Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-02
BIC THEATER CONSUMED.
Historic Academy of Music at
Brooklyn Destroyed.
CAUSED BY EXPLOSION
The Loss Is 100000 and No Insurance
Was Carried-Public Library
in Danger.

New York, Nov. Bottle historic
Academy of Music, the largest theater
in Brooklyn, was completely consumed
been caused by an explosion in the build
ing. For a time the flames threatened
adjoining property and when the roof
fell in part Of it struck a saloon building
adjoining, but so far as is known no one
was hurt, although the saloon was de-
stroyed. The loss was estimated at
100000. No insurance was carried.
Starts on the Stage.
The fire started in the scenery on the
stage of the theater, where number or
men were preparing for the testimonial
be given there tonight For some I'M
known reason the fire department was
tardy in arriving on the scene and 1t
was fully fifteen minutes before they
had a stream on the building. 1t was
then discovered that the stream could
the roof. Within half an hour after the
discovery of the fire the entire building
was roaring furnace and the fremen
were bending all their efforts to saving
the surrounding property.
The Academy, which was an antlqHat-
ed building, constructed in 1860 Of brick,
sandstone and wood, offered no resistance
to the flames.
Public Library Threatened.
1t was located in the heart of the finan-
cial district. Opposite on Montague
over 100000 volumes. The wind was
blowing in that direction and great fears
were expressed for its safety.
The "Way Down East" company occu-
pied the theater all last week. but their
scenery and effects were taken out late
Saturday night. The building was owned
by a stock company.
The banquet to Senator McCarren viii
be held tonight as scheduled and will be
given at the Hotel ST. George.
Brooklyn theaters have had many ex-
periences with fires in the past The
worst was that Of the Brooklyn theater
which was destroyed in 1875, when 29S
mann's theater was totally consumed, but
no lives were lost.
Boy Nay Have Perished.
Later it was reported that boy, who
was employed in the bowling alley in the
saloon adjoining the Academy, was miss
ing.
Since it's erection OH the eve of the
Civil war the Academy of Music has been
the scene of many notable and historic
gatherings, one Of the first being the
great fair held in 1868 for the benefit of
the United States sanitary commission
which netted thousands of dollars for sick
end wounded soldiers Many political
gatherings Of note were held there. and
nearly every prominent political leader Of
the last half century has spoken from its
stage David B. Hill delivered his noted
Il am Democrat" utterance there.
Booths Last Appearance There.
Henry NJ. Stanley, after finding DIR.
Livingston in Africa, delivered his first
lecture on the expedition in the Academy,
and Edwin Booth made his last appear
ance there as Hamlet. Wagner's "Parsi-
fal' was given its first presentation in
this country in the Academy, Anton Seidl
being in charge, and Theodore Thomas in
PRODUCED many famous artists to Ameri-
can audiences within its walls
Lutheran College Burned.
Marshalltown, Ia, Nov. Bottle main
building Of the Jewell Lutheran college
at Jewell Junction was destroyed by fire
today. Bert Meland-of Randall, Ia, is
missing. Several students had narrow
escapes. The loss on the building is es-
timated at $4,000: insurance, 81, 900.