The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-05
THE NEW oznssEo HOUSE.
Grand opening--A Stylish Assemblags
"a Fine Hosel.


cultural resources. The very disagreeable
weather, the positively impossible roads
restricted the number present to the
townspeople and others from Chicago,
Rock Island, Moline. Sterling and the
railroad towns adjoining Geneseo; and yet,
there were nearly two hundred present,
comprising an assemblage, that for style,
fashion, intelligence, and beauty of its
ladies', could not be surpassed by more pre- |
tentious cities 1t was in fact dress
party of the elite of Geneseo.-a compli
ment to Mr.. Abraham Miller, and his two
sous, who, in building so well appointed
hotel, have done for that place more than
the people will ever appreciate nothing |
gives town character abroad. or makes
the residents thereof prouder or more
likely to ask people to visit the place than
excellent, we'll kept hotels, such is the
case and such the reputation with which
the Geneseo House and the Millers start
out.
Of Geneseo, at this time. the reporter
of THE ARGUS can say but little, he came
he went, in the darkness and the mud.
We believe, however, that Major Allen,
one of its first settlers, made a little
opening speech just after the banquet
closed last evening. and while the the com
pany were adjusting their kics" and get
ting ready to keep time to Forey Folsom's
excellent music, 10 which he said that it
was al years ago,-away back in 1885,
when The first settlement was made in
what is now the thriving metropolis If
Henry county This settlement, if our
history is 1ot at fault, was made by
Father Stewart, and Major Allen was one
of that colony, and we believe married one
of the Stewart family In the next year
the first public house-"Tavern' they
called it then-was built, and kept by one
the Stewards. 1t was log affair. primitive
in its architecture, but comfortable for all
that This was superseded by one story
frame building, soon after another story was
added and in year or two third story
was added, aud it became a hotel-the
Geneseo House. This building, according
to Major Allen, was burned in 1865, and
during the following year. Mr.. Abe Miller
built three story brick hotel upon the
site. This was the building burned last
May, as all of our home readers will re-
member
Some ten years ago there was another
hotel in the place called the Harrington
House, owned by Capt. r. Harrington,
which was burned sometime about 1858,
on the 4th of July. 1t is on the site of
this building, on what is now the corner of
State and Second streets, that the present
handsome edifce is built. It has been
done with but little delay. On the 10th Of
June last Capt Harrington sold the ground
to the Millers, and to-day it is covered
with as handsome, conveniently arranged,
and well equipped hotel as you will find
in the west. 1t has front of IS feet OF
State street which is the principal business
street of the place, and it is 100 feet or
Second street. 1t is built with two ell:
enclosing an area, has three stories and 8
high basement. In the basement is tht
laundry, heating apparatus, store-roou
and saloon. The building is heated
throughout with steam, and has hot anc
, cold water, bath rooms and closets on eact
floor 10 the first story aboYe the base
ment are the parlors fronting on State
street, the Office in the corner, where from
his desk the clerk commands the stairway
from the saloon in the basement and tht
stairway to the stories above, the main en-
trance on State street, aud the lady's en-
lady's waiting or reception room back o
the office. On this floor is a large ant
: spacious dining room with the ceiling sup
! ported by trusses which are concealed il
. the partitions of the story above, which
0 does away with supporting posts Their
3 arc several fine rooms on this floor 70
! guests as well as large and well arranged
r kitchen and work rooms.
}. The two upper stories are divided int
suits of rooms. and the whole house il
' furnished with good aud uniform furniture
}. excellent beds, and all the latest and
d modern hotel conveniences.
+ In the construction of this house tn
! MilIers used their experience to advantage
i The foundation is o. Joliet stone, tn
bricks were made iu Geneseo by Mr. E. A
Sanders. an excellent and well informe
gentleman, we'll known in this city. Tn
u masonry was under the charge of Mr.. Be
White, of Geueseo, and the carpenterin
y was superintendent by Mr.. Turner, tn
= same man, we believe, who had charge O
= the woodwork in building the Harpe
House in this city. Tue house contains 7
first class rooms for guests, and under th
, charge Of Mr.. Miller and his two sons Ir
y and Clarence B., must be numbered anon
the very best and most popular in tn
. west. THE ARGUS congratulates Genese
10 upon this acquisition to her materia
'' wealth.
The cos of the house could not on an
fair estimate, at present valuations, ia
=" short Of $4,000 and is by far the fines
u building in the city.
Among those present from this city wer
II Mr.. Shaw, Mr.. A. Ia. Guild and wife
Re Miss Minnie Hakes, Miss Webber, Mis-
'r Laura Swier, and Mr.. Elisha P. Reynold
le and wife. There were also several fror