Anniversary Visitor Stories & Photos
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Selling booze, cigarettes and rolling dice when I was sixteen
I worked at The Elms Hotel for two wonderful years. It was the first job I had ever had and for a young girl of sixteen I didn't know what to expect. Emma Dale hired me. The owner of the hotel at that time was Mr. Gene Epply. He also owned the famous Fontenelle hotel in Omaha. My job was selling cigarettes and liquor at a booth that was very near to where the main lobby bar is today. I also ran a dice game for those who wanted to be sporting. If they wanted a drink, I would offer them the chance to roll the dice and either pay double or nothing for the drink. A lot of people took me up on that offer. In today's world how many sixteen year old girls do you see peddling cigarettes, liquor and throwing dice for hotel guests. It was quite an experience working at The Elms. In mid 1943, my husband Henry and I found out that I was pregnant with twins. I wanted to quit working but Mr. Yeager (the manager) just didn't want to let me go. I worked until I was almost seven months pregnant.
Everyone at the hotel was SO nice and most of the guests were wonderful. George Elliott was the bartender and he knew I was suffering from morning sickness due to my pregnancy. He said he would fix me this non-alcoholic tomato juice cocktail that he thought would settle my stomach. It did. Every morning for the next several weeks George would prepare that tomato juice cocktail for me. He was really nice.
George's brother (Herb Elliott) also worked at The Elms. He was a very popular waiter and he was also an accomplished singer and at times would sing for the guests. Their sister (I can't remember her name) ran the mineral water bar at The Elms. The Elliott's and many others were such great people to work with.
On New Years Eve in 1943, I was seventeen and seven months pregnant with twins and had been working all day. I was totally exhausted and was sitting on the floor counting the cigarettes and money etc that I had sold that day. Mr. Epply (the owner) saw me sitting on the floor and proceeded to chew me out. I felt very bad and then Les Milgram (the owner of Milgram's Food Stores in Kansas City) and his wife came over to talk with me. They said they had heard what Mr. Epply had said and that with it being New Years Eve etc that Mr. Epply was probably under a lot of pressure and that I shouldn't let his comments bother me. Les Milgram and his wife really made me feel a lot better. I had seen the Milgram's at the hotel many times as they were frequent visitors. They were such nice people.
The Elms was such a great place to work and it was so nice to see all of the elegantly dressed guests. I have treasured those memories for most of my life. In my later years I still visit The Elms and my twin sons are regular visitors as well as other members of my family. Happy 120th Anniversary to The Elms.
Mary Ann Schwarz
Anniversary
My husband and I spent our wedding night at your hotel in 1948, Thanksgiving Eve, on November 23.
We were greeted at the hotel,(suprised is the word) by a group of very close friends, who offered to go up to our room with us, which we encouraged them to do. Once at our door, they decided it was time to leave.(How gracious of them).
We enjoyed our stay, swimming in your pool and having breakfast in your dining room. Believe it or not, we decided to go to my parents in Kansas City early afternoon, as we knew our family would be gathered there and we missed them!
I was widowed in 1995, and in 2002 married an old friend who was a widower. He and his first wife also spent their wedding night at the Elms Hotel, but in 1953. Our anniversary is coming up August 31 and we are thinking of going to your Elms Hotel for our 7th anniversary. We both had good first marriages and think this would be great. Hope to see you then.
Bill and Betty Herwig
Overland Park, Ks.
Memories from 1952 and 1954
I don't know what made me Google, "The Elm Hotel," but I did; and now I'm writing about my memories from 1952 and 1954. I was seven and nine years old respectively when I went with my parents to stay at the hotel. It usually took two days to get there from Chicago. We stopped halfway at Hannibal, MO and visited the Mark Twain sites. Then, it was on to the hotel!
I loved being introduced to shuffle board, ping pong and the ten cent pinball machine! I got to ride the two ponies, Star and Dusty. (Star was very tame, but Dusty was feisty.) Sometimes, we shot arrows at the archery range. Other times, we rode bikes to the outdoor pool or walked to town for the indoor pool or to go to a movie or to shop. My folks had a painting they bought there until they died. I think we went the hotel for my dad to help his bad back in the waters.
