The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-23


Miles. one of the most widely known the
atrical managers in his time in the coun-
try. 1t was for him that the old Mozart
building was remodeled and made into the
Grand Opera House The building belongs
to Mrs. Charles p. Taft, whose husband is
the proprietor of the Times-Star. 1t was
bought by her father. the late David Sim
ton, from the old Catholic Institute. about
thirty years ago, for s200,0O0 The additions
that had been made 10 II since that time
are probably balanced by decrease in val
uation in real estate, so that the loss may
be put at $4,000. II is estimated that the
lessees have an interest in the building
representing their outlay in fitting it up
amounting to $4,000 or $4,000 which is COW
cred by insurance.
The principal losers in the Butler build
ing are the American Engraving Company;
Achert & Henckel Engraving Company,
who occupy the upper floor; the Bruner
Woolen Company. on the next floor, and s..
Rosenthal. printer; Proctor G. Collier, ad-
vertising; Max Wocher & Son, surgical in
struments; Ilsen & Co.. music publishers;
Rausch & Goldsmith and S. Silver, op-
tician. The loss TO the greater number of
these is from water. The Ilsen Music Com
pany report a loss of $4,000. The loss on
the others will probably reach $4,000 to
100000. There was no insurance on the
Grand Opera House building.
In the front portion of the Opera House
building. on the first floor. the National
Cash Register Company had its quarters.
Nearly all of its stock was removed. 1t
e Jo, In
merchant tailor, occupied a large store
room on the first floor on Vine street. His
stock was slightly damaged by water, the
fire being confined to the other part of the
building The Cincinnati Gymnasium have
an insurance of but $1,000 on the property,
which was worth $4,000. Ilsen & Co.'S in
surance is Sl2 600 and Rausch & Goldsmith
500
Across the street from the Butler build
ing and the Gifts engine house is the Pal
ace Hotel. 1t required all the skill of the
manager to prevent a panic among the
guests. A few of the most nervous did
have their trunks taken down stairs, but
the bulk of them were brave enough to re-
main in the hotel
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
vanced concerning the origin OF the hre.
Mr. Charles Schmalastig. secretary of the
Sinton estate, said: II was in the theater
about sos o'clock seated in the balcony,
left side front row. / glanced below and
saw the flames below the stage, and hastily
went to investigate. Reaching the boiler
room found everything all right. BY this
time people had become alarmed and were
hastily leaving though in no excited rush.
l believe the fire started in the electrical
room by crossing of wires. We will rebuild
and be ready for next season.
Mr.. Michael Gavin. general manager of
the stage part of the house blamed the fire
on the "supers," who ne said were prob
ably smoking down stairs. Peter Nc
Carthy, guardian of the actresses dressing
rooms, said that the fire did not start in a
dressing room.
Probably the most danger was expert
enced by the occupants of the gymnasium.
They were in a remote upper part of the
building far removed from the origin of
the fire and with no means of quick COM
munication with the theater proper. Many
Of the members we're engaged in exercising
some in the bath and all of them in their
gymnasium costumes. There was more or
less panic in this part of the building when
the alarm reached the gymnasium. Many
of the members rushed down the stairway
half clad, while others were rescued by
fire ladders. At one time there was a
rumor that one or two of them had been
hurt, but it was not confirmed.
Mr.. Sothern spent some time after TAX
ing his wife to her hotel in the vicinity of
the fire. He announced that he expected to
meet his next engagement at Detroit as
usual. Mrs. Sothern, who rendered heroic
assistance to the ladies near the stage by
helping them to escape in that way. COM
pletely collapsed after the excitement was
over and had to be taken to her room.
Years ago private entrance was erected
leading from the Gifts Engine House into
the balcony of the .theater. This was done
for the double purpose of securing assist
ance in case of fire and Of affording the
members of the fire company an oppor-
tunity to become the guests of the opera
house. Tonight this entrance served ar
excellent purpose in affordng means OF
escape to the occupants of that portion OF
the balcony.