Eight thousand people flocked into Chester to see their first rail
road locomotive and cars in August 1851. – Pettus
City Directories and History: 1908 – Hotel Nicholson (next door to)
The Yorkville Enquirer of April 3, 1856 stated – “John R. Nicholson informs the public that his railroad hotel, opposite the Chester Depot is open. Every arrangement has been made to promote the comfort of all who stop with him. The stables are provided with good hostlers and an abundance of provender.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of May 10, 1877 – “Mr. Rush, a Baltimore drummer, walked out of a window on the second floor of the RR Hotel. He was laboring under the erroneous impression that the hotel was on fire. Mr. Rush represents a whiskey house in Baltimore.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported via News From Chester on Aug. 10, 1882 – “Late last Wednesday, policeman J.H. Gill arrested a man from Santuc, named Ferguson for being drunk and disorderly. The incident occurred in front of Nicholson’s Hotel. Ferguson stabled policeman Gill, who then shot Ferguson in the leg. Dr. Watson and Dr. Morison tended to Gill’s wounds and Ferguson was taken to the guard house where Dr. Lyle extracted the bullet from his leg.”
The RH Herald reported on April 22, 1899 – “Mr. W.S. Nicholson of Rock Hill is opening up a stock of fancy groceries in the store known as the Neal Corner on Depot Street.” (It is unclear to R&R.com, just where this was located.)
The Herald reported on Aug. 16, 1902 – “The suit over the ownership of the Nicholson Hotel in Chester has been settled. A.H. Greene and son, sued Mrs. Callie P. Cunningham and are now in possession. The hotel includes 36 bedrooms, dining room, a parlor, and has electric lights, water, call bells, with bath and toilets on each floor. It has been rebuilt after the fire earlier this year and has new furniture, mattresses, wallpaper, crockery and table service. The property also includes a barn. Mr. Gib. H. Greene is in charge, assisted by J. Ed Sadler clerk.”
The Herald reported on Sept. 3, 1902 – “The Hotel Chester is now open with A.H. Greene and son proprietors and Mr. Sadler, clerk.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Nov. 15, 1902 – “Mr. A.H. Greene went to Chester to assume charge of the Hotel Nicholson for two weeks. His son, G.H. Greene, is now in charge of the Carolina Hotel in Rock Hill.”
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