Allerton and Axtell

by Gary Lee Martinson

  The bridal suite was on the third floor, above the parlor, decorated in birds eye maple. There were five large suites with full bath facilities and were richly decorated in mahogany. The rest of the rooms were spacious and elegant, all with hot and cold running water. They all had electric lighting, axminster carpet and steam heat.

  The manager of the hotel was S. A. Hodges who was noted for his pleasurable personality with patrons. He employed two outstanding desk clerks in J. W. Gardner from Storm Lake, Iowa and Ed H. Semple from Keokuk. To make sure the food was the best this side of the Mississippi, three top chefs were hired from the Chicago area.

  The opera house was part of the same building with the main entrance in the middle of the building, facing Chatham Street. There were three doors to the opera house with brick arches over each door. The opera house part of the building was fifty-five feet by ninety feet.

  The lobby had two entry box office windows and tall elegant doors spanning the width of the lobby to the auditorium. The lobby was paneled decoratively with oak. The auditorium could comfortably seat eight hundred twenty-five in elegant opera chairs and gallery benches. Chairs could be added to increase the seating to over one thousand. There were four private boxes and two loggias located on two sides of the stage. There was a main floor for seating and a band pit in front of the stage. There was a large balcony, including a gallery for benches and added seating. From the floor to the ceiling was fifty-six feet.

  There were large fans installed to keep airflow throughout the auditorium. If there was an extremely hot summer day, the fans could blow air over large blocks of ice to cool the audience.

  The stage was a spacious thirty-five by fifty-five feet with an elegant drop curtain of twenty-eight by twenty foot. There were eight separate dressing rooms back stage large and elegant as well.

  The auditorium was decorated as elegantly as the rest of the hotel. The woodwork in the lobby and auditorium were uniquely sculptured designs. The walls and ceiling were of sculptured plaster throughout the opera house. This was considered to be, by the architect J. C. Sunderland, admittedly himself, as one of his greatest accomplishments.

  The opera house was officially opened on August 22nd with a presentation in honor of the man who had built Independence into a harness horse racing capital of the world, Charles Warren Williams.

  There was a presentation before the first opera conducted. The last lines of a poem read by Stephen Tabor were, “Where there’s a Williams, there’s a way.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  A Date On Race Day

  The races of August 1892, had been planned as a two- week meeting, and it started with great success. In the past many of the citizens of Independence, did not take time off during the meetings because there was just too much to do. However, because of the length of the summer meeting this year, many were taking a day or two off to enjoy the races themselves. Gilbert and Clara, were encouraged by their employers, to take a day off. They both got a day off together.

  Clara’s father was in town for the races. Clara, who had recently turned eighteen, wanted to make a stand to show her father she wasn’t going to be controlled by him any longer. But when it came right down to it, she was still afraid of him discovering their relationship. She was enrolled at the Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and it was her father who was paying for it.

  She didn’t tell anyone, except of course Eva and Gretchen, about her plans to spend the day with Gilbert. It was decided, the two of them were not going to hide their adoration for each other any longer, even to Mr. Groober. If her father saw them, they would deal with the consequences. Clara’s aunt and uncle agreed to defend their relationship. They agreed to meet at the mill that morning.

  They picked the fifth day of the first week of races, because Nancy Hanks will attempt to break the world trotting horse record. Gilbert slept later then usual, since his duties were being attended to by his good friend Barney. Looking through the window toward the track. The sun was not visible through the thick cloud cover and a cool damp feel was in the air. If it didn’t rain everything will be fine. Regardless it would be a great day to spend with Clara.

  He saw many horses being exercised by grooms and owners. The big concrete water trough was surrounded by horses getting a drink after their workouts. He saw Barney going from one barn to the next. He would be returning the favor in a few days for him.

