The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-31
FIRST EDITION
ANOTHER THEATRICAL SCANDAL.
A Manager Burning Another Out.
Shocking Affair in New York.
Suffocated by Coal Gas.
RIVAL MANAGERS.

The Burning of BroOm's "Opera House" In
Memphis How Manager Made Himself
"BOss" of the TOwn-The story of n Blende.
The Memphis Avalanche of Jan. 26 says
The announcement yesterday morning that
Mr. James Schooles, proprietor of the "Varie-
ties" on Washington street, and Mr.. James
Hays, one of the performers at that establish
ment, had been indicted by the Grand Jury of
the Criminal Court, on the previous evening, on
suspicion of being connected with the incen-
diary fire at Broom's Opera House, about q
month ago. created no little stir in the city
all the parties being well known-and was the
general theme of conversation on the streets.
For some time the detectives have been at
work making inquiries, and Mr.. Broom, the
proprietor of the establishment, has been doing
all in his power to ferret out the perpetrators.
But although suspicion has been directed
against certain parties, still no light was
thrown on the matter till last Monday night,
and this was done by ayoung woman known as
Lou Georgia, who has been employed as one of
the performers and in the "wine-room" at
Schooles' for the past five months, whose mar
ration is given below. Miss Lou Georgia is O
young woman who, in theatrical parlance, is
called blondes that is, when on the stage she
sports gigantic chgnon with other appen-
dages completely covering her own hair, which
is beautiful light auburn. One of our repor-
tiers paid visit to
MISS LOU GEORGIA
yesterday, for the purpose of hearing her ac-
count of the whole affair. In answer TO numerous
questions, she made the following statement-
Ny name is Lou Georgia that is my professional
name. do not want to give my real name, as
my parents are respectable, and engaged in
farming near Evansville, Indiana, residing
there for forty-nine years. am twenty-three
years OF age; / have been intimate with
Schooles for about four months We have been
good friends since that time until now, and
l don't know that we are not good friends yet.
THE OPERA HOUSE FIRE.
On the morning of the fire at Broom's Opera
House, / left the "wine-room" of the Varieties
abOut q o'clock | bOardiDp at
on Poplar street, near the engine house. had
only been in bed few minutes when schooles
came into nv room and asked for water to wash
his hands. He said:-
''LoU, ARE YOU MY FRIEND?"
And replied:-"Of course l am but what do
you mean by that" He sad:-"Lou am boss
OF this town now.' suppose he meant in the
variety business. 1 said to him, Jimmy, be
quiet"
HOW SCHooLEs WAS ''Boss."
He then said, You can hear better than /,
for you know | am little deaf; listen If you
can hear the fire bells, and if you can hear them
tell me, and if Charley Broom has an opera
house in the morning will give you the best
silk dress in town. If you hear the bells get up
and tell me where the fire is, and see if it is not
Broom's opera house." l got up in bed and
said
"JIMMY sCHooLEs, THIS IS AWFUL,
Why do you say that?" was scared at what
he told me. / listened for a moment and
heard the fire bells; SO jumped out of bed in
was. l went out at the door and looked down
the alley and saw the fire in the direction of
Broom's opera house. went back to my room
and told Jimmy Schooles in what direction the
fire was.
One of his arms was bruised and had marks
on it, and he said while he was on the stage of
the Opera House, he had fallen down one of the
ID traps. never made any threats against
Schooles since this thing took place. On the
morning after the fire, l went over to the hall;
the performers were laughing and talking
talking about it, / felt SO bad. 1 felt that l
ought to tell what Jimmy Schooles had told me.
] said to Jimmy Hays, Jimmy, l sup
pose somebody set it on fire." but he did
not reply, and could not look me in the faces
always felt that knew something that ought
to tell; l don't want TO tell anything more about
1t, as as don't want to do anything against
Mr.. Schooles for malice; | like him better now
than anybody in Memphis. (Tears.) If he had
given me money to go away, would not have
told about it; If could recall it would do it
now. (Tears.)
WOULD GIVE MY LIFE
IL he had never told me about 1t; am not going
to run away now, however but will stay in
Memphis till this thing is cleared up, and till l
get another engagement.
RepOrter-Miss LOU why don't you go home
and live with your parents, and be good girl?
Miss Georgia smiled sadly, said not word in
reply, put ont her hand and said pleasantly,
goodbye" when the interview closed.
Mr.. James Schooles furnished securities to
the amount of $4,000 for his appearance for
bail was fixed at $4,000 was unable to furnish
the necessary sureties and he was remanded to
jail.