Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-09
TO LEAVE THE HOTEL
MEssRS. AINsLIE & WEBSTER RE-
SIGN FROM THE JEFFERSON.
Mr.. P. N. FRY TO Be MANAGER.
Change to Take Place on July 1st-
The HOstelry VIII lie Conducted
ON the Same Scale of Elegance
That Has Heretofore Obtained.

Messrs. Allen Alnsle and William II.
Webster, the popular managers OF the
Jefferson. who have been identified with
that palatial hostelry ever since 1t was
completed, have decided to sever their
connection with the house, and their
designations, which were presented TO the
jefferson Hotel Company some time ago,
have been accepted, to take effect July
lst at which time Mr.. L. NJ. Fry. at
present the chief clerk of the hotel. Will
succeed 10 the management and assume
control.
Messrs. Ainslie & Webster have done
much toward making the Jefferson what
it is to-day. and they have by their uni
form courtesy made many friends during
their stay in this city, who will hear OF
their contemplated departure with sim
cere regret. They are both capable and
experienced hotel men, and have at all
times held the Jefferson up to the high
standard which is essential TO the COM
plete success of such an elegant hosiery.
In surrendering their stewardship, how
ever, they hand the reins over to most
capable man in the person of Mr.. Fry
than whom no better known or more
popular hotel man lives in Virginia. For
many years Mr.. Fry was associated al
the White Sulphur Springs with Major
B. f. Eagle. and his experience there
will prove of great advantage TO him IN
the new role he will assume at the Jel-
ferson.
Though it has been known for some
weeks to few that a change was lkely
10 occur at the jefferson at any time. this
knowledge was limited to small circle
and hence the announcement that the
managers will retire comes in the nature
Of a great surprise to the patrons OF the
jefferson and to the general public. Mt.
Ainslie left here about two weeks ago TOT
New Jersey, but 1t was not thought theh
that he had taken his final departure
from this city. Such, however, was the
case. as he will not return here and on
or about the 25th of this month Mr. Weo-
ster will leave and join him in Boston.
TO GO TO OTHER FIELDS.
Mr.. Webster was seen at the hotel
last night by Dispatch man, and asked
concerning the change so soon to be
made. but he was not disposed to dis
cuss the matter further than to say
that he and Mr. Ainslie had determined
to 90 TO other fields, and had rendered
their designations. which had been duly
accented. Mr. Fry knew nothing more
than that he had been notified by Mr..
Thomas Jeffress, of the hotel company
that ne would assume charge of the
hostelry upon the departure of Mr.. web
stcr and Mr. Jeffress, when asked con-
cerning the matter, simply affirmed thls'
and assured the reporter that the hotel,
which would be run by the company
with MI. Fry as its manager, would be
conducted on the same high plane that
has characterized it throughout its eX-
istence.
He had nothing but the highest praise
TO bestow upon Messrs. Ainslle S
Webster and Mr.. Webster spoke IN the
kindest terms of the members OF the
hotel company. assuring the Dlspatch
man that nothing but the most cordial
feeling existed between them. All con-
cerned asserted positively that the re-
signation was handed in for purely busi-
| ness reasons, and these reasons heilnel
| cared TO discuss
The hotel will remain in its semi-closed
condition throughout the summer, and
in view of the fact that so many coun-
| ter-attractions are advertised by the
| street railway companies for the heated
term. the roof-garden will not be opened.
! This decision was arrived at by Messrs.
| Ainslie K Webster some time before
they resigned. and the new management
| will make no effort to change their ar
rangements.
HAVE MADE FRIENDS HERE.
The retiring managers will carry with
| them from this city the best wishes of
| a host of friends they have made du-
ring their stay here. They will meet in
| Boston during the latter part OF TINS
month. and on the 1st of July will go
| 70 Maplewood. the White mountains re-
! sort. which they will conduct during the
| summer. They have not definitely de-
| cided what they will do next winter,
| hut il Is more than likely that they Will
| conduct a hotel somewhere in the South,
| probably in Florida. Before coming 10
| Richmond they conducted the San Mar
| 90 Hotel. at ST. Augustine, and were
| known TO the tourists as enterprising
| hotel-men.
For a number Of years Messrs. Ainsle
| &, Webster have been associated together
in business. and during their entire con-
nection not one inharmonous word has
| passed between them. Mr. Webster was
| for many years a newspaper man, and
| Mr.. Ainslie has been during the greater
| mart of his life in the hotel business
having worked up from the Office OF
| steward to that Of manager. He was
connected in managerial capacity with
| the Maulewood Hotel when his partner
| died The owner of the house on the
very day that the associate managershir
| became vacant met Mr.. Webster on the
streets of Boston and asked him what he
was doing.
| "If YOU had asked me fifteen minutes
| ago" was the prompt reply, Il should
| have told you / was in the newspaper
| business. but at present ! am doing no.
| thing | have just sold out my interest
| In nv paper. and am already looking for
something TO engage my time
No sooner were these words uttered
| than the Maplewoods owner offered Mr.
Webster the position at the mountain re-
| sort. and he accepted ii. The next DAY
| he went TO Mapiewood as Mr.. Ainslie'
partner. and they have remained to-
re.her ever since. Mr. Webster looking
| after the finances and correspondence
and things generally about the office. and
Mr. Ainslie keeping an eye on the kitchen
| the store-rooms and the help generally
THEY CAME TO RICHMOND.
The two gentlemen have run the noun
| farmhouse every summer since then
business association begun, and theii
| reputation as hotel-men becoming gene
rally recognized, Major Lewis Ginter
when casting about for some one tC
whom he could eatrust the management
| Of the jefferson, which was then nearing
| completion, sought out the Maplewooo
| managers. and 1t was soon agreed that
| they should come TO Richmond and as
sumo entire charge of this city's palatia
hostelry. They came here some months
before the hotel was finished. and stopped
. at the residence Of Major Ginter. WIN
J that gentleman they journey extehsVei,
| through the North and West. and to-