The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-08

POWER PEOPLE BUSY

Following the failure Of the plans
If /. C. Frey, to materialize and the
expiration of the option that he held
on the property of the Masonic lodges
at Fourth and Main streets, the an
nouncement came this morning that
The Mississippi River Power company
had taken thirty day option on the
property and we're making prepare
lions to go ahead with the plans for
hotel building.
The lot which is owned by the Ma
| ionic fraternity has frontage of
6fty-nine feet, six inches on Main
street and extends to the alley en-
Fourth street, making a depth of 40
feet In addition to this property the
Water Power company has secured
an option for the same period on the
/ adjoining property, now occupied by
The Benner Tea company, giving them
total area of eighty-two feet by 40
feet. The option of the Water Power
| company calls for price of s27,5O0,
lust $4,000 lower than the price that
was given Mr.. Frey.
$225, 900 Hotel.
It Is the plan of the power company
to build hotel containing $50 rooms
an, Is to be six stories in heighth and
will be first class in every respect.
. Plans are now being prepared and
| will be made public within few
days. The new building will cost
s225o0O, according to the statement
| made today.
Representatives of the Mississippi
River Power company attended the
meeting of the lodges last night and
submitted their plans to the Masons
with the result that the option was
given them and the committees of the
lodges were told that the power com
pany had had experienced hotel men
from Chicago and Milwaukee here
looking over the situation and that
they would handle the proposition.
These men were here long enough to
become thoroughly familiar with the
hotel situation in Keokuk and would
&c able to go ahead with their plans
In an intelligent manner.
AS had been planned in connection
with the proposed Riverview Hotel,
that was discussed several months
ago, Keokuk capital will be promin-
emily represented in the stock of the
new hotel. The complete financial
plans OF the company are expected to
be given out within the next ten days
Al that time it is thought that the
Water Power company will give the
details of the new company publicity
and assure Keokuk of the realization
Of the dreams of several months for
new hostelry.
The action of the Mississippi River
Power company in taking the option
on the Masonic property is taken by
etizens as a positive assurance thai
The city will, at last, be possessed O
one Of the finest hotel buildings il
Inc state and that the company il
sun pinning its faith to the coming
prosperity and growth of the city
with the building of hotel adequate
70 the evident needs of the city, there
Is expected to be a much greater in
hux OF capital into the city, which Is
now kept from here by the reports
mat have been spread to the effec
mat the city cannot entertain her Wis
Nors, owing to the lack of hotel ac
commodations. Keokuk can AGAR
oHer thanks to the Water Power com
pany for coming to her rescue ant
pacing her in position to offer the
pest that the middle west affords.
Up to keokuk to Help.
The action of the Mississippi Rive
rover Co. in taking hold of the he
'ei proposition is confirmation of a re
port appearing in The Gate City sew
eral days ago, emanating from I
water Power official, to the effect tina
.ne water power people would built
motel in this city 1t will be up t.
heokuk to cooperate in the mos
enthusiastic and liberal way with TIL
power people to make this new hote
success. The very liberal attitude
" the power people toward Keokul
y this enterprise is only in line wit
.aeir liberality and fairness in othe
iines and their efforts are worthy Q