USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 29
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1879. The officers this year were: Mayor, H. D. Brown: aldermen-1, W. P. Sergeant (president), J. W. Smith : 2. T. H. Armstrong. Ellend Erickson ; 3, William Fenholt. John A. Ander- son : treasurer. H. A. Hanson ; attorney, R. M. Palmer : assessor. D. N. Gates : street commissioner, E. D. Porter ; chief of police, Reuben Williams; surveyor, William Morin : justice. E. C. Stacy. In September, Ed Patrick became chief of police. The council took several measures toward protecting the city from fire. Lots were rented, a temporary building was erected, hooks, ladders and pails were purchased, and several cisterns and reservoirs were put in at various points. In the summer a La France fire engine was purchased, and an engine house was erected on block 30, on Main street, the lots being presented by William Morin and T. H. Armstrong. The engine house was ready for occupancy in January, 1880.
1880. At the election this year R. C. Van Vechten was chosen mayor. The new aldermen were: O. F. Nelson. William Morin and J. A. Anderson. E. C. Stacy and H. O. Haukness were the justices. and B. H. Skaug was treasurer. William Morin was named as president of the council and the following appointments were made: Clerk, John Anderson; assessor, W. A. Higgins: chief of police. Ed. Patrick ; engineer, A. Motzfeldt. March 15. .J. H. Parker was appointed attorney for the balance of the year. The council this year was much occupied with the question of Spring lake. From a beautiful sheet of water it had become a dumping ground and stagnant pool. Physicians pronounced it
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a menace to public health and it was deeded to the city as a park by William Morin and wife, Clarence Wedge and wife, and Mrs. Mary F. Armstrong. In December the lake was ordered drained.
1881, The new government was organized May 3, with the following officers : Mayor, Francis Hall; treasurer, B. H. Skaugh ; aldermen-1, O. F. Nelson; W. P. Sergeant ; 2, Thomas H. Armstrong, William Morin; 3, William Fenholt, John A. Anderson ; clerk, John Anderson. John A. Anderson was made president and the following appointments were made: Assessor, Aug. Peterson; attorney, J. H. Parker; chief of police, W. C. Mitchell. The Spring lake matter was again considered. A petition was received protesting against its being drained. August 23. Dr. Charles Hewitt, the state health officer, declared the lake to be a menace to public health. A plat of the proposed drain and park was presented and placed on file.
1882. The election of May 4, this year, resulted as follows : Mayor, C. W. Ballard; city treasurer, N. O. Narveson; city justices, H. O. Haukness and E. C. Stacy ; aldermen-first ward, Martin Olson; second ward, William Morin; third ward, John Thompson. T. H. Armstrong, Sergeant and Fenholt held over. An effort was made to have John A. Anderson sit on this council as president, it being alleged that though his office as alderman had expired, he nevertheless held over as president of the council until his successor to that position should be elected. At the first meeting of the council no chairman was elected, the vote on this subject being a tie. This was the famous "dead lock" year. There was considerable bitter feeling and the council was evenly divided on all questions, so that neither faction would consent to one of its numbers being deprived of a vote by being appointed president of the council. The matter was not settled for several months. Finally after many deadlocks and much bitter feeling Alderman Thompson was elected president, December 5. Alder- man Sergeant resigned in November, and D. R. P. Hibbs took his place. February 6, 1883, George Drommerhausen was regul- larly elected alderman from the first ward. August Peterson was assessor this year and John Anderson was clerk.
1883. Francis Hall was elected mayor, and N. O. Narveson, treasurer. The three aldermen elected were : 1, George Drommer- hausen ; 2, John G. Brundin ; 3, V. Gulbrandson. William Morin was elected president of the council and other officers were : City clerk, D. W. Dwyer; attorney, W. E. Todd; chief of police. William Mitchell; street commissioner, M. M. Luce. May 6, a petition was filed asking for a telephone franchise.
1884. Francis Hall continued as mayor and N. O. Narveson as assessor. The new aldermen elected were: 1, Martin Olson;
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2. William Morin; 3. John Thompson. William Morin became president of the council. The other officers were: Justices, E. C. Stacy, John Anderson; clerk, D. W. Dwyer; attorney, W. E. Todd: street commissioner, M. M. Luce; chief of police, H. S. Grandy.