  Gilbert planned to meet Clara at six-thirty, on the west side of the main street bridge in front of the Wapsipinicon Mill building. The races had been great that week, with some of the best horses around the country gathered at Rush Park. Great races were trotted and paced by horses, Confrontation, Kentucky Union, Silicon, Flying Jib, Martha Wilkes, Online, Belle Action, Jay-Eye-See, Mascot, Manager, and Lord Clinton.

  Gilbert put on his gray suit, which was not in the best shape, but presentable for the activity of the day. He grabbed a large wad of money he had saved for this day. He planned to spare no expense on this day. There was always the threat of pickpockets around during the races, so he placed his money in several unusual places.

  He kept a normal wallet in his coat breast pocket with seven dollars in it. Seven dollars was a good safe amount to carry, it wasn’t too much, yet enough that a pickpocket may not suspect he had more. He stood in front of the mirror on the wall, practicing his surprise and angry look at being held up.

  He placed ten dollars in his shoe in case of an emergency. He didn’t plan to use this money, because it would look goofy if he were to remove his shoe in some fancy restaurant. The rest of his money was placed in various pockets clipped with money clips. In his pants pocket he had several coins to use for small expenses.

  Miraculously the trolley was stopping at the track gate ready to make the run to town when Gilbert arrived. The trolley driver happily greeted Gilbert by name. With so many people from out of town for the races, the trolley driver was happy to see a familiar face. He paid his five- cent fee for the ride to the mill. He was too excited to sit, so he stood holding a brass pole. There were crowds gathering around various vendors to get breakfast. There were many of these vendors frying up bacon, eggs, sausages and other various breakfast favorites.

  The aroma’s of slow cooked beef and pork being prepared for later meals filled the air. There were men, women and children in all kinds of shapes, sizes, age, dress and temperament everywhere.

  The trolley stopped at the Burlington Cedar Rapids Northern station for a group of people that just arrived in town. Many people were using the boardwalk between the station and Rush Park. Gilbert, who had seldom been to town so early in the morning during a race week, did not realize how awake the town was this early.

  The trolley driver rang the bell, “Got the day off, Gilbert?”

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “I get off at two. Do you know when Nancy Hanks hits the turf?”

  “They probably won’t get her off until late afternoon, I’m sure.”

  “Good,” the driver said, “I should be able to catch the race.” He rang his bell again. “I hope the weather straightens up.”

  “I think it will,” Gilbert said confidently, “Mr. Martin got a telegram late last night that it was clearing in Omaha.”

  “Gilbert,” the driver said, “take a look behind us and see if it is clearing any.”

  Gilbert leaned out of the trolley looking to the west. “I see some patches of blue.”

  “Great!” He slowed the trolley down to pick up two ladies waving. One taller lady, was dressed in a yellow dress with a dark- green top coat. She wore a small hat with a single red flower on the top. The tall woman had to stand away from the shorter woman who had a massive brimmed hat, with a wide variety of colored flowers.

  The trolley stopped to allow them to board. They paid five cents and took seats. The broad hatted lady seemed to know how to maneuver around the trolley with that hat. They chattered to on
e another as the trolley moved into town. Gilbert hated to eaves-drop, but when he heard Katie’s name mentioned, he had to listen.

  The large hat lady said, “I don’t know what exactly happened, but Ruth said that Katie will be getting married next week, if she had her way.”

  “What happened?” The taller lady asked.

  “Well, she didn’t say anything happened, she was just upset.”

  “So, why does she think they should get married?”

  “She caught them doing something. I don’t know what, but, she was so upset about it. She just couldn’t get the courage up to tell me.” The big hat lady shook her head and one of her flowers fell. Neither of the ladies noticed this. Gilbert thought that he may pick it up and give it to Clara, but dismissed the idea as cheap. It did make him think he should have gotten her a flower or something.

  “You don’t think she caught them?” The taller lady raised an eyebrow.

  The lady with the hat shrugged her shoulders, “What else should we think.” The lady with the big hat looked at Gilbert. “Young man, keep your ears to yourself.”

