The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-02-02
a MoNUMENr on ENEERrnIsE.
Description Of the whitley Opera aeus.
HUT rornnlated In This CITY.

northeast corner Of Merchants street and
Sixth avenue during the past season.
This beautiful edifice is the realization
of dream which has long been cher
ished by the people of Emporis, and it
is more than gratifying to feel that the
contamination oil what for so many years
was merely vague project like many
other possibilities of the future, has so
fully met and even transcribed popular
expectation.
The enterprise which has given EN-
poria such a comely improvement first
took definite shape last spring. when
the Whitley opera house company, COM
posed of Col. Fl. c. Whit
ley, Van. r. Holnles, L. Severy,
II. c. Cross and William Martin
dale was organized, with Col. Whitley
as president and Van r. Holmes as
secretary. The eligible site opposite
the Hotel Coolidge was secured, and
before many weeks after the new COM
pany had filed Its charter, plans and
specifications for the proposed inn
proyement had been completed by Mr..
G. w. Squires, and few weeks later the
contract for the entire work was let to
E. F. Sprague, who has been diligent in
the face of many discouragements and
perplexities in pushing it to success
full termination.
The structure whose symmetrical pro-
portions excite the admiration of all
beholders, is of brick, the window caps
being of cut stone of beautiful finish,
furnished by PIckens s. Summers.
The dimensions are 90x65 feet, the long
er side facing Merchants street, and in
Guiding the main entrance to the opera
house. The lower floor is divided into
three business rooms. which face on
Sixth avenue, and the solid brick parti-
lions between them afford an ample
| support for the floor above and add to
the general security of the building
which, from roof to foundation
stone, is constructed in the most sub
stantial manner, a great desideraium
in a house devoted to public amuse-
ments. The means of egress are
abundant, including wide stairway,
easy of descent on Merchants street, and
also one on Sixth avenue leading TO the
stage which could be utilized to advan-
tage in case of fire. By way of addi-
tional protection against this destructive
element, two.inch water pipe has been
carried to the second floor, and can be
brought into service at a moments no.
! tioo end tho f1rthor nrooaufioO hoe I.aor
taken to size the scenery with a fire
proof preparation which renders it
impervious to quick combustion.
The galleries are suspended by strong
iron rods from a massive truss roof. and
will be more than equal to any weight
which can be put upon them. The ca
pacity of the house is between 500 and
900, and the seats, A. H. Andrews grand
opera chairs, are at once elegant and
comfortable. The walls, which will be
handsomely frescoed later In the season,
are of delicate tint which is very
grateful to the eye and in pleasant har-
mony with the general appointments of
the auditorium. The proscenium boxes,
four in number, are very handsome, be-
ing beautifully embellished with a COM
bination of delicate shades and gilt, the
handiwork of j. J. Breiner, a
fancy painter of Chicago, who is
assisted by Hail 6 Vail, of this
city. They are carpeted with Brussels
and hung with handsome crimson
drapery, the former being furnished by
G. w. Newman s. Co., and the latter by
1. D. Fox.
The house is lighted with $50 gas jets,
the grand center of illumination being a
magnificent 24-light chandelier, suspend
ed from the center of the ceiling, the
effect of which is extremely agreeable
These, together with the numerous side
burners, were put in by Osborne Il Jer-
envy of this city.
The stucco and ornamental plaster
work is highly artistic and adds very
greatly 10 the beauty and attractiveness
of the auditorium. This portion of the
work was done by G. A. Cole, who also
furnished the statues of Melpomene
and Thalia, which adOrn the inches
above the proscenium boxes.
The stage, one of the best in the west,
is 3Ox60 feet and is furnished with all
the accessories Of a metropolitan theatre.
These include g variety of excellent
scenery suitable for the presentation of
all classes of drama. complete and
secured appliances for shifting lights,
and an exquisite drop curtain represent
ing a charming scene on the
Rhine, painted by Mr.. Tschudi,
one of the most talented scenic artists in
the country. In connection with the
stage are neat and comfortable dressing
rooms for ladies and gentlemen, a green
room, and all the paraphernalis which
go to make up the model playhouse.
The building is thoroughly ventilated
and is heated by furnaces located in the
basement. In short, the graceful and
attractive exterior keeps the promise to
the hope which it makes 10 the eye, and
every detail in the plan of construction
| gives evidence of the regard manifested
by the builders for the convenience of
the public In this connection it's only
fair to say that Col. Whitley, the gen.
tleman whose name the house bears, has
been very largely instrumental
in the success of this en-
terprise, having contributed thereto
not only generously OF his means but by
his energy and personal attention to the
work aided materially in its consumma-
ton.