The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-23
JOHN B. DRAKE.

many of its, furnishings were already in
place When the fire reached it. it was
believed for a time that the solid new
walls would successfully resist the
flames. But this was not to be. The
Grand Pacific was consumed along with
every other building that stood in the
advancing path of the relentless flames.
The stones and bricks that were left
Of the handsome new structure had
hardly grown cold before new Grand
Pacific began to rise from the ruins,
and in a surprisingly short time the
structure that has been the Grand Pa
cifc now for more than a score of years
was thrown open for the accommodation
of the public. Of those who were ear
lest connected with the Grand Pacific
none is still alive. John B. Drake,
who, as its boniface, won for himself
reputation enviable among hotel keep
ers, was the third of its presiding gen.
fuses. With him during the first of his
reign were associated 1.-THE two Sams'
Samuel Turner and Samuel Parker
in the capacity Of clerks. To these men
the great hotel undou btedly owed much
of its marvellous success. Sam Tur-
ner was not robust, and he went south
and died, but in due time Sam Parker
came to be a partner, and the firm of
Drake, Parker & Co., which has con-
Quoted the hotel for years. will probably
continue the business in Chicago in an
other location. Mr. brakes two sons,
Tracy and John b, Jr., form the Co. of
the firm, and it is said by those who
know that the young men have the hotel
instinct we'll developed.
The banquets of the Grand Pacific
were always famous. Every year Mine
Host Drake gave his friends game din
ner, which was perhaps even more IA
nous than the hotels banquets, and to
receive an invitation to this annual gath
ering of men esteemed by John B. Drake
was enough to mark any one as a good
fellow and gentleman. The meetings
of the Sunset club, an organization IA
nous in Chicago, were always held at
the Grand Pacific, and it was there, too,
that the Owl club gathered when it de-
sired to extend the inequalities of the
town to any distinguished guest. This
organization banquet to the elder Sal
y&ni was one of the most notable gath
erings ever held in the city.
The Grand Pacific was also a great
rallying place for Republicans, and
almost every famous leader Of that
great political party was entertained
within the hotel's'walls at one time or
another. Four of these leaders became
presidents-Hayes Garfield, Arthur and
Harrison. Zachariah Chandler, the ia
nous senator from Michigan, breathed
his last in one of the rooms of the hotel,
being found dead in bed on the morning
after he had delivered stirring address
in Chicago some 5 years ago. On the
following Sunday his funeral was held
from the hotel, and though it has been
the scene of many extraordinary gather
ings this funeral was probably more i'm
pressive than any other ceremony, grave
or gay. ever enacted beneath its roof.
But the noted guests Of the Grand Pa
cific were not all politicians. From its
registers could be compiled wonder
fully complete directory of the eminent
ones of the earth, and these same regis
tiers would be a mine for the autograph
hunters, for the pages bear the sigma
lures among others of the Duke of Alva,
Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. Talmage,
Prince Napoleon, the Marquis of Lorne,
the Marquis of Queensberry and the
poor creature this compiler of rules for
fist fighting has recently vanquished.
Oscar Wilde. Many of the world
greatest singers and actors have also
been guests Of the Grand Pacific, incIud-
ing Patti, Mrs. Langtry, Gerster. Nils
son, Marie Roze Clara Louise Kellogg,
and so on, while Of men of affairs and
journalists and writers and soldiers and
co5onf1Sta tho lief xx,o7ld bn air cv,7-
less.