Omaha daily bee., 1892-06-22
VALLEYS new OPERA HOUSE
Interesting Exercises at the Formal Open
ing of the Structure.
ATTRACTIVE FEATURES OF THE BUILDING
Many Reasons why 1t should he tho Pride
of the village and tho Surrounding
Country-Speechcs, Songs
and Dancing.

VALLEY. Neb., June 2l.-TSpecial to The
BEE. The citizens of Valley and OF the
surrounding country donned their Sunday
clothes today and treated themselves to
half holiday TO properly celebrate tho dedi-
cation OF the new Valley opera house that
was on this occasion first thrown open TO the
public. 1t was quite an event in tho history
of this cnterprising town, marking as 1t
does an important step forward in its educa-
tional aud social life, and as such 1t was
most fttiugly observed.
The projectors of the enterprise were un-
willing that its cousumin ation should be un-
noticed save by tho customary bail, and
accordingly arranged an elaborate program
occupying the entire afternoon ana evening.
The affair passed off most successfully and
happily in all its details, and to the intense
satisfaction of all who were present..
The new edifce was erected solely to sup
ply the demand for q public hall, and is not,
therefore, an almost inaccessible second floor
ov er the store Of some euterprising business
man, but was built with sole reference TO
the purpose for which 1t was in
tended and is in consequence, tho finest
opera house, both in point Of size and ap-
pointments, of which any little town in the
state OF even larger size than Valley can
boast. 1t is as near perfection as the utmost
OF its builders could make 1T with the capital
placed at their disposal
The building is 3Ox10 feet in size and cost
complete $3.50. The auditorium, which
has seating capacity of 800, is 3ON50
feet and stage l6x3O feet furnishes much
more room than Is ordinarily found in u
small opera house. Tho proscenium arch is
llxl6 feet, giving an unobstruced view of
the entire stage from all parts OF the house.
The stage is thoroughly fitted up with
curtains, wings, flies, scenery, foot
lights and all appurtenances neces-
sary to the satisfactory presen-
tation of any ordinary performance.
The acoustic properties of the house, as
demonstrated today, are very fine, the lowest
utterances of the speakers peing perfectly
audible even in the most remote corners.
Under the stage are two large dressing
rooms, and back of them the furnace room,
which, however, Is as yet vacant, put will be
utilized later in tho year, as the structure Is
TO be heated by the hot air system.
The auditorium was built with level
floor, as the house is to bc devoted to puoic
gatherings OF all kinds, and an inclined floor
could not therefore have been SO generally
utilized.
To BE Used for Lodge Purposes.
Cloak rooms ana tho box Office take
up the floor space on either side
of the entrance, from which also
leads the stairway to the second floor
This floor was arranged for lodge purposes,
paraphernalia in the way of wood work or
fixtures is well nigh perfect in its appoint
ments. The lodge room is lSx60 feet, and is
so arranged that the goats OF the three Sc
cret organizations that have already engaged
quarters there may be separately stabbed
without any fear of possible collision.
The interior is finished in oil, with dark
trimmings that relieve the sameness of a
PLAIN finish and at the same time bring out
more clearly the beauties of the ornate wood
work.
The outward appearance of the building is
equally pleasing, standing as It does almost
across the head of the principal street, a
beautiful view of which, as well as of the
surrounding country is, to be obtained from
the roomy balcony on the second floor.
The structure would be credit to a town
| four times the size of Valley, and it is not
TO be wondered at that not only Valley, out
all the surrounding country Is proud of the
monument to enterprise ana public spirit.
AT the opening of the afternoon exercises
every seat i'll the house was taken aud all
| available standing room was occupied, and
SO great was the interest that, although the
program was a lengthy one, there was no
diminuton in the crowd. Rev. II. 5. Craw-
| ford offered the dedicatory prayer and u
piano and violin duet was pleaslngly rendered
by Miss Peterson and William jacobson.
w. q. Whitmore, president of the opera
house association, delivered the opening ad-
dress, in which ne referred TO the adverse
termination OF previous ventures of this
| spoiled the broth, and a few mon had finally
| gotten together a few months ago and sub
scribed 5000 to fill the long felt want.
| The young folks mad concluded
| that they wanted all theatrical
| appurtenances in connection with it. and had
| raised $3.50 for that purpose. 1t was sup
| posed that the cost had been carefully ap-
| prox'mated but it had amounted to over 80
| per cent more than was anticipated. The
! subscribers, however, proposed to cheerfully
/
| that score
A ladies quartette, composed of the Misses
| Park, sang very acceptabiy, Moonlight
| Will Come Again." after which j. j.
| Points, esq, of Omaha, was introduced
| Mr.. Points spoke of the surprising changes
| in Valley since he knew it as county superiu.
tendent few years ago. He said that the
| life and characteristics of a people might be
| read bv their buildings. They build first tc
their gods, then TO their princes and lastly
| to themselves. They build almost always
for others-tirst temples, then palaces, then
for themselves. The speaker was glac
reached the point after building
| homes for themselves to erect this
L structure for the education, entertainment t
| enjoyment and amusement Of her people. a:
| superstition and ignorance made slaves o.
| humanity. He hoped it would be dedicated
| to freedom OF speech and that free discusssor
| wolld rule. He hoped that all classes woul6
i find equal representation there, particularly
| womeb, whose influence he declared TO be In
| creasing as the years 20 by. He did not be
! lieve that freedom hurt men, but that on tn,
contrary II was only when restrained tha
| men became criminals ana paupers.
should BE Open to All.
He wanted the place dedicated TO chart,
| not the charity confined to aims giving
! but tho broad Christian charity that doe
| away with evil thought and leaus TO word
| Of sympathy and kindness to others.
He would also have it dedicated TO socia
meetings, like unto the old fashioned New
England town meetings, which were tn,
foundation of all good government; wher
all could become acquainted and learn I,
espect each other. He wanted TIN
because tyrants had ever been thos
who did not mix with their fellows
In so far as their ability might extend, h,
desired to have the building dedicated h
art-music, drama and oratory, all source
OF inspiration to higher and better things
Finally, he wanted it dedicated TO the Ia
vestigation Of questions in state, church an,
society. He declared that the temple o
freedom is yet to be built, and these ques
| tions on which so much depends must b
settled by each for himself. The old yeomanr
Is disappearing. There Is less Intelligence an,
ess Independence, especially in the larg,