The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-11-16
peveral Dinner Parties and
Dancing Mark Beginning
Of Business Of City's
New Hostelry.
BUILDING Is ALL READY

Rush Work That Brilliant
Event May Not be
Delayed.
At seven o'clock last night the new
Hotel Iowa was formally opened to
the public. The last touch had bsen
added to the beautiful dining room
on the main floor just q few minutes
before the doors were opened. AL
during the day the work Of getting
everything in order was rushed SO
that the opening could be held at the
time previously stated. Early yester-
day morning It appeared to the IN
trained eye that it would be impos-
sible to have things in shape to serve
dinner in the dining room by seven
o'clock. But when the guests entered
the room for the first dinner to be
served there was nothing to suggest
the rush that had prevailed through
out the day.
Several elaborate dinner parties
we're given last night in honor of the
event. General Manager A. P. Galley
and his wife entertained number OF
their friends. Mr. and Mrs. ]. P. AL
len, j. A. Trawick, jeremiah Smith
Of Boston, and Mr.. and Mrs. James
Huiskamp being the guests. Resident
Manager w. v. Holmes entertained
Mr.. and Mrs. Batenian Of the Hotel
Keokuk, Thomas C. Barrows, manager
Of the Hotel Quincy of Quincy and
Miss Ruth Barrows, sister OF Mr..
Thomas Barrows. Besides these there
we're several other dinner parties Civ.
en-, large number OF guests being
in the dining room.
1t was estimated that from 1,000
TO 1900 people came In and inspected
the hotel after six O'Clock last night
The lobby was crowded all evening
and all who requested were shown
over the varfuas rooms rim the new
building. The interest shown in the
hotel by the people OF the city was
very gratifying to the managers, and
every effort was made to make these
people welcome. The hotel is coDsid
cred most valuable asset to the city
and well deserves the patronage thai
It will no doubt be accorded.
Dance In Dining Room.
Following the dinner last night 8
number of the tables were removed
from the room and dancing enjoyed
The music furnished by the regula'
hotel orchestra was exceptionally
good and all enjoyed 1T. The orches
ira is composed of cello, violin an
piano. The musicians are all accom-
plished, being graduates of the Bos
ton conservatory OF music, which Il
one OF the highest class musica
schools in the country
The dining room which is on thu
frst floor is one of the finest In thu
state 1t can hardly be compared witt
any in this section OF the country out
side of the larger cities. Severa
large pillars support the ceiling. TIL
walls are decorated In white wilt
cream trimmings. The lighting sys
tenn Of the room is very good, electri
lights being distributed on all sides 0
the room as well as on the ceilin
and On the pillars.
The Silver Service.
The silver service used, In the dir
Ing room was designed and manufas
tured especially for this hotel Fac
piece bears the hotel monogram an
the words Hotel Iowa" The deslg
Is in the style OF the last century an
every piece Is work OF art. All Q
the china has been designed es
pecially for the hotel and bears tn
same marking that is used on the 81
verware.
The lobby is the most spaciou
room in the building. The furnish
1ngs here are beautiful. The ful
niture is upholstered in green Tn
chairs are large and luxurious. TIL
wainscoating extends three quarter
OF the way to the ceiling and is 0
the finest quality Of walnut. Fou
large pillars support the ceiling as 4
the dining room, and are OF walnu
also. Around the ceiling is carved
trieze, the walls and ceiling BEN
stained a light walnut to harmonic
with the woodwork. The floor Is Q
marble laid In an attractive DESIGN. i
the side of the room that faces Nal
street is a large fire place in whicl
a ire OF logs will be kept burning a.
winter. The clerks desk faces tn
Fourth street entrance, while next t
It is located on one side the mana
gers office and on the other the tels
phone and telegraph desks. Opposit
the clerks desk and to the right c
the entrance is the cigar stand. TIL
entrance to the dining room is locaf
gu IN the right corner OF the lobby a
1e enters from Main street. TIL