The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-03
MOST BEAUTIFUL
 SALOON IN SOUTH
AL cAMPBELL'S NEW PLACE IN THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING IS ELEGANT IN EVERY DETAlL-FITTlNGs SUPERB.

The most elegantly fitted saloon and cafe in the south and probably as beau tiful as can be found in the United States has just been opened in the new First National bank building.
 The interior work in this magnificent buffet was done under the direction of A. F. Campbell, the proprietor, who was formerly caterer to the Southern club. Every crook and turn bears traces of an artists hand, and MT. Campbell showed excellent judgment In selecting his archi- tect and decorators.
 There Is nothing gaudy or fiaring to att tract the vulgar eye and immediately upon entering the beauty and artistic ef- feet does not dawn on the visitor. After moments study, however, the change in feeling is almost electrical On every side can be seen the work of the artist and not even a colored picture mars the restful impression on the eye.
 With the exception of the top piece to the saloon counter the entire place is fitted with black oak finished in the Ant werp style. The general idea is the Ger man renaissance. On the heavier posts and the massive grill work can be seen beautiful medalliOns which give a slight touch of the Flemish finish to the gen. eral picture and if anything adds to the impressive sombreness. At intervals along the ceiling huge black oak panels sup port the upper floor and this scheme is carried out with a masterly exactness.
 The fixtures in Mir Campbell's new buff fet are said to have ocst in the neighbor- hood of s90,OOOs and though the amount frl, into tl,1 .%In destory any idea that the statement Is exaggerated The tile floor cost over s14OO
 In the front of the place is a modern and prettly arranged cigar and tobacco coun- ter. Between this and the barroom proper is an oaken screen elaborately decorated with carving It is surmounted with pearl colored electrict light globes resting in iron baskets upheld by figures of women. The mirrors behind the bare are sur rounded by immense oaken panels deco rated artstically. Strong columns about one foot in diameter support the upper portion. Electric lights shaded by green colored globes furnish a soothing light, avoiding any attempt at brilliancy. Be- tween the saloon and the cafe is another screen of black oak, massive in propor- tion and beautifully carved. On either side of this is an entrance to the cafe
 
 the most attractive feature to the place. The screen is surmounted with carved figures of dolphlns and on either side are two electric lights quietly resting in baskets of iron and connected by strong black trace chains.
 In the cafe are three private rooms which are the acme of elegance. Two of them are for small parties and the other is large enough to seat a dinner party of ten. So perfect is the idea of privacy carried out that no one in these rooms can be viewed from the saloon or the pub lie cafe. On the left Is lunch counter elaborately fitted.
 MT. Campbell has done much towards making Birmingham city and if he can succeed with this enormous expenditure, the leading city of Alabama has. indeed, reached the metropolitan stage