The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-02-07
4. SECOND OPERA
HOUSE ABANDONED
THE MASONIC is TO BE ENTIRE
LY MADE OVER.
JERSEY TAKES SIX YEAR LEASE
oskaIoosa Will Have Theatre Equa,
to Any Demand Made On 1t,
- and UnexceIIed in
1i'i Iowa.

z 0skaloosa is to have a new opera
house. The fact was made certain
by the closing of a contract last even.
ing and the leasing of the new house
for a term of six years by Manager
y. Frank Jersey, of Ottumwa. Thu
new house, however, will not result
In two opera houses in Oskaloosa and
an amusement fight, condition of af.
fairs that has been anticipated by
number of people. The new opera
house will be known as THE New
Masonic" The old house is to be
made over in many respects and ex.
tensive improvements made in all
parts. When the improvements. have
been completed the house will appear
ASA new and modern place of amuse.
NEXT, with all the accommodations
iand appointments of a modern, met.
ropolitan house.
X The changes and Improvements
having been listed and agreed upon,
Manager Jersey took the house for a
term of six years.
Mr.. Jersey camN to the city Mon.
day and spent the greater part of the
afternoon in consultation with mem
bers of the opera house committee
concerning matters in connection
with the lease. Mr.. Jersey has Tor
some time been considering the build
ing of a new house in Oskalo0sa, and
has had some excellent offers made
catsd on High avenue west desired
the house to be brought to location
west of the business center of town,
and some exceptional Inducements
were held out. But with the agree,
meat of the Improvement in the Ma
sonic, Mr.. Jersey thought the OLE
house would work to the best adyan.
'tage for all concerned.
The improvements.
The house will hereafter be heated
with city heat. Two separate con.
nections will be made with the mains
one for the opera house part of the
building and one for the Masonic
apartments. This takes from Mr.. Jer-
sey the responsibility of healing the
building for both himself and the
Masons.
The stage is to be made modern
and the space accommodating scenery
adtstage settings will be made reg
ulation size to accommodate the big.
gest attractions on the road. To dc
this the Masons do away with some
space now devoted to lodge uses and
this1will be given over to the stage.
Dressing rooms are to be altered in
some respects and hot and cold water
viii be installed in each one, AL
the windows in the rear of the house
and thoss on the east where the
stageNis' placed are to be walled ur
and IA solid wall will enclose the stage
department, excepting the entrance
and the rear doors. This will do
away with much of the cold that has
been encountered in the heating of
tho house.
The front arrangement is to be en-
tirely changed and convenIences add
ed The room where the box office is
now placed will be converted into a
ladies, drawing room for the use Of
the lady patrons of the house. Closet
and toilet conveniences will be pro-
ivfded and the room nicely furnished.
A smoking and Longing room for
gentlemen is provided on the second
floor. This will also nave closet and
Iayatory and will be made as COM
plete, as the room for the ladies'.
The box Office will be placed in the
center of the lobby and entrances at
the sides will be provided. The man
ayers office will be removed to the
second floor, where neat room will
be provided for the business affairs
of, the house.
Considerable change is to be made
in the seating of the gallery. This
part of the house contains some of
the best seats of the entire house,and
a balcony, arrangement with new
seats and new arrangement thereof
viii give a new department to the
auditorium.
Added to these changes will be new
scenery, new paint and new paper
where necessary and general over.
hauling of the house.
/, Mr.. Jersey and his efficient local
manager, Mr.. A. P. Owens, met with
the opera house committee of the Ma.
sons last evening and the lease was
arranged for at the conference. Mr..
Jersey stated what he desired in the
way of changes and in the articles Of
agreement and he was met by the
committee at every point. The mat
ter. was closed to the entire satisfac.
ton of both parties and the manner
in which 1t was terminated will be for
the best interests of the city and the
amusement business Of the place. Mr..
Owens is retained as local manager.
Mr.. Jersey stated that the rear
rangement of the stage and the en-
larged condition would make it pos
sible for better shows to come TO the
house than have ever been in the city.
Ottumwa has had attractions that os.
A