Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-20
naPLENnIp IDEA.

Mr.. Ben Harper is one OF the most enter
pri.ing sod useful men ia Rock Islaad,
BE has done % much 70 build up our CITY
as any other person in il. Most of his
schemes tend az much 70 public utility as to
bis own private profit We wish we had
many more just such men. rslg
The splendid hotel he has given us, is an
immense advantage to the city. as we'll as
an honor 70 il, There are very few such.
hotels ID the vest. In All Eta appoin, mi nts
81 betrays, the frst aclass esta bl isbuens
Travellers speak Of IL in the highest terms,
and our people generally regard it with
pride. When 10 was first throws open for
business, a great many considered il too
large for the requirements of Rock Island
and predicted that it would be 6uan cial
failure. Noeso Of us fels very sanguiue over
its prospects. st win take fortune to ron
it, everybody said, and so widely did tbm
idea prevail, that Mr.. Harper was unable. TO
End a satisfactory tenant, and SO was obliged
to turn landlord himself sHehss thoroue hIy
allied the bin, however, and now be ends his
big house entirely TOO small to NEE, uhe ne
cessities Of his patrons. He wants to en-
large il.
He has accordingly already commenced
negotiations with Messrs. Swanson and Nor
den for the purchase of the three story block
!. on the left OF the hotel q, present occupied
BY Swanson's boot and shoe store and fac
tory, and Mrs. Johnson's res.auIsnt he
spprehends no strouble- being able ts
make the. purchase, as Mr.. Swanson find,
himself crsmpedl for room, and the othel
parties seem willing to sell q. fair figure
\ Ii the sale is effected, the following enlarge
J ments Of the hotel viii take place mex
4 spring. 'ss ,ga'a s4I - a- sl
{ The three story block referred to will b,
. torn away entirely, and the imposing fron
Of the hotel extended to the left as far as tn
alley, rising to the full heighth. The add
ton thus made will be carried back dis
e lance Of eighty four feet. None Of the oil
}, materials will be used in the construction @
y the new por.ion'of the hotel, BIT new ma
n terials entirely The fret floor will be ftte
/ up for store rooms. On the second floor
70 splendid change will be introduced. TIL
II present office rotunda win be extended t
the full length Of the building, making
:. magnificent hall Of itself An elevator wi
!. slso be put in, and three capscious ssmpl
rooms added. On the third floor viii be
pslstial dancing hall 40 by 81 feet in z,
and finished in the most complete styl
II The fourth and fifth floors will be divide
If up INTO sleeping chambers. These improS
" meuts, if made, will give Rock Island ii
A. largest and finest hotel in Illinois, and wi
e. add i'm mensely to the appearance of th,
N portion Of Illinois street. What the co
IN viii be, we have not learned, and clol
ID estimate has probably not yet been mad
o; But Mr.. Harper is satisfied the investmel
~ will be . good one, aud Of course will hs'
Of no trouble in regard to funds. BE is or
e. of those fortunate and successful men wi
be have vet to know what il lie to be short
greenbacks. BE informs us that he has
doubt but that he ~ i'll be able TO buy o
=, Messrs Swanson and Nordell and tn
carry out his praiseworlhy design. v
! trust he may We know of no improv
ment which would be of greater public be
4 eht, or afford greater pleasure TO everybod