The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-14
CORRESPONDENCE.
Our Chicago Letter.
CHICAGO. Nov. Q. 1889.

. nave QdQe q marx anu q lOIbuuo III III
whirl of time in this great city, settin
lnajestically on the borders OF the beau
tiful Lake Michigan. Much has slread
been said of the business men who haV
come from the New England States an,
to their good luck struck stake IN TIL
now great metropolis of the Northwest
The men whom l will mention who ar
doing a business in this city were Vel
monters. take pride in making men
ton of these names for their reputation
for honesty and integrity is first class
The first of these is Mr.. r. j. Morse
Co. importers of diamonds, jewelry
etc, No. SO Madison St. The damon
and iewelry establishment of R. j. Mors
& Co. has had an honorable career GOV
ering a number of years, and is nov
gradually extending its influence an
trade throughout this city and the state
Of the West and Northwest. The prln
cipal member of the firm was born som
forty-seven years ago in Washington
, county, Vermont, ard in 1852 he begal
business for himself at Burlington II
that State. In 1864 he came to Chicag
and formed partnership under tn
firm and style of Morse, Ro1din & Ham
iltun which continued until 1870 wheI
the present firm was organized. In 1877
Mr.. Morse turned his particular atten
ton and made speciality of the diamond
trade, and has probably since then plac
ed more fiue diamonds in the marke
than any other house in the city. Mr.
Morse is one of the finest critics in thu
West, and his opinion is frequently ap
pied to from others 10 the trade INT
firm occupies very commodlous oinc'
which is handsomely fitted up and con
tains large stock of first quality Ola
monds. In the line Of complicated
watch work and jewelry repairing anc
diamond setting the firm claim undoubt
ed superiority, as every article sold anC
every representation made is guaranteed
in every particular, and to this fac
much Of the great success OF the firm
is to be attributed. Their business is Of
q wholesale character.
The next of which will speak is the
Palmer House, 80 widely known
throughout the country, but which hat
not been seen by many New Eng land
people, and also know but little about
the public buildings in this important
city just at the present time as we as
people are very much expecting to have
the Worlds Fair here in 1892, A greal
many are wondering in their minds, car
it be possible that Chicago is large
enough to contain the world p Why,
yes, we think 80. And then some peo'
pie wonder where can the worlds peo'
pie find accommodations in city that
was mostly consumed by fire in 1871
Why, bless your poor soul, here is where
a. hoN 10 laid m
rest or tied up in bag and put In the
fire place, hid away. No, no 1t ls
changing hands from the capitalist to
the contractor, the architect, the build.
er, for some of the most wonderful and
costly buildings in this or any country
and one of these is the Palmer Hotel,
where some of the Vermonters were
found by your correspondent at Ma
tional Convention which nominated
Garfield for President, and where, II
permitted to live, he expects again to see
many more at the Worlds Fair in 1892
where accommodations can be had near
ly as reasonable as at any hotel in the
city. This magnificent hotel is situated
on the corner of State and Monroe
street, Potter Palmer proprietor. The
name of this famous house has become
proverbial and renowned among the re
fined and cultured classes of Americs
and Europe. Previous to the great fire
the Palmer House stood at the head oil
the list as the model hotel of Chicago
but the flames destroyed it with the resi-
of the city. Before the ashes were fairly
cold, MIR. Palmer commenced the foun
dations of the present splendid structure
xathinh UNI nnannH n tho Y.1hlIN in 1SIK
at cost of $4,000, 900 for the building
$500,000 for the furniture. and 81 900,
600 for the ground on which 1t stands
II is near the center of the wholesale
and retail trade of the city, = convenien
to all other public buildings such as thu
board of trade, post Office and places o
amusement and railway depots. In 1888
more room was needed owing to rap.
idly increasing patronage, and seventh
story was added, so that the Palmer
House now contains eight hundred snC
fifty rooms. The grand stairway is a re
markable conception of engineering skill
in solid marble and iron, and the marli
of the world have been ransacked fol
decorations and tinishings of this noble
hotel. The grand reception room and
the Egyptian parlor are splendid crea
tions from the hands of the artists, anG
the elegant and magnificent furniture il
uneQualled in the finest private mansions
of American millionaires or British no.
bles. The bridal chambers are triumpht
of artistic taste. The grand dining hal
is Ga by rs feet in area, and 2712 feet
high, decorated in the corinthan style
of architecture, modified and frightened
by the modern style. The breakfast
and supper rooms, ladies' ordinary and
children's rooms are likewise splendid
apartments. The ball room is 40 by 14(
in dimensions, with adjoining toi'er
rooms. Here the elite of Chicago have
attended some Of the most memorable
balls ever given in this or any other city
The club room of the Palmer House is q
special feature. The tonsorial rooms
are the finest in the world, and with the
bath rooms, we're fitted uT at a cost OF
100000. The interior apartments of this
superb hotel in all its details are of the
most luxurious and elegant character
fully in keeping with its international
reputation. The plumbing and sanitary
arrangements have been constructed
under the supervision Of an eminent san.
itary engineer. and the entire building
has been supplied with the latest i'm.
proved appliances, thus effectuslly Sc
curing guests against the inconvenience
and danger resulting from imperfect
ventilation, drainage and the ravages oil
fire. The building is absolutely fire
proof. To sum up the whole matter
everything that art, capital and science
can desire. has been utilized for the com
fort and safety of it's guests, including
ell ctrical communication, elevators
electric lights, billiard rooms, etc., anc
visitors having once stopped here arr
certain to return when visiting Chicago
The Palmer House is conducted on thu
American and European plans, the rate
for the former being So per day and up
ward, and for the latter 81 per day anC
upward. The culinary department il
under the supervision Of distinguished
French chef, and everything of the bes
in the market is to be found In the menu
10 the management of this celebrated
hotel everything has been reduced to
complete system, and the plumber o
persons employed in the various depart
ments amounts to five hundred, all O
whom are attentive to their business
Mr.. Palmer is one of Chicago's mos
public spirited and wealthy citizen
whose efforts for the Western metropoli
are duly appreciated and will foreve
link his name with many philanthropy
and beneficial enterprises. His own prl
vate residence lately built on the lax
shore drive, is magnificent one an
costly. He entertained the Pan-Ameri
can congress while they were here
few dava since with n large connnanv n