The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-12-23
PLAYHOUSE
GUTTED BY
The FLAMES
Loss Estimated at $4,000
Well Insured
Fine, New 0perahouse to Bt
Built
People Living In Flats Rousei
From Their Slumbers

The Fargo operahouse and the ad.
Joining fiat building on the corner 81
Roberts street and Second avenue
north, is a total wreck as the result
OF fire of unknown origin whicb
swept the structure early Sunday
morning at 3:45 o'clock. In less than
an hour after the flames were first re-
ported nothing but the bare walls
were standing.
1t is estimated that the loss is be-
tween $4,000 and $2S,00O. Both
theatre and the annex were covered
by insurance amounting to $4,000
Work will begin at once on the clear
ing away of the debris and prepara-
ions for a new flreproof structure
which will give Fargo one of the most
modern and complete playhouses this
side of Chicago.
II is said that Mrs. Robert CORY,
living in one of the fiats in the ad-
joining annex, was the first to Ce
aroused by the flames. She was
awakened by the smoke and heard u
cracking noise. Rousing her husband.
he arose and turned on the lights. The
room was so filled with smoke that
neither were able to distinguish the
various pieces of furniture. Mr.. Cory
opened window and the flames burst
The fire alarm was turned i'm py
Officer Fred Tietgens and the depart
ment responded in haste. The flames
however had secured too great head
way before the fire was first seen 10
save the annex and all of the resi-
dents of the upstairs fats were turned
into the street, all scantily attired.
barely escaping with their lives. No
one was reported hurt or injured
though nome of the tenants had TINS
to gather even clothes or wraps as
they fed from their apartments
A. ii. Leimbacher manager OF ths
Gardner hotel, who had been reused by
the fire as were many other residents
In the neighborhood. hurried TO ths
scene of action and took charge of all
the citizens of the block, taking them
to the popular Roberts street hosiery
where they have been given ac-
Jcommodations until they can make arr
rangements elsewhere.
The fire sufferers were Miss Edith
Carlson, Otty Yanche, Mr.. Fiske, Mr.
and Mrs. M. III. Thompson, Mr.. and
Mrs. Hastings and daughter Lucille,
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Cory. r. T.
Brink, d. f. Sullivan, A. Sclseth. Mr..
and Mrs. Hogan and several who lodg-
ed there. Mrs. Kleinschmidt, who had
charge of the building and sublet the
flats furnished. and her son, Melford,
were out Of the city over the holiday
season.
Several hundred people living in the
immediate vicinity hurried to the
scene of the fire and witnessed the
rapid destruction of the playhouse
where so many OF the worlds famous
histrionic stars have been seen In the
days gone by.
The origin of the fire is still a
mystery in the minds of everyone. No
performance had been given I'm the
theatre since the productions OF The
Blue Bird. Two of the employees of
the house have slept In small apart
ments directly behind the box office
for some time. Saturday afternoon
the stage was given a thorough clean
ing.
The building was rewired through
out year ago last summer in stricg
accordance with the specifications cf
the Underwriters association at cost
of $500.
The only things saved out Of the
fire were part of the orchestra's
music library in the box Office, through
the efforts Of G. G. Baernstein, and the
old stage cat, Liz" Liz mad been q
theatre cat for nine years and was the
pet of all the employees. When the
water from the hose began swamping
the floor she jumped upon a boiler
W0ereg SHe was treSGueft Dy one or the
theatre attaches. Her kittens were
lost
The stock of the Grand Union Tea
Co. the only business house in the
block aside from he theatre, was
greatly impaired. though the safe anc
a small portion Of The stock were
saved. Several desks containing valu-
able commercial pa pers were carried
to the street.
From what Mr.. Walker said this
morning. work viii begin at once on
plans for the new theatre, giving
Fargo an up-to- date playhouse which
will vie with any in the northwest.
The seating capacity viii be enlarged
about 800, making total capacity Of
1,500. A second balcony will likely be
added.
The engagement of David Warfiei6
who was to have appeared here ON
Dec 2S, was cancelled. though there
was some talk Of his appearance here
at the Grand. but 1t lis felt that the
stage is not large enough. The Return
OF Peter Grimm requires a deep stage
and il is not thought the Grand would
be adequate.
There will be no more shows put on
in Fargo by the Walker Theatre co
until they can be shown in the new
operahouse, beginning the next sea-
son In October.