St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-10
THE MOST GORGEOUS OF ALL.
Smith & Davidson's New Palace
The Decorations The Propri-
etOrS-Their Goods.

Smith & Davidson's New Palace
The Decorations = The Propri-
etOrs-Their Goods.
There are thousands of men who
never Introduce their respective stom-
achs to anything stronger than ginger
ale or lemonade, but who, nevertheless,
appreciate artistic beauty to such an
extent that they will linger quite a
while in handsomely decorated sa-
loon, studying, admiring, as they enjoy
these mild beverages. st. Paul has
within few years become famous for
ner numerous elegant resorts. Several
OF these may be termed magnificent,
the interiors having apparently been
htted up regardless of expense But a
week ago lastThursday there was thrown
open to the public an establishment, in
the Schultz block at the corner of Sew
enth and jackson, by MeSSrs. Smith &,
Davidson, which certainly eclipses all
others in gOrgeouSneSS. 1t resembles
nothing else in general, and many dis
tlnctlve features make it a genuine
study of art. The quiet, simple, har-
mOniouS beauty of the interior renders
it most impressive; and the pleasure of
looking increases as the eye takes in
the exceeding richness of every part
and notes the entire absence of any
thing ''loud'' or gaudy. From the front
screens of polished brass and intricate
tinted glass to the toilet room in the
rear, there is absolutely nothing to de-
tract. from the general pleasing effect.
Ali the mirrors are of beveled French
plate glass set in the richest mahogany,
of which the entire woodwork consists.
This is not elaborate in design by any
means, but elegant, substantial and
tasteful. 1t was furnished by Messrs.
johnson Bros. 81 Loomis, of this city,
who are considered equal to any firm in
work for the Bank of Minnesota, which
has been so much admired, and several
other institutions whose interiors are
fully as notable.
The freScoeS and solid relief decora-
tons are especially beautiful, being
shaded up to Nile blue. The decorator
has most artiStically filled i'll the back
ground of the ceiling panels with costly
paintings, representing the seasons, the
most remarkable being a study Of Spring
in the shape of female figure floating
i'll the clouds, scattering flowers from
above. They are very life-like and in
tereSting. The ceilings are formed in
ten arched panels, supported by col
umns running through the center of
the room, which, with the plasters
on the walls, make a most perfect archi-
tectural construction. as well as beauti-
full decoration. Much skill is displayed
in this unique arrangement, and the
credit for it belongs to Finch, Van
Siyck d Co.. of st. Paul, whose mana
ger, Samuel Rice. has made a careful
study of the work for several months.
Mr.. Rice has made an enviable reputa-
ton for himself in this work alone.
The floor of the establishment is of
white Italian marble, as is also the ell
tire toilet roOm-a gem of itself The
base of all the woodwork is of dark
Tennessee marble. This portion of the
work was finished under the super
vision Of John Davidson, of Davidson
u Sons, Chicago, who are known as one
of the greatest marble concerns in the
United States. Mr.. Davidson took Spe-
cial pride in this piece of work, and the
result IS eminently satisfactory to both
himself and the proprietors. 1t is
should at least secure his house the
name Of doing the finest marble work
ever seen in this city.
Both incandescent and gas lights are
used, and they form no small part of
the general effect. These were planned
by Mr.. Frost, of the st. Paul Gas COM
pany. The plumbing, including the
chandeliers, is an important feature.
There are three of them, and they are
certainly the most beautiful ever seen
in the city. Not only are they graceful
in design, they conform Spiendidly with
the other decorations. MesSrs. DWyer
IL Bros, who furnished them, may we'll
feel proud of their work.
And now something about the pro-
prietorS-the gentlemen who have had
the courage and confidence in st. Paul
Ito say nothing of the money! to fit
senior member of the firm, and an all
round good fellow withal, has been re-
failing spirituous inspiration in ST. Paul
for some fifteen summers. An article
set before a customer over his bar has
always borne guarantee. He has for
ten years been one of the heaviest i'm
porters of foreign liquors in this
part of the country, and his
unlimited experience has made
him almost national reputation.
The present firm is now supplying the
wine cellars for the most prominent
families i'll the Twin Cities. His old
stand at Fourth and Sibley, which is at
present under the personal management
of Mr.. Davidson, has long been recOg-
niZed as headquarters for family sup
plies. as well as the principal resort for
merchants. The fine old liquors with
which his patrons were served are still
carried by the firm in both houses, Mr..
Smith having made his reputation on
them to a certain extent. He looks
after the new place, and greetS his old
friends with the same cheerineSs of
manner for which he is noted, and he is
not a particle ''Stuck up' by his elegant
surroundings.
Mir. Davidson. popularity known as
Abe" enjoys the distinction Of being
one of the most gentlemanly, agreeable
dispensers of liquid delight in the city
Of st. Paul. Any one who has ever
been greeted by his quiet, glad-to-see-
you smile will not fail to call on him
again at Fourth and Sibley, when
afflicted ''under the collar ABE" has
honestly earned his good name by those
qualities which are always appreciated
among men. His friends number away
up in the hundreds-the natural result.
The cafe continues to be as popular as
ever, and attracts every day an i'm
mense throng of iObberS, clerks and
others who are considered gastronomic
experts. This department of the bust
ness is carefully looked after, and kept
up to the highest possible standard,
everything the market affords being
supplied in the best style.
The stock of liquors carried by the
firm of Smith & Davidson in their two
places is, perhaps. uneQualed anywhere
west of Chicago, and their line of i'm
ported cigars is beyond question the
largest. No other house handles such
quantities of the finer grades of Bur
gundies. Madeiras and Ports.
Their importationS come direct
through the St. Paul custom house, and
their facilities for handling the same
are not surpassed anywhere.
With the efficient help the firm has
secured, their experience and acquaint-
ance, and the enviable reputation ac-
quired. success will certainly be theirs
as it has been in the past. Pondering