Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-04
AN OPERA HOUSE.
Latest Developments in the
Plans Being Discussed.
General Haynes Says He Will Sell
to a Stock Company.
Augusta Capitalists Talk CT Purchasinq-A
New Building Also Suggested.

Does Augusta want an opera house ?
From the existing condition, it can
safely be said that she does. just enter
into conversation with an Augustan
who ever visits a play house, and see
what he or she says. 1t won't take
long to learn just how the land lays. II
a place of amusement where first class
performances can be given in a first
class manner.
Ever since the beautiful opera house
was burned in 1897, there has been a
constant demand for a play house bet
ter than we have. City hall is all right
for conventions. though it is said to be
decidedly hard to speak from the stage
there, but it is Of no use for a theatri-
cal or musical production. Meonian
hall is all right for amateur theatrical
and for small hop, but outside of this
ii is of no use whatever. The stage is
small, the hall is not properly venti-
lated, the seats are abominable and the
chance of escape in case of fire are so
few that il would be a terrible thing in
case one broke out with people in the
place.
The winter Of 1897 was not lively
one in Augusta entertainment circles,
and the few productions given here
We're not well attended The winter of
1898 was somewhat better, and beside
being more entertainments there was
better attendance This season has
opened auspiciously. The people are
getting play hungry. and they will go
to anything. The productions in Me
oman hall have met with unlimited
success for u hall OF its size and de-
scription. where many will not go.
Then. t. cap all the production Of thu
minstrcls in City hall. and the great at
tendance of Augusta's people. has mad
them eager for a good place to go and
enjoy an evening. There seems 10 b.
no doubt now but that a good theatri-
cal house, we'll managed. with good
productions could succeed as in the
days of the beautiful opera house.
Rumors of idea for the building of
an opera house have been unusually
thick and we'll founded of late. They
We're not. as many Of the past two
years have been, but men Of means
have been talking seriously Of tn
"a, stinn.
chief of ali have been two plans be
hind which is capital, the one which
perhaps looks the nearest to a reality
is that Of rebuilding Of the old opera
house by a stock company. General ].
Nj. Haynes. the owner Of the property.
in an interview with the Journal. said
he favored the plan immensely, and
would assist in every way possible.
Then other OF Augusta's substantial
business men have said they had
thought seriously Of it,
II have wanted to rebuild for a long
time" said General Haynes. But to
tell YOU the truth about it. | have held
off just on the account of having So
much other business II which | had to
attend. 1t would mean a great deal Of
personal care to undertake to have it
rebuilt. ana to have ii on ones hands.
| have been through it before ana do
not care, with all my other business.
to again attempt it. However the plan
that has been suggested to me within
the past few days meets with my APP
prevail and | will aid it the best | can
1t is that Of forming a stock company
to purchase the opera house and of
that company's rebuilding and manag-
ing the place afterwards. | do not care
10 be associated as an active member
in this, as | have had all the opera
house managing | care to have.
Il was approached, the other day by
one Of Augustus capitalists. with the
proposition that | sell the house to 1
stock company and this | will do at an
exceedingly reasonable figure. The
worn after that would not be great"
How are the walls Of the building
since the fire. inquired the Journal.
They are perfectly substantial. as |
have had them tested and inspected
several times. and every time they
have been pronounced as being all
right. This would not bother in the
least. and nothing bur the interior
work would have to be attended to.
80 far as plans 60 for the constructing
Of the opera house in the unfinished part
of the building, they are all ready to be-
gin work at once according to their speci-
fcations The architect who originally
made the plans for The building has been
here since it burned ana he has the plans
for the rebuilding all made. These could
be obtained Of him if they pleased.
Yes, | will heartily cooperate with
any plan that may be brought forward
that will take the matter from my hands
ana bring about the construction Of
new opera house. ! would have done it
myself before this but fur the reasons tina
| have given. but | VIII now give per
fectly satisfactory terms for the sale of