Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-12
TROUBLE IN A HOTEL.
William Witherow Deposed From the
Duquesne Management.
A LIVELY TIME IN TIE OFFICE
When the New Manager, Charles Miller,
Appeared on the Scene.
CAUSES FOB TIE UNPLEASANT AFFAIR

For few moments yesterday there was q
scene Of wild confusion in the office OF the
Hotel Duquesne, caused by an attempt to
withdraw the managerial mantle from the
shoulders of William Witherow, and all
last uight two detectives occupied chairs in
that popular hostelry to prevent Its disap-
pearance before dawn.
II was early in the afternoon, and the
office was crow ded with guests, when Messrs.
j. p. Witherow and Thomas Deegan, ac-
companied by Detectives Fitzgerald and
Murphy, and Mr.. Charles Miller, head
clerk OF. the Monongahela House, en-
tered the office. Mr.. William Witherow
was informed that the firm had decided to
depose him, and that hereafter Mr.. Miller
would be known as the manager.
This is where the confusion was ruDg on.
and bright, shiny revolver played con-
spicuous part. The manager was decidedly
angry, and made remarks derogatory to the
character of his partners in business. He at
first declared that he alone would have pos
session, and refused to allow anybody to
come behind the counter.
MELoDRAMA IN REAL LIFE.
One of the clerks, brother-in-law Of
Manager Witherow, flashed revolver and
declared that he had neither wife nor fam
lily 10 mourn his untimely demise, aud he
was, therefore, prepared to do execution. All
with one accord fell back, and one of the gen.
tlemen, more anxious to be out of danger than
+ the others, rot into a wrestling match with
chair and the chair won.
However Manager Witherow relented, and
decided to allow Mr.. Miller to take possession.
though he also remained in the office. The
other partners In the business soon left the
Office with detectives on guard. Mr.. Miller
also remained until 1920 last night. when he
went out leaving the two detectives in posses
sion and Van Huntington at the desk. The
Duquesne is owned by the three gentlemen.
]. z. Witherow has title to a half interest.
William Witherow has three-eighths and
Thomas Deegan has one-eighth. The firm has
stood thus for the past two wears Mr.. Schlos-
ser, present owner of the Schlosser House.
formerly had an interest and managed the
house, but his position was taken about TWO
years ago by Mr.. William Witherow.
A DISPATCH reporter interrogated William
Witherow on the cause of the trouble, secur-
ing the following information:
THE trouble has been on for two years-ever
since l took charge of the house Mytw
partners wished certain persons to occupy
rooms in the house. which 1 refused to allow,
and there is the seat of the trouble. Our re-
lations have been strained, and l have been
given trouble all the time They would not
come around and examine into business al
fairs, though 1 often invited them to do so. l
| had called meeting of the firm for yesterday
afternoon to have talk, but they replied to
my note that no such meeting would be held.
TALKS WITH THE PARTNERS.
81 was never more surprised i'll my life than
when my partners appeared with such FORM
liable array. Of course. was angry, and made
few remarks. l talked to my lawyer, Scott
Ferguson, and he told me that was not COM
PEELED to give possession, under such circum-
stances. Had there been a meeting, as sug-
gested the matter might have been fixed up
quietly, and, II necessary ! wonId nave retired
| tainly uncalled for. However. it must be SET
tied soon, and either shall sell out or continue
| as manager. There will doubtless be dissolu-
| ton of the existing partnership. l have been
manager of the Duquesne for two years, and
| in that time have made it a splendid house,
| and it is now making money. It IS popular and
| receives the best of patronage"
| j. P, Witherow could not be found, but Mr..
| Deegan was seen in his room at the Mononga-
! hela House He deplored the affair. but said
| he did not think William would give possession
| peaceably, and added:
"Although there has been trouble in this
| matter for several months we had not thought
| of removing William until a short time ago,
when we consulted our attorney about the
| case. We decided that this was the only way
to fix the thing up as William would not have
| allowed it to be done quietly. We took the
| detectives along as moral force in the matter
| l don't know that the partnership Is TO be dis
solved as Williams share has not been dis
turbed. 1 shall not buy him out. though j. p
| Witherow may. Williams temper was the
cause OF the trouble, entirely. We put the
detectives on guard for fear William would
| attempt to take possession"
Mr.. Miller said he was offered the position OF
manager of the Duquesne on Wednesday and
| he accented. not knowing of the trouble. He
would have nothing more to say.
The clerks and other employees of the house
were informed that if they wanted to continue
| in their present positions they must not accept
any order from William Witherow. but mus,
recognize Mr.. Miller as the manager.
| ]. P. aud William Witherow are hall
brothers. The former is of the company Of
P. Witherow Co., furnace builders.