The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-07-27
Bonner Co.
DEER LODGE. NJ. 7.
BUTTE OPERA HOUSE BURNED.
Everything but the Four Walls in Ashes
and q Loss of 100000.

On the 9th of July, 1885, the Butte Grand
Opera House, costing nearly $4,000, was
opened with the eclat proper in the dedica'
ton of one of the handsomest opera houses
in the West. On Monday evening of this
week it was totally destroyed by fire, only
the four walls remaining, and they to all in
and purposes useless. The opera house
was owned by a stock company. The loss Is
estimated at $4,000, on which there was
50. 600 insurance. Manager Maguire's less is
estimated by him at $10,0O0 largely In
wardrobe, library, MSS. pianos, furnishings,
etc.
The fire broke out about 8:15 j. m. The
Adele Payne company was to appear that
evening in 1.-The Wages of Sin" Some 90
or 20 people had already taken seats, and the
curtain was still down. Over the stage are
hung the "sky borders" When the gas was
turned on a jet pulled out, ignitlng one OF
them which was probably swayed toward
the let at the instant by q draft. In few
seconds the flame was raging among the mass
of inflamable material overhead. A good
system Of perforated pipes had been put in
overhead, as is done in all we'll regulated
theaters, and by which, on turning q tap .
shower of water is thrown over the entire
stage. Manager Mcguire, as quick as the
fire started. ran to the tap and turned 1t on
The connection below had become disar'
ranged somehow. This sealed the Fate OF the
building. Soon the curtain ropes oornea
away, dropping the curtain to the STAGE anu
the furnace of lame swept out into the audi
torium. was sucked up the dome into tne
srace between the ceiling and the dome and
was beyond control.
Tho audience was not aware for a time thai
! the stage was on fire. When 1t became ap-
narent b went out quietly, some even
.%tonnine. it is said, to demand checks at tne
| door. The Adele Payne company, with thel'
wardrobes all in the building and party
scattered about, got them together as rap'o'9
"a nossible and saved the greater portion, a.
+ha,,ob acme of them went on the street II
rather scant costume.
The fire companies were delayeu SUI"
little time in locating the fire ana ge'''nk y.
long hose connections, but nnaAy NV
streams were turned on the opera mouse ~
attaining property. The former was pas
say;no Int all the rest east and west "e1
s...d"Odd Fellows hall getting q poft'o'
of the roof burned. -.,. ~ I'll
The loss Of Butte's beautiful temple OF 1n
DIANA is much to be regretted. 1t was a vel,
cred;table building, and since its comp'e.'"
Mr.. Mcguire has presented there some o! III
hest dramatic stars in America W. S.t t ~
will be replaced with one as eoo". san,
prospects are not ENCOURAGING. nus'f fo IT. tn
"pull together on public enterprises H -
,sneft Of the city. That is why n0 -. ;
oe.e", ,ass advantages, has surpassed 1t
WIN e except its resources and prodoct
S az III he the .'sam Hauser' OF Butte
:" wv w,,, che ever have on? 1t takes none!
os w. ;ndomitable will. fertility Of resourc
n nsr.F'ceasine energy, public confidence sss,,
e...as that will make a successful cua
courage 81. last last ditch, and a uun'e'ea, p ?, ri,
i.o" e per- ID every thought ss'sr but it i, s' II
man.