The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-04-05
WHAT IT MEANS TO DEN1soN.


men had actually done something be-
sides talk concerning the hotel, opera
house and hospital projects, seemed
to many almost too good to be true.
The fact that large amount had
actually been subscribed and that
more was in sight, that Broadway
and Main street had agreed on work
ing basis appeared fairly incredible to
the people of Denison.
There is still very much to be done
before all the stock will be sub
scribed, some men from whom much
is expected will undoubtedly hold back
and their action will be used as a
screen for others. The last thousands
will be harder to raise than the first
thousands.
Let us confess that there is nothing
supremely attractive in any of these
projects to the man whose capital is
actively employed and who is sure to
make from eight to ten per cent on it.
We believe all of the projects can be
made to pay reasonable rate Of
interest. Denison is now good rail-
road point and first-class hotel
should pay. 1t will certainly attract
a large amount of trade that now
gives Denison but the briefest kind
of visit. This transient trade is of
the class, too, that spends money for
many different things, and the mer-
chants as we'll as the hotel keeper will
be advantaged. A first class hotel
such as is planned will gradually at
tract to Denison number of travelling
men who will in time make Denison
their home. We have number now
and there is no reason why we should
not have more.
The erection of the hotel means
added value to every foot of ground in
the business district of the city. 1t
gives permanency that is valuable
to every property owner in the bust
ness portion of town. Aside from all
this it will mean large amount of
work for mechanics and artisans al
most every cent of which will find its
way into the channels of trade almost
as quickly as it is paid out. For
years Denison has been handicapped
by the lack of hotel Accommodations
If any convention was to be held here
a canvass had to be made among the
citizens to find out who would open
their homes to entertain the strangers.
With its railroad facilities and gooc
hotels there is no reason why Denisor
should not become good convention
town, and every such event means
much added trade for the merchants.
The opera house proposition is ever
more pressing in some respects thar
the hotel. At the recent school ex.
hibition we saw the fire companies
taking the greatest precautions anc
even then men stood with bated breath
until the last of the precious young
sters was safely out of the crowded
hall. A fire and a panic that night
would have cost Denison more wot
than could be estimated by million
opera houses. Other such. events viii
occur in Denison and it is imperativ,
that we have some commodious ant
fairly safe place Of public assemblage
, The opera house is a paying .institu
ton. There is no question about it
The books of the Germania Verei
E will show it. 1t has not always bee
a so But when it was built Denise
|, was not half it's present size. TIL
utilization of the present hall fc
I dances and social gatherings, or eve
for the cheaper grade of shows will b
a a soucre of income and the two ca
: be operated for practically tn
4 same expense. In a town of Denisun
h size there is not any too much health
4 amusement. The opera house wi
v attract a. better grade of attraction
i and these will have better NOR;
tone than the poorer shows we al
:, now able to get. AS an employer {
% labor, we know that one great diff
Is Guilty in keeping young, unmarrie
a men straight is that there are +
&c places for them to go save the poo
=, halls and the saloons.
# The hospital is a much needed il
:. stitution also. Hundreds of dolla,
If go out of the county each year becau
A. we have had no hospital accommodation
f. at home. People do not take the
+. sick on long and, to them, dangero
&c journeys, for the fun of it. Thu
! would gladly avoid the risk, the e
~ pense and the inconvenience, tn
IL. would gladly have their loved on
~ i. near them in time of sickness and
. pain. At present there is practical
no alternative, however, and doubtle
many lives have been sacrificed b
:, cause of the fear of the journey a
= by the delays occasioned in critic
cases. Denison has competent cor
n, of physicians and surgeons and