Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-06
Plot Hinges on a Demand For
Rent.
ALL STARS in THE CAST
Scene Laid In Court Room. and tie
Scenery in Evidence by Ref
ererce Only.

atoms, which night be aptly termed
The Grand Opera House Muddle," was
~rehearsed before Judge Knowles In the
United States court today. The star
performers were James A. Murray, who
has acquired a fumd of valuable expe-
rience since he became the reputed
owner OF the Grand opera house; John
Mcguire, who figured in the historic past
as a caterer to the amusement loving
public of Butte, and who, Dame Rumor
says, will at no distant date resume his
old position as manager, and George o.
Mcfarland, the present manager, who
has been requested by Mr.. Murray to
contribute $500 per month for the use of
the furniture and fixing Of the Grand
opera house.
The prompters were Judge Mediation,
attorney for Mr.. Murray; John F. For
bis and ]. o. Bender, officers Of the
Grand Opera House company and at
torneys on the other side. Other char
acteTs In the play were John O'ROurke,
who formerly held a chattel mortgage
ON the personal property Of the opera
house and who was the comedian Of the
play; -. -. Chapman, treasurer Of the
Grand Opera House company and Mr..
Murray's confidential property man, and
Captain Louis p. Sanders, the receiver,
'NAS WN0 ~ "a IN y
court to collect the rents due the Grand
Opera House company. 4
While the stage accessories were alb
sent, h atmosphere of the court room
was redolent Of scenic effects in which
railway cars, Gothic arches, corner gro
cerieS, deep sea and tropical scenes,
steamers, phantom ships and kitchen
fre-places figured.
They were introduced by Mr.. Murray's
attorney for the purpose of showing that
they were not in IN way attached to the
building and could be used in any other
place OF amusement or stored in a ware.
house IL necessary.
The first scene opened with G. o. Nc !
Farland in the character of q witness.
It seems that about a mont ago Mr..
Mcfarland, who had been paying his
rental to Receiver Sanders, received a
notice from James A.. Murray. Mr.. MUIR
ay' notice was in effect that he was
the owner Of all the personal property !
n fixtures Of the opera house and that, |
beginning with February, he would de-
mand a monthly rental of $500 for the
use OF same. payable in advance. In the
event OF Mr.. McFarland's refusal to
comply with the demand, Mr.. Murray
threatened to remove all the seats, AK
lures and scenery from the opera house.
J. O. Bender OF the Grand Opera House
company Immediately applied to the ,
United States court for an injunction to
signs.
Nj. Mcfarland, after being sworn ac-
cording to due process of law, said that
he had been manager Of the Grand Opera
house since Nov. 1898. He had had about
five years experience in conducting
opera houses in Butte and Great Falls.
time in the latter part of 1898 he
had secured a lease of the Butte house
from the Grand Opera house company.
lease was offered n evidence and was
objected to by Judge Mediation on the
ground that 1t did not state who was the
owner Of the PERSONAL property mention
in the lease.
In reply to q question p%ropounded by
Murray, MIR. Mcfarland said that his
transactions had been conducted with Mr..
The witness was not present
when the lease was signed. An inventory
OF the seats, fixtures, scenery, ETC., had
been taken by Mr.. Chapman an employee
Of MI. Murray's bank. The witness ad-
mitted that he was not familiar with the
value OF the property in question as he
had never purchased any supplies. About
Inc Slst day of January he had been
served with a notice, written by Mr..
Chapman for Mr.. Murray, in which II
stated that Receiver Sanders had no
authority from hic to collect the rental
Tor h furniture and that If Mr.. McFar-
and would agree to pay $500 per month
N advance he could retain the use of it.
The witness said he had not paid any
'ent since that time.
Did Mr.. Murray inform you that he
was the owner Of all the personal prop
cray In the opera house?" Mr.. Mcfarland
Vas asked.
II do not recall that he said SO. Some
.hing might w been said, but I do not
'emember now"
Were you advised that the house and
OF We're owned by the Grand Opera !.
company"
YES" Il
did not Mr.. Murray at that time state
o you that he was the owner of the per-
'onal property" /,
H may have done so.' +,
Captain Louis r. Sanders, the receiver. ,
estified that on the last day of January
le mad been served with a notice stating
nat MI. Murray was the owner of all the
PERSONAL property n that witness must :
'ay $500 for the use of same until further !
office. !
John O'Rourke, a former president Of !
ne Grand Opera house Co., who stated :
at present he held no interest in the
ompany detailed some of the early his I
Dry or the opera house troubles. About &
en- years e he had obtained a mort Z
age from Mr.. Mcguire on some chairs I
the theater. He had given Mr.. !
laguire the money to purchase the $
hairs n had taken a chattel mortgage q
n h same. This mortgage had been !.
atisf1ed by Mr.. Mcguire.
when you were a trustee of the Grand ?
pefa mousse company you claimed this