Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-12
THAT OPERA HOUSE.
Work Likely to Commence on It
During This Winter.
II. PaTers OF incorporation Being Drawn
Some Of The Talk.

Seldom has anything met with such
a general feeling Of satisfaction and
pleasure as the news in Monday $
Journal that the Opera House block
had been purchased by DR.. J. +. Hill
for the purpose of being retinished into
an opera house. The journal has had
several very good things TO announce
in the past week. one of which was
the possible building of an addition on
the post Office that seems 50 very like
ly, the bill already being in Congress
for a 500, 600 appropriation for the
same. This, too, was received with
pleasure, meaning what it does to the
city.
The opera house question is the one,
however. where the people are tender.
1t is the source of amusement and
when people have been deprived of II
for time they begin to look forward
to anything that inSureS the good
things of former years. The public has
been watching the tide of the opera
house question since the beginning OF
the rumor week or more ago, ana
this climax pleased them probably
more than anything else. When peo-
ole have a thing in view they like -
have il at once and dislike to walt
The building Of new building would
necessitate the waiting until another
wear for the work. but the purchase Of
the building all ready for the inside fin
ish is different. ana il can he COM
rnerccd On sooner. beside being much
shorter task.
When the news If the purchase ~
the block by Or. Hill was read the
public began to inquire Of each other
ana the Journal about the time when
tn" work would be undertaken.
Hon. /. 9. Nickcry, one of tn" com
uqny represented by DIR. Hill. threw
some light on the matterby saying thar
the articles of Incorporation are al
ready being drawn UP by Hon. II. NJ.
Heath and the iucorporators Will soon
meet for the organization and discus
sion of plans Then will occur tn"
looking over of the architects plans
and the decision as to when and where
york shall b. commenced. There will
ho no trouble i'm placing the stock. a
the greater part is already placed,
The evidence of the investment being
good on" is enough t" insure tn" dis
uosaI If what little stock the few pro
motora wish to place.
Subscriptions have been received for
more than the amount Of the preferred
stock which viii y" 35.oo0n. while
about oue-half Of the $1,000 common
stock IL also taken. Any"n" desiring
u secure some ~ the remaining stock
viii have an opportunity to a. 50.
The public must HAY" confidence in
a place in order t. patroniZc freely. 50
the promoters believe, ana they will
in consequence thoroughly repair ana
strengthen the south wal Of the build
ing. which does not look very hand
some. even though the experts pro
nouncc it firm and sufficient in struc-
ttIre to hold what little weight there IS
upon it. The weight of the stage alone
rests upon this. However, the wall Will
he made to conform with the others.
Il is not known just what the plans
in the reconstruction are. In the hall
itself ii is understood the arrangement
will ho about the sam" as b"tor" ana
Mr.. Nickery said il is probable thal
SO 900 or more will be expended. max
ing the place equal in beauty and con-
stl.lIctfon to what it was before 1t was
burned in 1896. The work here Will not
be great il is believed. as tn" stand
a ids for the gallery are still standing
ana the ilnpr and stage are Stll! ~
place. almost intact. one thing that
General Haynes did when he placed
the new roof upon the building was I"
raise il about six feet higher than be
fore. So that the stage would be bet
TAR Before it was difficult to manage
scenery On account Of the height, but
this additional space gives ample room.
The architect in making his new plans
HAS 50 il is said, overcome some 81
the faults that existed in the Oh
opera house.
The entrances will be made Of the
most modern type, broad and as safe
III possible The entire building Will
also he strengthened in the new plans.
~ an interior set Of steel piers has
bocn planned upon. TIL" cntir" weight
! will he brought to bear upon tines" m
| stead Of resting on tn" walls OF the
! building.
! MIR. Vickery thought it possible, Mon
| d3v. that the work might begin. this
winter. On the interior work. 50 that
/ bv eprin,r the south wall can he re
paired and the building ready for "r-
/ cl1pancy sometime during tn" early
/ summer or possibly not until the
! theatre season arrives.