Alphabet File page 35
1847
I have got to the Bay St. Louis Hotel, kept by fat Lovis; awful quantity of ladies, children and servants; very few gentlemen, and nearly all Creole; but I like that style; and then there's plenty of trees, walking parties, boating parties, singing of the tall opera music, going to bed full of it, and poetry, and if you bring yourself to it, love, in which I am, and which you, or any of you that desires will be if you come here amongst one hundred ladies, with only thirty men, myself the best looking of course, and none very taking. (Daily Delta June 27, 1847 VF Hotels)
1849
This establishment having been repaired and newly furnished will be open on the 20th of May (1849) for the reception of Visitors and Families wishing to spend the Summer at a pleasant Watering Place.
The undersigned have purchased the property for a permanent residence and will keep the house open Summer and Winter.
The best Cooks, Stewards and Servants are engaged and no pains or expense will be spared to (make the stay) of visitors pleasant and agreeable. C. Lewis & Co (N.O. Daily Crescent, Wed, June 12, 1849 P 1, adv. "Hotel" VF MJS III 00454)
1851 - May 31
This favorite resort of all who delight in comfort and coolness, pleasant baths, belles and bowers, will be opened on the 15th inst. (June, 1851) by our Worthy friend C. Lewis whose liberal agreements and prompt attention to business matters have justly made him popular in his especial line. (Daily Delta, Sat. May 31, 1851 p 2 col 1 VF MJS III 00364)
1851 - June 14
The fine hotel at this pleasant place, the nearest to the city, will open Sunday, June 15, 1851. The situation of the hotel is particularly adapted to families, to quiet people who seek comfort, repose and recreation.
The beautiful trees afford a perpetual shade, the bathing is good, and the supply of fish varied and abundant. By getting aboard one of the steamers you can leave here in the morning and be at the Bay in time for dinner.
You are always within convenient reach of the city and the boats stop here every day going and coming. (Daily Delta, St. June 14, 1851, p 2 col 1 - VF III 00365)
1851 - June 27 Letter from the Lakeshore Editors, Delta:
Fine fun have we at the Bay, fine bathing, fishing, riding, dancing, picnics, and what not; splendid weather, oysters, sailing matches, etc., that would make your poor devil of the "Can-get-away-Club" weep.
Yesterday was a great day at the Bay , great day for friend Lewis, a great day for those brothers of the mystic tie, of hot irons, and what not.
A word about Masons. The corner-stone of Bay St. Louis Lodge No. 147 was laid yesterday. The building, however, which is a very fine one, is already erected, and a splendid Lodge it is. In its internal arrangements it is superior to any in the Crescent City.
A large delegation was present from your city, Biloxi, and Mississippi City; but the Pearl River folks outdone all - nothing less than the charter of the steamboat "MARY A. MOORE" would do, upon which some 150 came over, with their families, to participate in the ceremonies.
The procession numbered some 250 to 300. They organized under the live oaks at the hotel and marched with stirring music, after the corner-stone was laid.
An oration was delivered by H. Monet, Exq., the orator of the day. He commenced with the history of Masonry, its rise and progress, its adaption for the promotion of good among men, etc., and spoke for nearly two hours to a delighted audience. The speech will be published in pamphlet form by the "Delta" so keep a copy and make a note on it.
A Ball was given (in) the evening, which was made doubly brilliant by the splendid regalia of the Masons. Brighteyed Creole ladies were present in large numbers, and kept up the feast until the gray morning's dawn. I won't tell you about the supper, the champagne, the toasts, sentiments, and head-aches this morning, not if your nerves are too weak.
There is a goodly number at the hotel, and from the present appearances and engagement, will be full all summer, and well Lewis (Lovis?) deserves it, for he is a prince of good fellows.
By the by, what is the matter with your paper? The "Delta" seems to be the favorite here, not a planter from Louisiana or Mississippi, not a Quitman or Foote man but wants the "Delta." I saw an admirable illustration of this the other day on the gallery of the Hotel. A planter from Pointe Coupee was here, who would bet his plantation and negroes on the "Delta" as the best paper south of Mason and Dixon's line, and afterwards "liquors all round," showed the right spirit.
This place is looking up, many of your merchant princes are here, and in the sweetest cottages imaginable. What a difference at the Bay and in the city, when lemonades predominate in the latter, "Cocktails" prevail here to a most alarming extent. I shall say no more on this subject, for fear my discounts will be cut short.
I shall drop you a line occasionally and keep you posted up in case any deeds of dreadful note are committed. My dozen raw are ready, so "adios." yours, R. B. (Daily Delta Fri. June 17, 1851 p 1 c 7 - VF MJS III (00372)
1851, August 13
A most delightful entertainment was offered last Saturday (Aug. 9, 1851) to the denizens and visitors of the Bay in the shape of a grand ball, given at the Hotel. Lewis (Lovis) the proprietor, is an excellent business man in his field, and his guests are treated to abundance; comfort and amusement, with the liberality of one who understands the management of a house.
A most glittering and beautiful firmament smiled upon the sports of the evening, and carriages fast set up in rows before the Hotel, conveying the belles of the place from the nice little village of Gatesville (Gainesville?) and farthest extremity of the Bay.
Never should we have dreamed such bevies of the fair could be collected for such an occasion in a place of such limited extent as the one from which we write, and surely we were surprised to see the spacious ball room completely decorated and filled with a galaxy which rivaled in beauty of person and dress, any reunion which it has been our lot to cast our eyes upon, not excepting our city parties. It would be unjust in your correspondent to select from the many, a few of those whom he admired, and add to a description of their features and costumes a list of their initials.
In the gaiety and joviality of the ball, all mingled with equal delight to the small hours of Sunday, and the company broke up about two, after a sumptuous and delicious supper.
Governor Walker and General Downs were the dignitaries we distinguished in the crowd of beaux.
Not dwelling at the Hotel ourself, we rely upon the reports of its guests for the high opinion we have formed of its management. (Daily Delta Wed. Aug. 13, 1851 p 2 c 3 - VF Hotels)
1851, August 30
Bay St. Louis is a strange looking place, and in my opinion robbed New Orleans of its fairest proportion, by being bundled up in a heap, as if an earthquake had taken half of the New Orleans soil and dumped it down there. It certainly has more earth than a place of its size originally bargained for, for such a "getting up stairs" I never saw, to get to the mainland but I was fully repaid for the trouble by being cooled with a delightful sea breeze, when I, like Hamlet, stood at midnight upon the platform.
Although the Hotel at this place is not as well attended as at the other watering places, yet I found a goodly number at the breakfast table, and before the day had closed, was satisfied that they were all pleased with the Hotel, the Host and the accommodations, and bent on making much of their time while there, for dancing, singing, and every species of amusement, appeared to absorb all their time and attention. (Daily Delta Sat. Aug. 30, 1851 p 2 c 4 - VF Hotels from the MJS collection Vol III 00425)