father, that OF
lumberman. For many years he
was engaged as a timber cruiser,
or one who goes through the woods
seeking out the tallest trees for
spars and masts for ships. In his
work as lumberman, he made six
miles of turnpike road, using oxen
to haul the logs.
When about twenty-four years OF
age, he came west to McGregor,
Iowa, which was at that time the
end of the railroad, and the Jump
ing off, place for those going farther
west. He went directly to Burr
Oak, Iowa, going by foot, to the
farm of his uncle, Ezra Reed. Here
he earned team during the
fall by hauling grain from McGregor
to Austin. At that time Austin
was little more than a slough, and
Mr.. Blake once remarked to a rela.
tive that he could buy Austin
for $25.
He remained at Burr Oak but a
short time, and then began to work
his way back to Canada. He was
an expert river man and was given
employment on log RATS. He work
ed near Detroit, Mich, and Buffalo
N. Y, and was barely saved from
drowning on river near the Nj
agra bridge. He helped ferry the
people across the river at this place,
and after some time, finally worked
through New York state, and up
to Canada.
But his heart was in the west,
and he pursuaded his parents to
come west. His father had finally
decided to follow his sons pleadings.
Mr.. Blake was married to Miss
Hannah Brock of Sherbrook, Cana
da, when he was twenty-five years,
and in the spring, he with his wife
and the rest of the family started
by rail for McGregor, Iowa. The
large family of eleven children of
Mr.. Ephraim Blake went by rail on
the Grand Trunk line through Mon
treal, and to McGregor. One of
the incidents, recalled on his trip,
was the duty of $40 charged on a
box of goods.
When Mr.. George Blake reached
McGregor, he began to work with
a threshing crew, and did so dur
ing two seasons. He lived near
Burr Oak about three years, and
then moved to Vernon Center where
he lived a short time and then came
to Martin county, Minnesota, in 1869
eSAN 'ooh up q Cidlli near "dNSTly .
Here he and his wife met Mr.. and
Mrs. A. Fl. Allen of this city, and
they became close friends.
He left Martin county in 1874
and went to st. Paul, where he con-
Quoted dairy farm for short
time, and then moved to Eagle Lake,
Blue Earth county. But he did not
remain at Eagle Lake very long,
coming to Mankato, where he has
lived ever since.
At that time, the business men
hired their own Waterman, and Mr..
Blake was hired night Waterman by
the citizens, upon recommendation
OF Mr.. Allen, who had also moved to
Mankato. He served as Waterman
for some time, when the city ap-
pointed him as policeman He re.
manned on the police force for over
twelve years, and was one of the
bravest and best officers.
He resigned his position as police
man and became agent at the North
western depot for some time. A
short time later, he accepted a
POSITION as driver on the street car.
horses being used in those DAYS,
He held this position for several
years, until the street car tracks
were torn up.
AT fhic tipoo bo n,oo