Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-27
HE RICHMOND THEATRE SOLD.
MIR. Zimmerman Purchases the Property
10, s30 OoO-To Remain "A Playhouse.

Mr.. Zimmerman Purchases tho Property
for $50. .ooO-To Remain u Playhouse.
Tho Richmond Theatre ono Of the eitys most
familiar landmarks. which for nearly throe do
cadcs hns stood upon the corner OF Seventh and
Broad streets, was sold at public auc ton yester-
iay afternoon at - o'clock Dy Ordor OF tho
Chancery Court. Mr.. William II. Zimmerman,
the Wci-knOwn TesidurGfe"r. was Its purchaser.
Tho sale, which was made by hessrs. y.
THOMPSON Brown & Co. for Colonel 10. Lane
Stern, executor and trustee, was attended by on
immense gathering OF people. The capitalists
were out III tUll force and took Gn actlve part IN
the bidding. Some Que present, who seemed 10
know whereof he spoke. said tnat nearly Slu'-
UOO, 900 was represented Ia tho gathering. and
doubtless IT was, for among those present were
Mcssrs. j. B. Pace, Emmanuel Kaab, VI, MI
hiscr. l.. l.. Suaus, LOWS II. Blas. Charles J.
Dayir. V. nechler, Charles l.. Stokes, james L.
Gray. and NJ. 5. Quarles
The fun comm snced when Mr.. James I. Gray
opened the bidding with an oner Of S<O,Ooo'
which Mr. Stokes went $4,000 better" 1hHn
others Of tho piR-poneyed men winked their
owes at the auctiOneeT, aud as each wnE meant
a hundred dollars or 70 things became qulie
animated Mr.. zimmerman was sort ot
OZARK horse who trOttcd with Nancy HANKS
gait when once he commenced. Mr. Stokes
went up as high as $4,000 and thon drOpFe e1
out as did all the others, except hessrs. cray
and Zimmerman, VINO fought II out by raising
their offere $40 at each jump.
FinalIy the Theatre was knocked down % Mr..
Zimnermaon for $40, ,OU0-one-ihird cash anu
the balance in one ana two ycars, with interest
Tho snlo was made subject TO the confirmation
! OF the court, but there seems but llttIe dOubt
that tho properly VIII pass into the hanus OF inc
| worthy GeTman-American citizen.
There was a great deal Oi surprise Expressed
when IL became known that hr. zimmerman
had bonght the Theatre, as re seems 10 nave
kept his plans somewhat secret. Even tho Huc-
tOneers did not know before yesterday lhat ne
wnntoi the building. Several months ago TWO
gentlemen were very anxious 10 procure thc
property. as they desired 10 erect hotel on ltS
,ite They offered $4,000 for 1t, but Mrs.
Powell would not accept these terms
Mr. Zimmerman said last night in conversa-
t0n with O representative OF the nIsfATCH thai 10
bought tho playhouse because he did not think
Broad street could afford 10 lose II. lie sald IL
was a benent 10 all the merchants IN the nelkh-
borhood. ard that II was his purpose to continue
its use as "A theatre. He added mat he intended
TO NJ II up in n short while aud make all neces-
sary improvements, not only for tho public Dut
likewise for the actors. Mr.. Immermaun tall
he bought the property individually ana d'd
not represent a syndicate or any one save him.
self lie did not know tho exact amount ci
mortgages on tue building, but stated that he
had heard they amounted 10 about s@S,uOo.
Tho Richmond Theatre was erected IN loob
upon the site ct the old Marshall Theatre when
was burned several months before The nrsl
rlay- house in Richmond. 10y the way, Was also
destrcyed by fire Ii stood on tho present she
Of Monumental church aud Was burned on
Christmas-eve night. 1911. In this catastrophe
the Governor Of Virginia ana nearly MY per
sons lost thelr lives.