Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1893-02-24
RIsoN CO. MINI FRIDAY. FEBRUARY q, 1898
HOTEL OPENING.

HOTEL OPENING.
Hotel Buckman FO sally Opened
Thursday Evening " 81 q Ba
and Banquet.
81 One Of the most pleasant social
events of the season-the opening OF
Hotel Buckman-occurred last eve
ming. The proprietor, H. Grun-
hagen, and his able assistants had
worked hard the past few weeks
in making arrangements. for it and
the ball and banquet was a success
in every particular. -.
At9 O'Clock the hotel presented a
beautiful appearance, being lit from
top to bottom with electric lights
and everything was hustle and ex-
Ecitement on the lower floors. Car
riages We're arriving every minute
with guests bent ON passing a pleas
ant evening at our most popular
hostelry. The guests were received
by Messrs. Simm ons, Van Praag
and Foisy and conducted to the spa
cious parlor on the second floor
where they divested themselves of
their winter wraps and made ready
for the ball About $50 Prof. Wal
ter FolsOm's orchestra arrived and
soon the ball opened with the grand
march which was led by Mr.. and
Mrs. Van Praag.
Aftereight of the twenty numbers
ON the program were disposed of the
guests marched to the banquet hall,
where tables had been prepared for
$50 guests. This room was beautiful
ly decorated with red, white and
blue bunting, the work of Mr.. Jeust-
ings OF the st. Paul Dry Goods com
pany.
After the banquet, which reflects
great credit upon the hotel manage
ment, Hon. Jonathan Simmons, on
behalf of Mr.. Grunhagen, welcomed
the guests in few well chosen re-
marks. He then introduced the
mayor, Hon. Nathan Richardson,
who gave a short review Of the his
tory Of Little Falls, since his arrival
here in 1856. Spoke OF the difficulties
the city had contended with since
that time, it's prosperity of late
years and the future prospects. He
| then turned his attention to Hon. G.
B. Buckman, who built the hotel
| and for whom it is named. He said
that about twenty years ago, Mr..
Buckman came west to seek his
fortune, and after looking about he
decided that Morrison county was
| the garden spot of the Northwest;
Immediately cast anchor here
and opened up a farm at what is
now Buckman town. A few years
later he was honored by being
elected to the senate of Minnesota,
and after serving one term was
further honored by being reelected.
The Mayor also stated that the day
| was not far distant when he hoped
to see Hon. c. B. Buchanan elected
governor OF Minnesota. The Mayors
rem arks were heartily applauded.
Mr.. Buchanan was next introduced,
| and in short speech told the guests
how proud he felt Of our city and
county, and that although he had
Travelled considerably he had not
found a prettier spot or more pleas
ant people than at Little Falls. Mr..
Buckman lays no claims to being an
orator, but his remarks were good
and came from the heart. The peo-
pie Of Little Falls are as proud of
him as he is of the city, and it is
hoped Mayor Richardson's pred:c-
tion may yet come true.
Hon. Albert Schaeffer, of st. Paul,
was then introduced, and said that
Little Falls had grown wonderfully
since his last visit here, five years
ago, when he assisted in raising the
gates OF the canal.
The speaker then paid a high
tribute to the manager, Henry
Grunhagen.
II have heard some whisperings,"
said he, "thst as Mr. Grunhagen
had never managed as large hotel
as this that he might not make a
success of it. Allow me to Say
that ] have known the manager for
years, and that while he has never
before managed a first-class hotel,
when he conducted second
class hotel he conducted it in first
class style. Remember, that in all
undertakings the man who begins at
the bottom of the ladder is the one
who is the most successful when he
reaches the top. In the army, man
must always command a company
before he becomes commander of a
brigade. From the appointments of
this house and from what kn wv of
Henry Grunhagen and his excellent
family, I assure you that Mr.. Buck
man did not make a mistake when
he leased it to him. Mr.. Schaeffer
then spoke Of the time when he sat
in the senate with Mr.. Buckman
and said that he was "a legislator
of the first class.
Mr. Schaeffer is a German, but to
hear him talk OF the ladies one would
think him Irish. He said that Little
Falls was blest with handsome
women, but none Of them were as
handsome as his wife, whom, he was
sorry to say, was unable to he pres
,ent, and hoped that all the young
, ladies would secure as good husbands
us was Senator Buckman, and if not
, that fortunate, to get one as good
and true as Mrs. Albert Schaeffer's s
> husband. j. H. Rhodes was next
called upon but desired to he excused
!. Hon. George Benz. OfSt. Paul was
INTRODUCED and seconded Mr.. Schaet.
! fer's remarks with regard to Mr.
Grunhagen and the ladies.
|, The guests then returned to the
8 ball room and indulged in dancing