Business of DeWitt: Hotels, Restaurants, Veterinarians
From the end of January, 1880, until June, the Clinton County Advertiser ran a section called “Business of DeWitt” in which they tell quite a bit about the local businesses.
While our trades people are catering the wants of outside humanity, the inner cravings are provided for by the various hotels, restaurants, eating houses, ice cream salons, etc. Of these the
GATES HOUSE
Corner of Jefferson and Clinton streets, T. S. WILLIAMS proprietor, is known among the commercial tourists “from the Atlantic to the Pacific.” It is a three story edifice with accommodation for seventy-five guests, and has the office dining room and spacious sample rooms on the first floor. These are advantages which the traveling public does not overlook, consequently the Gates is a favorite with the wandering salesman.
Mr. Williams has had some ten years experience in hotel-keeping, the greater part of which was spent in the Gates House as clerk. He was recently called from Albert Lea, Minn., to take charge of this house, and right well is he filling his position. A free bus is run to and from all passenger trains, and will carry passengers to any part of town for a small expense. We notice a goodly number of boarders at this house, and all have the appearance of good keeping. Frank Wilkie is clerk of the house and goes to the trains to encourage guests thither. See Card. The
FRANKLIN HOUSE
An old and well known stand corner of Jefferson and Chambers streets, is presided over by CLAUS VOSS, whose rotund phiz is, so far as it goes, as good as his advertisement in the ADVERTISER. The Franklin House has recently been fitted up, in part at the expense of the proprietor, and has a good run of customers. It can accommodate about thirty guests, has a large stable connected therewith and where horses will be cared for at a small expense. This has recently been fitted up, and will soon undergo still further repairs. A licensed saloon and a pool table are connected with the house. Note advertisement in these columns. The
FARMERS’ HOTEL
Corner of Washington and Harrison streets is kept by the inimitable PETER GRILL, whose popularity distanced all others in the race in December last, when he carried off the stake in the shape of a gold headed cane. This house has received additions from time to time until it has now accommodation for about thirty guests. As Mr. Grill owns the house, he keeps everything pertaining to it in first class repair. A commodious stable belongs to it where horses will be cared for. A billiard hall is in connection with the house, and Mr. Grill hold a license for the sale of ale, beer, cider and domestic wines. The
NORTH WESTERN HOTEL
By A KARIL is located on the corner of Washington and First streets, and within a stones throw of the C & N W depot. This house commenced some years ago in a small way. A second story was soon added, and to keep peace with is increase of patronage, in 1878 an extensive wing was built fronting on Washington street. This spring another smaller wing has been erected on the east side. Its nearness to the depot attracts a large number who desire to catch some of the many passenger trains. The house will accommodate about forty guests. On the ground is a convenient stable where horses will be taken the best care of. A pool table and a saloon belong to the house, for which privilege Mr. Karil pays the town one hundred dollars yearly.
On the north west corner of Washington and First street is
THE TRAVELERS REST
Patrick Cook, proprietor. This house has accommodations for about twenty guests, and we should judge had a good patronage. A restaurant is connected at which meals or lunches can be had at all hours. The charges are moderate being for a square meal 25 cts, lodging 25cts. This house solicits regular boarders, and usually has its full share of them. A pool table and licensed saloon are connected with the Travelers Rest, Edward Cook, clerk.
SAXTON’S RESTAURANT
Third door south of the Franklin House is a popular place of resort for those who at this time of year look for a dish of ice cream or glass of lemonade, each for him and her or for any of those little nick-nacks which belongs to a first-class restaurant. An addition has just been made in the this place giving one more room where ladies coming in groups or otherwise can take their cream and lemonade without discommoding the young ladies and gentlemen who may be occupying the adjoining apartment. Substantial warm meals are provided at all reasonable hours, and here we will say that what Mrs. Saxton does not know of good cookery is not worth trying to learn. Confectionery, nuts, canned fruits, and cigars are on sale this place.
VAN LOON’S EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
South of the Pacific House has been in successful operation about four years. Here warm meals with liberal bills of fare are dispensed also substantial cold lunches, home made pies and cakes, candies, nuts, fruit of all kinds in their season, and Hubbard’s favorite cigars, whatever you may want to make life comfortable. This is a convenient place for farmers and others to “drop in” at dinner time, and they seem to leave with an expression of countenance denoting blissful satisfaction. This house is conducted on the “European plan” or pay for what you have. The homemade candies which Mr. Van Loon makes in winter are the delight of the youngster who swarm around like bees about a sugar barrel. This place should be better known to the public through our advertising columns.
