New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-12

geographical OF the United states and In its cor
ror the people Of the four quarters Of the country met
Commercial travellers from the great Eastern Cities cot
brokers of the South, creOes Of NewOreans, land
owners Of Tennessee and Kentucky, free-mannered
North-Westerners, and occasionally successful
adventurcr the Pacific coast, formed their
congen groups every evening in the lobby. The
Southern frequcned by army officers by politicians
and lawyers and by the travelling stars of the dramatic
profession. When the management changed short time
previous the Democratic Convention OF 1876 large
sum was expended in renovatng aud refurnishing it,,
and adding the previous luxurious accommodations.
STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL LESSEE.
james II. Bresp, one OF the lessoes Of the Southern
Hotel and also lessee and manager of the Metropolitan
and Giisey Hotels OF this city, in conversation with
TRIBUNE reporter yesterday In regard 10 the
Southern Hotel and its appointments said !:
"Thc Southern Hotel bnilt about ~ years ago
by the Southern Hotel Company OF 1T. Louis at cost
OF about 100000 1t six stories high, about 200
feet square. aud occupies block bounded by Walnut,
Fourth, Fifth, and Em-sts The materials used In the
construction closely rcscmbed marble and the style OF
architecture OF the AngoItalan order. The first
story constructed Of rOn and the remaining stories
faced with marbleikc sandstone and with Drick
in the The rounda of the finest OF its kind
in the world It travcrsed the ground floor from Walnut
ST, to E-st and 2i feet IN length and 10 feet In
width. 1t was paved with tcsselated marble. and in
the center rose by huge square wcl with galleries on
every floor straight the roof from which one could
command picturesque view OF the busy city iaf Deiow
The staircase led from the rounda directly to the dining
the second floor and conceded to be one OF
the widest in any hotel in the world. The dn.ngroom
was one of tine most spacious and airy in America. 1t
was II in length and SO feet in width The
ceilings were 81 feet above the fDOr and very ee
ganily fresroed This had seating capacity for
about $50 persons
The hotel Immediately after its complet on was "on-
Quoted under the control Of the Southern Hotel COM
pauy 1t did not prove success, however and was sofa
af auction to the highest bidder Robert Campbell OF ST.
Louis became the owner, having bid 100000. Mr..
Campbell Immediately leased 1t to Layile, Warner Co.,
who refurnislcd and conducted it up to April l. 1876,
when they surrendered the lease The hotel had gained
a high reputation and extensive patronage under their
management About this time when the Lndell was built
ms that was n very fine hotel, many OF the old patrons
of the Southern changed quarters and the Southern Hotel
venture was pronounced by some people a failure
ron April l. 1877, Breslin Darling & Co., leased the
Southern for tern. OF five years, with pryil of re-
uewal at tho expiration OF that time. We remodeed ana
patty refurnished the house at cost OF 100000,
which maze second TO in the land The hotel was
much iised in St Louis, and the Southern people still
made IT their home when in the city. Our large
acquaintance in the East brought us numerous
patrons and eleven months after took the
house Every full, and the receipts were very
satisfactory. The table equal to that OF the flth
Avenue Hotel and the house patronzed by the best
people of St. Louis and OF Southern society 1t had 800
rooms 1t hal four entrances the largest or which were
on Walnut ANA Em-sts We put In at our own expense
complete rcalarm system throughout the entire house
at cost of 81 200. There were also several hundred
feet Of hose on every floor and the arrangements for
tingllishing fire, both In the hotel ana lii the
immediate nclghb0rhood, considered ample
and COMPLETE The bar was marvel. with
its glitter Of plate-glass mirrors and polished
Woods Probably nowhere else in the world was there
so magnificent display Of the peculiar American inst
tuition The Southern Hotel for years the heaGqar
ters of The aristocracy of the South and Southwest In
the carcs. years had to be possessed OF large
property and long bank account to he admitted 10 It's
hosI,alities which famous throughout the whole
country On his first visit to this country the Grand
Duke Alexis and suite lodged at this hotel which on that
occasion presented scene OF prlncely revelry ana
mrth The hotel was owned at tic time OF the fire by
Robert Campbell OF St Louis, and valued by him NJ
100000 Ii was only partially insured estimate tho
loss at something 100000 but at the present time
il Is impossible 10 give correct statement as TO the
exact loss sustained by the managers.