Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-27
TO SHUT THE HOTEL.
The Monongahela House to Close Its
Doors April 1.
LEASEHOLD RAISED TO $4,000.
Scraps From the Railway History Of Mine
Host GriScOm.
AN ENTIRE RENOVATION TO TAKE PLACE

For the first time in many years the doors
of the historic Monongaliela House will be
closed March 81, unless a new proprietor is
found to take hold of the hotel between now
and then. Colonel Griscom, the present
proprietor, refuses to renew his lease at the
rate of rent wanted, and will retire from
the business April 1. r.
Since the death of the former proprietor of
the house, Mr.. Crossan, the hotel has been
owned by stock company. Mr.. John
King, of this city, is at the head of the
company, and they wish to close the house
and make number of needed re-
pairs. Colonel Griscom leased the
house for five years at an annual rental
of 1000. A short time ago the company
decided that the natural growth of the city
and the increased valuation of the property
necessitated an advance in the rent. They
accordingly raised it to SIS, 900, but, when
approached, Manager Griscom refused to
pay this amount and renew his lease fer the
house. The company has since decided to
close the house and reopen it in, the fall.
By that time they expect to have tenant
at the increased price.
TO BE LARGELY REMODELED.
The hotel will be entirely overhauled and
renovated in every respect. The old furniture,
carpets, etc., will be sold at auction, and,
when the house is reopened, it will be fur
nished entirely new. A number of changes
will be made on the several floors, and
larger number of rooms for the permanent
occupancy of private families will be made.
The Offices on the ground floor will also be
remodeled.
Mr. Griscom, the lessee of the hotel, is
said to be tired of the business, and his
friends claim he has lost considerable money
within the past five years. 1t is said be is
looking about him for a railroad position,
and, if offered place as an official with
some good road, he will accept. He has
held number of responsible positions with
different railroad companies, and has good
railroad record.
Mr.. Griscom entered the railway service
as freight house clerk in the old Duquesne
Depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad in this
city, in September, 1864. In the following
year be was made station agent at Sedge-
wick, Pa, on the Pittsburg and Connells-
vile road.
ON THE FORT WAYNE.
He remained there until July, 1872, when
he became clerk to j. d. Laying, of the
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago road.
In the following year he was promoted to
the superIntendency of the Eastern division,
having charge of the line between Pitts
burg and Crestline. Upon the retirement
of Mr.. Laying from the road, Colonel Girls
com followed him, in 1881. In the follow
ing December he went to the Chicago and
Western Indiana road as General Manager,
which position he held until August, 1883,
when he accepted the position Of General
Superintendent of the Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton and Dayton road. When the Pittsburg.
CHARTERS and Youghiogheny road was built,
in 1888, he was made Vice President of the
company. 49,. ....-.
He entered the hotel business in 1886, and
has been allowed to retain his position in
the CHARTERS road ever since. The duties
of the Office are not enough to keep good
man busy.
The expenses of running hotel like the
Monongahela is something enormous. At
present there are employed about the house
70 persons, in the capacities of chamber
maids, walters, bellboys, porters, clerks, etc.
About 35 guests permanently board at the
house. .--