The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-23
SOTHERN IN A FIRE.
Opera House Burns While Heels
Playing Hamlet.

Cincinnati, Jan. 23.-The Grand Opera
House was last night totally destroyed
by fire, except its outer walls. The play
set for the night was Hamlet by the
E. H Sothern company. Owing to its
great length the play began at 7:45 D.
m. The house was packed by a bril-
liant audience. The first act had been
finished and in the second Mr.. Sothern
acting the part of Hamlet had spoken
but a few lines when a slight disturb
ance was observed in the orchestra seats
about fourth row from the orchestra on
the south side of the center aisle. II
was caused by a Slight issue of smoke
at that point. An usher went down the
aisle and quietly asked the people to be
seated, saying there was nothing wrong,
Mr.. SOthern at this point stepped to the
front Of the stage and also assured the
audience that everything was right. To
further remove apprehension Mr.. Soth-
ern resumed his part but before he had
spoken two lines the smoke issued in
Such volumes that there was a SpOn-
taneous movement of the people in it's
vicinity. Without further order or sug-
geStiOn or advice one of the most re-
markable scenes ever witnessed in
crowded auditorium took place. 1t was
as if the whole situation had been re-
Vealed to every person in the house and
without a single shout or anything else
indicating a leader, dispersal Of the au-
dlence began and was carried out with
as much order and composure as if no
such thing as fire had ever been known
In the lower part of the house the
abundant passage of Vine street gave
an easy egress to the greater part of the
audience. A large number seated near
the orchestra were assisted by the actors
and actresses to mount the stage and to
make their exit by the stage door on
Longworth street
Mr.. Sothern estimates his loss at $780,
600. His company was compelled to
reach the streets clad in their costumes
and to lose the greater portion of their
personal effects left in the theater. As
late as 10 o'clock the upper part of the
Vine street 'front.' was still burning. This
portion of the building was occupied by
the Cincinnati gymnasium, which had
a costly equipment. Adjoining the rear
of the opera house, separated by the
alley, is the large Butler building. The
fire entered this at the upper stories and
the roof and the two upper floors Of that
building were practically destroyed The
upper portion of the Gifts engine house,
which adjoins the Butler building, was
seriously damaged by the fire.
It is estimated that the lessees, Ran
forth & Havelin. had an interest in the
building representing their outlay in
fitting it up, amounting to $4,000 or $780,
000
The principal losers in the Butler
building are the American Engraving
company, Achort q Henkel Engraving
company, who occupy the upper floor,
the Bruner Wooden company. on the
next floor, and S. Rosenthal, printer,
Protocor & Collin, advertising. Max
Woocher & Son, Rauch & Goldsmith.
Silver, optician- The loss to the greater
number is from water. The Isen Music
company report a loss of $25.O00 The
loss to the others will probably reach
SIS 900 to $100 00O There was no insur-
ance on the Grand opera house build
ing, on which the loss is $500, 900. Mrs
Charles P. Taft is the owner. The the
alter will be rebuilt. Mr.. Sothern an
nounced that he expected to meet his
next engagement at Detroit as usual.