Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-25
Largest CIrenIatlon h 10 and Sac.
THE CHICAGO OPERA-HOUsE
DRAWING.
The CrOWd-The scene Within the
BuiIdinE-The Process DrhwinE,
From She chicago Times "a.

etc.
from the Chicago TimesAL
About 10 o'clock the croWd began 4
gather in front Of She Opera-house al botl
entrances. Old ard young, married an,
single, hirsute and nairles-, the chaste an,
I the unchaste, Of both sexes, gathered there
1 oblivioua Of the fact that i was cold, ans
aware only that the magnificent baildinl
before them was to be drawn, and thai
! probably Aeg would be the winner. A. tht
hour advanced the crowd increased, com.
I pletely blocking up travel on Washington
street. It al length attained moh proper.
tons that the door Of the building were
! compelled to be thrown open b. prevent
their being burst IN by the eager and ex-
cited crowd.
Then ensued such a scene as the opera
| house never witnessed before The crowd
which for hours had been restIessly surging
! % and fro on sidewalk and sfreetgnO sooner
! perceived the doors swing back than gen
eral rush was made fer the interior. Pell-
nell il went up stairs; women we're pushed
hither and thither, old men treading on
each oiheE's aorns--ana smilnE--heys rest
iessly pushing their way TO the front, some
cursing, some laughing, and Others groan-
ing, rs some heavy" individual stamped
his toes. Up they went the first fight,
then the second fight Of stairs, then into
the auditorium, scrambling and pulling
each other, all striving for eligible seats.
In a few minutes after the doors we're
thrown open, pavquette, dress circle. or
chestra chairs and family circle were COM
pletely filled. As it neared u o'clock
the hour Of the draWing-eyery available
spot in the interior was filed, chairs and
aisles were ruthlessly invaded and those
seated were, for that privilege, subjected to
an obscurity Of vision. Even the sanctity
Of the boxes" those resorts Of the fastidious
and exclusive, was violated, and were
occupied by whosoever had the audacity to
intrude within their precincts
The majority Of the spectators, az ex-
pected, were males, A respectable number
Of ladies were also present, and, by their
iancitul costumes and graceful poses re-
lieved the scene from the monotOny Of
overcoats and boards. Some Of these we're
laughing and chatting with their male
companions, others devoted their time to
the perusal Of the East novel; and the
catalogue, while Others, opera-glass in
hand, surveyed the sea Of faces before them
in search Of some friend whom it would be
pleasure TO recognize The men we're
simultaneously employed, some were sharp
ening pencils to note the lucy numbers
others were cracking Jokes, while others
cOnversed with interest about the art
scheme. Tickets we're sought and numbers
thereon carefully committed 10 memory,
and they would settle down to await the
drawing. The incessant conversation
sounded like the rustling Of leaves in the
forest, disturbed now and then by a burst
Of laughter resembling an Alpine gust.
There were many country persons present
from all parts Of the northwest, who had
travelled far 10 be present at the great
event. The east was also well represented;
in fact, every section of the country had
one or more representatives in the vast
crowd.
The stage presented very neat appear
ance. The scene shifter had iudiciously
a parlor scene very appropriate
for the occasion. The scene had two doors,
surmounred by accurate representations of
reclining Psyches, while in the centre was
represented a mirror which to the mimi
tiated observer would seem real. In the
centre stood two tables, Whereon the num-
berg as drawn from the wheels were to be
laid, and submitted to the secretaries for
recording. At each entrance TO the stage
were policemen who were instructed on no
consideration 20 allow others than members
Of tho committee upon the stage.
THE WHEELS BROUGHT IN.
The entrance of the wheels was the. sig
nal for a continuous and laundering burst
Of applause from all parts Of the house.
As they were placed in their assigned posi-
tons on the stage, they were gazed upon
with curiosity and delight. During the
of the drawing they were the
centre Of attraction. The large wheel was
placed on the right Of the stage, and the
small one on the left, and there they stood,
the wheels Of fortune whose revolu.
tions would make some individual happy,
or unhappy.
Another hum Of conversation, and then
another burst Of applause, which was oc-
casionsd by the entrance Of the committee
Each member carried in his arm a box or
boxes containing tickets As they ar
ranged themselves around the stage, a still
ness silent as the grave prevailed, every
tongue was hushed, and men breathed softly
az the great event which they had 50 long
anticipated was about to transpire. Every
eye was directed to the stage, End every
movement of the committee was closely
scanned. Faces paled and cheeks blanched
and hearts throbbed as the result Of the
next hour was contemplated.
THE DRAWING.
Mr.. Mum said
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN--The num-
bers Of each ticket, numbering from one to
two hundred and ten thousand, will be
placed in this wheel 1.-THE large wheel.
We have received these tickets from the
hands Of the engraver, and they have not
been out Of our possession. We have ex-
amined and counted them, and are satisfied
they are correct"
The tickets were then placed in the large
wheel, each box being empted separately.
The time occupied in the operation was
about twenty minutes.
When the tickets were all in the wheel
Mr.. Mum said I've have now 2l0,000
tickets in that wheel-one number for every
certificate sold"
Then going 10 the small wheel he said
" This is the fancy part Of the transaction.
Here are 1872 numbers, each number having
on il prize The other numbers do not
amount to anything"
When the prize numbers had all been
placed in the wheel, Mr.. Mum explained
the construction Of the wheel, as follows
4" These wheels have wires inserted through
them. NO that at each revolution the tickets
must be thoroughly mixed There is no
disputing the fact, il you will examine H."
Before the drawing commenced, Mr.. W.
F. Coolbaugh said
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: In reply TO a
question which has been sent up from one
Of the audience in writing 10 the commit
tee, am authorized TO state, on behalf Of
the committee and Of Mr. Crosby, that
there are somewhere between $4,000 and
$4,000 tickets still unsold, and as there are
2lG.O tickets in the wheel, this viii leave
from q, 600 90 $4,000 tickets that belong to
Mr. Crosby. He has stated 10 the commit
Tee thai il IL impossible for him 10 give the
exact number of tickets sold, in conse-
quonce Of the absence Of reports from his
agents in New York, Boston and Philadel-
phia. lie has given us an approximation
20 the number Of certificates remaining UNI
sold, which che committee believe is uelia-
BILE | will also state that in consultation
among ourselves, We have thought IL expe-
dent 20 designate one or two from eur own
number 10 draw the tickets. but this cues
ton / desire % submit % the audience. IL
the audience win desiFnate two persons
from their midst 90 draw the numbers from
the w..eols, ID vill meet with the cordial
approval Of she committee
Voice In all parts 81 the room respond
ed leave ID go she committee The an
nouncement then made by Mr.. Coolbsugh,
that it was The sense Of the meeting that
the COMMITTEES should draw two persons