12 PRESIDENT WALLOWER IN HISTORICAL HOOD "To outline the history of the inception of the new hotel" narrat ed E. Z. Wallower, president of the plarrlsburg Hotel Company" would /be writing ancient history. The I need of this hotel had existed for many years. Fifty years ago the Lochlel, Bolton House and the Jones House (Commonwealth) were old, and but little hotel capacity has since been added; whilo the Commonwealth has recently been converted into an office building, and the Lochiel reduced in capacity by the installation of the Colonial Theatre. - "Meanwhile the population of the tirfy has rapidly increased to nearly 100,000, and the commercial activ ity has created a congestion in ho tel accommodation, so that Harris burg acquired a reputation through out the country of "the city without a hotel." • "While this reputation is ex treme, the stigma has long been felt by the progressive people of this city. It has been a matter of fre quent occurrence that visitors have been compelled to go to Lancaster, Residing and York for night accom BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND HOMELIKE p. M. Johnson Tells of Care Taken to Produce Pleasing Results in Furnishing THE following comprehensive and precise article on the Penn- Harris furnishings is contrib uted by D. M. Johnson, secretary treasurer of the United Hotels Com pany: In the furnishings of the main portion of the hotel the object was to create not only a beautiful ef fect but to obtain a comfortable, homelike result, rather than to lav ishly follow any one period or style, giving the result found in the Eng lish homes of the late Georgian period in homes built by the Adam Bros., the style followed by this builder. Flrs't, the Lobby Upon entering the lobby one is impressed by its dignified richness and simplicity in scheme of furnish ing with its background of beautiful walnut paneled walls and columns. Its base of best antique marble and immense marble tloor making a rich ALL Sand, Lime Cement and Plaster Used in Construction of Penn-Harris Hotel Furnished by ]. E. Rhoads Forster and Cowden Sts. Harrisburg, Pa. LEHIGH-PORTLAND CEMENT USED Lehigh Also Was Used in the Following Prominent Structures in ftdtrisbi^rg: Mulberry Street Viaduct Cumberland Valley R. R. Bridge Evangelical Publishing House Hershey Creamery Neiv Junior High School Camp Curtin School Addition r Use It For Your Building TUESDAY EVENING. modatlons, while many have walked the streets at night seeking shelter. "Naturally, the hotel project has been uppermost in the minds of those Interested in Harrlsburg's wel fare. For many years the subject has been discussed, resolved and abandoned. The false hope of outside capital deferred the project and led to many offers of promoters. At times the project was started, a lim ited number of subscribers secured, and again abandoned. "While I felt keenly the need of a hotel In keeping with the needs of the city, other activities influenced me in declining to take active charge of raising the money and planning its erection. I knew the responsibility involved and that it would require two years of constant attention. In other words, I passed the responsibility along to others. "However, early in 1916, while I was in Florida, J. William Bowman, who had just been elected president of the Ilarrisburg Chamber of Com merce, wrote to E. J. Stackpole, who was also in Florida with E. S. Herman, consulting him about the Chamber's work for the year. Mr. Stackpole urged him to concentrate on the new hotel project. Later Mr. Stackpole and Mr. Herman met me and strongly urged that I accept. Mr. Bowman's appointment as chairman of a new hotel committee of the FINE STORES IN THE NEW HOTEL "The visitor who sizes up the Penn-Harris will conclude thut Har- j risburg is on the map," observed \ Herman P. Miller, of Miller Bros, j real estate firm, which hns to do ; with the leases for shop room in j tho big hostldry. "This one struc- J ture has put our city into a new \ class; it will be a different city from j now on. The building of this struc- f ture sets a pace for higher class construction nnd hence cannot help ; but be of vast benefit from a real j estate viewpoint." Four firms only will conduct es- : tablishments in the place. At the corner of Walnut and Third the \ familiar Gorgas'drug store meets tho j eye, occupying apartment No. 1. I Next to this is J. S. Belsinger, opto- I metrist and optician, who for five | foil of color for the antique crimson and gold damask curtains hanging in inch heavy folds held back with cords and bands. A damask repro duced from an old example now in tho Petti Palams in Italy made espe cially for the hotel. Large Italian throne chairs covered with a vel vet made to match in design the damask of the curtains are placed against the walls and columns. A larger Italian reproduction table placed upon a rich oriental rug is a central feature. A warm soft glow Chamber of Commerce. While per suaded, I felt unwilling to add to my other responsibilities just then. A Duty to the Cjty. "But after my return homo I folt it a duty to the city, and believed that I would meet with hearty co operation. In this I have not been disappointed. The results speak for themselves. The matter was placed not only in the light of an invest ment, but a civic fltjty. The Cham ber of Commerce was made the sponsor and actively participated, while the Rotarians championed the enterprise and gave their hearty co operation. "The old Opera House corner was a gaping wound in our body politic for years, and its continuance em phasized the need of a modern sub stitute for the hole in the ground at one of the most prominent loca tions in our city. "While the highest in value, its location and accessibility, as well as its rental