Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31
FOR THE VETERANS.
The Immense Auditorium IImost Ready
for Their Occupancy.
The Buiiding Most Commodioua
Structure, Heavily and secureIy
Constructed, and Can he Implied
and FILLED Very Quickly.

When the Confederate Veterans as.
sembie here next month for their sixth
annual reunion they will find a splendid
han for their meetings. with a seating
capacity Of over 9,000.
Mr.. Joseph Heppert. tho builder to
whom was awarded tho contract for con-
structing the auditorium. has since early
in April had a force OF over sixty men az
work on the building. and It is now
almost completed. The rostrum and gall
leries have all been erected. the ceiling
has been panelled. and the benches on
the main floor. with the exception OF those
in the main aisle, have been placed In
position.
THE MUSIC HALL ENLARGED.
When II was first determined TO erect
a building in which TO hold the session.
Of the reunion. IL was thought that an
independent structure would be put up.
Owing TO the difficulty OF securing suiii-
centy large site I'm a central location.
except at an enormous cost, IT was decided
after considerable opposition to accept
the proposition of the Virginia Agricul-
tural and Mechanical Society. which
offered site at the Exposition-Grounds.
Even then, it was the intention OF tho
Building Committee to erect their audi
torium at the corner OF the grounds 'front.'
ing on Broad street. After some further
consideration, however. and at the sus-
gestlon OF Colonel Cutshaw, the present
plan of enlargng the Music Hall or tho
exposition building was determined upon
While the original plan was under con-
sideration. tho present architect. Mr.. ID.
Wiley Anderson. submitted a design.
which was adopted, and when the COM
mitree decided to adopt Colonel Cut
shaw's suggestion he again competed, ana
a second time secured the approval Of the
committee. His plans cell for a building,
including the old music hail. of l5i by
264 fset. 10 give seating capacity for
5000 people, and they have been executed
to the letter by Mr.. Heppert and his corps
Of skiful artisans. There are eleven en-
frances to the main floor. and four 90 the
galleries, and in an emergency the large
building, even though filled TO its utmost
capacity, could be empted in less time
than five minutes.
INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS.
The main floor is covered with comfort-
able Slated benches, and he's fall OF
foot from the front door TO the rosrum.
which also sants toward the audlencs
with a fall Of about Il inches.
The benches on the main audience floor
are so arranged as 10 permit OF five aisles
being constructed. The middle aisle Is q
feet in width. the two intermediate aisles
5 feet in width, and the two side aisles
feet wide. All lead directly TO the ros-
trum, the front elevation Of which Is
about l-2 feet.
The galleries extend around the entire
on. the gf1a hfinR Ik fQot
wide, while that over the front entrance is
| Sc feet wide. All have a fall OF IL feet.
thus enabling everybody occupying seat
In them to see clearly the occupants OF
| the rostrum.
The galleries are constructed OF heavy
| tmbers. which are pinned together with
massive king bolts. and so powerful -
| their construction that nothing short or
a fire could destroy them.
The interior will in a few days be kalso-
mined. and when the decorations are In
! place the auditorium Will present most
beautiful appearance.
Already Messrs. Mitteldorfer g. CO. have
| taken measurements OF the pillars. etc.
and the bunting Is now being fantasticalIy
shaped preparatory TO placing 1t In posi-
| ton.
To BE WE'LL LIGHTED.
Ample provision has been made for
lighting the auditorium. numerous win
| dows having been placed on both sides
/ and in the rear Good ventilation has
been secured also. by virtue of a number
/ OF pivotal windows around the roof and
several lattlced openings. The acoustics
| OF the structure are very good round
! finish having been introduced in the cor
ners and wherever else practicable. This.
with the sealed wood finish OF the ceiling.
is hoped 10 give very good results.
1t has been the general aim OF the archis
/ tect TO have as few posts as possible IN
the auditorium. and to depend on tho
rough span trusses OF combination OF
| timbers and tie-rods for supporting roof
| and galleries. The foundations are OF
/ brick pillars about feet apart. with verti-
cal boarding between them. The roof Is
| OF tin. with sheathlng-boerds. The ros-
| trum and galleries have a neat and sub
stantial balustrade constructed with post
railings and scroll bdlusters. all neatly
dressed. The roof is TO be painted with
two coats Of Princess metallic brown
paint.
THE ENTRANCES.
The main entrance WILL OF course. be
through the Exposition building. as az