Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-02
A SPLENDID %REOPENING.
MAGUIRE,s NEW OPERA HOUSE IN
4 BLAZE OF GLORY.

was the occasion for the ~aesemblage OF as
large an audience as the house could hold.
The parquet and dress circle presented an
array OF well-dressed gentlemen and ladies,
comprising the members OF the best fami-
lies, and the boxes were occupied by parties
in full dress.
At 8 o'clock the curtnin rose and dis
closed Judge DsWolfe in the center OF q
party Of gentlemen on the stage. Judge
George w. Irwin H. James
McCaig and john Mcguire made up the
party supporting the Judge. Mr.. Irwin
stepped forward and introduced Judge De-
Wolfe in a few appropriate words received
with cheers.
The Judge stepped forward to the foot
lights and waited with the easy dignity
characteristic Of him until the cheering sub.
sided, when he began the opening address
to the first audience assembled on thesame
spot since the fire last July. He suffered
from slight hoarseness, and in his opening
hoped the audience would bear with him.
and promised by brevity to make mp for
the infection. Some days previous Mr..
Mcguire had applied to him to say some.
thing al the opening OF the new house.
The task was one that was foreign to his
tastes and inclinations, and he had at
first declined. But he reflected on the in
donitable energy and enterprise of the gen.
tleman, and uf The tact he had displayed,
the difficulties with which he had coh-
tended and the way in which he had over
command his services, for which reason he
oppoorod hofora his auditors
It was fitting that something should be
said of the indomitable energy, zeal and
p~ersevt which had enabled his audi
tors to meet in that beautiful temple Of the
drama tonight and, he hoped, on many
succeeding nighis-in q place where for an
indefinite period in the future they could
assemble to enjoy the delights of good
plays we'll presented.
The Judge then recalled the history of
the theater. The former Grand Opera
House was opened July 81, 1885. It was
the pride of the city in which every one
took personal feeling until the 23d OF
July, 1888. about three years, when
by q sad and unforeseen accident a fame
from q lamp caught in the combustible
material OF the curtain, spread to the flies,
to the roof. to the boxes and the gallery
until the entire ediice was enveloped in
Ill LII OIL AOuk "udu O. bOCnV hC V1Uy -
pride was consumed. 1t reminded him of
Byron's lines on the burning OF Drury Lane
Theater, which he quoted. He then pic.
tured the dismay and regret of the citizens
at the loss they had sustained. They felt
almost paralyzed by the accident. The
thought of it overcame them for months
afterwards and there was q general fear
that there would never be another built.
He then described Mr.. Maguire's ener-
getic efforts to replace the lost house, how
he put his shoulder to the wheel and ex.
erted every energy until on the 10th OF
October the first blow was struck that
began the rebuilding of the present struc-
ture. To-day" said he, you behold the
result OF that indomitable will, push and
energy in a new house that will be, if pos
sible, a greater pride and delight to you all
than it's predecessor"
He spoke of the benefit to Mr.. Mcguire
last August being nominally to him. "But
with emphasis. ut is yours, and every
one present tonight at this r%eopening is
having q benefit to which he himself con-
tributed." They we're enjoying the first
dividend from that investment. He asked
where in all the enterprises OF this city. its
mines, mills and shelters, such a prompt
dividend had been reaped, and was an.
swersd with responsive applause.
But all this had cost money. A great
deal had been done and was yet to be
done, but it was not done without great
expense and MIR. Mcguire bad borne the
brunt OF the whole expense himself. The
public were to reap the benefit Of this and
suggested that in gratitude Tor what he
and they owed Mr.. Mcguire, the citizens
tender him another benefit to re-
Isz-.- IL eA.1 o1A: -. l.
house.
He asked their indulgence for few words
more and launched into an eloquent eulogy
the drama and it's refining influences.
There were persons in the audience who
had been accustomed from childhood to
hear playhouses ~reprobated. Ilecombated
as a calumny and was glad that the
old feeling Of unworthy hostility to play
houses was fast disappearing before the
spirit OF the age. He recalled
the instance of little more than q year ago
when Miss Abbott had been insulted in a
church and had then and there risen to her
eet and hurled back the foul Islander of q
minister in the pulpit in vindicationof the
to which she belonged.
He asked his audience if they had ever
ssked themselves what the drama really is,
Ind defined it as to the mind what the
40 W 9iSAUs ~ O1AIo ny BLU pOT.
rays all the feelings of ~nature-love, pride,
niger, the noblest sentiments that the mind
an contain, and holds up to scorn the
neaner qualities that debase mankind.
'hall it be said that a noble art that calls
the finest feelings that adorn mankindis
n inferior art2 Henamed over the immor- |
al heroines OF Shakespear and asked
I il can be said that the sentiments
in their mouths, and the feelings they
portrayed are not elevating in themselves?
lie asserted that the drama, instead Of
,eing what narrow and bigoted beings say
t is, is one of the most ennobling accom-
of our civilization. It forms a
topic of conversation. People
ever grow tired of hearing of actors and
actresses, because they portray the best
Of human nature.
In conclusion he trusted the present
louse would be long the theater in which
hey would be entertained and delighted
we're waiting for him to retire. II alone
az superfuous on the STAGE" said the
Judge, land in the language OF the actor /
will make way for q newer attraction" He
bowed and resumed his seat, amid pro-
ongsd applause.
John Mcguire then took his place before
he footlights and returned thanks to the
Judge for the generous terms OF praise in
which he had referred to himst II. He dep
all the good things t!re Judge had
,aid OF him and sincerely wished be could
eel he deserved them. The Judge had
spoken OF his energy and perseverance in
higher terms than he deserved and, although
10 felt he had besn overrated, he had set out
20 accomplish the work OF giving Butte q
playhouse worthy Of it. He had met with
and there might be more in
store for him; "but I'll get there. Don't
7ou be alarmed" said John with an en-.
ohasis that raised responsive cheers. He
be pardoned q feeling OF pride when
1e surveyed the house before him and re.
iected on the difficulties he had sur.
mounted.
When the old house went MP in flames
asst July, he was stunned by the blow-ut-
terly helpless to render assistance to the
lind friends who were saving his property
n the burning building from the hungry
DANES. But before the fire washalf way to
the ground, friends around him had given
him words Of announcement. Don't be
said they. Butte will
stand by you and give you another house."
felt encouraged even then in the hour
Of anguish at the loss he was witnessing by
the knowledge that the men who were say
this to him were among the first citi.
Eens Of Butte. He then made up his mind
10 have another such temple Of the d, anna
rs that consuming before his eyes at the
al rlieat Doasihle moment.