davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
The Architects.

The firm of KEGS & Colburn, archi-
tects, designers of the new Orpheum
theater, have achieved many similar
triumphs in the local as well as other
fields. Among the buildings Of es-
pecial note which they have planned
and seen erected in Minneapolis
during the past. few years, have
been the Chamber Of Commerce,
the big Gb building occupied by the
Thresher Co. building. the Great
Northern Implement Co. building, the
Dement, Darling Co. building, the Emer-
struction, the beautiful and famous
Donaldson Glass Block, the residence
Of Charles M. Harrington, the Powers
Arcade, Northwestern National Bank,
and many others.
In planning the Orpheum Theater
building, the architects prepared for a
building which should be as near to be-
ing, absolutely freproof as any building
in the Twin Cities. Their achievement
respect. Not only is the amount Of com
bustible material in the theater re-
duced to a minimum never before
reached in local building, but the ,archi-
tects have arranged heating plant
which is outside the main building and
is separated from it by a two-foot wall,
thru which there is but one connecting
door, and that made of iron.
The general style Of the building is
in the French Renaissance and the eff
feet is most impressive. While this is
Colburn in the designing Of theaters,
their present success causes them to
contemplate further activity in this di-
rection. @
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
e Orpheu1n- Minneapolis Home of Polite Vaudeville

toiling day and night to bring around
the satisfactory results Of having
to representative of The Journal
Mr.. McIvor said: elf we were not so
well acquainted with the nature of
theatrical decorations we would never
have completed in time, but our expert
ence on the seventy-fve or eighty the
aters, both in the east and west, which
we have decorated in the last few years,
gives us many advantages which can
only be learned from experience
The decorations as executed by L. A.
McIvor & Co. are some of the hand
soonest of their kind in the northwest.
The proscenium arch affords good
grounds for study. The entire arch is
done in Turkey red, surmounted by
handsomely designed stucco work in
green and gold. Three panels are in
geniously arranged over the top of the
arch, each life size study and exc
cuted in oil colors by workmen perma-
nently employed by McIvor. Both the
ornamental plaster work and paintings
were done on the premises. The tapes:
try curtains afford another item of in
terest as against the Turkey red these
green tapestries surmounted in gold
give a most brilliant and artistic effect.
The foyer is also beautifully worked
out in design which gives a charming
appearance. L. A. McIvor & Co. s eff
forts are most praiseworthy and they
can rest assured Of the congratulations
of all the theater patrons. -
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
Splendid Heating and Plumbing Sys-
tenn.

H. Kelly & Co. installed the heating,
plumbing, gas fitting and ventilation
and sprinkling system for fire protec-
tion. The heating system is composed
Of direct and indirect radiation and
there is a constant flow Of fresh air
entering the building through one
thousand feet or coil, discharged from
large registers which are located along
the outside corridors, and perfect ven
tilation is secured.
The plumbing is modern, up-toda
and perfect in every detail. The
sprinkling system is complete in every
detail. There are two large standpipes
on either side Of the stage and con-
nected just below the roof Twenty
six perforated e-inch pipes, about six
feet apart, cover the entire stage. There
are quick-opening gate valves on the
first floor, and in case Of fire, these are
turned on, and a deluge is effected
which flames could not resist. Besides
this on the first floor Of the stage,
there are two ffty-foot 212-inch hose
outfits, and including those for the
dressing-rooms and wings, there are,
on the stage alone, seven hose connec-
lions.
On the main floor of the theater,
there are four hose connections, and
three each on the balcony and gallery.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
The Fireproof Doors.

The Fireproof Door company whose
doors constitute one of the principal
safeguards entering into the construc-
ton of the Orpheum is modern local
institution whose fame is probably
greater abroad than it is at home.
Having the patent on single piece
stamp the Fireproof Door company
manufactures a door with copper COW
e ers, on the body of wood and asbestos.
This combination prevents the door
from buckling or bending under ex-
IRENE heat and permits a beautifully
finished paneled exterior. The doors
placed in nearly every part of the Or
pheum are prominent features in the
scheme Of decoration and have, in ad-
ditio!n, received the praise of thu, build
ing inspector, fire department officials,
who examined the building this morning.
The Fireproof Door company's doors.
found in the most prominent office and
public buildings from New York to San
Francisco, and are to be seen here in
the Phoenix and many other buildings
besides the Orphellm
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
AFTER MORE PRIZES
Minnesota Livestock to Be Shown at
Chicago Exposition.

