The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-04
TO HAVE A NEW THEATER.
The American Theatrical Exchange
10 Purchase The Present Site.

10 Purchase The Present Site.
The Owners and Representatives Of
the Exchange are Considering a
Proposition From Mr.. T. F. Johnson
/ to Buy the Savannah Theater for
S55, 900, Which Manager Mcconnell
Says VIII Be Accepted The Ex-
change Had to Have a House in Sa-
vannah, Which He Considers the
Best One Night Town in the Couu-
try.
As the result OF a conference yesterday
between Mr.. T. +. johnson, manager ald
owner Of the Savannah theater, and
Messrs. Henry Greenwall, Albert Wise,
and w. a. Mcconnell Of the American
Theatrical Exchange Of New York, who
came to Savannah with their architect,
Mr. Frank Cox Of New Orleans, it is
likely that by the time another season
rolls round this city will have a new, or
at least a remOdeled theater.
The MORNING NEWS stated yesterday
that these gentlemen were coming to Sa-
vanuah for the purpose Of seeing Mr.
Johnson, and, if possible, of getting Sa-
vanuah on their circuit either by buying
the savannah theater or building a new
one. They brought with them their
architect and came for business. de-
termining not to leave, it seems, until
some arrangement had been made by
which they could secure Savannah for
the attractions for which they act as
agent.
OFFERED $4,000 FOR IT.
Yesterday morning MIR. Greenwall
Made Mr. johnson an offer of $4,000 for
the Savannah theater, which was re-
fused. Later, 1t is understood, the bid
was raised 5000, but Mr.. johnson would
listen to no proposition except his own,
which was an out and out sale of the
property for 500 900 .
Mr.. Greenwall made Mr.. johnson about
five propositions including lease with
right TO improve, purchase of a half in
terest with right TO improve, aud an out
and out purchase of the property. Mr..
Johnson would listen TO no other PROPOSE
ton than he made as stated above He
gave the gentlemen fifteen days in which
to accept it, and there is little doubt that
the American Theatrical Exchange will
become its owner.
Mr.. Mcconnell, manag er of this ex-
NildLlEt W do SCtil 1dSl ulElb WIN REGARD
TO the deal ana he said it might
safely be stated that Mr.. Johnson's pro-
position would be accepted. He said they
were given fifteen days option, and
while a few days might be taken for the
cOnsid GRAFTON of the matter, there was
little doubt about the theater being
bought.
THE BEST TOWN IN AMERICA.
eve are free to confess" MIR. Neon
nell said, lat that we must have a theater
in Savannah. Savannah is the best one
night town in America. Atlanta is an
excellent twO-nlght town, but for a one
night stand, Savannah cannot be beaten
in this country 1 say that without fear
of contradiction.
"Our list Of towns in this section now
comprises Richmond, Atlanta, where we
have just secured the Edgewood avenue
theater, Louisville, Nashville Memphis,
Montgomery, New Orleans, and thirty
one theaters in Texas, which takes in the
whole of that state So it can easily be
seen from considering this situation that
we are practically compelled TO have
theater in Savannah. We book attrac-
tiOns for Charleston, and it would be en-
tirely too far to jump from there to At
lanta, skipping a town like Savannah, and
a great many of the troupes would not
submit to it longer than one season at
least.
1--WE intend to spend from $50, 900 to
$50, 0O0,' Mr.. Mcconnell said, lin improv-
ing the theater, so it will cost us in the
end about $3.50 or more to make of it
the house that we want. Both the end
walls would have to be torn out, two mod
ern galleries put in, the stage enlarged
from front to back by moving the dress
ing rooms and other improvements made
on the interior. We expect to begin the
work as soon as the season is over and to
have it complete by the time the next
season opens.
TWO THEATERs ONE TOO MANY.
at would have been possible for us to
have bought site and built a
bly, S74, 900 to S75, 600, but then
that would have been like the dog in the
manger. We would be at a great dis
advantage as well as Mr.. Johnson, and
this we did not desire to do. We consid-
cred an outright purchase best and this
we have about decided TO make.
1--WE have booked more strong attrac-
tions for Savannah" Mr.. Mcconnell
said, than have hlaw aud Erlanger, al
though they represent this house. Ac-
cordIng to the list, we have booked TWEEN
ty-siX strong attractions for Savannah,
as against twenty-three by Klaw and Err
LANCER, and ours are all OF the best and
! strongest kind"
| 1t would seem from this that the talk
about new theater is about to material
| lie, and Savannah will likely have one
! within short time. Messrs. Greenwall,
Wise ana Cox left for Atlanta last night,