The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-05
HOW REIBOLD KEPT HOTEL.
characteristics That Made Him Sue
cessfuI and Prosperous.
1ianaDolis Letter in New York World.

Indianapolis Letter in New York World.
Louis Reibold, recently proprietor of the
Bates House. whose romantic marriage in
Cairo, Egypt, has just been announced, is
a remarkable man, with the most peculiar
and picturesque personality. With for
tune estimated at from $5OU0,00O to $500 900,
and about fifty-twO years of age, he has
come from a bootblack in a boarding house
in Dayton, o., to be acknowledged as one OF
the most thorough hotel men in the world.
He was born in Germany, came to this
country when boy with his parents, lost
his father by yellow fever IN New orleans
and with his mother went to Dayton in tine
fifties. He BACKED boots in the old Union
House there, and by this means, with other
odd jobs. saved little money.
His mother got employment and some
time afterward secured the City Hotel
Later she moved to Cincinnati and rented
a hotel near the river front, and a year
afterward went back to Dayton and again
took the City Hotel.
The Phillips House was taken when the
CITY Hotel was abandoned, and later the
Reckel House was taken and the Phillips
abandoned, the Re bolds hold ng both leases.
The rates at the Beckel were put up from
S3 to S. which in those days was regarded
as an extortionate price in the West, and
there was much complaint. The people held
mass meetings to complain, but the Rel
holds had the leases.
II was in 1873 when the panic came on,
and Dayton capital, as well as elsewhere,
was carried away with the great slump.
The ReibOldS had been careful; their money
was in hand and the young with a
rare shrewdness bought in solid square of
vacant property, which went in the crash
for less than half its value at that time.
That square is still owned by Mr.. Reibold
valued at SAX coo. On it. among other
buildings are four flats and office buildings
which cost 100000 each, all of them built
by Louis Reibold.
In 1882 Mr. Reibold who had made the
Beckel great money maker, came to In
dianapOliS and took a long lease of the
Bates House, which was at the time not
making money. The arrivals fer the first
year did not exceed twenty per day. The
CHI
fused to make repairs.
To prevent the erection of rival hotel
Reibold tore out the interior at his own
expense made extensive improvements
and brought the hotel up to the times.
The rates were advanced and maintained
Then he began to inaugurate his wonder
full system which has made the hotel what
if is and Mr. Reibold q worldwide reputa-
ton and 81 600 0G0 His system consisted in
constant attention to details and having
every man at his post alert and ready
for duty at any moment. Not an employee
knew anything at any time as to the move
ments of the ever-present proprietor. Al IL
O'Clock he would retire, only TO be seen at
2 o'clock standing in some shadowy corner
overlooking the office and noting what the
Office fore Was doing.
He would start through the house, walk
UP the stairw ~, suddenly back track by
means of the elevator and step into the
place he had just left, with an eye that
took in everything that was doing at the
He used to say. IT'S not what they are
doing after / ger in but what they are
doing the instant ] do get in, that ] want
to see. All / want to know is what is go
ing on wnen / am not around
And yet he would never tolerate a spy or
a tattler. An employe who ran TO him with
a tale would be discharged. With a quiet
smile. he would point his finger to the door