1885. Dr. A. C. Wedge was elected mayor, N. O. Narveson, treasurer ; George Drommerhausen, alderman from the first ward; A. H. Squier, alderman from the second ward; and Vegger Gul- brandson, alderman from the third ward. William Morin was appointed president; D; W. Dwyer, clerk; August Peterson, assessor. The respective merits of gas and electric street lighting were considered this year. The council decided to construct some cells for prison purposes in the rear of the engine house, and also to add a story to that edifice for assembly purposes. A. G. Wedge succeeded John Anderson as justice, and he was followed in turn by J. H. Parker.
1886. Francis Hall was elected mayor. The aldermen elected were : 1, T. V. Knatvold; 2, William Morin; 3, G. Q. Slocum. A. H. Squier was president of the council. Other officers were : D. W. Dwyer, clerk; W. C. McAdam, attorney; A. G. Brundin, treasurer ; Frank Merchant, chief of police; David Colvin, street commissioner ; J. Q. Annis, assessor; W. A. Morin, surveyor ; justices, E. C. Stacy and J. B. Foote. Charles H. Farnsworth was given a franchise to erect poles and to string wires for an electric light system, providing the system should be in operation by September 15, 1886. October 19, a committee was appointed to contract with C. H. Farnsworth for the installation of six street lights of 1,200 candle power. November 1, a few lights were in operation, and December 6, the system was fully inaugurated. R. C. Van Vechten was appointed alderman to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Morin. and J. H Parker was appointed justice in place of J. B. Foote.
1887. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor; A. G. Brundin, treasurer ; J. H. Parker, justice, and D. G. Parker, L. J. Thomas, W. A. Morin, V. Gulbrandson and L. D. Smith were aldermen. Parker. Slocum and Smith served as presidents of the council. F. Merchant was chief of police; H. A. Morgan, city attorney ; J. Q. Annis, assessor; F. A. Johnson, clerk ; C. D. Marlett. street commissioner, and H. H. Wilcox, city physician.
1888. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor; E. C. Stacy and H. O. Haukness, justices ; alderman-at-large. R. C. Van Vechten ; 1. T. V. Knatvold ; 2. W. A. Morin; 3, G. Q. Slocum. F. A. John- son was clerk ; Henry A. Morgan. attorney; Harry Lukins. street commissioner; J. Q. Annis, assessor; Frank Merchant. chief of police. Upon the removal of R. C. Van Vechten, L. J. Thomas became president of the council.
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1889. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor. The treasurer was A. G. Brundin and the aldermen elected were: Alderman- at-large, H. A. Hanson ; 1, T. E. Richards ; 2, A. Wiegand; 3, W. H. Lewe. H. A. Hanson was president of the council; F. A. Johnson, clerk; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner; V. Gillrup, assessor; W. S. Carey, chief of police. C. A. Briggs succeeded F. A. Johnson as clerk. J. B. Foote succeeded H. O. Haukness as justice. July 22, 1889, the council decided to adopt a gaso- line system of street lighting. October 21 the electric street lights were ordered. removed.
1890. D. N. Gates was elected mayor; alderman-at-large, H. A. Hanson; 1, C. N. Ruble; 2, W. A. Morin; 3, C. W. Ransom; E. C. Stacy and J. B. Foote, justices; Thomas M. Blacklin was treasurer; Charles A. Briggs, clerk; C. D. Marlett, street com- missioner; William N. Crane, attorney; G. Q. Slocum, assessor ; W. S. Carey, chief of police; H. A. Hanson was president of the council.
1891. H. H. Wilcox was elected mayor. The aldermen elected were: Alderman-at-large, C. M. Wilkinson; 1, T. E. Richards ; 2, Adam Wiegand; 3, W. H. Lowe. C. M. Wilkinson was presi- dent of the council, and other officers were: C. E. Brainerd, treasurer; C. A. Briggs, clerk; C. D. Marlett, street commis- sioner; E. C. Stacy and J. B. Foote, justices; William N. Crane, attorney; C. M. Hewitt, assessor; W. S. Carey, chief of police. November 5, 1891, a new water works system was in full operation.