After having taken first place in al
most every contest ever entered Min
-nesota will make an effort to take first
prize at the International Livestock ex-
position to be held at the Union Stock
yards in Chicago, Nov. 26 to Dec. 3.
The state school Of agriculture will
enter twelve steers, thirteen sheep and
sixteen hogs in the fat stock division
of the exposition. -.,- .~. ...
The exhibit will be headed by "Clear
Lake Jute,' steer that took second
prize at last years exposition. This
animal is an exceptionally fine speci-
men, and many persons were disap-
pointed last year when he was not given
first place. Good Judges of cattle say
that he is better this year and that he
will certainly be awarded first place.
But one entry will be made in the
breeding division, as the state school
makes no pretengMe,s of superior r, grade a. IN
Galloway bull, said to be almost per-
feet specimen of his breed.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
New Play Appointments Modern Detail With
Every Provision for Comfort and Saety Opening Tonight
Marks Epoch in the History Northwestern Amusements

it is still standing,' said Mr.. Hender-
son today with smile.
Had the knowledge of this record
been more general bets that the Mime
apolis Orpheum would not be ready to
open tonight would not have been taken
so freely. When Mr.. Henderson ar
rived in the wane of the summer the
contractors offered to turn over the
house Nov. l. It's completion so early
as Oct. % is one of the won lers of the
local building world. To that end work
gether that elbows touched. BY in
creasing the force of workmen, and not
by sighting the work, the event set for
tonight will come off on time The pub
lie is ready and so is the Orpheum. -
Absolutely Fire SAFE. 49,:
Chicago's theater disaster had oc.
CURED before the Minneapolis Orpheum
plan was fully rounded out. The full
import Of the warning that even sup
poscdly "fireproof' houses offered
deathly dangers. was accepted at full
value by the management and it was
determined that the Minneapolis Or
pheum should be absolutely fire safe, -
as MT. Beck expressed it at the time.
His theory was that house which was
fire safe was doubly safe.
Instead of fireproof building, al&e,
in which panic-stricken, audience
might be smothered by a smudge, it's
walls should be punctured with count
less direct exits. Orders have been car
ried out to the letter and the Orpheum
theater can be emptied without sign
of rush in one and one-half minutes.
The audience of 1000 can be taken
from the house before possible fire or
a chance panic can get any Roadway,
thru the twenty-one separate and dis
tinct exits. And that is not all the
protection offered.
All Sorts of Protection.
One of the chief dangers to an ex-
cited crowd is from the gorging or
bottle-necking Of the passageways.
On ordinary occasions the surging of
the people from the different parts of
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
Asbestos Curtain the Best.

Absolute fire protection is afforded
the audience between the stage and
auditorium by the Asbestos Fire Proof
curtain furnished by the Keasbey
Mattison Co. Of Minneapolis. This firm
is well known for their extensive manu-
facture Of fire curtains from asbestos
and have supplied the Orpheum with
one of their best makes, which is second
to none in the country. The cloth is
made of fine strands of brass wire insu-
lated by a heavy coating of asbestos
tightly wound, and then woven closely,
thus forming a protection which no fire
can overcome. AS a demonstration of
this a blowpipe was used against the
curtain for period of one and one
quarter minutes last week. The curtain
became red-hot from the intense heat,
but remained intact in every detail, the
spot not being detected after cooling.
This exhibition was witnessed by Mayor
Haynes, Chief Canterbury, the owners
Of the theater, architects and builder,
and. all expressed their approval of the
qualities existing.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
The Marble and Tile Work.

The Northwestern Mantel Company,
4s and 4H1 o Sixth hc s 6sse r city bs
magnificent marble and mosaic work
which they put into the rotunda; Every
one who saw the entrance last Monday
will be startled to note the change to-
night. The floor was one mass of de-
bris and in a most deplorable condi-
ton. Scafolding stood here and there,
obstructing the free performance Of
work, and busy workmen swarmed
above on the scaffolding. Despite these
obstacles, the expert workmen of the
Northwestern Mantel Company were
laying the solid floor Of mosaic work
which requires the utmost skill and
care. Within five days these men have
completed the work peri ectly. This
work is especially exquisite, being a
background Of tiny white tiles care
fully inlaid and surmounted by figures
inlaid at intervals. A border effect of
red in a special design sets it off with
tone and beauty. The walls Of the TO-
tunda are made of the finest italian
marble, which, in connection with the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

