100 Years Ago - August 25, 1914: Would you be surprised if you went to a pump, expecting to get some bright, sparkling water, but instead you received a pitcher of beer, suds and all? That is precisely what happened to a certain woman employed at the Baker Rose Sanatorium. In Kemp Park, which adjoins the sanatorium, is well famous for its quality of water. A few days ago the woman at the sanatorium went to the well and holding a pitcher under the spout, started to pump. She was dumbfounded when instead of water she got a pitcher of suds. She showed the strange liquid to Dr. Voorman and others. After much smelling and tasting they decided that it was none other than the famous beverage, lager beer. For a time the strange happenings at the pump excited much speculation and various theories were advanced. Finally the explanation of the strange occurrence was hit upon. Dr. Voorman recalled that the pump was not working well at times and that he frequently heard it squeaking, especially at night. For some time the park has provided a rendezvous for hobos who have slept there and enjoyed beer parties. It was found on Sunday morning that some of the hobos were unable to pump up the water. So in the case of ingenuity, they primed the pump with beer. When the sanatorium people went to get water the following day, portions of the supply of beer returned to the top and filled their receptacles. Needless to say, no one had any desire to drink the beer, even if it was secured for nothing. The Baker Rose Sanatorium was built in the late 1890s at 93 Park Avenue near Kemp Park. The following two pictures show the sanatorium at the turn of the last century and how it looks today.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:23:15 +0000
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