Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-13

Clearing the Ground will Com
mence at Once-A Description Of
the Building.
About once every twelve months during
the last twelve years, Wheeling people
have been RECALLED with a story about a
new place of amusement.
Sometimes the stories were circum-
stantial, and apparently carried the as
surance of speedy consummation. More
often they were only more OF less of the
nature of rumors, but as rule descrip-
uo1s, locations and probable cost were
incorporated In the stories, and assurances
were generally given that within such-and-
such a time a new opera house would be
forthcoming.
None of these stories. however. ever got
further along than plans on paper, and
the hopes OF the public We're only aroused
to be gradually again crushed to earth.
Time generally brings such matters 10 a
final focus. however. and this morning the
thentic a rumor which has been floating
about for several weeks and to say that
Wheeling is at last 70 have a new and mag
nihcent place of amusement.
The Company has been organized, n
charter granted by tho Secretary of State
plans drawn and accepted. and the work
of clearing the ground will be the next
thing in order.
The Company is the Metropolitan Opera
House Company and the site Of its build
ing will be the old Court House property,
AT the southeast corner of Chapline and
Twelfth streets. This plot of ground
fronts los feet on Chapline street by l32
fee, ON Twelfth street. and every inch Of
it will be covered by the new building,
which viii thus embrace more square feet
of ground than the Mcclure House This
comparison will give an idea of its size
The plans have been accepted, and will be
of the MoOrish-Spanish type, and this dis
tinctive scheme will be consistently fol-
lowed both inside and out. The building
will have a seating capacity of 1850, with
standing room enough TO bring the capa-
city up to 5000 on crush" nights. There
will be two galleries with a roomy foyer,
retiring and toilet rooms, smoking rooms,
etc. and all the latest ideas In theatre
construction will be carried out.
The President of the Company is Joseph
Speidel. and the Board of Directors,
Messrs. Joseph Speidel, W. A. Wilson,
Alfred PAUL. Frank Caldwell and c. F..
Dickinson. The Treasurer is W. a. Wilson
and the Secretary c. +. Dickinson.
As has been stated the outside dimen-
sious of the building will be 1o,x132 feet
The main entrance to the theatre vs." 3e
on Chapline street. at the southwest corr
ner Of the building. The gallery exit viii
be midway Of the Twelfth street side. and
the stage entrance will be on Twelfth
street at the northeast corner of the
building. AT the corner Of the two streets.
on the ground floor, viii be = business
room intended for a drug store, and which
will be occupied as such, and over it Will
be a concert hall. lecture hall or lodge
room. 25xi0 feet. with a ceiling two stories
in height. or running 10 the top of the
house. East of this room. on the Twelfth
street side. win be smoking rooms. dress
ing rooms, lavatories. etc, and over them,
similar rooms for patrons Of the galleries.
Farther back on the same side. will be
dressing rooms. on Chapline street, be-
tween the main entrance and the corner
room. will be storage rooms. The stage
will be large. with proscenium opening
of forty feet. and in depth, from the foot
lights will be fifty feet, allowing room
Cor the largest spectacular presentation.
In the basement will be the electric light
plant and heating apparatus each OF the
most approved form. and the entire con-
struction of the building will be stone,
brick and iron. There will be four pri-
waite boxes. two upon either side Of the
stage. The estimated cost Of the building,
complete and ready for use is $4,000.
The interior decorations are TO be elab-
crate and beautiful The foyer in partic-
MAR will he deliberately furnished. The
stage decorations. too, Will be artistic and
extensive. The main entrance design is
in the Moorish design and very imposing.
Inside there is q roomy lobby and hand
some ticket Office. The main staircase il
very large and leads to the main foyer on
the auditorium level. From this foyer
staircases on either side lead to the ball
couv level. and there is the same arrange
,oent of stairs to the gallery level. The
exit for the auditorium and balcony viii
be on Chapline street-through the en-
trance. but the gallery exit is to be on
Twelfth street On the auditorium level,
along the Twelfth street side of the build
ing. will be several of the features that
go to make the theatre up TO date in
every respect. At the corner will be the
parlor. next to 1t is the cloak room, also
fronting on Chapline street. Along the
Twelfth street side. in the rear of the par
lor will be the ladies' reception room.
Next comes the gentlemen's smoking
room. and at the rear are several of the
dressing room. The stage carpenter will
he located at the top of the building.
The old Court House property was pur-
chased by Messrs. George x. Wheat and
Joseph Speidel several years ago for
about $4,000. Not long ago Mr. Wheat
sold his share TO Mr. Speidel
As part of the general plan, 1t is stated
1n,-, So,