  “Keep your gossiping to yourself, ma’am.” Gilbert abruptly returned. Both ladies huffed and turned away from Gilbert.

  The trolley started to slow for the stop at the mill. “This is where I get off.” Gilbert told the trolley driver.

  “I hope you have a great day, Gilbert,” the driver said.

  “Thank you,” Gilbert said, “You have a great day as well.”

  He spotted Clara easily in the crowd before the trolley had even stopped. She was, by far, the most beautiful woman he saw. Her dress had a light blue tone with a white yoke and fluffed collar. Her bustle was a medium blue matching her modest sized hat. The hat was trimmed with light blue ribbons.

  He kissed her passionately nearly knocking them both over. Out of habit, they looked around to see if anyone had seen them. Of the dozens of people surrounding them, nobody seemed to have noticed or even cared. Gilbert particularly looked to make sure the two gossiping women had not gotten off. Then held his arm out for Clara, which she clutched onto happily. They started to walk across the iron bridge toward town, then noticed the two gossiping ladies looking toward them from the trolley as it passed.

  Gilbert wanted to take Clara to the new Gedney Hotel dining room for breakfast. When they arrived at the Gedney, the dining room was packed and the line of people waiting to dine there trailed through the hotel lobby. They waited in line when Gilbert noticed the two ladies from the trolley were just a few people ahead of them.

  He asked Clara, “Have you heard anything from Katie last night or this morning?”

  Clara puzzled, shook her head, “No, I haven’t seen her since yesterday at the track. She had last night off. Why?”

  He spoke quietly, so as not to be overheard. “I heard something this morning, but I can’t go into it just now.”

  Mr. Hodges, the hotel manager, saw Gilbert and Clara as they waited in the long line. Mr. Hodges, the hotel manager knew Gilbert, made his way around from behind the lobby desk and approached the young couple.

  “Mr. Fenny,” he spoke quietly as he looked cautiously around at the rest of the people waiting in line. “Would you follow me please, sir?” He gestured for the couple to follow him.

  Gilbert looked to Clara, shrugged his shoulders and followed. Gilbert knew Mr. Hodges, but didn’t realize Mr. Hodges knew him. They were led to the billiard room which was, in all appearances, not open. Mr. Hodges opened the door and gestured them in. Gilbert held the door open for Clara.

  The room was full of distinguished people from local businesses to prominent people from around the country. The billiard tables had been moved to one side of the room and dinner tables were placed in the room which hosted maybe sixty people. There were three waitresses dancing around the maze of tables serving the distinguished guests.

  Seated at these tables were Mr. and Mrs. Byron Tabor; Mr. and Mrs. Letzye; Dr. Tabor; Mr. Howard, the mayor; Mr. Toman; and Mr. Gildersleeve. Several judges from out of town, there for the races. There were a few newspaper reporters and, to Gilbert’s great and pleasing surprise, Miss Timms.

  Gilbert looked quickly for a place to sit when Miss Timms noticed him and called out to him. “Mr. Fenny,” she spoke up loud enough to make the room go quiet, “come join us, will you please.” This offer came to Gilbert as a great surprise and flattered to be greeted in such a manner.

  There were two empty seats next to Miss Timms in one corner of the room. There was another young local reporter sitting across from her. Gilbert recognized him as the reporter that visited with Mr. Williams earlier in the spring. Gilbert was relieved he had a place to go, where he was welcome and felt much more relaxed. He tugged slightly on Clara’s arm, but she did not respond. He looked at her, she was frozen, staring toward another corner of the room.

  Gilbert averted his eyes to that corner. He spotting Clara’s mother and father sitting with her aunt and uncle. The four were looking at each other sizing up the situation. Clara’s aunt leaned over toward her brother Francis and said something. Then Clara’s father scrunched up his face and looked away from his daughter. Her aunt smiled at Clara, and she returned the smile. Clara then pushed Gilbert toward the table of Miss Timms.

