There has been a great deal of commotion down by the edge of the Mississippi River when St. Paul’s only floating hotel caught fire, causing death among some of the guests and the woman running it. The floating Bethel Hotel (moored at the foot of Jackson Street), noticebly charred, will be closed for the foreseeable future.

The Economy Hotel (360 Jackson Street) might be a reasonable option for an overnight stay now that the recent shooter in the lobby has been arrested. Smith’s Lodging House (373 Jackson Street) can perhaps provide refuge to weary travelers who are willing to settle for a plain cot in a fire-damaged room.

The International Hotel (420 Jackson Street) offers clean and safe rooms for those travelers who know the proper way to turn of the gas lighting in the guest rooms – not all visitors have this knowledge and asphyxiation through illuminating gas should not be taken lightly.