The prevailing economy in 1914 caused many tight purse strings around Lafayette Square. For the winter holiday season, someone decided to take the frugal approach. He or she procured a Christmas goose from the apparent bounty of Lafayette Park.
The Lafayette Park police substation buzzed with speculation as to the identity of the culprit. They were also amused by what awaited that person and guests when their supper was served.
The culprit broke the lock on the park lake penhouse. Three white geese and seven ducks ,“two of which were mallards,” (a distinction that eludes me) were taken. Park police reported to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat on Christmas day, 1914. The knew that both geese and ducks were between 15 and 20 years of age.
“There is no way to tell a goose’s age, until you take your first helping at the table, and so it will be with the park geese.” The police desk officer said he had been acquainted with the birds for twenty years. He added, “those that feed on the purloined fowl will shortly discover that these geese are, by no means, spring chickens.”
One of our park’s many (perhaps too many) ageless attractions.
Mike,
May you and Pat make merry with an aged braised goose in your pot and a figgy pudding.
Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dan and Susan
Many thanks, Dan. We can all use a friendly goose now and then.
Great article’s on Lafayette Square great 1’s
Thanks, Rick; Glad you’re backtracking through a few of these essays. They’ve piled up over the years, but since they’re about the years themselves, they should hold up.