Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-06-11
ANOTHER OLD
\ LANDMARK GONE
Eaiky Hotel, at Ninth and Fsrnam,
Gives Way to a New
Structure.
WAS BUILT IN EARLY DAYS

story frame hotel building at Ninth
and Farnam streets, directly south
and across Farnam street from the
Union Pacihc's old headquarters,
marks the passing OF another of the
pioneer landmarks of Omaha. 1t
marks the oblteration of one OF the
links connecting the early history
OF the city with the present.
The old hotel building that is now
being demolished by the wrecking
crew was known from coast to coast
in the days when Omaha was in its
3waddling clothes and was known as
hosiery of considerable impor-
lance, but few years ago it de-
generated into a cheap boarding and
+ ladging house and such it remained
until it was determined to raze it
that modern business house might
be erected upon the site.
The old hotel building that was
originally KIN OWN as the Edwards
iolSi was ClCllSu SlOoC u MY
years ago and while it has been
standing and occupied as a hotel for
nearly half century grafton
of Omahans. -, upon the
stage of action, played their parts
and passed on, but during all these
years the old hotel has withstood the
ravages of time and even now the
wreckers are finding 1t in pretty good
condition.
Omaha Needed a Hotel.
Along in 1867, although Omaha
was only frontier town, owing to
the great amount of travel passing
through its gates, there was de-
mand for more hotel facilities. In
those days there was a DR.. Isaac
Edwards residing here He had &C
cumulated a comfortable fortune and
lbeing public spirited he concluded to
erect a hotel. Ninth and Farnam
streets was selected as the site and
property bought there. Plans were
prepared and at a cost of $2l 900 dur
ing the summer Of 1867 the hotel
was built. The timbers used in the
construction were framed in Chicago
and shipped here. Carpenters and
other mechanics from there came
along to do the building.
Named it Edwards.
Having completed the hotel to per-
petuate his name, DR.. Edwards called
the new hotel the Edwards, and a
Mr.. Godfrey, who later plated God
frey's addition to the city Of Ono ha,
became the first proprietor. From
the start the hotel was popular. Dur.
ing the Godfrey regime it housed
many notables who were coming to
Omaha as well as those who were 60
ing on farther west, but made this a
stopping place for time while max
ing the journey. Ill.,,
For two years the hotel continued
IS the Edwards and then II was sold.
With the sale there came a change
. of name and for some years it was
known as the Easement, in honor of
one of the men who had the contract
for the construction of a long
stretch of the Union Pacific grade.
Paddock Takes Charge.
The following year a new proprie-
tor in the person of Senator Pad
dock came onto the scene and took
charge as proprietor. With his COM
ing the name of the hotel was again
changed and this time to the Wyo-
ming. 1t continued as the Wyoming
for a number of years, Senator Pad
dock being succeeded as proprietor
by John c. Highly, ST. Then the late
Harry Gilmore had season Of hotel
proprietorship and then Ira Highly
was the proprietor.
AS years passed and business COM
menced to move west the Wyoming
\ lost caste as frst-class hotel, but
Ut continued to be a home-like place
for those who were not seeking too
much style. With the passing of
time it became known as the Elsas-
ser and for a period was conducted
by Jacob Elsasser. Subsequently it
was known as the Garfield and as
such it remained for several years,
being conducted by. George Garfield,
later to become the Faris and still
later the Daily.
The Daily stuck to the hotel for
several years more and as such it was
known until not long ago, when this
name was dropped and the place be-
came lodging house.