Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-03-15
CARD FROM MANAGER mcguire.

feel II incumbent on me to explain
the reason why Nc. McKean's benefit
was declined. About one week since, in
conversation with H. n. Mcguire, the
local editor of the RECORD, the subject OF
Mr.. Mckean's sad afiiction was intro
duced, and suggestion was made that
l should aid in some way to swell the
contribution list that was then going
round. l agreed to give toward this
benevolent fund the net profits of the
theater on a night during the present
week. Meantime, by request, | called
on Mrs. Goldthwaite, and others of
benevolent disposition, who seemed in
| terested in the movement in behalf of
Mr.. Mexican, and told her the terms on
which the benefit would be given-that
| Is, merely reserving the actual working
| expenses of the theater. This Mrs. G.
considered liberal. No other one of Mr.
McKean's friends troubled himself about
the matter until Thursday, when l was
called on by Mr.. Smith and another
gentleman, who declined accepting the
benefit unless they got the entire pro-
ceeds of the house. Now, for the infor-
nation of persons who know nothing
about how benefits are arranged for or
phanages, benevolent societies, fire COM
panies, ETC., l will state that no theater
corps, with justice to themselves, could
give benefit on such terms. In all such
cases, as far as know and have had
considerable experience in such matters,
manager, when solicited to give ben
eft of this kind, not only reckons his
expenses for the night, but adds mar
gin to stand off against the subsequent
night of such benefit, which is generally
financially injured. Imade no such cal
culations. The expenses of running a
theatre are not centred in the immediate
performers on the stage. There is a
little army behind the curtain, who are,
III way, as necessary to performance
rs your more conspicuous people-scene-
shifters carpenters, scene artist, prop
erty man and assistants before the
curtain musicians, ticket-takers, cash
Ter, etc.; and besides, we have license,
lighting and incidental expenses in put
ting pieces on the stage; last, but by no
means least, the considerable item of
printing and publishing. Many persons
connected with a theatre do not, from
the nature of their position, receive much
salary, but the least person in compa-
ny entails more or less expense for every
play produced. And Mr.. Mckean's
friends might, with as much prop1iety,
enter any store in Phoebe, and, not sat
istied with the owner who unsolicited
offers the profits of his days business,
refuses to accept, having no regard to
hat l..
that they must have all or none. And,
the company declining to act on such
terms, must not be judged as being in
fluenced by selfshness, but rather to
avoid establishing a precedent of this
kind. AS theatre is very often the
medium of assisting charities, Mr.. and
Mrs. Bates, and the company in general,
would take tickets the same as any other
private individual, and will volunteer
their services by giving midday per-
Torrance at any time for so worthy a
cause, if Mr.. McKean's friends are dis
posed, on his behalf, to accept their
services; or, if any prominent merchants
of Phoebe, say Mr.. Smith, will pay the
expenses of their establishment, and
hand it over to trustees for one day, the
gross proceeds to be devoted to this
cause, the theatre will so and do likewise.
There are twenty-six persons in the di-
rect employ of the theatre, not to speak
OF the money spent among the trades
people, for what is technically termed
properties, etc., and when / stated my
expenses were SAP nightly, l moderated
1t to considerable extent The house
holds $500. and, no doubt, would be
filled to overlooking for this cause: so
that, irrespective of outside tickets. a
considerable sum would remain to Mr..
Mexican. I asked Mr.. Smith to take
charge of the tickets and doors, so that
printed return could be made of the
receipts on this occasion. More l could
not do. And, this statement is made us
matter of right and justification to the
public, whose obedient servant | have
the honor to be. JOHN Mcguire.
ANOTHER DEATH VALLEY EXCITEMENT.
If there is anything good in the miner
al line in or about the Death Valley,
which has probably been the center of
more sanguine expectations among min
ers than any other part Of the country
in which nothing has been disclosed, it
will certainly be found out the coming
summer. This singularly famed region
is in Inyo county. CAL, about $50 miles
southwest of Phoebe, on the eastern
slope of the Sierra Nevada. OF the ex-
petition which went thither from here a
couple of months ago, about half have re-
turned-those staying back finding some
thing in that weird and desolate section
to fascinate them, though it is not in the
shape of the precious metals. And now
We have the particulars of California
expedition to the Death Valley. The
Callfornians are not after the mythical
Breyfosle deposits, but 60 out in search
OF the famed "Gun Sight silver ledge.
alleged to have been discovered in earlv
days, but subsequently lost sight Of. At
the head of the party are Senator George
G. Perkins of Oroville, County Recorder
Chappell of Butte county, A. X. Stearns.
who was at one time a companion of xii
Carson in his ranging, the cashier of
San Francisco bank, and a clergyman
who was one of the party that first dis.
covered the ledge.
A SAGAcIous DoG.-A miner arrived