the house thru common exits is lncon-
venient and uncomfortable. In the Or
pheum all such abuses Of the public IS
good nature are avoided by giving the
gallery, the balcony and the main floor
entrances. For emergency &C.
casions, in addition to the regular. exits,
outside iron stairways lead from the up
doors open directly on cement paved
private alleys at either side Of the the
alter. &c.. =. r.: l..r,.. -,'
Close attention has been paid also to
freproof details. Wood does not enter
into the construction except in the trim
mings and in few places where it's
use is absolutely necessary. The &C.
ment floors are covered with maple
flooring and the center Of the stage is
wooden to permit the cutting Of traps.
The main floor is Of concrete laid di-
rectly on the earth. The floors Of the
orchestra and boxes are concrete slabs.
The stairways are Of iron and concrete
and are separated by heavy brick walls.
Between the stage and the theater is
heavy frewall, experimenting the as
bestos drop The sceneroom, leading
from the right of the stage, is in a
separate brick building. The dressing
rooms are also in separate building at
the left. The heating plant has been
p1dcou uuueISiOuuuN III D. COuCI0tO anu
brick cellar apart from the main house.
The facings of nearly all parts Of the
auditorium are of marble, cement,
stucco, or some non-inhammable ma
terial. Dangerous and unsanitary cur
tains have been eliminated entirely
from the main scheme of decoration.
To prevent an indraft Of fame in case
fire should originate on the stage, the
architects have provided large sky
light above the gridiron of the stage
loft as a counterdraft.
After the safety of patrons the Or
pheum company next planned for their
comfort. Respectful attendants have
been employed from the carriage men
at the front, whom the public first
meets, to the stage hands, whom the
public never meets. The usual box
office troubles will be obviated by the
pse uof labor saving ticket devices and
e.eminently by the employment OF
genial and interested ticket sellers. In
the lounging-rooms will be, found ladies
waiting maids, skilled. in their knowl
edge Of furbelows and the intricacies
Of toilet, and as a novel feature matt
nee mothers will find a nurse girl to
superintend the antics Of the hopefuls
while maternal solicitude is momen
tarily effaced by, eare-free enjoyment
Of the stage performance. Manly
youths will deal out the bills Of the
vaudeville and gentlemanly ushers viii
deliver the seatholders with the suavity
Of accustom. Upstairs in luxuriou.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

escape running from the floor Of the
engineroom to the ground above-and
if fire does occur there the employees
can go up the fire escape instead OF
down. 9
In this connection it is interesting
from the gallery and the balcony to
the ground are entirely independent Of
each other. They are entirely Of iron
and are five feet wide, with a hand
rail on each side. AS there are two
on each side Of the building, and there
are 600 steps in them altogether, 5000
persons could easily stand on them at
the same time.
One detail of considerable Importance
has been attended to, and that is the
one which prevents fire from reaching
those on the fire escapes. Each fire
escape is so constructed with relation
to the walls as to make it Impossible
for fire breaking out thru windows or
doors to reach the people who might be
descending.
than two months in the summer, and it
is expected that due persuasion will
result in the management consent to
give the people Of Minneapolis summer
Entertainment. Martin Beck, the man
ager, has just returned from tour
thru the east and west and abroad
brushing up the agents Of the company
and nosing out the best attractions the
continent, and the world, for that mat
ter, produces.
On his last trip in May Mr.. Beck
secured special European novelties fol
ary he goes again for suitable attrac-
tions for the spring and summer sea.
son. Altho Mr.. Henderson IS headquar-
tiers are in New York, the general Of:
fees of the company, it is predicted
that he will be the Minneapolis man
ager for the season at least. The beau.
ties Of Minneapolis park drives appeal
astic automobilist, and it is believed
he will eventually bring his family
from their Denver home to live in the
fO11r CITY,
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

mosaic work, gives the entrance an ap-
pearance of richness and elegance. This
kind of work is especially difficult and
can be executed only by workmen of
long experience and ability, which the
Northwestern Mantel Company can
boast of employing. They are, per,
haps, the only concern Of their kind
that can undertake all the various
with satisfaction. Minneapolis homes,
business blocks and public institutions
are indebted to them for many Of their
beautiful decorations in stone, marble;
tile and wood.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

in. velvet kneebreeches' and buckled
shoes. "Just imagine trip to France
for so cents,' murmured an imagina-
tive miss as she gazed at the Orpheum s
interior today.
The ornamental draperies Of the boxes
are arch valances of olive-green velvet,
embroidered in gold, with decorative
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
CLEANED HIM OUT
Highwaymen Rob Man, Even OF
Street Car Transfer.

Z Two highwaymen held up and robbed
Jacob Rensch of st. Michaels; Mimi,
last night and took not only all OF his
money, $1.75, but his knife, streetcar
transfer and lunch. The hold-up oc-
cured on First avenue S near First
street, at II. clock. Rensch reported
the affair to the police and spent the
night at the central police station.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

Orpheum circuit. In the great ma
iority Of even the modern theaters the
and such arrangements as are made for
them allow them to dress in rooms
they would not think of occupying in
hotel or even in a professional board
ing-house.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
FORFEITED BAIL
Disappearance of Man Arrested for Dis
posing of Stolen Goods.