On our second trip, the hotel had a new pool on the grounds. Everyone saw me jump into the pool with my non-waterproof watch. The lifeguard was so nice to take it apart and dry it out.
There were two twin red headed brothers who worked at the stables. They also shined shoes. I decided to help them get clients until my mom informed me that I shouldn't because I was a guest at the hotel. O well...
I loved going to the hotel for the delicious meals. I felt so adult when dancing with my dad. However, I would always ask for peanut butter, which was not on the menu. Finally, one of the black waiters bought me my personal jar of peanut butter. It was so kind of him!
I loved being in the magic show in the cocktail lounge and playing Bingo. I can still hear a gentleman tell everyone that he was from Kokomo, Indiana.
I was sad to leave and face the ten hour drive back to Chicago. We always drove straight home on the return trip. As the radio stations faded in and out of the old Oldsmobile radio, my mom, dad and I would sing!
I am so glad the Elms Hotel is still in business. It was such a happy, elegant place.
Nancy Bruzzini
Two Soft Voices
Hello, I have to tell you; I stayed at the Elms for the first time this past year and I had an experience that my significant other thought was funny until he spoke to the desk clerk.
During the night I was awaken by two soft voices, I heard them taking and I looked over to the right corner of the room toward the which would be at the foot of the bed only they were standing near the window. The man was dressed in a long tail dark coat and the lady had on a long dress, the man was standing behind her clasping a necklace for her. I spoke to them and said "you need to leave now, we occupy this room for the night" and instantly they were gone. I finally drifted back to sleep. When I awoke around 5:30 am, I told my John my significant other what had happened, he laughed and said I had been dreaming. John my significant other went downstairs to the desk when we were ready to check out and he mentioned it to the desk clerk. The desk clerk said it happens periodically.
To this day I can still remember seeing them standing there looking so content together.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience.
Cordially,
DiAnna L. Painter
1940 Buick Dealers Convention
I'm a vintage Buick enthusiast and obtained this photo from
an ebay auction last year. Those are new 1941 Buick's in the photo.
Regards,
Steve Hartwich
Kansas City, Missouri
Larry the Lifeguard
I am Larry, "The Lifeguard," who worked from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm, seven days a week. I had a local to help each summer - Don Berry in 1957 and Max Bittiker in 1958 and 1959.
The Summer of 1960, the hotel changed ownership and I moved on to work at Malibu Beach, CA and the Bilmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
If you visisted the Elms during those summers, we met and had a good time. The hotel was full with guests from Chicago, St. Louis and SW Kansas City area. The marjority of the guests were average age of 30 to 45 in age and they brought their children. Their kids were mostly girls between ages of 8 to 17. The Jewish were the dominate group and it seemed they had the most fun.
As you can figure out, the group was mostly young and were there to enjoy themself swimming. We had a tennis court, archery range, and shuffle board. During my time the stables were not used much. There were dance lessons on Saturday night and I would talk up the lessons and then the instructors let me take the lessons free. After a while I learned my right foot from my left.
The chip and put golf court was there and very few used it. Most stayed around the pool sunning their bods and adding to their tans. Just one big family outing it seemed. Every one knew others before they arrrived so a good time was set.
There was a baby pool up the steps under the tree of paradise that had lots of blooms that kept the pool full of tree leaves. It is now buried under lots of concrete. The pool area was open without lots of concrete, fences and gates. Just lots of green grass to lay out on or in the lounge chairs the hotel furnished. The bar was just inside the doors that lead to the pool from the hotel lobby.
I taught swimming lessons to both young and old and all were successful except for one named Alvin who I had to give up on teaching. My charge was $2.50 a lesson. I taught lifesaving to the area boy scouts in the summers I was there, swan on my college swim team the three years and when in the Army I swan on the Fort's swim team. Thank you Elms for the summers of swimming, it paid off for me in college.
Robert Mullins, the manager, was a great boss. He said that he would take care of everything inside the hotel and I would take care of the pool. He did not want me in the hotel and he said he would not be out at the pool. That was true, he never went swimming and his wife I remember went once or twice and their daughter Monica went swimming maybe twice in three summers. I had one occasion in three summers where one guest would not behave and I have to tell him to leave the pool area. Mr. Mullins supported me 100 percent and I never forgot that support for his employee.
