A look back in time – December 1970

One of Iola’s oldest businesses will fade into the past at the end of this year, when the Hotel Kelley bids good-bye to its last guest and washes the dishes from the final meal in its coffee shop. Fred Hoye, owner-operator, said costs of operating the business have steadily increased while income has declined. Hoye was forced to take bankruptcy earlier this year and Dave Conderman was appointed by the court to administer business affairs in an effort to salvage some cash. Conderman said the effort proved futile, forcing the decision to close. The hotel’s founder was Ira D. Kelley,…