Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-12-19
An Old Chicago IIostelry.

The Lake Street house, one Of the earliest
hotels of Chicago, of which the bibulouE
Mark Beaubien was mine host, stood near the
river, on Lake street, and was, perhaps, the
most popular hostelry Of its time in the city
Il is not generally known that this house i.
still in existence, but such is in reality the
case It was removed one block northwest
of its original site, where, in a much-im.
proved and remodeled state, it now stands
bearing no suggestion of antiquity in its out
ward appearance Many anecdotes are re
lated of this hotel, and of the scenes and in
cidents which occurred there Some of these
are well worth repeating, but limited space
forbids the mention of more than one
Guests who stopped at the house and were
given the best chamber sometimes had q
strange and startling experience. A man
would go to bed, sleep soundly until jus!
before dawn, when he would be awakened
by loud cry of Indians, Indians!" At the
same time some one would rush into the
room, snatch the bed-clothing from the bed,
and dart out again before the astonished
guest could get his eyes fairly opened With
visions of Infatuated savages, glancing toma-
hawks and flowing blood, the terrified man
would jump out of bed, hurry himself into
his garments and bolt out of the room, con-
fident that terrible Indian massacre was in
progress. But imagine his overwhelming
amazement and confusion when, on rushing
into the cuisine of the hotel, where breakfast
was in course of preparation, he would be
ccolly informed that he was alarming him
self without cause-that there were no signs
of an Indian outbreak or any disturbance of
the 1,eace whatever. To make the mystery
more dense nobody could tell him who the
person was that had Weakened him in such
an outrageous manner. He would question
everybody about the hotel, but each and all
of them would wear a look of hopeless be-
wilderment, and either pronounce the whole
affair perplexing puzzle, or insinuate that
he had been dreaming.
This same thing occurred at different times.
and with different guests, always with ths
same result. The victims generally arrived
at the conclusion that it was a pracsi-
cal joke, perperated by some
body in the hotel for his own
individual amusement One night man
stopped at the house who had heard about
this trick, and was prepared to battle the
joker if any attempt should be made to de.
prive him of his morning nap. Sure enough,
shortly before daylight, he was aroused by
terrible commotion. His door was thrown
open and somebody plunged into the room,
shouting in thrilling tones: Indians, In.
dams; quick, for your life! The Indians are
upon usln The bedclothes were whisked of
the bed, and the mysterious intruder vanish
ed. The man coolly rose, picked up the bed
clothes from the floor, put them back in their
place, crawled into bed again, and was soon
enjoying a comfortable map Some time
later hand shook him gently. He looked
up into the anxious face of the landlord.
''Say, mister, it's D o'clock; you'll havs to get
up
"Why, what's the matterg"
swell, breakfast ought to have besn ready
an hour ago, and we can't finish 10 till yoC
get up"
DIN it, do you take me for the cookp'
NO, but want that sheet you're lying on.
It's the only one in tho house that can be
used for tablecloth, and we want to set the
table,
That was tho explanation. The Indian
scare was ruse to get the sheet for the
breakfast table.