Albuquerque evening citizen., 1907-06-18
PLAY HOUSE BUILT
At COST OF $4,000
Initial Play Will Be Given Thurs
day Night by Local Talent. Who
Are Preparing Excellent Bill.
Out-of-ToWn ElkS
to Attend.

Silver City, N. NJ, June 1S.-The
local lodge of Elks, No. Alb, dedi-
Gated it's new opera house last night
with an audience present which COM
pletely filled the mammoth structure.
Many out of town Elks and their
friends were in attendance.
The dedicatory address was deliver
ed by Attorney W. b. Walton.
The program was opened with a
ceremony by the officers of the
grand lodge, which was interesting
and conducted with the true solemn
ity of all such ceremonies in this or
der. A selection by the orchestra,
which is one of the best musical or
ganizations in the territory followed.
Dedicatory Address
Attorney w. B. Walton, one of the
best known and most fluent pubic
speakers in New Mexico, who is a
trustee of Silver City lodge, delivered
a stirring address on the opening and
dedication of the theatre. He spoke
of the objects of the B. p. o. E. and
their excellent charitable, as well as
social organization, and in dedicating
the new playhouse to the public, he
delivered an oratorical effort that
brought forth repeated applause.
The program following was COM
posed principally of musical numbers,
vocal solos being rendered by Mrs.
Ralph Smith, ]. H. Jones and Mrs. j.
A. Shipley; a piano solo by Miss
Louise Snyder, and selections by the
orchestra
These numbers were most enjoy
able, the vocalists being in superb
voice and their selections being es-
pecially adapted to the occasion. The
piano solo by Miss Snyder and the
orchestral numbers were roundly en-
cored, as indeed was every other part
of the musical program.
A recitation "In the Palace of the
King by Miss Mary Thomas, was de-
hvered in perfect voice and with an
emphasis which was admirable.
Following the program, an evening
of gaiety was INDUCED in with vari-
Gus entertaining features in honor of
the dedication.
New Theater.
The new theater cost $35, 900 and
is one of the largest and finest play
houses in the southwest, having a
seating capacity or six thousand.
1t is furnished in the latest style
with all conveniences for its patrons
and its stage is a model, both in size
and properties. 1t is equipped with
drop curtains and other necessities
of the modern stage.
The building is one story in
height, and has just been completed
and furnished. 1t was erected wholly
through the efforts of the Elks lodge
of Silver City and is a monument to
their enterprising membership.
Initial Performance.
The initial performance in the new
opera house will take place Thursday
a play, which is now being prepared
by local talent, being the first num-
ber. This promises to eclipse the
opening bills at the other big play
as special efforts have been made to
attain that end. The best known To-
cal people, including principally Elks
and their ladies, will participate.
Officers of the Ell1s.
The officers of Elks lodge, No. Alb,
are as follows:
Exalted ruler. ]. E. White es-
teemed leading knight, c. c. Shoe
maker; esteemed loyal knight, A. f.
Kerr, esteemed lecturing knight, M.
f. Cory; secretary, H. II. Belts;
treasurer, ]. w. Carter; esquire, Ike
Holman; chaplain, o. p. Williams;
inner guard, ]. j. Vinot; tyler, w. j.
Rose; trustees, w. B. Walton, F. p.
Jones and c. w. Marriott.
These are the men who have head
ed the movement for the new opera
house, and its opening was a tribute
to the excellence Of their work in Sc
curing funds to construct 1t.
A Convention Hall.
The opera house was built of large
size in order to accommodate any
public gathering which might desire
a meeting place, as well as for the
rendition of popular plays. Conven-
tions and all other public bodies will
be accorded a warm welcome in Sill
Yer City henceforth, and assured the
largest meeting place in the territory.
The public spirit of Silver City's
residents was shown in the eagerness
with which this theater movement
was helped along from its lnclpiency.
MONTANA TniIIu 10