Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-03-19
HAS FLED THE SCENE.
MANAGER ALI. RHEINSTROM CLOSES HIS
WHEELING ENGAGEMENT,
And Goes on the Road, Leaving Various Dates for
tho Settlement Of Accounts 0psn-Ths Town
Papsrsd With Promises to Pay.


strom, of the Opera House, has beer
missed from his accustomed haunts.
This very moderate absence created
no uneasiness among the majority Of
his friends, acquaintance and business
associates, although two or three people
were more than suspicious Of his alb
sence, but kept their own counsel.
Yesterday, however, letters were re-
ceived by friends Of Rhenstrom'
dated at and mailed from Bal
timore, in which he stated, in brief,
that he was unable to meet his ooliga'
tions or to continue his management OF
the Opera House, and expressed his
regret at the losses his departure would
entail. His mother aud sister left some
time previous.
This news quickly sped about town
during the afternoon, and by last even
ing scores of people, among them quite
a number Of creditors, knew that KLEIN
strom had left the city for good, and
that unless something very like mir
acle interviewed those who had been left
In the lurch would have no recourse but
to charge the balances owed up TO proht
and loss-and experience.
Rheinstrom must have left the city
on the late train for the East Wednes-
day night, or on the early train Thurs
day morning, for he was in town
Wednesday evening, and in at least one
instance promised to liquidate debt on
Friday. Creditors have been regarding
him with suspicion for some weeks past,
and during the past month he paid some
money on account to creditors and made
Drofuse promises TO others. He evidently
found, however, he could not make both
ends meet, or else didn't care TO go
broke in settling up. and gathering to-
gether what cash he could he went to
Baltimore. Among his obligations are
$500 for rent Of the Opera House, for
which Hon. n. B. Scott is secu-
rity, about 1865 to the Opera
House orchestra, sos to the Nc'0S,
1925 to the Intelligencer, and $3.50 to
the REGISTER, various sums OF oor-
rowed money to friends about town,
and twoor three notes aggregating con-
siderable amounts. The total will
likely approximate $4,000.
Rhelnstrom leased the Opera House
In the summer Of 1892, en- a basis OF
So, 500 for the year ending June
lst, to be paid quarterly In ad-
vance. He paid $1,000 in cash at
the outset, and later two sums Of $500
each, the last not being paid until 1t
was four days overdue, and then only
after be had been prodded up to a con-
siderable extent. This left $500 OF a
balance, and this must be looked after
by Mr.. Scott, who will likely have some
one run the house during the
balance of the season, there
being number OF good
attractions booked. among them Alvin
Josliu, Keene, the Frohman companies,
and Mr.. Wilkinson's Widows, the lat
ter tomorrow night. The Eks also
have the house for two nights, at a
rental of 500.
Rheinstrom has undoubtedly made
money during his management, partic-
ularly at the outset Of the season,
when he had a fine line OF at
fractions and big houses. His
percentage Of light business, taking the
season through, was much smaller than
Of late years under other auspices, and
those converSant with the business
we're unanimous in the belief, last even
ing, that he could have come out OF the
contract with balance to his credit had
he not dissipated his income in toying
with cards and in liquidating heavy bills
for late suppers and other incidental
expenses.
The departed always had a weakness
for the great American game, and was
known about town for years as steady
player, but when he took up the Opera
House venture, he made a solemn
promise to stop gambling. He didn't
do this, however. but continued to be a
frequenter Of poker rooms and to sit in
"private" games with congenial friends.
To these weaknesses mis- friendsattribute
his inability to make both ends meet in
his business affairs, and his flight from
the city under the circumstances mar
rated was the natural result.
In letter received yesterday by a
friend to whom he owed money, Rhein-
strom enclosed the key of his Market
street room, saying the friend could
take the furniture there in pay
ment for the debt, but when
the creditor attempted to take posses
sion he found the owners Of the prem
ises were ahead of him, and refused to
allow the property TO be removed I'M
til the arrears Of rent was paid up. An
other creditor took possession OF a
horse, being wntered somewhere in the
county, and other creditors were chas-
ing around, last night, in the attempt TO
get hold of something tangible to at
tsch.
By profession Rheinstrom is a stem
ographer, and for years was the oficia
reporter of the Circuit Court, and
had many lucrative cases, among them
the Van Baker murder trial. Two years
ago he was Assistant Clerk OF the State
Senate at Charleston, and was interest
ed in large tract Of Pocohontas land
and other business ventures. His
theatrical venture was generally looked
upon favorably, as the ErOh-
mans, well and favoraby known
in the profession, were under
stood TO be willing to throw good
things in his way, and did so on two or
three occasions. There was even talk
OF a new Opera House here, to be large
ly erected with Frohman capital, and
OF which Rheinstrom was to be the
manager.
The Opera House will go on as usual
during the remainder Of the season, the
attractions booked, which number about
ten, being expected to fill their dates
Just as though nothing had happened.
Their contracts call for 65 to 20 per
cent. OF the gross receipts, and the mar