value, made it the logical site for a hotel. Hence the Harris burg Hotel Company was organized, and the site purchased. Architects were selected and plans made for a comprehensive, up-to-date hotel, of. sufficient size to accommodate the needs of the city. The directors de cided to give Ilarrisburg a building of which the people could be proud. Beautiful and Complete. "W. L. Stoddart, architect, of New York, in collaboration with Es senwein & Johnson, of Buffalo, the years has been in Locust street. j His new quarters will be fitted up | in most modern fashion. Another firm familiar to Harris j burgers will adjoin this one, that ; of W. L. Forry, now in the Colum ; bus Hotel building. He expects to ; retain his present place but will I have an even more attractive haber : dasher.v in the Penn-Harris. The last two apartments in Third j street are occupied by the Cloos j Company, with offices in New York | and stores at Lancaster and Read ing. They specialize in women's and | misses' apparel, including coats ; suits, wraps, gowns, blouses, silk un j derwear, etc., and will display the newest in ready to wear garments, as they appear in the New York I market. of light Is cast by the table lamps and torches and beautifully de signed ceiling fixtures. The Luxurious Ixmngc In direct contrast with the for mality of the lobby is the ultra blended effect of the lounge remind ing one of the homely English draw ing room, its lack of sameness, fol lowing no one period of design but drawing from the best examples of lute Eighteenth Century of the Eng lish Georgians. One is impressed with the spaciousness of this room, Its walls panneled to the high ceil ing and painted in ivory tone with the beautiful heavy Axminster car pet woven especially, a copy of a .Georgian conception of the old French Lavonenic carpets of the I contemporary Louis XVI style, all forming a fitting background for the rich old blue and taupe damask hangings with their suggestion of the Chinese design so much in vogue during this period with the furniture covered with rich damasks in vel vets in contrasting complementary colors in perfect harmony. The mag nificent carved Italian table of mas sive proportions, rep oduced from an antique Italian mcdel forms a fitting center for this restful and j homelike collection and grouping of furniture. This table is placed upon a rare antique oriental rug and breaking the long expanse of carpet giving an added richness. Further decorative effects are contributed by the many beautiful lamps placed conveniently to afford proper light for reading. The desks being lighted by little lamps made of Chinese tigurings while the general lighting j of the room is given by beautiful . chandeliers of Adrain design. The ! rear portions of this room is used jas the main restaurant. Its walnut 1 chairs covered with silk damask ; being in perfect harmony. The Beautiful Ballroom ! The classic refinement of the ball | room and purity of design of the Adam style is most successful. With ; the exception of the rose satin hang j ing practically no color is used in I this room that the walls may be neu | tral in tone forming a fitting back ! ground for the gowns of the women 1 guests which In themselves create ; beautiful color effect. The same ap i plies to the assembly room adjoin j ing. The Private Dining; Rooms I On this floor also are several private i 'lining rooms of furious sizes, with | cream white panelled walls, heavy especially woven carpets apd sillc | damask hangings. Especially attrac tive is the Japanese private dining J room with its walls panelled with an 1 old French paper of a Japanese de | sign forming a continuous pattern of ! Japanese figures and landscapes. 1 Damask hangings of Japanese pat- I terns. Furniture of like designs, a rich Oriental rug. The room being j lighted with appropriate fixtures and unique l{tmpß which were made from old Chinese vases obtained from a ! valuable collection. On this same j floor are a series of bedrooms and 1 private suites especially rich in their 'furnishings and hangings." Frankness Rewarded by Maximum Fine Kansas City, Mo. "Frankness Bhould not go unrewarded," said Judge Edward Fleming, of the SoutH Municipal Court, as he fined Claude Simpson SSOO, the limit. Simpson was arrested,, while stand ing In front of a saloon by MI patrol man who saw part of a "jtmmy" > pro truding from Simpson's pocket. Simpson, who Is unemployed, ad mitted he Intended to break into the saloon. AfW learning his fine Simp son said he was glad he was ar rested before he entered the saloon, as he then would have to face a peni tentiary sentence. "Judge,'• he said, "Its' just as well to look on the bright side of things." "Some Pollyanna," remarked the judge. HARRISBURG TJEUEGRAPH latter representing the United Hotels Company, were employed to pro pare the plans. They have produc ed an architectural scheme In stone brick and color, harmonious In de sign, as well as complete In equip ment and decoration, making It the most beautiful in the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. "An active canvass for subscrip tions to the stock of the hotel com pany was made, with the result that It was financed for $1,200,000. The addition of the ball or banqueting room, additional 'equipment, furn ishings, decorations, and the Instal lation of a first class cafeteria, will add an additional SIOO,OOO, which amount, I believe, will be readily subscribed when an opportunity is given to see the manner in which the project has been completed. "A favorable lease has been made with the United Hotels Company of America, operating a dozen or more high-grade hotels in the principal cities of this country and Canada. The exceptional character of Har risburg as a location for a successful