by Laurel | April 11th, 2012
11 April 1920
Dooley's Inn
Dooley’s Inn at Holyoke, Long Well-Known Hostelry, to be Army’s Headquarters.
Dooley’s Inn as Salvation Army headquarters! Older Holyokers gasp at the idea, for while it was never notorious in any way, it had for years a reputation as a good eating place and a good drinking place that drew to it business and professional men by scores. First as Yoerg’s Inn and later as Dooley’s Inn, it became a synonym for hospitality and good fellowship, where a fellow could get a good “feed” and wet his “whistle” at the same time.
Kraig J. Yoerg bought the tenement property on the site of the inn which was opened in may 1901, of the late James Geraghty. He was a generally liked and affable proprietor, until it was sold to Dooley in October 1912. But the policy did not change. It still continued to be headquarters for a genial sort of good fellows which lasted until it was closed a few months ago.
Azro A. Coburn of the Coburn trolly track company of Willimansett started the drive of the Salvation Army on its way to the goal of $60,000 this week with the first subscription for $1000. At an informal luncheon and dinner held in the Hotel Nonotuck at noon Friday, Joseph B. Weis was selected as chairman of the executive committee and Fred G. Allen, treasurer, for the drive. The meeting was addressed by Brigadier William Andrews of Hartford, who spoke of the work of the Salvation Army for the past 50 years and the plans which the organization had in mind for Holyoke. The meeting was a most enthusiastic one and the success of the drive seems to be practically assured.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
