The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-05
in A BLAZE OF GLORY
Thus the ChambsrIin Hotel al Old PoIni
Opened Last Night.
MANY PROMINENT PEOPLE PRESENT.
Among Them Secretary of the Navy
Herbert, Gen. Nelson A. Miles. of
the Army; Senators, Congressmen
Rmd Governors Many Norfolk
People In nAttendsnce-TheB Ball.

One If the largest, and the handsomest
hotel IN America was formally opened
for the patronage OF the public yester-
day. when the Chamberlin Hotel at
Old Point threw open its doors. 1t is
seldom that SO many people OF prcani-
nence are gathered together as were un-
der the roof of the new hostelry last
night, for there were Cabinet officials,
army officials of high rank. Senators
congressman. Governors of States. and
society people present
The first guest registered at the new
hotel was Mr.. W. H. Kimberly, of Balti-
more. who placed his name on the regis
ter Friday evening. He was soon fol-
lowed by John Fraser, wife. and daugh-
ter, who were assigned to room AIS. This
was the first room assigned to a guest
festeGday every incoming train and
boat brought crowds. and at O'Clock
the big register was closed. every room
having been filed. Some 500 pe-ple were
Installed in the handsome rooms. The
Washington steamer in the morning
brought down Hon. H. A. Herbert, Sec
retary of the Navy: General Nelson A
Miles, of the Army: ex-senator Butler
Senator Vest of Missouri; Senator Black
Durn, OF Kentucky; and score OF others.
all specially invited to attend the OPEN
ing. AS each succeeding boat arrived
Nalf hundred guests placed their names
on the register. This is why the house
IL,
festivities occurred
These festivities included a ball n sne
cial supper rendered by Mr.. John Cham
perlain, the manager, tcsome forty in
Nited guests, personal friends and a
lavish display of fine costumes OH the
part OF the hundreds of ladies who were
present at the ball
The handsome office had been beauti-
1uily decorated curing the night pre-
Vious, SILK flags hanging from every
nook and corner. Every room in the
motel was lighted brightly, making the
building brilliant monument to John
ChamDerlin, its founder. II was iust
O'Clock when the full Marine Band
which came down on the Washington
steamer Yesterday morning struck I'm
ana hund,ed couples gided .,ut upon
the hoor. the myrlads of diamonds pre-
sehtlng n dazzling scene 0: sp!endor as
pHeir taW wearcrs moved about in the
Hi"ZeS oil the first waltz ever danced
an thiS modern home for tourists and
pleasure-seekers.
And on the i0or were many Norro,l
people-young society men and women
ana 1t can truly be said that they fuIIv
sustained the reputation of the city for
handsome women:
Among those from Norfolk were the
i+iioW:hg: MIR. and Mrs. c. Hardy. Nir
and Mrs. w. II. Doyle. MIR. ana Mrs
nom W. Henderson, Captain and Mrs
~. burrnss. Judge and Mrs n
Hanckel. Judge and Mrs Traeo. Garner
MT and Mrs. n. Beaman. My. and Mrs
Johii Granam. r. B. Tunstall, Captain
W. H. White. Mr.. and Mrs j. A. g
Eroner, General V. u. Groner Colorai
and Mrs. c. A. Nash. Miss Emma SaSb
Mr. WMl!am Fl. Taylor. Miss Mamie
Doyie Mr.. Hugh y. Page. Mr.. Howard
Shields. Richard Taylor, James Gonde
T. n: BAIRD. Jr.. Lawrence Grener. Mr.
and Mrs. II. n. Murray. Mr. and Mrs
tloyd Hughes Miss Bessie Fitchet,
MISS tair Mr.. and Mrs. c. NJ. Serpeu
the Misses Serpell, Mr.. Hugh G. NiIlar
Mr. S. l.. Mosby. Mr.. James 7 Graz
Mr D. j. Callahan. Mr.. NJ. b. CroweiI
Mt. r. a. Dobie. Miss Pattia Tavlor
MISS Hobson. Mr r. c. Byrd. DR.. " e,
Driver, Mr.. j. w. Brown. and Mr. d 8
Baum. ~ -
The dancing was kept up until mid.
night ''''u-
At o'clock Mr.. John Chamber,in ,a,.
dered special banquet to some for,y
personal friends, when large oil paint
iag OF himself was presented to the
notel. Al this banquet ex-senator Rnt-
Ter acted as toast-master. Senate,
Blackburn. of Kentucky, made the Dre.
seniation speech. which was responded
were Gov. OFerlall, Secretary Har-
pert. Postmaster General wills n. Gene
raj Miles, Congressman Mcmillan. and
Judge McComas. In the speeches NTr
Chamoerlin was highly eulogized as the
founder of such magnificent house.
During the day Secretary Herbert and
party went up to Newport News on the
cruiser Raleigh. which together with the
New York, Columbia, Maine, Montgom-
cry, and Cincinnati, were anchored In
the Roads "
The hotel has been in course Of con.
struetion for the past six years, lack ~
FUNDS preventing an earlier completion
Inc organization OF the Hampton Roads
hotel Company, however, furnished am
PIE capital and made possible the com.
pletion OF the handsomest and one OF the
largest hotel buildings in the country.
Inc building Is located at the southern
END OF the Point" Immediately on
Hampton Roads, and Is so arranged that
every sleeping room will have a view OF
She broad expanse Of water which al.
most surrounds the house
Ihere are 400 sleeping rooms, with ac-
commodations for 600 guests The sleep
ang rooms are fitted up with the most
expensive furniture, In oak, brass. wal
nut. maple. and mahogany. The darker
"oods, such as walnut and mahogany.
are infatd with tasteful designs In rnaple
and pearl. The carpets are of the finest
ana OF large variety Of patterns. These
sleeping rooms are located on all six Of
che aoora, end are thoroughly ventilated.