Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-11-09
VAN ORMAN'S
HOTEL DEAL.
HIS Acquisition of the St
George at Evansvilte-De-
tails of the Negotiations.

Evansville Courier November sth.l
In the course CT few days the St.
George hotel property at First and Lo-
Gust streets will pass into the HANDS o.
Fred Van Orman, By the first OF
March next Evansville can boast OF
one of the best hotels in the state.
A. meeting of the officers of the
P. ople's Savings bank and Mr.. Van
Orman Monday afternoon the deal was
closed and the papers will be signed
cltv in few days.
Mr.. Van Orman has tried several
times to buy the St George property,
out every time when the deal 81 emed
about eonsummated bel unexpected
would happen.i
Mr.. Van IMAM arrived IN this city
Saturday tor a conference with the
bank directors. They held ont for the
price they have asked all along, ST.
500 Mr. Van Orman thought this fig
ure too higk and was about to leave
The city when f o. Hopkins, Walter
VI. Schmitt ard Mark Sonntag agreed
to raise So 900 as bo2us to partially
make up the difference between Mr..
Van Oiman's figures and those of the
bank.
These three gentlemen proposed to
see 100 prominent citizens who would
give 800 each. They raised SD, 700
| in a snort time. They met with much
encouragement everywhere they went
and the balsnce of the bonus will no
| doubt be raised without difficulty.
Several months ago Mr.. Van Orman
declared all negotiations off for the
purct ase of the St George hotel. He
returned to Richmond. Ind, having
abandoned all intentions of investing
capital in Evansville. In the mean
| time the members of Post j.. Comm err
the matter ard declared their inten-
ton of organizing stock company to
take charge of the st. George property
or either tuild new hotel.
| The travelling men were anxious to
see first class hotel in this city be-
cause their state convention will short
ly convene in Evansville and they real
izeo that it would be impos BILE to
properly entertain their guests with
the present hotel facilities. Will Som
tag proposed to the travelling men to
raise bonus through committee of
business men. They listened to his
proposition and soon Mr.. Van Orman
was negotiating again for the St.
George.
| When Mr. Van Osman came here
Saturday he was met by Mr.. Sonntag,
Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Schmitt and
| they at once saw the copies Savings
| bank officials for the purpose Of max
| ing tie last proposition to them.
The agreement entered into between
Mr.. Van Orman and the business mems
committee Provides that the bonus
shall be paid TO the new purchaser
when tae hotel is opened and ready
for business. MIR. Van Orman re-
turned to Richmond Monday night
well pleased with the turn events had
taken in this city.
Before Mr.. Van Orman returns next
54os = 81 400 no doubt,
Mr.. Hopkins says he is we'll pleased
with the progress displayed by the
/ business men of the city in helping to
| reopen the historic old st. George.
| The reopening of the hotel, Mr.. Hop
kins thinks, will be the beginning of a
new era in the business career of
Evansville
Mr.. Van Orman will have the hotel
ready Tor occupancy by March [ There
are nov l26 rooms in the building.
He will buiId an addition to the rear of
the property, increasing the number of
rooms to 100.
Mr.. Van Orman will spend from
$4,000 to SIC. 900 for i'm proving the
buildings and fur nishings
Mr.. Van Orman was born in a hotel
and has done nothing else in his life
de Is proprietor of The Westcott hotel
at Richmond. Ind, which is one of the
leading hotels in the state. He also
owns the Rutfuer house at Charleston.
w. Va. He has owned hotel property
at Lafayette, Logansport and some of |
the most important centers in the /
state. he has made a success of the
hotel business and there is not trav-
eilng man IN the state who does not
know him either personally or by rep
utation.
Mr. Van Orman said he would spare
40 money in making the ST. George
iotel equal if not superior to the other
hotels IN the country. He is gratieed
Il the encouragement he met with in
his city.
The opening Of tbs st. George in
darch will be one Iof the memorable
vents of the year.
Mr.. and Mrs, H. C. Willis, of Wa