1892. W. G. Kellar was elected mayor, and the new alder- men were: Alderman-at-large, C. M. Wilkinson; 1, George A. Boye; 2, A. G. Brundin; 3, C. W. Ransom. C. M. Wilkinson was president of the council, and others officers were: John Stadheim, treasurer; Heman Blackmer and E. C. Stacy, justices ; C. A. Briggs, clerk; William N. Crane, attorney ; C. M. Hewitt, assessor ; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner; W. A. Morin, sur- veyor; W. S. Carey, chief of police; W. S. Lockwood, superin- tendent of water works. A new plan for draining Spring lake was accepted and placed on file.
1893. T. V. Knatvold was elected mayor and the new alder- men were: Alderman-at-large, C. M. Wilkinson; 1, T. E. Rich- ards; 2, A. Wiegand; 3, W. H. Lowe. C. M. Wilkinson was president of the council, and the other officers were: Fred S. Hayes, treasurer; C. A. Briggs, clerk; John Anderson, attorney ; C. M. Hewitt, assessor; W. A. Morin, surveyor; S. F. Chamber- lain, chief of police; C. D. Marlett, street commissioner. Some repairs were made on the engine house and a bell tower added. December 20 a telephone permit was granted F. B. Fobes. The council declared itself in favor of free text books.
1894. T. V. Knatvold was elected mayor and the new alder-
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men were : Alderman-at-large, C. M. Wilkinson; 1, V. Gillrup; 2, A. G. Brundin; 3, A. M. Gilbert. C. M. Wilkinson was presi- dent of the council and the other officers were: A. S. Hayes, treasurer ; R. S. Clements, clerk ; George A. Boye, street commis- sioner; W. A. Morin, surveyor; E. C. Stacy and E. A. Church. justices : C. D. Marlett, chief of police ; John Anderson, attorney ; M. M. Luce, superintendent and engineer of water works; Syl- vester Messinger, assessor.
1895. Victor Gillrup being elected mayor, his place as alder- man from the first ward was taken by R. B. Skinner. The newly elected aldermen were : Alderman-at-large. Charles Jorgenson ; 1. William S. Krebs ; 2, W. A. Morin ; 3, V. Gulbrandson. Charles Jorgenson was president of the council and the other officers were: A. S. Hayes, treasurer: Charles A. Briggs, clerk: C. S. Edwards. attorney; E. E. Remington, surveyor: F. M. Church. street commissioner; A. E. Ransom. chief of police ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works; C. M. Hewitt, assessor. June 24 a contract was let for draining Spring lake, the work being completed in August.
1896. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were: Charles Jorgenson, alderman-at-large ; 1. R. B. Skinner; 2. A. G. Brundin ; 3, A. M. Gilbert. Charles Jorgenson was president of the council and the other officers were: B. H. Knatvold, treasurer; E. C. Stacy and G. W. Hop- kins, justices : C. A. Briggs, clerk ; C. S. Edwards, attorney ; F. M. Church. street commissioner; C. M. Hewitt, assessor; S. F. Cham- berlain. chief of police; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The city voted no license this year. In spite of this fact. five saloonkeepers applied to the city council for licenses, but no action was taken in the matter.
1897. Charles M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were: Charles Jorgenson, alderman-at-large : 1. Simon Strauss: 2, W. A. Morin; 3, Henry G. Wohlhuter. Charles Jorgenson was president of the council and the other officers were : C. B. Kellar, treasurer: J. R. Halverson, clerk ; C. S. Edwards, attorney; F. H. Fisk, surveyor : S. F. Chamber- lain. chief of police : A. Wiegand, assessor; F. M. Church. street commissioner: M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The sewer system was installed this year and various telephone fran- chises granted. The city was "no license" this year.
