The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-21
,1HERE IS A
GOOD OFFER.
"Foucht Auditorium" May Be
the Title
Of the Big Convention Hall
Proposed for Topeka.
- Mr.. J. Fl. FOUGHT Proposes to
Build One
UPON JACKSON STREET
To Hold 5000 People Comfort
ably Seated,
Provided Guarantees Are Given
That the Hall
To Hold 5000 People Comfort
ably Seated,
Provided Guarantees Are Given
That the Hall
WILL BE ALWAYS USED
For Conventions and Large
Meetings in Topeka.
Building to Be of Brick, and
Substantial.

Topeka may get an auditorium with
less trouble than any one anticipated.
]. 81. FOUGHT, one of the prominent
North side merchants, proposes to build
one in response to the popular demand
that will answer every purpose. He will
build it if he receives reasonable assur-
ance that it will be patronized and he will
build it at one of the most accessible
points in the city.
mr. FOUGHT owns seventv-five feet of
ground just north of the Catholic church
property on jackson street where a
, building rs by $50 feet can be erected
that will hold 5000 people.
II have the lots" said Mr.. FOUGHT to
JOURNAL reporter, land 1 will build a
good building, large enough to accom-
modate any convention if l can be as
sured that it will be used enough to JUS
tify an expenditure of as much money as
will be required.
MIR. FOUGHT, like many other business
: men, realizes that something must be
done to give Topeka a convention hall
large enough for all purposes He is
willing to do more than his share to see
that the city has such a hail and he
should receive the encouragement he de-
serves
There is no location in the city that
would be better than that proposed by
Mr.. FOUGHT 1t is in convenient walking
and is also easily reached by street
cars. 1t would be an excellent
place for auditorium, and would
be commendable departure from the
plan to have convention halls mile or
Two from the business streets of town, as
they are in Wichita and Hutchinson
There is not d business man in Topeka
who would not like to see an auditorium
built, and there is probably not busi-
ness man who does not realize how i'm
portant it is that something should be
done at once.
If three or four of the substantial bust
ness men of tho city will take hold of
the matter Topeka will have an audito-
rum, and have it soon, for all that is
necessary Is to encourage the enterprise
of Mr. Foucht.
NJ 81. Belts, a contractor, who talked
: with Mr. FOUGHT about the project says
that there will be plenty of space for
building an auditorium on the lots owned
by Mr. FOUGHT with a seating capacity
of 5000 people This it is thought will be
large enough for any purpose for which
the auditorium might be used and it
would not be necessary to shut ont any
one who cared to attend, out of conven-
tion.
Mr.. Belts says-"My idea of the hall
is that it should have gradually slop-
ing floor converging toward stage at
one side, and be seated with opera
& hairs A wide all around gallery would
seat many hundred more. No difficulty
would be found in putting five thousand
people into such structure which of
course would have wide exits across the
entire front part of the building level
with the street"
The idea generally discussed is that
the hall should be of brick and substan-
tial in every particular though not nee
essarily ornate. There are reasons. how
ever, why it should not have a sloping
floor. 1t would be necessary sometimes
TO use it for dog shows, flower shows,
dances or other like affairs which a sIop-
ing floor would not be suitable to.
With an auditorium such as MIR. FOUGHT
proposes there will be no excuse for state
conventions being taken away from To-
peka. 1t would also afford place where
musical festivals might be held for there
1s no city in Kansas that can approach
Topeka In musical talent 1t would, in
short, furnish a place of meeting for
hundreds OF concerts and other enter
talnments which can not be
taken care OF at any of the opera houses
or halls. At an auditorium popular
prices could be charged for the very best
entertain ments because all who came
could be seated. Hundreds of times
Topeka has felt the need of an auditor |
ium for other purposes than state con- |
ventions.
Mir. FOUGHT sheuld be ENCOURAGED |
70 build his auditorium and assisted in |
q substantial manner.