The salary wasn't much but with two meals a day, teaching swimming, and occasional tips it did not cost my parents anything durning the summer. And on top of that they knew where I was at least half the time. If they wanted to see me they came to the hotel and had a drink at the pool. Nice way to work in the summer.
The hotel had vines all over the outside walls which made the hotel beautiful. One time Herbie, the bartender, knocked a black snake from the top floor window that faced the pool that was noticed by a guest. That was about the only exciting wildlife story for those three summers.
There was a guard stand with an umbrella and a diving board. Both are gone now.
Now things I found in the mornings when I cleaned the pool before opening could have been embarassing to who every lost them that night. Also I am glad cocktail glasses did not break when tossed into the deep end of the pool. They just drifted down to the bottom and was easy to see and pick up in my morning. So you can see, the swimming pool area was he fun time both morning noon and night.
So where ever you are now, come back to the Elms. The rooms are up from the $26.50 they charged when I was there but I understand the rooms are fewer dollars higher due to rooms being made bigger. Give me a small room, cheap prices, a good pool with less concrete and fences, a friendly lifeguard, lots of sunshine, and fun loving people would be the Elms as I knew it over 50 years ago.
Larry Eiker
Kennett, Missouri
"Pork Chop" the Waiter
I remember going to the Sheraton Elms in the late 50's through the 60's every 4th of July. Those were happy times as a child. At that time there was no air conditioning in the hotel. I remember the huge fans at the end of the hallway and a screen in front of our door to the room, that is how the we kept cool. The cocktail lounge was a big thing for me, as I would always have a kiddy cocktail and dance with my parents. I thought I was so grown up. There used to be a bowling machine I believe in the lobby, where I would be playing most of the night. I loved the huge pool, and the stables where I would ride the horses. The elevator had an elevator operator who at times would let me run it up and down when it was slow. I loved the small quaint town with the antique stores. I also remember the small thin dinning room hostess that was always so nice to us. The only waiter I remember was nick named "pork chop". I am planning a trip back to the Elms in October 2008 with my girlfriend to relive my fond memories. I cannot wait to see how Excelsior Springs has grown and the hotel I loved.
Roberta Ross
Bolingbrook, IL.
Lifeguard in the 50s
My name is Sara Jo Shettles, maiden name Eiker. I worked at the Elms Hotel in the l950's. First, I was a Social Hostess Assistant. We planned activities and conducted events for the guests. At that time many folks travels from Chicago, St. Louis and parts beyond to enjoy the baths at The Elms. I also worked as a Lifeguard at The Elms in the l950's. My brother, Larry Eiker, was the pool manager. One of the side benefits of working at The Elms was free horseback riding. On my day off I would take off on horseback for hours at a time. We would ride out to Lake Mauer, or just through the woods near the hotel. What a great benefit. There are many stories to tell about my summer jobs at The Elms, however, some will never be committed to print. Great idea to celebrate 120 years. The Elms is a truly a legend. Sara Jo Shettles
Close Friends Meet for the First Time
My friend in the photo and I have worked together due to the association of our bosses for the last two years We have grown very close in our correspondence. We realized, although we share family photos, stories, current happenings, we had never actually met in person. This was a treat from our bosses. They bought us the girlfriends weekend package and we met there on June 28th. The service and atmosphere made it so easy to feel like there was never any logistical distance! We are so thankful to the elms for giving us this time together!!!
Mineral Water Bowl and KC Star
I was speaking with Bill Richardson, who was with the Kansas City Star, during one of the Mineral Water Bowl games he covered, & he indicated that he stayed the Elms Hotel in 1948 while on his honeymoon. While here, the Kansas City Star asked him to cover the Mineral Water Bowl game, at that time a high school game, for the Star. He covered every Mineral Water Bowl game through 2006 for the newspaper.
Dennis Hartman
Family Memories
Our family stayed at the Elms this past 4th of July and so enjoyed the beautiful pool, the fabulous dinner, the friendly staff, and the next day, the incredible wine & craft festival.
The fireworks in front of the Elms were great too!