1898. C. M. Wilkinson was elected mayor and the newly elected aldermen were: W. S. Jones. alderman-at-large : 1. J. W. Veness : 2. A. C. Sorenson : 3. Alf. Anderson. W. A. Morin was president of the council and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar. treasurer: D. K. Stacy and R. S. Clements, justices : J. R. Halvorsen, clerk: C. S. Edwards, attorney ; F. H. Fisk.
J. Q. ANNIS 1
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surveyor; Emil Nelson, assessor; W. H. Lowe, street commis- sioner ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The sewer system was extended and the water works equipment improved. Rolla Farnsworth took the place of C. S. Edwards as attorney. J. Q. Annis took the place of Alf. Anderson, as alderman. E. S. Hammond took the place of R. S. Clements as justice. The city returned to license this year.
1899. T. W. Wilson was mayor, and the newly elected alder- men were: E. W. Knatvold, alderman-at-large; 1, James C. Jensen; 2, W. A. Morin; 3, J. Q. Annis. E. W. Knatvold was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; E. S. Hammond, justice; C. S. Edwards, attor- ney ; J. R. Halvorsen, clerk; W. H. Lowe, street commissioner ; Emil Nelson, assessor ; F. H. Fisk, surveyor ; J. J. Sullivan, chief of police; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. A new city hall was proposed this year. Charles Jorgensen took the place of E. W. Knatvold as alderman. The city voted no license this year.
1900. H. H. Dunn was mayor. The newly elected aldermen were : P. C. Johnson, alderman-at-large; 1, T. J. Wanek; 2, A. C. Sorenson ; 3, P. C. Jensen. P. C. Johnson was president of the council, and the other officers were : C. B. Kellar, treasurer; D. K. Stacy and E. S. Hammond, justices ; Charles E. Brainerd, clerk; A. U. Mayland, attorney; W. H. English, street commis- sioner ; G. M. Wilcox, surveyor ; James J. Sullivan, chief of police ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. W. S. Jones took the place of A. C. Sorenson as alderman.
1901. H. H. Dunn was elected mayor, and the newly elected aldermen were: Augustus Armstrong, alderman-at-large; 1, James C. Jensen ; 2, C. L. Swenson ; 3, W. Wohlhuter. Augustus Armstrong was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. S. Edwards, attorney ; F. H. Fisk, surveyor; Emil Nelson, assessor; W. H. English, street commissioner ; C. E. Brainerd, clerk; Edward Carey, chief of police ; M. M. Luce, superintendent of water works. The building of a new city hall was again seriously considered, and it was also voted to continue the filling of Spring lake park. A vote was passed encouraging Frank Moore Jeffery in the establishment of a gas plant.
1902. Henry A. Morgan was elected mayor, and the newly elected aldermen were: E. W. Knatvold, alderman-at-large; 1, S. G. Thompson : 2. A. Wiegand; 3, P. C. Jensen. E. W. Knatvold was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer ; D. K. Stacy and E. S. Hammond. justices ; C. E. Brainerd, clerk; J. G. Skinner, attorney ; J. D. Clarke, street commissioner; Emil Nelson, assessor; William
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Barneck. surveyor; Edward Carey, chief of police; W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works. A contract was let for the building of a city hall, fire station, engine house, city prison and city offices combined, on North Broadway.
1903. E. W. Knatvold was elected mayor, and the new aldermen were: at large, C. L. Swenson, M. M. Jones, W. A. Morin and T. E. Schlender; 1, D. C. Armstrong; 2, Adam Wiegand; 3, Chris. Anderson. C. L. Swenson was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. E. Brainerd. clerk; Claude E. Southwick, attorney; D. K. Stacy and E. S. Hammond, justices ; Emil Nelson, assessor ; W. H. English, street commissioner; Edward Carey, chief of police ; W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works; William Barneck, engineer. Various matters in connection with the laying of the gas mains were considered. The new city hall was completed in November, 1903.
