Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
WAS BUILT N THE LONG AGO.
Notable Incidents In the History or
the Exchnnge-Its Last Proprietor.

The Exchange Hotel was opened on
September 20. 1874. under the management
OF Mr.. Boyben, who also had an In
terest in the ST. Charles Hotel, In New
Orleans, and in the Aston House, In New
York. Mr.. Boyben ran the hotel FOR
several years, when Mr.. James Z. Bal
lard took the house. In 1852 the business
with him had so increased that he bought
the vacant property opposite the En-
change, and built the ballard House
naming it for himself. 1t was connect
ed with the Exchange by an iron
bridge. which cost $500. The bridge
when taken down during the war, when
Mr.. Ballard failed, was sold "a old IRON
for 81 500, showing that II must nave
been a splendid structure. During the
war both houses were used as hospitals
CAREER UNDER CARRINGTON.
Colonel J. l.. Darlington took the man
agement Of the hotels In 1860. asSoclat-
ing with himself A. j. Ford, the pres
ent proprietor OF Ford's Hotel. Two
years later Colonel Darlington oousht
Mr.. Fords interest. a contract beinS
agreed TO that the latter would go INTO
the hotel business in New York. Mr..
Ford afterwards bought the old Pow
hatan House, now Ford's Hotel.
The Exchange was conducted by Col
onel Darlington until January 1880, when
he died In 1891 Mr.. W. Scott earring
ton bought the hotels from the exc
cutor OF the estate Of Colonel Caring
ton. and took charge Of the houses. The
same year Colonel A. w. Archer bought
n half interest from Mr.. Darlington. end
the hotels were run under the manage
- Nav 1NR when
Mr.. Darlington was taken sick, and died
n month later. The half interest or
the latter went 10 his brother. Mr.. Eu-
gene J. Darlington. In 1894 Colonel
Archer bought this interest, ana had
the entire management OF the hotels
until they closed, last Monday.
WAS POLITICAL HEADQUARTERS.
More political schemes have probably
been Matched within the walls Of the Ex-
change Hotel than in any other enc
building in the South. The Democratic
State and Executive committees always
held their conferences at the famous old
hosiery. and the last meeting OF those
bodies. held a few weeks ago, took place
In the hotel.
All OF the prominent persons who rave
stopped over in this city since the hotel
was built have made the Exchange
their headquarters. Great actors, art
lists. novelists. financiers, statesmen
politicians and railroad magna.es have
put up at the Exchange when busi-
ness or pleasure called them TO Virginia
capital.
THERE A LONG TIME.
Colonel A. w. Archer, the last pro-
prietor OF the Exchange, had been con-
nected with the hotel for twenty-three
years, his first position being as night
clerk, and then going from that 10 day
clerk. cashier and chief clerk in;il, IN
1891. he was associated with Mr.. w. 5.
Darlington In the management.
Colonel Archer was born in Chesterfield
county. in 1913. and his life since
manhood has been spent in The hotel
business. He entered the Confederate
army when hardly more than boy. and
surrendered at Appomattox. II is a
rather unique coincidence that Major A.
II. Drewry. In whose company Colonel
Archer served. was the first man 70
register at the Exchange Hotel when II
was opened
Since Colonel Archer has been con-
nected with the hotels many needy and
deserving families in the eastern por-
ton OF the city have been relieved
from want through his Kindness OF
heart and generosity. They always
knew that when they applied for help
they would not leave the kitchen OF
the hotel empty-handed. The charitable
institutions OF the city have also often
received provisions from the larisrs OF
the Exchange.
No man, II deserving. however short
his funds may have been. was ever
turned away from the hotel hungry.
Colonel Archer has always been good
Judge and lover OF horse1esh. though
his tastes in this direction he never
allowed to be a very expensive feature
In his career.