The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-15
The Loss Nearly $1OO,OOO-Large Wagon
Shops at KnightstOwn and Barn in $,
Johnson County Destroyed.
A Democratic Notification at Selma
Ends in a MurderOus Row.
Dedication of DOnnell Chapel at Hanover
COllege-Expected Boom at Vincennes
Minor Notes from Two States.
INDIANA.
Destruction by Fire, of Doxey's Opera House,
at Anderson.
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Destruction by Fire, of Doxey's Opera House,
at Anderson.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
ANDERSON, Nov. H-The burning of the
Doxey Theater at early hour this morning,
has cast gloom over the entire city. Anderson
ians justly felt proud of this magnificent theater
and seemingly never grew weary of lauding it's
beauty, but to-day all that remains of it is four
massive, blackened brick walls.
The fire originated in the hay loft of Hurst's
livery barn, adjoining the theater, and is sup
posed to have been Of incendiary origin. The
alarm was sounded about l o'clock and in very
few minutes after, the entire barn was envel-
oped in flames. The heat was so intense that
the iron shutters of the opera-house
windows became red hot and in
turn set fire to the casing of the windows, from
whence the flames spread and the fire once in
side the building, no force could check its prog
ress. In less than two hours the entire struct-
ure was in ruins. The Laura f. Dainty
Mountain Pink" combination played at the
theater last night, and the members of the
troupe deserve credit for their bravery and eff
forts to save the theater properties. All the
scenery the dropcurtain, carpets, drapery, sill
ver-plated ratings and three rows of chairs were
removed. The loss to Major Doxey will amount
to about $4,000, with no insurance. Other
losses occurred as follows:
George Weorner, merchant tailor Sc, 900; in
sured for 81 800
F. G. Rogers, music dealer lost nearly his en-
tire stock 1t was all carried out of the room,
but was stolen, and so far has not been recov-
cred
Mrs. Ella Malone milliner, about $780, with
insurance.
j. W. Hurst, liveryman, seven tons of hay
and 80 bushels of oats All his horses and
buggies were saved.
ChaL Gustin's blacksmith shop was destroyed,
but the loss in this instance was small and COW
cred by insurance.
The Central Telephone COMPANY, $3.50: fully
insured.
The aggregate loss by the confiagration will
fall but little short of 500, 0O0
The theater proper occupied the ground-foor
and was seated with 500 upholstered opera
chairs finished i'll plush. For elegance of finish
and convenience in arrangement theatrical
people pronounced it one of the best theaters
in the United States. 1t was opened to the
public for the first time by the Fay Templeton
Opera Company on Thursday evening, June u,
and but few performances have been given in it
so far this season. 1t cost $780, 900.
Work upon the Doxey Theater was begun in
April, 1888, and was pushed vigorously forward
to completion in June, of the present year.
The building was three-story structure,
12xl44 feet, the front being of Philadelphia
pressed brick laid in black mortar, iron and
stone finish, and large plate and stained glass
windows and doors None but the best work
men employed in the construction of the
building and the finish was done by artists from
Cincinnati and Chicago. The aises, stairways,
level floors, foyer and dressing room were all
carpeted with heavy Brussels carpet, and the
nickel plated rods surrounding the boxes and
dividing the different parts of the house cost
So per foot.