1905. L. O. Greene was elected mayor, and the aldermen elected were : at large, C. L. Swenson, M. M. Jones, N. P. Soren- son and C. R. Brundin. 1, H. E. Skinner; 2, A. C. Sorenson; 3, J. A. Gustaveson. C. L. Swenson was president of the council, and the other officers were: C. B. Kellar, treasurer; C. E. Brain- erd, clerk; C. E. Southwick, attorney; J. Q. Annis, assessor ; E. S. Hammond and D. K. Stacy, Justices ; E. V. Spoon, street commissioner ; Edward Carey, chief of police. H. C. Higgins be- came clerk in place of C. E. Brainerd, November 16, 1906. February 7, 1907, the city signed a five-year street lighting con- tract with the Albert Lea Light and Power Company.
1907. The officers this year were: C. L. Swenson, mayor; N. P. Sorenson, alderman-at-large ; 1, M. M. Jones, H. E. Skinner ; 2. A. C. Sorenson, Robert Anderson ; 3, John A. Gustaveson, John F. Hanson; C. B. Kellar, treasurer ; Charles J. Dudley, clerk ; C. E. Southwick, attorney ; J. Q. Annis, assessor ; E. S. Hammond, D. K. Stacy, justices ; Patrick Dolan, street commissioner ; T. L. Jones, chief of police; W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works: William Barneek, engineer. M. M. Jones was president of the council. Henry J. Harm became alderman-at-large October 14, 1907, to fill the place of N. P. Sorenson.
1909. The officers this year were: L. O. Greene, mayor; Henry J. Harm. alderman-at-large : 1, M. M. Jones, N. C. Soren- son : 2. Robert Anderson. William Nelson; 3. J. A. Gustaveson. J. J. Verkvam ; C. B. Kellar, treasurer ; Charles J. Dudley, clerk : T. V. Knatvold. attorney; J. Q. Annis. assessor; E. S. Hammond. D. K. Stacy. justices: Patrick Dolan, street commissioner; Ed- ward Carey. chief of police: W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works: William Barneck, engineer: M. M. Jones president of the council. The first street paving in Albert Lea was done
ยท
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during this administration and has continued to the present time. November 13, 1909, J. A. Gustaveson resigned as alder- man and John Hanson took his place. August 31, 1910, Robert Anderson resigned from the council and his place was taken by A. C. Sorenson.
1911. The officers this year are: C. L. Swenson, mayor; Henry J. Harm, alderman-at-large; 1, N. C. Sorenson, Martin Blacklin; 2, William Nelson, Henry Soth; 3, G. A. Clausen, J. J. Berkvam ; C. B. Kellar, treasurer; Charles J. Dudley, clerk ; J. O. Peterson, attorney ; J. Q. Annis, assessor; Christ Hanson, street commissioner ; E. S. Hammond, D. K. Stacy, justices ; Peter Fosse, chief of police; W. L. Beedle, superintendent of water works; William Barneck, city engineer; A. F. Wohlhuter, chief of fire department; James T. Swenson, weighmaster; "The Evening Tribune," official paper; board of health, Dr. W. A. Bessensen, Alexander McKee and Charles Jorgensen. Henry J. Harm is president of the council.
The Charter. The original charter of the city of Albert Lea passed the legislature March 11, 1878, and was accepted by the people the first Monday in April of the same year. The boun- daries of the new city were to be as follows: The southeast quarter of section 8; all that part of the northeast quarter of section 8 lying south of Fountain lake; all that part of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8 lying south of Fountain lake and east half of southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8; the southwest quarter of section 9; the south half of the northwest quarter of section 9; the north half of the northwest quarter of section 16; the north half of the northeast quarter of section 17; all in township 102, range 21.
After the first election the elections were to be held the first Monday in May. The term of the mayor was fixed at one year ; the treasurer at one year, and the two justices at two years. Six aldermen were to be elected, two from each of the three wards. Three of these aldermen were to serve for one year and three for two years. After the first election each ward was to elect one alderman every year, each alderman to serve for two years. Other officers were to be appointed by the council. Various minor changes were subsequently made and in 1885 the boundaries were changed.
February 19, 1887, various important changes were made. The boundaries were again altered and election day was desig- nated as the first Tuesday in April. An alderman-at-large to be elected each year and to serve for one year was added to the city council.
April 8, 1889, the legislature passed a new charter, reducing,
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consolidating and amending the previous charter and amend- ments. This charter was the work of Henry A. Morgan. then county attorney. The elective officers of the city were to be the same as under the previous charter. A new feature was the creating of a board of public works, but this provision was after- ward repealed.
November 8, 1898, the people of the state accepted the con- stitutional amendment abolishing special legislation, and the amendment was proclaimed by the governor December 29. 1898. In 1899 the state legislature passed an act called Chapter 251 of the General Laws of 1899. This act provided for the appoint- ment by the various district judges of a charter commission for such cities in their districts as were already incorporated and for such villages as desired to incorporate; these commissioners to have charge of framing charters and charter amendments in the cities or villages wherein they served.
Under this act Judge Nathan Kingsley appointed fifteen men to serve as the charter commission of Albert Lea. They were A. C. Wedge (president), Clement S. Edwards (secretary). Henry A. Morgan, D. R. P. Hibbs, S. Strauss, I. L. Ingebritsen, H. G. Wohlhuter, Henry C. Carlson, H. G. Day, O. J. Wulff. J. H. Mene- fee, Ray C. Blackmer, T. V. Knatvold, C. W. Ransom and Will- iam A. Morin. The charter prepared by this commission was rati- fied by more than the necessary four-sevenths of the voters, April 1, 1902, and with the exception of certain amendments, the city is still operating under this instrument.
This charter provided for a two-year term for each elective officer. Each ward was to have one alderman and four were to be elected at large. The other elective officers were to be mayor. city treasurer, street commissioner, city attorney, assessor. city clerk and two justices of the peace. In 1906 the charter was amended so that two aldermen are now elected from each ward and one at large.
In 1908 further important amendments to the charter were made, but their import is beyond the scope of this history. At this time two vacancies had occurred in the commission and George Drommerhausen and Vegger Gulbrandson had taken the place of H. G. Wohlhuter and Ray C. Blackmer.
The present charter commission consists of C. S. Edwards. H. A. Morgan, D. R. P. Hibbs. H. C. Carlson and William Wohl- huter, first ward; O. J. Wulff. J. H. Meneffee. S. P. Swenson. W. S. Jones and A. C. Sorenson, second ward; Vegger Gulbrand- son, A. U. Mayland, George Drommerhausen. C. W. Ransom and Chris Berthelson. third ward.
The present boundaries of Albert Lea are described as fol- lows: The north half of section 16: the northeast quarter and
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the east half of the northwest quarter of section 17; the south- west quarter and the south half of the northwest quarter of section 9; the northeast quarter, the northwest quarter, the south- east quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 8; the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5; also the following, to-wit: Commencing at a point on the sec- tion line between sections 5 and 6, twenty rods north of the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 6, and running thence west twenty rods, thence southeasterly to the northwest corner of the south half of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5; thence east to the center of the upper Shell Rock river; thence north- westerly along the center of said river until it strikes the west line of said section 5, thence south along said section line to the place of beginning, all in township 102, range 21.
CHAPTER XXIV.
MODERN ALBERT LEA.
Advantages of Albert Lea as a Place of Residence-Parks-Street Paving-Street Lighting-Water Works-Sewers-Telephones -Fire Department-City Hall and Engine House-Carnegie Library-City and County Hospital-Business Men's League- Cemeteries-Written by Joseph P. Hurley.
Albert Lea, destined without doubt to be the metropolis of southern Minnesota, is situated in the center of Freeborn county, noted for its extensive dairy and diversified farming interests. With broad, well-paved business streets, modern, well-kept bus- iness houses, handsome, attractive residences and a background of lakes, meadow and woodland, it at once combines the progres- sive commercial center with all the attractions usually offered by the most delightful summer resorts. With boating, fishing, hunt- ing at its very doors, the visitor may find all the delights of wood- land, lake and stream, without any of the discomforts usually met with in seeking sylvan pleasures. Located as it is, on a table land between Albert Lea and Fountain lakes. three-fourths of its bor- ders are on these lakes, the high, irregular banks making possi- ble the locating of avenues, boulevards and streets in such a way that the homes situated thereon add to rather than detract from the natural beauties of the scenery as Mother Nature painted it.
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