The following article appeared in the Columbia [S.C.] Daily South Carolinian, 12 June 1856, p. 2, c. 4:

"LECOMPTON (K. T.) May 24, 1856
Dr. R. W. Gibbes [the Editor of the Daily South Carolinian]:
Dear Sir: Enclosed I send an article clipped form the "Herald of Freedom," of April 12 -- an Abolition sheet lately published at Lawrence. The editor of that paper (Brown) is now in the custody of the United States Marshal at this place. I would suggest the publication of his description of that hotel throughout the Union, that it may be known what character of building we destroyed. I have no doubt that ere this reaches you, the Tribune and the whole Abolition faction will have raided the lying cry that the "Border Ruffians" had made a foray into the Territory and burned private property. I can, however, assure you that of the four or five hundred men who attacked Lawrence, there were not fifty Missourians, and that the only private property that was destroyed (Charles Robertson's house) was set fire to by a few individuals, contrary to the wish of our party. I fear, however, that this act is but the first in the awful drama that is to succeed. Bloody deeds of lawless aggression and retaliation are being committed daily around us, and but little is required to open a civil war in this Territory that will be a war to the knife. You doubtless have a correspondent who has given you full details of affaris here, otherwise I should attempt a short sketch of them for publication. Sincerely yours,

J. M. P. [James M. Pelot]

The article from the Herald of Freedom gives great detail to the Hotel, including the size of the rooms. The hotel was started in April, 1855, and completed in April, 1856 (work was suspended for a time). It was a three-story structure on the corner of Massachusetts and Winthrop Streets, fronting on Massachusetts 50 feet, and running back 70 feet. In addition to the three stories, it ahs a basement. It had a total of 50 rooms, with a hall on each floor. The first story was 9 feet high, with 9 rooms, including a dining "hall" 18 feet by 47 feet, a 9 1/2 foot wide hall running the length of the building, a gentleman's parlor 18 feet square, and a ladies parlor 18' by 20'. "There are thirty or forty port-holes in the walls, which rise above the [flat] roof, plugged up now with stones, which can be knocked out with a blow of the butt of a Sharp's rifle." Twelve of the bedroooms were a generous 11' by 18'; the remaining 24 bedrooms were a still comfortable 10' by 10".