Response to 1935 article

Letter to Editor of Time Magazine, July 29, 1935



The Rev. Earle V. Pierce preaches just around the corner from me. He's the sensitive spirit who in your July 15 issue deplores your "stench of debasing animalism" and wistfully looks forward to the day when the postman will no longer force him to accept TIME. Seeing his letter today (Sunday), and remembering his pretty gift for snappy sermon titles, I was moved to note tonight's offering on his billboard. Well, he will particularize "A Kiss That Didn't Count." That should catch many a hesitant eye tempted to rove among the bathing beauties of nearby Lake Harriet. It's hot here in July, too, so every automobile is a competitor. True, he gives fair warning that the kiss didn't count. Perhaps that's what makes everything all right. DONALD HARRIS
Minneapolis, Minn.

1889 ~ DROWNED in sight of Thousands!

Almost 120 years ago (on July 8, 1889) the New York Times published this brief article, with the dateline of Minneapolis. I transcribe it here verbatum:



MINNEAPOLIS, JULY 7. - A peculiarly sad accident occurred at Lake Harriet, a few miles from this city, about 5 o'clock this afternoon. Charles Ide, Assistant Superintendant of the Minneapolis Gaslight Company, and MIss Longden secured a boat and started for a ride. When but a few rods from the shore, and while attmpting to pass each to other to change positions, the boat overturned, the couple being precipated into the water, and before assistance could be rendered both were drowned in plain sight of the thousands of spectators on shore. The body of Miss Langdon was recovered at 8 o'clock, but Ide's body has not yet been found. The young people were lovers and were to have been married shortly.

Lyndale Rose Garden

My mother is 91, and when she travels to Minneapolis soon, she'll want to visit her favorite site in the Twin Cities, the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet.

As if sheer volume weren't enough (it showcases 3,000 plants in 100 different varieties), the setting includes a patio graced by the photogenic Heffelfinger fountain and the "peace" rock garden across the way, with boulders imported from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Rose Garden was designed more than 100 years ago by the same team of landscape artists who turned a patch of weeds into the famous White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy Adminstration. My mom does not know this, but she does know her flowers, and for her, guessing the variety of plants and taking in the beauty that her one eye still affords her, is the prize that she will take home with her.

Lake Harriet - adjacent to fragrant Lyndale Rose Garden, as well as a "peace" rock garden and bird sanctuary - is arguably the most beautiful city lake in North America. Its natural wonder, together with the serene sight of sailboats, the clang of a nearby streetcar, and the silloute of the storied bandshell as the sun sets has no rival that I've come across.

No doubt that its next-door neighbor - Lake Calhoun - could win title to "Fountain of Youth,"
with its beach volleyball, wind surfers and more than its share of middle-aged teenagers. And next in the chain of lakes - Lake of the Isles - does have Kenwood and a fine character of its own.

Call for Amateur Archeologists!

Found recently while metal detecting on Lake Harriet Beach near Bandshell:

a 1884 Indian Penny;
1950 Minneapolis Dog License tab;
older diecast model car. am

I can envision a little kid leaving behind his toy car (which I found about 4 inches under sand);
and the dog license makes sense as we all know that dogs love the lake; but what about this
penny, almost 125 years old? Seems like a long time for a penny to be wafting along in the lake.
Makes you wonder what other relics of interest are on the beaches or in the lake. Interesting to speculate how they got there.

Waning Summer Nights on the South Beach.