The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-07-19

n ~1<N
GEORGE E. BLAKE
sisters, Mrs. Everett Jones of Spring
Valley, Mrs. Thomas E. Jones OF
Judson, and Mrs. Jerome Davies OF
Todd county. His son, Charles, was
a soldier in the Spanish American
war and died of cholera at Santiago.
His parents died in Mankato and
are buried at Minneopa, where also
lies his wife, who died about twelve
years ago.
Mr. Blake was one of the fore.
most citizens of Mankato, and to
him is due largely the eXcellency
of it's park system, it's scenic beauty
and prominence as the city beauti.
full. At one time the Chicago, Great
Western railroad company wanted to
make a cut through Sibley mound
to get material, but Mr.. Blake set
/ his heart against it, thinking that ii
would make beauty spot. He
circulated a petition and after much
labor, finally managed to prevent
! the cut, which furnished him much
/ pleasure in after years. He fire.
! quently chuckled with pride, that
there were a few things the rail-
roads could not do, and one of these
was their tampering with the parks.
! He practically made Sibley Park
and nearly every other park in the
! city. When he took charge of Sibley
| park, it was merely piece of
/ underbrush. He cleared it planted
trees there and laid out the boule-
/ wards, making it the beauty spot it
/ is today. He has set literally
! thousands of trees on the boulevards
and parks of Mankato.
! AS a botanist, he was one of the
best in the state. His vast knowl-
edge of plant life did not come
from books, but was taught him by
the Indians in the north, and through
, experience. He loved the plants
and knew almost every flower by
I name, even the botanical names.
He was considered an expert along
these lines and in later life was
often called to other cities to be
consulted on problems of the parks.
He was member of the Park and
, Outdoor Art association of America.
Because of his abilities, he was also
appointed weather man and for
many years has registered the rain
! fall and the rise and fall of the
river.
! AS Christian, he was a jealous,
God fearing man. He joined the
United Brethren church at Westford,
Martin county, and was afterward
member of the Free Will Bap-
lists. Later he joined the Christian
church at Mankato and for many
years was a leading member.
! He took great interest in the pub.
lie welfare and was prominent in
political life, although he never held
any public office. While on the
police force, he was considered the
bravest of the officers. He never
feared to arrest a person because
his own life was in danger, and one
illustration of his fearlessness was
given, when Texas Jack" was liter
ally shooting up the town. He was
| terroriZing the people at the corner
of Front and Main streets with his
revolvers. Mr.. Blake was on the
night force, and it was during the
day that Texas Jack" did his shoot
. ing. But no one cared to make
the arrest, and Mr.. Blake was call
ed out of bed. When "Texas Jack"
was cody approached by Mr. Blake,
the former gave himself up to the
officer with admiration in his eyes
for the daring of the policeman.
AT the meeting of the city council
! this morning, the following resolu.
. tons concerning Mr.. Blake were
unanimously passed:
Whereas, by a collision with a
+ freight train at the roilroad cross.
! ing leading to Sibley park in the
/ city of Mankato, Minnesota, OH the
18th day of July, 1912, Park Super
lntendent George E. Blake received
injuries which resulted in his death
/ on the 18th day of July, 1912
Whereas, the long and faithful
service of the deceased as superin-
tendent of the parks of this city
render it proper that we should
place upon record, our appreciation
of his service and his merits as q
man; therefore be it
Resolved, by the council of the
city of Mankato that we deplore the
loss of George E. Blake with feel
ings of regret, softened only by the
confident hope that his spirit is
with those who have fought the
good fight here, and enjoying per-
/ feet happiness in better world.
Resolved, that we tender to his
afflicted relatives our sincere con-
dolence and our earnest sympathy
/ in their affliction at the loss of one
who was good citizen, an upright
/ man and one who devoted his time
and energy in beautifying the
{, parks of our city.
"Passed this 18th day of July A.
D. 1912"
: From SATURDAYS Daily.