The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-03-24
A MAMMOTH HOTEL.
What senator sharon has Done-A
Great Enterprise.

Great Enterprise.
San Francisco Letter Carrier
Our Palace Hotel stands by far the
first among similar establishments in
America, and Europe has no 'house"
that can approach it. Its fame is
spread all over the civilized earth. In
the old world, the new and in the
antipodes; the Palace is famous. News
papers in all languages have devoted
columns to describing it's magnitude
and splendor; distinguished travellers
have carried far and wide their praises
of its luxurious comfort, combining the
grand surroundings of a royal abode
ever entered the portals of the Palace
without being wildly impressed with
its immense size and beatifully-ap-
pointed interior. and none ever left It's
friendly shelter without carrying with
him grateful remembrance of it's
magnificent hospitality.
A detailed description of this enor-
nous building is both unnecessary and
wellnigh impossible. It's vast dimen-
sions will, however, be appreciated
when we state that its seven land in
some parts eight lofty stories bear
their huge ornamental fronts over a
deep basement that covers an area of
more than three acres. The lowest of
these stories is over % feet in hight the
top one q feet. It's mainly built of
stone, iron, marble and brick, of the
latter material alone 100000 having
been consumed in its construction.
Five enormous patent safety-catch
hydraulic elevators ascend to the very
roof prominades. Four artesian wells,
with capacity of $4,000 gallons per
hour, supply 100000 gallon reservoir
under the central court, and seven
rooftanks holding 10000 gallons
more. Three steam fire-pumps dis
tribute water through miles of hose, so
that every inch of the vast edifice is
doubly and trebly protected against
fire. The guest chambers
alone number some eight hun
dred rooms, and besides being hand
somely AUTOMATICALLY furnished, are
provided with all the latest modern
conveniences, such as bathrooms, ETC.
The immense crystal-roofed court
yard is one of the main features of the
building, with its tropical trees and
shrubs, its two great electric lamps,
and the corridors of the upper floors
running in apparently endless success
sion, the balustrade Of the top one be-
ing crowned with statuary and rare
plants. But it would be futile, as we
have said before, to attempt full des-
cription Of this gigantic building and
its interior.
50 1t was only to be expected of the
man who had the courage. energy and
money to build the Palace that even it's
mighty proportions would not limit his
ideas Of what it is to do things on q
large scale. This expectation was veri-
fed some six months ago when he car
ried out scheme which he had long
in mind. This was nothing less than
to connect the Palace with the magnifi-
cent Grand Hotel across the street.
Having once made up his mind to do
this, Senator Sharon speedily executed
his project, and almost before the peo-
pie Of San Francisco knew anything
about it the two great caravansaries
were made one. This was accomplish
ed by throwing across New Montgom-
cry street very graceful and beautiful
bridge. This structure is the admira-
ton of all who have seen it, and is re-
garded as triumph Of architecture by
professional connoisseurs. Though
light and elegant co look at it is really
immensely strong, as it was necessary
it should be. Its length is 70 feet and
its breadth 10 feet; it spans the road at
height of 20 feet, and the summit Of
its roof is fifty feet from the ground.
The whole is strongly framed, and is
profusely glazed with heavy plate glass.
The gallery within is some % feet high
from floor to ceiling, and is richly car
peted, furnished and decorated.
Such is the dainty bend of union by
which Senator Sharon hes converted
his two hotels into one. If we are
rightly informed, he was strongly urged
not to do so by many of his friends, it
being believed by them that 80 daring
an enterprise could not be a financial
success. But Senator Sharon is man
of as much foresight as determination
of purpose. He had quietly made his
calculations before he ordered the con-
nection to be made, and the result has
abundantly shown that his judgment
was not in error.
Before its union with the Palace the
Grand was completely refurnished, the
old furniture being sold at auction. An
other equally important change was
made. It was decided that the kitch-
ems of the Grand should no longer be
used, those of the Palace being more
commodious and absolutely fire-proof.
The guests, therefore, all take their
meals in the vast dining-room of the
Palace, or in the famous restaurant at
tached to that hotel.
It will be readily believed that there
are very few men in the United States
who could successfully govern q city
within city, such as these monster
twins are said to be. Mr.. Alexander
D. Sharon, the lessee of the Palace, and
the nephew of Senator Sharon, is, how
ever, man of exceptional ability in
this and many other respects. and un-
der his able management every detail
of the vast establishment runs as
smoothly and regularly as the solar
system itself. The lnnumerable host
of clerks and attendants are specially
chosen for their particular duties, and
a hitch is never known to occur. Taken
as whole, the Palace-Grand must be
regarded as one of the most wonderful
institutions in the world. There is GER
tainly no hotel in America or Europe
that can approach it either in size,
grandeur or comfort, and San Francis
co has good reason to be proud of the
fact.
Set the Children to Work.
Even the youngest member of the
family should have something given
him to do. "1he chores" which the
country boys and girls do, thereby re-
lieving their overworked elders, are
not only an assistance in the house
hold, but means Of education, and it
is important that those families who
unfortunately live in the city should
find for their children something to
tolro tho y,1oco IF thia means Of educa.A