Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-05-03
HOTEL FORMALLY OPENED
CITIZENS UNITE IN ELITE OCCASION
Over Three Hundred Citizens Participate
in Formal Opening of Magnificent
Hosiery, an Event Long TO be
Remembered.

The formal opening of the elegant
new Winnesheik Hotel on Thursday
evening was an event which will
linger in the minds of all who had
the good fortune to participate for
many years to come, for it was an
unqualified success in every detail,
without a single unfortunate circum-
stance to mar the delightful pleasure
Of the occasion.
Since the magnificent structure be-
gan to near completion, arrange
ments have been under way for a
formal dedication or opening which
would give the people of Decorah
and those from outside who cared to
attend, an opportunity to show their
gratitude at the successful culmina-
tion of the enterprise in which all
are interested, and which has perhaps
more to do with the metropolitan
growth and progress Of Decorah than
any single thing in it's history; for
everyone realizes that nothing will
be a greater factor in advertising our
city throughout the country than the
modern structure which has been
provided by the united efforts of the
citizens for the entertainment of the
strangers who come to our city from
all parts of the country.
After the new building was COM
pleted and occupied, the date of the
opening was set for Thursday evening.
April 9th. Invitations were issued
and tickets offered for sale at $500
per couple. They sold rapidly both to
citizens of Decorah, residents of
neighboring towns, and wholesalers
in the various cities who desired to
show their appreciation Of the enter
prise in substantial manner. Many
purchased tickets who were unable
to attend. but over three hundred
were present and participated in the
occasion.
An hour before the appointed time
the guests began to arrive. entering
through the ladies entrance and
checking their wraps in apartments
provided for this purpose in the store
rooms yet unoccupied. After an in
formal reception they marched to the
banquet tables in step to the beautiful
music Of the Grand opera house or
chestra. Long tables we're arranged
in the main dining room, the ladies
ordinary and the rOtunda, and they
presented a most attractive appear.
ance, the spotless linen, the settings
of china. silverwarre and glassware.
the beautiful decorations Of smilax and
carnations, and the deep red souviner
menus forming combination pleasing
and inviting.
The service was everything that
could be desired. An elaborate menu
had been prepared and the employees
of the hotel. assisted by sixteen young
men in uniform, served the different
courses with an ease and agility sur.
prising to everyone. Following is the
MENU
Oyster Cocktail
Celery Olives
Bouillon de Orleans
RadiSheS Salted Peanuts
Westphalia Ham Ok Tongue
Young Turkey POmmes Saratoga
Sorbet Creme de Menthe
Chicken MayOnaise Waldorf Salad
Champagne Punch
Compete of Jellied Fruit, Macedoine
Puffs la Creme
Strawberries and Cream
Neapolitan Ice Cream
Assorted Cake
Orange Apples Bananas
Young American Cheese Bon BOns
Water Waters
Demi Tasse PerfectOs
After the banquet had been served,
Mayor F. w. Daubney arose. and in
his own inimitable style introduced
the different speakers upon the pro.
gram, each of whom responded to the
toasts called for in happy speech ap-
propriate to the occasion and pleasing
to the auditors. The program was as
follows:
PROGRAM
Mayor F.W. Daubney, Toastmaster.
Orchestra.
Hon. A. X. Bailey. Decorah, Iowa,
Hearts of Oak"
Hon. d. ]. Palmer, Washington,
Iowa, "The Making Of City"
Orchestra.
Judge L. E. Fellows. Lansing, Iowa,
"Citizenship.'
Hon. G. N. Haugen. NJ. G. North.
wood, Iowa, "The New Winneshiek. "
Rev. H. H. Green, d. d.. Decorah,
Iowa. "The Evolution Of the Hotel. ~
Orchestra.
Mr.. DC. Glasser Of Dubuque, Iowa,
and Mr.. H. L. .Chaffee, Of st. Paul,
Mimi, both we'll known knights OF
the road for many years past. were
called out and added zest to the pro.