The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-04-07
THE HOTEL SITUATION

In July or August last year, the
Kellahan hotel was closed up and sold
at auction. 1t was bid in by some
public spirited citizens who, like the
majority of us, felt that the town OF
Kingstree needed a better hotel for
the accommodation of its transient Wis
itors. They We're absolutely correct
IN their conclusions. But as yet they
haven't given US better hotel facili-
ties. Their conclucions as to the
needs of the town in the matter OF
hotel facilities and their actions in a
similar direction have been greatly at
variance. They have seen to it strictly
that Kingstree has been left to glide
along as best she may for the past
eight months without any hotel ac-
commodations whatever for anybody
And the only solution along this line
was the opening of the Paragon Res
taurant here some weeks ago. People
doubtless found this a great con-
venience, but the Paragon Restaurant
is not capable of satisfying the &C.
mand for a hotel. A lot Of people
come here who would spend the night,
perhaps several nights, yea weeks,
but there is no provisions for this
class of visitors without having to
scout around for shelter in a private
home OF in one of the several board
ing houses whose capacity is usually
taxed by regular roomers. Besides
the travelling public are not used to
this sort of condition, not does 1t
care to get used to it. Hotel acommo-
dations are preferable and as Kings
tree is absolutely without this one
great essential she is gradually losing
an important foothold as a progress
sive, up-to-date town.
Travelling men, whether salesmen,
captains, of industry, OF prlvates IN
the Salvation Army are excellent ad-
vertising mediums and give town
such publicity as is either very valu-
able, or, on the other hand detriment-
al. Which are we to receive at the
hands of those who come here and
find no place to sleep.
As stated, the Kellahan was closed
up and sold eight months ago; A
payment was made on the property
and there the whole plan died, The
property has since been idle and so
far as we are able ts learn will re-
main so indefinitely unless the boar 1
Of directors who have the matter in
Charge get up a little steam and go
forward-do something to relieve the
present situation.
There have been several PROPOSE
tions for opening up the hotel bu1
whether either have appealed to the
directorate we do not know, appar-
emily not, though, as the building still!
remains idle, not even earning interest
On the amount already paid on it by
the purchasers. Kingstree needs a
hotel and needs it badly right now,
Later the need will be greater, and
further procrastination in this matter
will prove costly. 1t is true that when
the property was sold times were
flush and money more plentiful, at
least more easily obtained, and some
of the gentlemen most concerned in
the purchase, one in particular, Mr..
Leroy Lee, urged that the work of
remodeling and improveing the plant
be pushed to completion without de-
lay. He knew it could be done, in fact
it could be dcne now, but there were
others whose feet grew cold, pulse
beat faint and the whole scheme died,
from lack of backbone coupled to &
determined will to fight through be-
setting obstacles. Really this is only
logical reason for not having a first
class hotel in operation today in what,
otherwise, is the best little town in
South Carolina.