It brought back many fond memories of several dances I attended there during the late 60’s.
Growing up in Excelsior, and my mother being the night auditor from 1957 until 1970, and I was fortunate enough to host a few incredibly fun slumber parties at the Elms for my girlfriends. Also the Elms has been an elegant & beautiful setting for our (class of ’72) reunions!
Congratulations on your 120th anniversary!
Billey Moody Davis
Olathe, Kansas
120th Kick-off Weekend
Thank you to everyone who attended the festivities this past weekend, July 4-5th. There were approximately 200 people for the July 4th anniversary celebration which included Harry and Bess Truman (impersonators), birthday cake, proclamations and fireworks. Then there were over 700 people for the Missouri Wine Festival the next day on July 5th. Everyone we talked to had a great time and enjoyed the entire weekend. We think we did the hotel proud with the weekends activities and great attendance. Thanks again for the support of our guests and the community.
1950s Elevator Operator
My first job ever, was as an elevator operator at the hotel in the late 1950's. We had to wear horrid uniforms, almost military in appearance. I loved the atmosphere though and had fantasies of becoming one of the rich, elegant ladies I squired from floor to floor. My most memorable event took place in an elevator when I allowed it to be over loaded. The brakes failed and the car slid to the sub-basement, bouncing a couple of times as it rebounded off a large spring at the bottom of the shaft. It didn't fall.....it just slid past where were supposed to stop at the lobby door. No one was hurt but you can bet we were all pretty shaken up!
Happy 120th Anniversary Elms!
Patty Lowe-Koetting
ESHS, Class of 1961
When I was 5 years old...
Back in the 40's my grandmother and mother took me to the Elms, I was five years old. It was there that I met Barb from Moline, Illinois, also five years old, and her parents. We became friends that first stay at the Elms. Our friendship has lasted throughout these years, and only for a period of three years did she live in the St. Louis area. I remember we bought "tricks" at the magic store in Excelsior Springs and would pull them off in the dining room. For many summers our families would meet at the Elms as we planned our vacations at the same time. We also were always involved in the "entertainment" in the dining room either dancing, singing or baton twirling. The gift shop in the corner of the lobby always had us as customers and I still have a cloth doll that was bought there. Barb and I would "run" the elevator, be the first ones in the cocktail lounge to get gardenias and kiddy cocktails while our parents got ready for dinner. Now Barb and I are grandparents and I hope we can have a reunion sometime in the near future. She taught me to swim one summer there which we still laugh about.
She lives in Virginia and we're still in St. Louis. Some of my happiest memories are our trips to the Elms as a child and I get nostalgic just seeing pictures of the hotel. My mother, now almost 90 years old, still fills me in on details that I forget about our trips. We came by train until I talked my Dad into driving there, got off in Henrietta and were driven to Excelsior Springs. I remember the "stinky" waters and learned to swim at the public pool, that was before the Elms put in their own pool. The cabanas where adults could sunbathe privately I remember. Perhaps the fondest memory I have is a very nice lady who was the dining room hostess, Sparkie, a waiter, and Billy Smith, the bellhop.
Georgia Rankin
Surprise Guest
While spending our wedding anniversary at the Elms, my wife and I went into the workout facility and started up a conversation with a nice gentleman who looked and sounded familiar. I just could not remember how I knew him. After he took his had off and I saw the mohawk, I realized he was "Mr. T". He was very nice, we talked for a long time and really enjoyed his company.
Bill Schwarz
Kansas City MO
Uncomfortable Class Reunion
My most interesting (maybe not favorite) situation occurred in 1985, when the ESHS Class of 1975 held their 10-year reunion in the Imperial Ballroom. Nearby, in the Continental Ballroom, my mother's class, the ESHS Class of 1935, was holding their 50-year reunion. Definitely limits how much fun you can have (or trouble you can get into) with your mother right next door!
Dr. Steven L. Popejoy
Harmon College of Business Administration University of Central Missouri
Share your Elms Memories
Starting July 4, 2008, we will kick-off a year-long celebration of our 120th Anniversary and we want you to help us celebrate. We are looking for your Elms memories and photos. Click on the Submit a Story above or email them to dos@elmsresort.com. Start sharing your past memories today.