A lunch room belongs to the institution, where the more substantials will be dispensed. A soda fountain will be placed within, whose sputtering will doubtless attract in many a passer-by. Confectionery homemade fruits &c will be sold here. Harry Fuller, who is business all over, will have the management of this enterprise. See local notice in DeWitt columns.
The billiard hall of
WILLIAM MALKINSON
In the north room of Stephen’s Block is spacious and neatly fitted up. It has two billiard and one pool table all of the celebrated Brunswick & Balke Co’s manufacture. During the four to five years this hall has been in operation, it has been noted as a quiet and orderly place. Mr. M sells cigars, lemons, Barr’s mineral water but none of the stronger drinks.
MRS. KADOCH’S SALOON
Is located opposite the north end of Union Block, and is neatly fitted up. An attractive billiard and pool table are on duty here, and are generally in use. This saloon pays to the town of DeWitt one hundred dollars annually for a permit to sell ale, beer and native wines. These and cigars are dispensed over the bar by Edward Ledger who has recently taken charge of that department.
JOSEPH McCORMICK
At his lunch rooms 2 doors south of the Stevens Block, was the first to serve ice cream this year, and is called upon to make it for private parties. His rooms are being fitted up for the summer campaign, and he is anticipating a rush of business. Gentlemen accompanied by their sweethearts, sisters, cousins, and aunts will find it a pleasant pastime to revel among McCormick’s ice cream, soda water, lemonade, pies, cakes and other goodies they will find there. A spick-span-bran-new ice cream saloon has just been built, first door north of Fuller & Connole’s, and is now opening by
GEO. A. FULLER
Than whom no one knows better how to cater to the wants of the public. Everything being new, and as attractive as S. F. Taylor and his paint brush could make it, we shall be much disappointed if this does not prove a popular place of resort for the good people of this vicinity.
A. PARTRIDGE, VETERINARIAN
Has spent his life time among horses, and knows all the ills that beast flesh is heir to. He served for a time with a noted and skillful veterinary surgeon in New York state, and about twenty years ago came to DeWitt to live. When parties having valuable animals that are diseased, Dr. Partridge is sent for from a long distance to ply the healing art. Between calls far and near he seems to be generally on the go. The Doctor has a pair of Billy Sherman stallion colts, four years old, which have generally won first premiums wherever exhibited. Iowa Prince won a premium at the Scott county fair in 1878, in roadster class, 1st at Tipton in 1879, in 3 year old race, and first at Maquoketa in 1879. His mate, Billy Sherman, Jr., took first premium at Mt. Joy in 1878, in roadster class. Altogether, this is a fine pair of colts, which breeders should have an eye to. Dr. Partridge’s residence is corner of Rich and Tyler streets.
EDWARD O’CONNELL, VETERINARIAN
Spent three years in a veterinary infirmary in New York city, which cover the time of the rage of the [equine influenza]. As there were some eight hundred horses there at one time, some afflicted with various other diseases, this proved a good school of learning, and fitted Dr. O’Connell for his profession. On account of his health, he gave up a large salary there and came to DeWitt where he is ready to answer all calls on behalf of “beast-hood”. He is a skillful veterinary surgeon, and his services are in good demand all over the county. His residence is on the corner of Jefferson and Fourth streets.
JAMES KELLY, VETERINARIAN
Commenced the practice of the healing art when a youth and claims to be second to none in the United States and Canada. Some fifteen months ago he left a large and lucrative practice here to spend a time at his former home in the Dominion but has recently returned here to stay, and is ready to answer all calls for his services. Any diseased horses or cattle entrusted to his care will receive strict attention and their diseases treated according to the most modern formula. He has a large business in Scott county as well as this, and we believe gives general satisfaction.
JAMES BARTLETT, VETERINARIAN
Owner of a fine farm three and one-half miles west of town, learned the profession in his native country, Scotland and while he does not solicit business, yet he is often called upon by his neighbors when anything goes wrong with their stock. He is a gentleman in whom all place confidence and if the “patient” is past cure he will inform you so at once and run up no large “dead horse” bills.