Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-11-06
HOSTElRY FOR INDIANS.
Only Hotel in the Country Patronixed
Exclusively by Redskins.

Exclusively by Redskins.
One of the most unusual hotels to
be found anywhere in America is on
Third street northwest, a short dis
tance from Pennsylvania avenue. The
Belvidere house, as the hostelry is
known, is probably the only hotel in
the world patronized exclusively by
Indians. For nearly 40 years it has
been the stopping place for practical
ly all Indians coming to Washington
In every tepee and Indian cabin
throughout the west stories of its lux
uries have been told, and every In
dian hopes some day to be a guest
within its doors.
Landlord Benjamin F. Beveridge has
made a profound study of the appe-
tites of Indians and he not only
knows in a general way what the red
man likes to eat, but he knows the
things they like best and the manner
in which the cooking should be done.
An Indian, Mr. Beveridge declares,
will eat as much as two ordinary
white men. He wants meat principal
ly, and plenty of 1t. AS a general
thing the Indian doesn't care for del
icacies, but ice cream is strong IA
vorite with him, and 1t doesn't mat
ter whether the frozen sweet is served
with breakfast or with dinner. Many
of them ate it for the first time at
the Beveridge, and those who have
already been initiated into its mys-
teries consider it great sport to watch
the uninitiated attempt to swallow
his first spoonful. When the dessert
is served all eyes are fixed on the
Indian who is away from home for
the first time. II he betrays the least
surprise when he discovers how cold
is the Misunderstanding white dish,
the others "guy" him numerically.
The dining room at the Beveridge
is in the basement. There is one long
table, covered with a red cloth. There
is not much of silver, or rare china,
or cut glass upon 1t, but plates and
cups and saucers, and knives and
forks are used, all of the substantial
kind found in railroad eating houses.
The Indian travelling for the first
time is frequently at a loss to know
the purpose of them all, but he
watches his fellows closely and is
good at initiating. The Indian doesn't
talk much at meal time, though some
times subject of conversation is
started that starts them all a-going,
and no banquet then could be merrier.
The Indian, additionally is soli
tary individual, VINO prefers his own
company to that of other mortals, but
the experience of Landlord Beveridge
proves this a fallacy. The redskin
loves company, and IL 10 or dozen of
them from the same tribe are at the
hotel in party they refuse absolutely
to occupy separate rooms, but demand
that they be allowed to sleep together.
For this reason, instead of the ordi-
nary small hotel bedroom, with it's
single bed, the Beveridge has large
rooms, in each Of which half a dozen
or more beds are placed.
AT night these rooms are the scenes
Of powwows tnat frequently last until
well toward morning. There some
times meet representatives of tribes
which for generations have warred
upon each other. In such cases they
pay ceremonious calls, each party
bringing its interpreter. The pipe of
council is smoked with solemnity and
the deeds of mighty men of war are
recounted, and twice they fight all
their battle o er again, and twice they
slay the slain. In the past some i'm
portant councils have been held at
the Beveridge, and many treaties ar
ranged.-Washingt Post.