The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-27
TO BE OPENED CHRISTMAS EVE.
The De Soto's Opening to be Cele-
brated with Grand Ball.

The De Soto's Opening TO be Cele-
brated with e Grand Ball.
Tho new hotel, De Soto, will be formally
opened Christmas eve with a grand ball
and banquet Mr.. John H. Baker, the
lessee, who has been in Savannah for the
last week looking after matters pertaining
to the opening OF the new hotel, has been
kept busy and he will leave tomorrow for
New York.
Mr.. Baker said to MORNING NEWS re-
porter that the contractors have assured
end Of the second week in December. II
that is the case he will bs able to have it
thoroughly furnished the week before Christ
mas. He will begin about Dec. l, and he
said that he can furnish the entire hotel in
three weeks time. the music for the open
ing ball will be a special feature, Mr..
Baker said. He will bring south on his
return the leader Of an orches ira
formerly employed by him, and who is
musician of recognized ability. He will
rely upon the musical talent of Savannah
for assistants. IL this will not be satisfac-
tory, he will bring his old orchestra from
the north. The invitations for the opening
In order to complete his purchases and to
get the hotel furnishings here at the earliest
possible time, Mr.. Baker will leave to-nor-
row and will begin buying at once aud
shipping to Savannah. Among the first
shipments will be between $50 aud 400 mat
tresses. This order viii be followed by 3, 900
sheets, 1,500 for each change of bedding a
week. As many pillow cases will supplement
this order together with 500 eounterpanes.
Tbo vii fa1tnrp
and 1000 knives and forks and 10, 010 pieces
of crockery will be required. Mr. Baker
did not know just what amount of silver he
will get. He said that it will be the best
ware to be had, however. SO much now
aud modern silver is constantly being added
to the supplies that he can not estimate the
amount on other lots which he has
purchased. In addition to the necessary
table ware, the hotel will have banquet
Mr.. Baker said, will be very light and thin
and different from the regular heavy hotel
ware. His experience as a hotel man
teaches him that walters take good deal
more pains and are much more careful
with fine ware than with rough ware.
The carpets perhaps viii be the largest
item in the furnishing. Every room aud
tho halls will be carpeted. The carpeting
will be mostly heavy brussels, Magnets g
w lllOuS. Inc lailWayS Will De covered
with Wilton. The carpeting will be espe-
cinlly selected, and he intends that the fur
nishings shall not be surpassed by any hotel
in the south.
In answer to a question as to where he
will procure his help, Mr. Baker replied
that he will bring it from the north. He
has control of help there which is accus-
toned to his manner OF carrying on bust
ness, and he said that he will bring,
on his return, about 100 people.
That includes heads of depart
ments aud enough ordinary help
TO carry the business on for the first few
weeks, and should the business increase
either employees will be secured here, OF
more will be brought south. Fivs men will
be employed ia the office, including the
chief clerk, bookkesper, cashier and tive
room clerks Mr. Baker said that he is
In correspondence with two clerks, who
have been spending the summer at northern
resorts, and he expects to hear from then
favorably in few days.
will the DeSoto be open the wear
roundp Mr.. Baker was asked.
II am inclined to believe from what
have seen that it will 1t will be kept open
for the first year or two anyway. The
hotel will be advertised on the plan which
Mr.. Flagler adopted in advertising the
| Ponce de Leon"
Mr.. Baker will be north about six weeks
after which he viii return to begin the
work Of furnishing the hotel.