The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-10-02
Ancient Hotel Hospitality.
From "Perleys "reminiscences Of Sirty Yours
the National MetroDolis"

From "Perley's "reminiscences of Sirty Years i,
the National Metropolis"
When Congress first met at Washing
ton there was but one hotel there anc
one in Georgetown. Others were, how
ever, soon erected, and fifty-eight year.
ago there were half a dozen. The favor
lite establishment was the Indian Queer
Hotel, which occupied the site of the
present Metropolitan Hotel and was
designated by large swinging sign up.
on which figured Pocahontas, painted in
glazing colors. The landlord, Jesse
Brown, who used to come to the curb.
stone to welcome the coming guests,
was native of Havre- de-Grace who had
served his apprenticeship to tavern-keep
ing at Hagerstown and in Alexandria.
A glance at the travellers as they alight-
ed and were ushered by him into the
house would enable him mentally to as.
sign each one to a room, the advantages
Of w Ias;h hs would dssG{be e ere sspdne
pilotage of colored servant. When
the next meal was ready the newly ar
rived guest was met at the door of the
dining-room by Mr.. Brown, wearing a
large white apron, who escorted him to
seat and then went to the head of the
table, where he carved and helped the
principal dish. The excellences of this
fish or flesh or fowl-he would an
nounce as he would invite those seated
at the table to send up their plates fol
what he knew to be their favorite por.
tons; and he would also invite atten.
ton to the dishes on other parts of the
table, which were carved and helped by
the guests who sat nearest them. Il have
delicious quarter of mutton from the
Valley of Virginia. Mr.. Brown would
announce in stentorian tone, which
could be heard above the clatter o.
crockery and the din OF steel knives and
forks. Let me send you rare slice.
Mr.. A. Colonel B., will you not have
bone7' MRS. c., send up your plate
for piece of the kidney 'Mrs. D..
there is fat and tender mongrcl goose
at the other end of the table, Joe
pass around the sweet potatoes Col
onel E., will you help to that chicken
pie before your
The expense of living at the Indiar
Queen was not great. The price O
board was one dollar and seventy-fvt
cents per day, ten dollars per week, o.
thirty five dollars per month. Transient
guests were charged fifty cents for break
fast, the same for supper, and seventy
five cents for dinner. Brandy anC
whisky were placed on the dinner-tablt
in decanters, to be drunk by the guests
without additional charge therefor. A
bottle of real old Madeira imported into
Alexandria was supplied for three dol
lars; sherry, brandy, and gin were one
dollar and half per bottle, and Jamaics
rum one dollar. At the bar toddies were
made with unadulterated liquor anc
lump sugar, and the charge was twelve
and a-half cents drink.
On the Fourth of July, the 22d O
February, and other holidays, land
lord Brown would concoct foaming egg
iva ra.o+h cr,Daeh heu,l- enn'
guests of the house were all invited t.
partake. The tavern-desk was behinC
the bar, with rows of large bells hanging
by circular spings on the wall, each witt
bullet-shaped tongue, which continued
to vibrate for some minutes after being
pulled, thus showing to which room i
belonged. The barkeeper prepared tn
drinks called for, saw that the bell
were answered, received and delivered
letters and cards, and answered question
by the score. He was supposed to know
everybody in Washington, where the,
resided, and at what hour they could b.