The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-31
Attorneys For the Grand Opera
House Lay a Plan
To Make Lots of Trouble For
Manager Crawford.
TO BE A BITTER FIGHT
In Which Manager Crawford
May Show His AdVersaries
That He Is as Clever as They
Are.

There is a possibility of lively times
in theatrical circles in Topeka this fall.
Ifthe possibility becomes reality it will
take the form of war on Manager
Crawford of the Crawford theater by
the people interested in the Grand
Opera House.
A forerunner of what may happen ap-
peared this morning when garnishment
notices against Manager Crawford were
served on w. S. KaIe and E. b. Guild.
tenants of the Crawford theater build
ing. The garnishment proceedings were
brought by Quinton & Quinton as at
torneys for Mr.. L B. Kendall of Den
yer who holds a mortgage judgment of
$4,000 against Mr.. Crawford. The plea
made in the petition is that at the fore
closure sale of the Grand Opera House
on September 26, the property will not
bring more than $4,000, the amount of
the first mortgage, and that Mr. Ken
dali will be left with the judgment Of
$4,000 on his hands
This is the first step. The second one.
If it is taken and is successful, will
probably bring out all of Manager
Crawford's fighting blood and L. NJ. Craw-
ford is a good fighter. The threat is
made that the box office receipts at
every performance given at the Craw-
ford theater in the future will be at
tached under the judgment held by Mr..
Kendall.
If this plan can be carried out it is
expected to have the effect of causing
the Crawford theater to close it's doors.
Whether 1t VIII or not remains to be
seen. 1t is quite certain that the people
of Topeka will seriously object to being
deprived of theatrical entertainment by
legal fight or any other way. The
contemplated move is a shrewd one
and means a proposed attempt to force
Manager Crawford out of business and
secure a monopoly of the theatrical
rsQTl n
Opera House.
But in the matter of shrewd moves
Manager Crawford is himself not no.
vice, and if the. attempt is made it will
precipitate bitter fight between him
and the parties interested in the Grand
Opera House property.
If the Crawford theater as a theater
could be forced out of existence it is
thought it would be an easy matter for
the management of the Grand Opera
House to secure the attractions already
booked for this city this season. It is
with this view in mind that Mr. Ken
dali is directing his attorneys. The
Grand needs thousands of dollars worth
of repairs before it will be in condition
for business.
The Grand Opera House will be sold
under the foreclosure proceedings on
September 26. There are no prospective
purchasers of the property and in self
defense Mr.. Kendall will have to buy it
in. He will probably bid the theater
in at the amount of the first mortgage,
$4,000, and will still hold the second
mortgage Judgment of $4,000
Arrangements have practically been
made for Mr.. James L. King, the pres
ent receiver, to manage the house dur
ing this season. It is understood that
Mr.. King is willing to take the position.
AS the matter now stands it is Mr..
CrawfOrd's next move. The rents from
MesSrs. KaIe and Guild are due tomor-
row, but under the garnishment pro-
ceedings cannot be collected unless
some further action is taken.
If Mr. Kendall in his
ent intentions interesting developments
may be looked for.