George Mckenzie who has been sell
ing dress goods from house to house in
ST. Paul, and who was arrested Tues
day on suspicion Of having stolen them
from wholesale house in st. Paul, did
not show up for his hearing in police
court yesterday and investigation
shows that his whole family has left
town. His father had put up bail for
him and that was the lats seen of him:
It is said that he sold 5000 worth of
the stolen goods to residents of Mer-
Ram Park
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

resort-Manager F. B. Henderson,
peer Of the realm Of goodfellowship. q
Mere good attention and artistic per-
formances would be sad thing in a
bare hall, and the third point which
has held the attention Of the Orpheum
company is the delight Of the eye of it's
patrons. From the first entering of the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
Decorations by L. A. Mc1vor & Co.

Particular credit must be given the
firm of l.. A. McIvor & Co. for their
perseverance and diligence in the com
pletion of the decorations. For the
past week Mr.. McIvor has had a small
army of his most skillful workmen
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
French Renaissance Style.

Just a Whit Of France will greet the
attentive observer as he walks down the
carpeted aisle to his sanitary leather
upholstered seat in the parquet. French
renaissance was the style agreed upon,
and it has been faithfully carried out,
altho only about week old in its an
ttiiaui!t5y, 50 rapid has been the work;
novel, and the possession Of lively i'm
agination, will permit one to nestle
down in his orchestra chair expecting
tc open his momentarily closed eyes on
grand danes of old France in gowns
of stiff figured satin about him, and
possibly a bewigged and powdered Louis
in a box tier, attended by his courtiers,
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
Great Scheme of Decoration.

Marble and the work of the stucco
and brush artist greets the eye tenderly
in. the entrance. Light and gladsom-
ness is forecasted before the foyer is
reached. The foyer is thing Of beauty
with its, color motive and tall marble
wall panels: Two solid bronze drinking
from the well of the Glass Block, are
the pieces of resistance at. either side
Of the entrance. These fountains, set
in. inches Of italian marble, are expen-
sive and artistic. features. :. r.. f..
Manager Henderson will not attempt
to calculate how many "Ohs' and
" Ahs,1 nor how long drawn out, will
greet his willing ear from the time the
first feminine glance is cast at the audi
lacking to supplement the rapturous ex-
pressions Of pleasure at the beauty of
the tout ensemble. Were the theater
a house ), Magnificent is the ap-
propriste term, soul satisfying, perfect.
McIvor, the decorator, has supple
mented the architects design with col
or motive that is superb. The effect is
warm, luxurious, and Nesting; A Bit
tectural effect will be mixed in with the
other sensations. The proscenium arch,
standing high above the parquet, pro-
ducea this feeling by it's extreme depth.
The conventional arch is replaced by
one with a height Of thirty-two feet,
corresponding with the length of the
lower tier of three boxes. Decorated
with ornamented stucco, work and rolls
effect is produced. Six boxes on either
side Of the stage have almost the eff
feet of lOgeS.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22
Comforts for the Actors.

Of interest to the theatrical profess
sion and appealing to the thoughtful
public are the arrangements for the
care and comfort Of the actors on the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-22

m9tif in \ the the &C. center monogram mon
work are stained in mahogany of har-
monious depth. 80.
Aside from the steel and asbestos
curtain, the main drop will present an
idea entirely new in Minneapolis and
which will be revealed to the first night
eers toni ght. Much attention has
been bestowed on the stage settings.
large. enough to paint the, main drop,
and it was hung in the Grand at st.
Paul, from whose bridges the artists of
the Twin City Scenic Studio of Mime
apolis worked. Much of the decorative
work has been in the Orphenm own
and third floors, and directly beneath a
roof light, which floods the. room with
sunshine fit for Tightening thew of
the most competent scenic artists.
Brilliant Decorations.
The colorings of the theater are old
predominating, and enriched in lights
with gold. The details are modelled
stucco effects worked out into dark
scheme and high lighted. The walls
are paneled in stucco relief and mould
1ngS winch are treated with reds in
the. panels and mouldings in the other
main colors. The six boxes on the
sides are set off with heavy pilasters
bearing up large tablatures and
eled prosceniun1. Large stucco medal
lions of Tyres ornament the pedestals Of
the box, pillars under the pilasters and
decorative motif. H.
The interest in the arch decoration
will center on three panels which con-
tain genuine gems of the painters art.
The large center panel contains five
figures, representing the queen of
comedy robed in flowing garments and
bearing flowers, as she leads her four
sisters in flight thru the empyrean.
The four figures represent the lightness
and gaiety Of the motif Of the house s
performances. The sister Of tragedy
alone is missing. In their hands the
queens companions who represent
music bear timbrils, Tyres and the
horn, while comedy is represented
by a maiden jester with cap and bells
and ribbon gewgaws. One side panel
has a single figure representing music,
and the other maiden who portrays
the dance.
/