Thomas Taggart

(Chapter 5)
History of the French Lick Springs Hotel
By Richard Walter Haupt

French Lick was famous for its guest. Taggart specifically invited newspapermen, politicians, and doctors to French Lick. These in addition to thousands of others known in the world of business or the theater made the resort a "mecca" for the social elite and the social "climber". The courteous attention and the many diversions for the women at French Lick prompted most of the male guest to bring their wives. It wasn't long before long list of people were making annual visits. George Ade, Pauline Fredericks, William F. Kenny, Nicholas F. Brady, R. E. Forest, Frank A. Dulley, Julia Boyd, Gene Tunney, Charles B. Dillingham, Leon Errol, W. A. McGuire, Irving Berlin, Jake Rupert, Mary Roberts Reinhart, the Vanderbilts, M. D Plant, John W. Cates, Al Smith, Charles F. Murphy, Roger Sullivan, the list could go on and on. Hundreds of senators, governors, and other politicians visited French Lick at one time or another. The roster of famous names would read like a "Who's Who" of the twentieth century. It was style, it was fashion to visit French Lick. Society people who could have gone anywhere preferred to visit Tom Taggart's resort in Orange County.
The fall and the spring were the busiest seasons for the hotel. Many of the annual visitors to French Lick vacationed during the greater part of the year. At the close of the winter season in Palm Beach, the Riviera, or any other of the winter playgrounds, the season opened for French Lick. Others came to rest after a winter of steady work. The hotel generally filled just prior to the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby meant as much to the hotel at French Lick as it did to the hotels in Louisville. French Lick, located only 60 miles away became the favorite stopping place for turf enthusiasts who didn't relish the crowds in Louisville. The hotel made the most of the event. Special displays were set up, and the resort sparkled in anticipation of the day. Private railroad cars lined the siding at French Lick while their owners relaxed and enjoyed Derby festivities. Even after the derby, horse lovers, and track fans gathered at the hotel. Many stayed on at French Lick until the Five Hundred Mile Race at Indianapolis, after which the hotel entered into the not quite so busy summer months.
One of the only failures of Taggart enterprises occurred in 1918 when the much heralded French Lick and West Baden Railway Company went out of business. In 1915, in order to stave off debts being acquired by the company, an increase in stock from $50,000 to $100,000 was authorized. The stock was never sold on the open market, and was kept in the Taggart family instead. The coming of the automobile, and more specifically, adequate taxi services running between French Lick and West Baden put the line in the red. In 1918 all operations ceased. No street car has operated in either town since that time. The utilities went out of Taggart hands in about 1917. The franchise for supplying water and power to the town of French Lick was sold to Edward Ballard, soon to be owner of the West Baden Springs Hotel.
In spite of World War I, French Lick continued to rise. Tom Taggart likewise achieved greater national prominence. In 1914, Taggart had called together the Democratic state convention. At that time he withdrew his name from consideration for the senatorial nomination and actively worked to insert a plank favoring the direct primary law into the party platform. Both wishes were carried out. Senatorship, however, was not to be denied to him. On March 29, 1915, Tom Taggart was appointed United States Senator by Governor Ralston, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Benjamin F. Shively. Taggart was in Washington only a short time. The unexpired term had less than a year to run. As might have been expected Taggart viewed government through the eyes of a successful business man. He safely stood for economy in government, the "good roads" bill, and spoke
  against "pork barreling." In November Taggart attempted to succeed himself, but was defeated in the Republican sweep of that year. In 1920 he again ran for Senator but met defeat at the hands of Republican James C. Watson.
In spite of these political defeats Taggart's political star was by no means dimmed. He remained a powerful maker of office-holders. The hotel at French Lick was often the scene of political conferences which drew the attention of the entire nation. Annual visits of leading democratic political bosses drew much conjecture as to the topics of discussion. The outstanding gathering of party bosses assembled at French Lick in November, 1923. Charles F. Murphy, Tammany Hall leader, George E, Brennan, Democratic boss of Chicago, Joe Guffey of Pittsburgh, Ralph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World, and many lesser politicians joined Taggart at French Lick. In spite of complete news coverage, and much second guessing concerning the 1924 Democratic nominees nothing of note was reported. When interviewed these men stated that their visit was merely their "customary" one, and that no decisions or policies had been reached. Frequent visits like this on, gained a reputation for French Lick in the field of politics.
The 1924 Democratic convention was a big one for Tom Taggart. He foresaw a deadlock between the supporters of Al Smith of New York and William G. McAdoo of California. Taggart felt that a compromise candidate might be the one to carry the nomination. With this aim in mind he quietly set about to groom Samuel M. Ralston of Indiana as that candidate. At the convention, true to Taggart's prediction, a deadlock did rise. The voting dragged on for 93 ballots, during which time Taggart had been acquiring assurances of support to the new forming Ralston bandwagon. On July 8, 1924, at almost the precise moment that Taggart was ready to push the name of Ralston, he received a telegram from Ralston. The message requested that his name be withdrawn from further consideration because of ill health. This telegram was one of the biggest disappointments in Taggart's life. Taggart's strategy had been sound. John W. Davis eventually was nominated by the convention as its "dark horse" compromise candidate. In 1928 Taggart worked to groom his lifelong friend Evans Woollen for the presidency. He succeeded in pledging the Indiana delegation to Woollens' support, but Taggart's ill health prevented him from attending the Houston convention thereupon hurting Woollens' chances.
While other hotels were struggling to keep their books in the black because of the restrictions of prohibition, French Lick continued to make profits. In the twenties more that 100,000 people were annually visiting French Lick Springs Hotel. Gross revenue for the hotel, including Pluto sales, was in excess of two million dollars annually.
Prior to 1924, heavy demands were being made requesting convention facilities at French Lick. Although Tom Taggart was against turning the hotel into a convention center, it was finally decided that additional business could be gained from the addition of another great wing to the hotel. In 1924 work was begun on a two hundred foot, yellow brick, six floor addition running directly north of the old hotel section. By 1925 the wing was finished at a cost of over $500,000. The addition brought the hotel to it present day size and opened a new range of services which the hotel could now offer. The wing, known as Convention Hall, is devoted entirely to the business of conventions. A large stage and auditorium suitable for large numbers of guest occupies the ground and first floor of the wing. Special rooms were made available for smaller meetings, larger areas for displays and exhibits were also designed as a selling point. Upper floors of the structure contained rooms for additional visitors.

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