Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-05-09
OPERA HOUSE IN RUINS.
Lexington's Sole Public Hall Destroyed
By FIRE En- emen Do Good Work.

Lexington's Sole Public Hall Destroyed
By FIRE -Fiemen Do Good Work.
Lexington was visited by costly
and destructive fire Sunday. About
daybreak that morning tie Lexington
Opera House was discovered 10 be on
fire. Owing to the unreasonable hour
and the lack of facilities for givip g
the alarm, the fsmes had gained great
Roadway ere those OF the fremen who
had been aroused by the primitive vocal
alarm arrived on the scene, the frame
addition in the rear where the blaze
evidently originated, Icing practically
consumed.
/ However the stout hearted and well
drilled volunteers got quickly to work,
and soon Rad the devouring element
under control. Their service in con-
fning the flames to the already doomed
building was highly praisewoithy in
view OF the inAammable character and
close proximity of the adjoining struct-
ures. The boys made a hard and
stubborn fight and won. Hose Com
plnies Nos. and 2, under the direc.
ton of Grief Young and Captains 81. |
A. Charlton ard ]. Fl, Tolley, were
placed in front and on the north side of
the bui' ding, while No. 3 Hose Com
pany, under the supervision of Assist.
ant Chief Beckwith and Captain Fl. q.
Bowyer, operated on the south side
and rear. Several times the adjacent
property was on the point OF isniting,
which was only averted by tie efficient
and prompt action of the 6remen.
The frame addition in the rear was
reduced to ashes. The main building |
of brick on the upper story is in IRE
deemabls ruins. The ground floor,
occupied as bowling alley, is prac-
tically intact.
The origin Of the fire is a mystery.
When Dir. E. r. Funkhouser, manager
Of the bowling alley, locked up at IL
o'clock Saturday night everything in
The building seemed to be as usual.
Several superstition, have been adj
7arct done is that the fire originated
rom the electric wires, and another
hat a match or Gle arctic stub care
essly dropped among rubbish started
5be blaze, but there is no definite
cause known.
The building and conteats were
owned by M John P. Welsh, and
here is an etimated loss on.them OF
BIC, GOO, with So. 500 insurance. This
will be remembered as the
Southern Methodist church, which was
Ibandoned by thai congregation upon
emovsl to theii modern edi6ce ON
Main street. One Inclined to remin-
scence could weave long and inter-
sting story Of its traditions and mem
,ries. The property was acquired by
joint stock company during the
Doom days and converted into public
lal and bowling alley by the building
# front and rear extensions and the
GENERAL reconstruction of the interior.
Is a fiLan cial venture it is claimed to
AVE been failure.
All day Sunday curious grouIs OF
,eople were attracted to the scene and
,arious were the comments made !
.mong them one that '1t was queer
olnciden ce that a church converted
MO an cperahouse should be destroyed
~ fire on the Lords Day"
Monday afternoon the ruins were
till smoulderjng to such an extent that
t as thought advisable to bring o
stream of water 10 b.ar upon them,
which a detail OF fremen accordingly
lid, and the last vestige of the flames
was extinguished.