Silver Bay in 1902 — Honeymoon prank

“The convention season has ceased at Silver Bay for the summer of 1902, and the hotel is now ready for regular autumn business,” The Lake George Mirror reported on Aug. 30, 1902. “Silver Bay is one of the best equipped on the shores of Lake George. The furnishings and services are of the best, and the attractions are such that the tastes of all are satisfied.”

Sydney S. Rogers and Charles A. Chase of Holyoke, Mass., had left after the closing convention via canoe, instead of steam boat, the preferred mode of travel for most delegates.

“The canoeists left Silver Bay, where they had been in attendance at the Y.M.C.A. convention Friday morning. They stopped at the Hundred Island House over night and took breakfast at the Sagamore Saturday. They then canoed to the Hotel Willard where they dined,” the Mirror reported on Aug. 23, 1902. “After spending Sunday at the Fort William Hotel, the men left for their home.”

Late season guests included Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Mable of Binghamton, who were on their honeymoon.

The dining room staff was only too happy to participate in a prank, presenting the couple at dinner with a package that had been mailed express from friends in Binghamton.

“The bundle consisted of an old pair of shoes, painted in bronze and tied with a white ribbon. On the sole of one was written, ‘Two souls with but a single thought.’ On the other was inscribed, ‘To the merry jingle of those bells.,” the Mirror reported on Sept. 13, 1902.

The good-natured couple re-gifted the bundle.

“It happens that a friend of Mr. Mable was married two days after his own wedding day, and so a few bells were added to the significant looking bridal package which was sent on by express to Atlantic City, where his friend is spending his honeymoon.”

More construction got underway at Silver Bay as the season closed.

“J.H. Johnson, architect, is busy at Silver Bay. He has three cottages under construction — one for Dr. H.P. Beach, M. Mitchoner, ad Captain Waits,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Oct. 10, 1902. “Silver Bay is growing into a little city of its own.”

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