WAUPACA RECORD LEADER

August 3, 1916

 

THOU SHALT NOT TRESPASS

 

THUS SAITH THE “LORD” WHO RULES AT OUR CHAIN O’ LAKES RESORT

 

POSTS STOP THE TRAFFIC

 

Campers Returning From a Crystal River Trip Find Path Leading to the Electric Doc Closed to Them

Mr. Lord Wants No Horses Around the Dock

 

            Again we are forced to chronicle a controversy between I.P. Lord and the public.  This time we find the campers and people at the Home very much incensed at what to them seems a mere piece of spite work.

            For years it has been the custom for those who wish to take boats, baggage and provisions, to the Lakes by team to drive to the Electric dock and there place the boats in the water, and transfer other articles on boat to be delivered to their destination.

            Last Monday when a party of about sixteen or eighteen were returning canoes, they found the road blocked by large posts.  These were placed on the Home grounds, about 150 feet east of the dock.

            These young people set up a howl which might well cause I.P. a few bad dreams.  The posts vanished and the procession went on its way rejoicing. Tuesday noon found the posts in place again with the sign, “No Driveway,” displayed.

            It seems that Mr. Lord did not wish the public to drive to the dock and so he secured the permission of the Commandant to place a barrier in the road.

            Some claim that the Electric dock is partially on the Home grounds and so there is a big howl that a way should be opened so that the public may use the property as it wishes.  Mr. Lord tells us that the dock is wholly on his property and he has the perfect right to close it to teams in case he sees fit to do so.

            In discussing this matter with several parties at the Lakes, we found none who took the side of Mr. Lord.  All seemed to think it an outrage that he should place a barrier in the way of the campers and others, so that they could not have the full enjoyment of the Lakes.

            The Crystal river trip is a popular one and is taken by a large number each season. As a rule canoes are rented at or near the Electric dock and are generally returned there by team.  Now to prohibit the bringing of boats to the dock will spoil this sport and will take from the Lakes one of its rare treats.

            In case Mr. Lord is doing this with eth hope that he will be able to carry the boats on the car line, he is pursuing a short sighted policy as he is but gaining the enmity of the public.  In interviewing campers we found many who vowed that they would never ride on the “blamed” car-line again.

            As the posts are on the Home property, the question as to whether there shall be a driveway at the place in question, must be decided by the Board.  We have been informed that there will be a meeting next Monday when the matter will be threshed out.

            There seems to be a general regret in the city and at the Lakes that such unpleasant occurrences should mar our pleasant summer resort.  Many seem to feel that Mr. Lord is not giving the public a square deal.  Whether this is justified or not, it is a very unfortunate state of affairs.  The manager of the car-line should have the full confidence of the public and be our best booster for the Lakes.  Too many of our people think the present manager falls far short in this.

            We have interviewed Mr. Lord and he has the following to say:

            “The patrons of the Electric Dock at the Chain o’ Lakes have been complaining over the unsanitary condition of the surroundings owing to the driving of horses, etc., adjacent.  The manager of the electric line which owns the dock property, took the matter up with the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home officials, and it was decided to place a row of posts along the driveway which leads to the dock over the Home grounds and a few rods distant from the dock. This was done Monday and a sign “No Drive” put up.  Tuesday morning Mr. Lord was advised over the phone that the wind had blown these posts away.  An investigation showed that some person or persons had taken up all of the posts, and made use of the roadway again for a common drive.  The property is private, and those who drive over it have no legal authority to do so.  Mr. Lord says he is perfectly willing to have the dock used for passenger purposes and hand baggage, etc., but that as far as making it a terminal for horses, wagons, automobiles and the like, is entirely out of the question.  If it is convenient for some people to drive teams to the Lakes, they should try and obtain some place by lease or otherwise, where nobody can have cause to complain.”