The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-09
SATURDAY NIGHTS BIG FIRE.
THE LOSSES WILL AMOUNT TO
CLOSE ON $4,000.
Chief Engineer Guthrie and As
sistant Montgai1lard Had a
Very Close Call.

Ihere is not much to be said regard
Ing the fire of Saturday night which
destroyed the Metropolitan Theater, be-
yond what appeared in the Record
Unions" account of it yesterday morn
ing, except in the matter of some of the
losses sustained.
The estimate of from $50, 900 to $50
OUO loss on the theater was about cor
rect. The place was fully insured, the
amount being 500, S12 30. This, how
ever, probably covers the front portion
used as a lodging house, but 1t would
have to be sacrificed in the rebuilding
of the premises
The small structure in the rear OF
James Woodburn's liquor store, used as
an annex to the theater for dressing
rooms was destroyed, at a loss prop
ably of 81 200.
About $500 or 5000 will cover the loss
to the Billings property occupied by
WOODBURY..
Mrs. Reed who occupies the upper
story of the Billings property, HIP *
street. was damaged to the extent Of
several hundred dollars, as was also
Mrs Lewis at 41512, in the adjoining
building.
The loss to the Neubourg Mill and
stock of grain, malt, etc, is placed at
$4,000 said to be insured.
The damage to P. S. Lawson's build
ing, west of Woodburn's store, was
probably $500.
Petty thieves did a lively business
while the fire was in progress. me
lodging houses were all open while men
and women were engaged in removing
the furniture to the street, ana the
sneak thieves made the most OF their
opportunity to plumber the rooms. MI
merous small articles were stolen, even
to a ten-cent package of tobacco from
the room of a lodger.
The west wall of the theater building
is still standing, but it is in bad cond1-
ton and entirely without support. 1t
will probably be thrown down at once.
When Assistant Chief Engineer Louis
Montgaillard received the fall that
fractured his thigh, Chief Guthrie was
by his side Both were in the Neu-
bourg Mill where the fire was still
raging, when suddenly a portion of the
roof fell in. They leaped back just In
time to avoid being buried beneath
mass of burning timbers, but Mont
gaillard had the misfortune to fall into
the elevator shaft and down to the
basement Besides having his thigh
fractured he was otherwise seriously
hurt.
1t was but a short time before that
Chief Guthrie was knocked insensible
by a portion of the theater gallery fall
ing on him. The Chief feels very proud
of the bravery and efficiency of the men
in his department.
IF that fire occurred in San Fran
cisco instead of here" he said yester-
day, there would have been about ten
engines and ladder companies at work
on it, aided by a water-tower. Our
little force did great work, / assure
you. These men don't know what
fear is
1t is thought to be unlikely that the
owner of the Metropolitan Theater will
reconstruct that structure. This is to
be deplored. A city of this character
and size needs such a temple of the
drama 1t may be said to be a business
necessity. But of late years the prop
erty has not been a paying one, because
it could be used only for theatrical pur
poses, and hence the Discrimination to
rebuild it.
We have one theater left, a handsome
and commodious house But it is now
class of entertainments, and, running
a continuous programme, it leaves no
opening for purely dramatic companies
There is a considerable body of the
people who desire entertainment along
the upper lines of the drama. The
transient public demands it also. De-
prived of it here, the lovers of the
drama will be compelled to go to San
FRO, oic 70 hai
this will be a distinct disadvantage for
the town.
But there is a way out. The Rec
ord Union some years ago outlined il,
and on each occasion when the Metro
politan was reconstructed it urged a
change which we are convinced would
produce paying property and be a
decided advantage to the city. That
plan is to construct a building that may
be used alike as theater and a public
hall The late John Wilson, an accom-
plished actor and a travelled man, years
ago suggested the idea in Sacramento
through these columns and said that
such theaters and halls are plentiful in
New England cities. He pointed out
one such building that he thought to
be a model in Des Moines, Iowa.
Such structures have a complete
large stage, but the auditorium is so
arranged that its main floor can be
used as a concert chamber, for fairs,
conventions. bazars. receptions, exhibit
tions and public gatherings generally,
while it contains at the same time cir
Giles and galleries for seating spectators
distinct from those on the main floor.
Sometimes these convertible floors are
lifted by machinery to the stage level.
In other cases a high stage makes the
view from a level floor all that is de-
sirable
Sacramento stands in great need of
a good public hall. There is almost
constant demand for one. The want
of it imposes serious cost upon enter
tanners. local and transient For a
cnncerf chamber we are driven to use a