The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-09
A MODEL HOTEL.
The Lexington. Formerly the American Ho-
tel. Thrown Open to the Public.

The old American Hotel. which has
adopted new name-"The Lexington -
has also put on a new dress, and will
hereafter rank among the first hotels
| OF the lana. The building has Deen
| thoroughly renovated on the Interior
and the outside walls have been re-
| PAINTED.
| An elevator of the latest pattern car
| ries the guests from the ground nOOr
| TO the top or the building The dining
| room has been transferred to the office
| floor. Ii offers mucn more space than
| the old one, and it is ntted up III
| oak and pine, with large mirrors along
| the walls on top Of the wainscOting Inc
halls are all elegantly carpeted anu paper
| cd
The old dining-room on the second floor
| has been turned into public reception
room. and is well adapted for private
banQuets, meetings OF committees, etc
| The room Use handsomely carpeted and
elegantly furnished.
Inc Lexington was formally thrown
open to the public yesterday, ana the
newspaper men were invited TO inspect
the same. At 10 O'Clock last evening
a splendid banquet was rendered 10 the
press. About seventy-fve invited guests
sat down TO one or the most luxurious
Iepasts ever furnished IN this city Prof
Stems orchestra played sweet music
and Polk Miller's quartette entertained
the assenDlage with a number OF songs.
Among those present, besides repre-
sentauves of the press Of this city, were
Col. John Il. Cary, who acted as master
OF ceremonies: Col. John Murphy, j.
Thompson Brown, Leroy r.. Brown, Capt
A. W. CARRIER. Eugene Shepperson, \. ".
Bowe. William }. Gardner. OF the DAVIS
House, Wilbur {. Mcdowell, OF Ford ;
Hotel, Stewart Ford, j. Aston CabeiI
superintendent W. II. Thompson, OF the
Ere Alarm Telegraph Department; ". ii.
Iomney, member OF the House OF Dele
gates from Washington county.
IL was long after midnight when Col.
Cary wrapped for silence 10 open the
feast of reason and announce tnat the
responding 10 toasts would be In order
Col. Cary said ne felt highly honorcd
even in playing a substitute. in the last
hour he had been asked TO take the place
or distinguished guest, VINO in his
modesty had retired 10 evade the nonors.
He would therefore act as a buger and
announce the various toasts. The first
toast was Richmond" and His Honor.
Mayor Ellyson had been expected TO
respond 70 1t, but in his absence he would
cail on his friend. Capt. X. Il. Frazier,
TO respond.
Capt Frazier briefly replied. whereupon
Col. Cary announced that the next toast,
10 virginia was to have been respond
cd TO by Governor OFerrall, who sent
his excuse IN letter addressed to Mr.
Atkinson. which was read by Mr.. John
ID. Murren
Mr.. William Ryan, of the State. re-
sponded 10 the toast, THE Press" and
In his Introductory remarks congratu-
lated the management Of the hotel on It's
success. He then gave a brief sketch of
the history OF the press in Virginia.
The toast, our Hotel" was dealt with
by Col. John Murphy, Of Murphy Hotel
lie stated that this was the second time
that ne ever got up in public meeting
when. on behalf of Lee Camp, he had to
present celebrated divine in this city
with badge. Col. Murphy then spoke
oil the various hotels in this city, which
were equal 10 any in other cities. Speak |
ing OF the Lexington. Colonel Murphy |
SAID that If he was permitted 10 express !
IL IN his own way he would call the lady |
VINO manages that motel a hustler
Mr.. >. Thompson Brown responded to |
the toast THE Lexington and did the |
subject ample justice. He spoke Of the |
power of the press. which ne called Il
pOnderous trip-hammer, paying hts re-
spects TO the various papers published in
TINS city. In speaking OF the -',gton
VOWED IN that name, and closed his ad-
dress by expressing his best wishes for
the future Of the hotel which has lust
been thoroughly renovated.
Mr.. ). Aston Cabell responded 10 the
Toast of Woman" and made a very
happy speech in which he brought out I'm
Nell-chosen words the excellent traits of
women. which had ever received the high
Isl praises IN the Oldest times and from
he hands of the very best people lie
iwelt upon the sacrifices made by women
Turing the late war in the interest OF
heir country.
Mr.. j. W. Price, of the Glade SPRINGS
'ltizen, responded TO the toast OF Fare
yell, and proved TO the assemblage by
ne manner in which he disposed of the
uDJect that eloquence and oratory have
nome in Southwest Virginia. lie ex-
PRESSED the sentiment of all that he was
;lad he came, and sorry that he had TO
30, and would be glad TO come again
The Lexington Is managed by the same
'roprietorS who controlled the American |