hotel, gives every promise that the return on the Investment will be sat isfactory. "I cannot emphasize too strongly the public spirit and loyal co-oper ation extended in making the en terprise possible. It will mark a new era for the city, and more than any other factor, contribute to the development of the city as well as add to its reputation." GOLF GAME LEADS TO A NEW HOTEL Chatty Story of Inception of Big Penn-Harris Hotel Project 11Y ALLEN SANGREE. "It's a great game—golf," said old Dan Dailey, the comedian, in those days when the now universal sport was meagerly practiced in America, and Mr. Dailey knew something. Maybe, only for a golf fray the Penn-Harris would not have been built. Here is the real inside story: J. William Bowman, sometimes known as "the John Wanamaker of Harrisburg," was holding down the job of president of the Chamber of Commerce, and one placid after noon he received a message from way down in Florida signed E. J. Stackpole, urging that he galvanize his Chamber of Commerce program With an effort for a new hotel. It was snowing a blizzard in Harris burg, but down on the golf links the sun beamed and all was merry as a marriage bell. From a distant plantation the twang of an old darkey's banjo came: "There'll Be No Dark Days," and as the three Yank sportsmen, E. 25. Waflower, E. S. Herman and E. J. Stackpole, brandished their golf eJubs.'llfe seemed sweet; The stern, callous gaze of business re sponsibilities faded to give way to gluttonous joy in the noble pastime, for these three capable men realized that out-door sport is of supreme value, not from ogling "the antics of a score of professional or semi-pro fessional athletes, but in individ- ually getting in the game. In a traffic tee-off, Messrs. Her man and Stackpole negotiated pif fling drives, and Mr. Wailower, who had been in secret training at Or lando followed with a majestic 200- yard wallop, which had direction and force. Came over him a sub lime smile of triumph, rippling his demure countenance like a depth charge exploded in the adjoining Tampa Lake, and the Telegraph man with those instincts born of long newspaper experience, recognized the psychological moment. "Let's get him now," he exclaim ed, seizing Golfer Herman's shoul der, and in all his sublime radiance of triumph, they charged upon their victim, who fairly staggered as he kept a narrow eye on the white pel let and listened to his companions' emphatic request. As the game ad vanced and Mr. Wailower maintain ed his lead, there could be noticed a warming of his heart-cockles, an expansion of his solar plexus; an aura of benevolence that glowed like gold when he finished with "three up" at the nineteenth hole. And that night Messrs. Stackpole and Herman cuddled together as they left Florence Villa, tongue in cheek. "You got him, E. J.," echoed Mr. Herman. "Harrisburg's got its ho tel." Hastens Wedding to Please Dying Mother Rock Island, 111. Knowing that a cancer was fast sapping her life, Mrs. Clarence Sutton asked her daughter, Marie M., to hasten her wedding. The last request of the mother was granted and the daughter and Andrew Lindgren were married at the bedside of the dying woman. Mrs. Sutton passed away a few hours after the ceremony had been performed. She gave her dying blessing to the young couple. "Patient" Disappears With Morphine Supply Dellcfontnine, Ohio When Dr. H. A. Skldmore started home from his office he f9und a note on the table in his reception room. It said: "When you get this I will be on my way. Many thanks. I hope sometime to have money enough to pay you." Investigating, the phy sician found that his supply of mor phine and all of his hypodermics were gone. Guns Silent, Soldiers Find Sleep Difficult Martins Ferry, Ohio, Charles L. Coleman, of the States Engineers in France, writes his father a week after the armistice that the boys ure having trouble sleeping. They miss the lullaby fur nished by the big gun Are under which they have been living fori months | ilt is with deep appreciation of the patronage the people of Harrisburg and this community have accorded us that we are extremely pleased to announce that we will occupy ft Our New Optical Store | In tke Penn-Harris Hotel | m B OPTICAL SERVICE has been _ I iMjr II -~X Skater success m our bust- || fr'i I t^ie ver y highest order. ness, the same high ideals will H|4 fn H That is the foundation of • J \ IT* be in practice. Your confi- Jf \M our successful business LI H dence in us will be held M has helped us conscientious ffi ffi jfij Our New Home in the Penn-Harris will be the finest Optical Store in Pennsylvania. £§ |i Its appointments and improved facilities for caring for our patrons will be increasingly ffi CO appreciated by the public generally, as it becomes more acquainted with our new place. |fj Those who are Belsinger patrons know the high cJ service of this m establishment. Those who are to become acquaints ,/ith us will find p; every feature of our business to be up to the high standard which they expect. Wishing You a Very, Very Happy New Year, we are Yours Respectfully, 1 J. S. BELSINGER j k|| Registered Optometrist and Optician We are still in our old store, 212 Locust Street—Until further notice iff) m iimii u | ; a n Otis Elevator r Company i Have installed in the Penn-Harris Hotel the following equip ment: i i 2 High Speed Electric Passenger Elevators 1 High Speed Electric Service Elevator 1 Electric Freight Elevator . ' \\ 1 >. . ♦. te *'• All equipped with the most modern signal equip- ( ment and safety devices, including Standard Ele vator Interlocks. Harrisburg Office 28 S. Third Street ' Where Prompt Service Will Be Rendered on Call 1 * Day and Night Phone ( \ DECEMBER 31, 1918.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers