Tag: Embarcadero Road Palo Alto

A Bicycle, a Bulldog, and Rev. G. R. Alden

Published on by Isabella Alden2 Comments

In 1918, Isabella’s husband, Reverend G. R. Alden was a healthy, hardy 86-year-old. Though retired from his ministerial duties in the Methodist church, he remained incredibly active. The Aldens were living in Palo Alto, California at the time, and because the Reverend didn’t drive, his bicycle was his primary mode of transportation. Seeing him pedaling his bike around town was a familiar and endearing sight in the neighborhood.

Illustration of a red men's bicycle with hand brake and a small black pouch attached behind the seat
A roadster bicycle from about 1915, described in advertisements as “admirably suitable for the young and middle-aged.”

Rev. Alden was also a well-known dog lover. Years earlier, he had written two children’s novels centered around a canine protagonist named Major: Major’s Autobiography and Major’s Friends, were both serialized in the pages of The Pansy magazine in 1892.

Black and white illustration of a boy wearing a sailor style top, breaches, and ankle boots, holding a large dog by the leash as they walk through a field, while three small dogs cavort around them.
An illustration from the 1892 serial story, “Major’s Friends.”

He was very open about his affection for four-legged friends. In the opening lines of Major’s Friends he declared to his young readers:

“By this time you will begin to believe that I am fond of dogs. Well, I am, if they are good, and I am especially fond of large, intelligent dogs.”

With such a deep affection for man’s-best-friend, it must have come as quite a shock to the Alden family—and the community—when the local papers ran a startling headline in July 1918.

Newspaper headline: VICIOUS DOG BITES REV. G. R. ALDEN

According to the July 17, 1918 issue of the Peninsula Times Tribune, Rev. Alden was riding his bicycle near his home one evening when he was suddenly “assaulted” by a vicious bull terrier. The dog bit him, leaving a painful injury on his left leg just above the ankle. The next morning, Rev. Alden reported the attack to the police, requesting that immediate action be taken to muzzle or properly handle the dangerous dog.

Because Isabella and the Reverend were such prominent figures in the region, the story quickly spread beyond Palo Alto to nearby San Jose. The Aldens were frequent visitors to the Mount Hermon Christian Camp in Santa Cruz, where they owned a cottage, so two days later, the Santa Cruz newspaper also picked up the story and added a few additional details for its readers.

Newspaper Article: MINISTER BITTEN BY bULLDOG. REV. G. R. ALDEN, WELL KNOWN HERE, VICTIM OF DOG. Rev. G. R. Alden is suffering from a rather painful injury caused by an attack by a bulldog Tuesday evening. Mr. Alden, a retired clergyman was riding his bicycle on Embarcadero road when he was attacked by the bulldog. He reported the matter to the police and the latter are looking for the owner. Mrs. Alden is the author of a famous series of books for girls that were very much read from 30 to 40 years ago. These were the "Pansy" books, which will be well remembered by the older generation. Mrs. and Mrs. Alden are living in retirement in Palo Alto. One son, R. M. Alden, is a professor at Stanford.

The article made sure to note that Mrs. Alden was the famous author of the beloved “Pansy” books, and proudly mentioned that their son, R. M. Alden, was currently serving as a professor at nearby Stanford University.

Thankfully, an injury above the ankle couldn’t keep a robust 86-year-old retired minister down for long, and Rev. Alden was soon back on his bicycle, pedaling around Palo Alto. It’s fascinating to see how a minor local mishap can reveal so much about the Aldens’ daily lives, their tight-knit family, and their enduring fame in California.

Did you know Reverend Alden wrote children’s stories about dogs? Have you ever read about Major’s adventures? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!