The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-22
Court


main stsirwAy is barber shop and bath
rooms, very neat. After ascending gen
erous fight of stairs 10 the front, the office
rotunds is reached This is q spacious
floor laid with alternate blocks of black and
white marble, and lighted BIZ five chandeliers,
each having five jets. Behind the desk is
seen the genial couutenance of Mr.W R.Moul-
ton, the clerk of the house. and one of the
most gentlemauly CT hotel clerks. \ silver
mounted steam gusge over the clerk desk
indicates the temperature Of every room in
the house, and the electrical apparatus, con
meeting the rooms with the office, is
another of Mr.. Harpers provis
ions for future comfort of it's patrons.
Opening off from the office, and on the
ives; side of the stairway is the gents
readingroom, floor of marble, black
and white squares alternately, with an
elegant French plate mirror, over a
marble fireplace; through folding doors into
the gents pa-lor, an elegantly carpeted, fur
nished and thoroughly comfortable room.
Next comes the baggage and pie rooms.
On the east side of the stairway is tie
ladies reception room, a spacious apartment
connected with the ladies parlor in ths
northeast corner of he house, by folding
doors. Both these rooms are models of
taste. and elegantly furnished, carpeted with
English velFst, and having white marble
fire places. In the reception room
and directly over the fireplace, is
another of these magnificent pier glasses,
the walls are hung with choice pictures,
The grand piano is in the pArlor, and over
this is suspended very fine lfe-size three
quarterslength portrait Of Mr. Harper, painted
By John Antrobus, another gift of our citizens
to the proprietor. We had no time for
comments, but the effect of the party and the
beauty there assembled certainly added
lustre to a scene already charming. The
ladies' ordinary is the next apartment south
of the parlor and ia a very nice room. The
dining hall occupies tks remainder of tie
room. Its walls, as are all the
walls of the house, are elegantly
frescoed. The silver plated ware of the
establishment ia kept at the south end of
the hall in showcase, and is very rich and
ornamental.
The third, fourth and fifth stories are
divide I'd inso sleeping apartments for guests
there being twenty-seven on each floor. The
corridors are nicely carpeted, and the whole
well furnished.
The wing west of the dining room is de
voted entirely, from roof to cellar to the
lodging and working of the help. In this
wing, are the kitchens, the serving room,
boiler and engine room, the laundry and
numerous other apartments. Perhaps il
would not be- amiss to say that the servants
rooms are carpeted, as well as the corridors
and other apartments. This description
the notes of which we took last evening, may
perhaps be inadequate to convey to those
who were not in attendance any idea OF the
Iiberality with which this house has been erect
ed and furnished but as q faithful. paragra ph
ist We must say that Mr.. Harper has gone to
greater expense in this regard, than one
f man in a thousand, or ton thousand, would
Honor and credit to him for his noble forts
to give this city what it has SO long felt q
necessity, first class hotel. He has sue.
ceeded, and henceforth the Harper House
will be known as the best hotel vest of Chi
cage, and its proprietor be honored among
men.
THE BANQUET.
The guests commenced to Assem- bic at an
early hour, and at eight o'clock the House
was well filed by brilliant assemblage of
the wealth, beauty and fashion of the
surrounding country. The dining hall was
soon filed, and just before the tempting
viands were served, our fellow citizen, Mr.
s. S. Guyer presented to Mr.. Harper On
elegant piano and silver pitcher, in the follow
ing presentation address
Mr.. Harper In behalf of the donors have
che honor of presenting to you this beautiful
the high regard and esteem in which your
fellow citizens Of Rock Island will ever remsm
Der you. But few short months and the spot
we now stand upon was red with the black
and eharred remains of the Rodman House.
Phenixlike from the ashes of which sprane,
aim ost as by magic, this grand, magnificent and
imposing edifce, the Harper House. The eme-
nation OF your brains, Jour enterprise, your
genius, your public spirit and generosity in pro-
viding Rock Island with much needed public
house, second to other in the great west, and
which will ever challenge the just pride and ad-
mirstior of our citizens. Receive these memen-
toes, and be assured that the donors, one and all,
will ever cherish tow ards you kind recellections
of this event, and regard you as one who is ever
first and foremost in every great enterprise in
this city.
At the close of Mr.. Guyer's remarks, the
recipient responded in the following brief
but feeling speech of acceptance and
thanks:
= Mr.. 9uyer-Fellow Citizens: These beautiful
mementoes and your warm expression of esteem,
coming unex 0actadlv has ovapw haIrnnK -