The Henson Journals

[57]

Friday, June 4th, 1909.

We were running through a pretty & varied country when we looked out of our "State–room" window. Rather to our surprise the negro informed us that breakfast was not obtainable on the train. We reached Minneapolis at 9.50 or thereabouts. On the platform were Mrs Mann & Mr Clark. We were motored to the latter's house, & given breakfast. After this we were taken [on] a delightful drive in the motor round the lovely lakes which are the special glory of this city. Here again we admired the enterprize & public spirit of the citizens in the securing for their community ample means of healthy recreation. In the course of our drive we saw a number of birds, and also a turtle. I recall the following:– the oriole, the blue bird, the cat bird, the blue jay, the American robin, the yellow–hammer, the red–winged black–bird, the crane, & several others. We lunched at a pleasant club–house: & then resumed our drive. We visited S. Paul, and admired the sleep–banked Mississippi. Here also were more admirable parks; a fine State–House, & a commodious University. Having bade farewell to Mr & Mrs Clark, we dined at the West Hotel; and then [58] having yet some hours to dispose of before our train left, we went out to the Minihaha Falls on the trolly car. The falls are really worth seeing; the volume of water is considerable, and the entourage of the water–fall beautiful. Few cities can boast of so notable a feature in their public parks.

At 11.5 p.m. we left Minneapolis, and arrived at Fargo at 7.15 on the next morning.

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