  Miss Timms had observed the silent interaction between the family members. She asked with great concern, “I’m sorry, would you like to sit somewhere else?”

  Clara answered, “No, this will be wonderful, thank you.”

  The conversation at the rest of the tables in the room started up again. Clara kept peering over to her parents, trying not to be noticed doing it. Miss Timms asked Gilbert, “Who is your lovely friend?”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Adell Timms, this is Clara Groober,” he went on to say, “Miss Timms is a reporter from Minneapolis.”

  “Very pleased to meet you,” Miss Timms said politely.

  “The pleasure is mine,” Clara responded looking her over carefully with some remote malice of thought.

  Miss Timms started to speak about her ordeal finding a place to stay for this year’s race. “I had wired ahead for a room at the hotel, but when I got here they had claimed they didn’t receive the telegram. I spent the rest of the first day trying to find a place to stay. The hotel found my telegram later, mixed in with some food requisitions. They were very apologetic about the mistake, so they put me up in the store room the first night, at no charge. I found that even the store room in this hotel is quite elegant. Lucky for me, the bridal suite became available. It was reserved for a couple that planned to get married at the race track after the races on the first day. The couple lost all their money on the first few races and left town on separate trains headed in separate directions. So I’m told, anyway. This opened up the bridal suite for the rest of the week. They offered it to me for the whole two weeks and only charged the regular room rate.”

  Gilbert politely responded, “Did you sleep well in the storage room?”

  “They made it very comfortable,” Miss Timms noticed Clara looking again to her parents. “I see you weren’t sure how your parents would react to your presence here. It is none of my business, but I think very highly of Gilbert and if I can help to smooth things out, I certainly will.” Miss Timms suddenly stopped eating and energetically spoke out, “Maybe I should do a feature on Gilbert. Might win you some favor with the folks.”

  Clara was touched by the gesture, “We appreciate your offer, and we may take you up on it, but we’ll see what happens.” Then she wondered, “How did you know they were my parents?”

  “I’m a reporter,” she said, “I have to be able to read people well.”

  “What is it that tipped you off?” Gilbert asked.

  “Well, you have similarities in looks with the couple on the right. The couple on the left were excited to see you. Your mother was pleasantly surprised and then frightened to s
ee you. Your father was only angered by your appearance.” Miss Timms went on, “You, my dear, were frightened at first. Then you felt more defiant of the anger your father showed. I can guess your father doesn’t approve of you being with Gilbert or anyone maybe.”

  “I think you knew the story all along.” Clara with a smile looking toward Gilbert.

  Miss Timms understood Clara was joking, “I don’t recall ever being informed about the situation.” She paused for a moment looking to Gilbert for reassurance he had never told her. “You never told me of your lovely lady friend before, did you?”

  “I don’t believe so, no,” he answered.

  She looked back at Clara taking a deep inquisitive look at Clara’s eyes, “I could have sworn your eyes were green just a moment ago.”

  Clara gave a quick embarrassed smile. Gilbert spoke for her, “They turn green when she gets all emotional.”

  “I thought only cats did that?” Miss Timms asked.

  Clara smiled and did her best cat imitation, “Meow.” The four of them laughed. Clara caught a glimpse of her father looking her way. He seemed to be irritated by their sudden burst of laughter.

  Between bites of breakfast Miss Timms stated, “I hear that Mr. Williams came out very well with his lawsuit.”

  Gilbert had to think for a moment before he answered, “Oh, yes,” he responded. “It was determined the man had been properly warned not to stand on the bandstand.”

  Miss Timms said, “He was so excited by the race he couldn’t help himself, I bet.”

  The young male reporter sitting with them had kept quiet, but was attentive of the conversation. Miss Timms brought him into the conversation. “Do you have anything to say Murray? This is Murray Stafford. If you didn’t already know.”

  “We met last spring,” Gilbert said, “Good to see you again, sir.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Clara added.