Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

front ofthe hotel. The Republican newspaper oplnioned
that his speech would guarantee a least 100 votes for
Lincoln and especially so after hearing about what
Judge Douglas did that night. He stayed all night at the
Fisher House. The “Germania Band" members slept
on the ballroom floor above. The noise of their 22 boots
disturbed his sleep and a messenger was sent to inform
them of this fact. Apparently. they were settling down
when Mr. Harrington. Douglas’ traveling companion.
also went to inform the band that they ”were all d....d.
sons of b.....s. and that he could whip the whole lot of
them.” The paper further reported that. “Judge
Douglas may be sure that the benefits to be derived
from the efforts of this man will be in favor of Mr.
Lincoln.”
In 1863. S.A. Cunningham. proprietor of the Fisher
House. was succeeded by R.N. Fowler. in 1867 Mr.
Fowler locked the doors of the Fisher House in protest
against the raising of the licenses to sell beer and ale to
3100 and 825 for each billiard table. A large number of
citizens met at the city hall to protest this tax. The hotel
had a number of billiard tables in the basement
quarters and a license to sell ale and beer. The hotel
reopened within two weeks.
Mr. Fowler continued to operate the Fisher House
until his death in 1874 at age 43. Kendall Parker then
rented the hotel from H.C. Metcalf and N.S. Noble.
owners. The Fisher House was sold in 1875 to O.E.
Gillen for 87.000. Most folks living in town can
remember that name. and in speaking of the building
some still tend to call It the Gillen Hotel.
From 1875 to 1880. Gillen spent 85.000 on the hotel.
installing hard maple on the floors of the office and
adding ilve stone foundation walls under the newly
doubled kitchen space. Gillen was the owner of the
establishment. which had many landlords until 1922.
when it was purchased by Jesse Holden. Holden also
revamped the hotel and it was reported that the dining
room was the most inviting to be seen anywhere. He
also reopened the coffee shop. after extenssive
remodeling in I925.
Jesse Holden and his wife. Alma. owned and operated
the Gillen Hotel until 1945. the name being changed to
the Holden Hotel in 1940. The hotel then had 35 rooms
and six apartments.
"Jess" Holden was a colorful character who loved to
express his opinions in the letters to the editor. which
the readers enjoyed. even if they did not always agree
with his views.
Holdens were the parents of four daughters who
submitted the following. entitled. "The Holden Girls
Reminisce.” (The sisters. Mildred Glick. Grace
Rodman. Marjorie Snyder and Lucile Osterkamp.
remember some of their experiences while living at the
hotel. No names are attributed to specific
remembrances.)
Ofllce ofHotel Gillen. as it looked in the 1930s. In the
photo are Jesse L. Holden. owner and operator. and
his daughter. Mildred Holden Glick. (Photo submitted
by Mildred Holden Glick)