The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-02
Was Old Crawford Theater at
Wichita.
Was Totally Destroyed by Fire
Tuesday.
:. M. CRAWFORD WAS OWNER
and Allan Sells Built
Tt i'm 1883.
Was Best Theater in State in
Its Day.

Wichita, April 2.-The Lyceum
1heater, at William street and South
topeka avenue, known for a quarter
OF century as the Crawford theater,
burned to the ground Tuesday.
The total loss on the building and
contents has been estimated at $780,
SUV; The building cost $4,000 when
insured for $4,000.
The Wolfe Stock company lost So
uoO IN scenery and other stage proper
tles. Those occupying apartments in
everything they possessed
h l.. Gates, manager of the South
western monument company, and u.
II. Bryan, wholesale candies. lost their
entire stocks of goods on the ground
floor of the building. The loss to
these firms was about $4,000. E. L.
Martnng, manager of the New Craw-
ford theater, lost about $500 in scenery
and advertising paper stored in the
basement of the Lyceum theater.
When John A. Wolfe was told that
his theater was afire he laughed and
remarked that someone must be Of
fering him an early April fool joke
Half an hour later another person told
MIN OF the fire. Flames were burst
ing from the front of the building
when Mr.. Wolfe reached it.
They say the fire started in my
apartments, said Mr.. Wolfe today.
There was no one in my rooms from
Z O'Clock last night, when I left them
to make up for the play, until the fire
was discovered. I haven't the slight
est idea how the fire started. 1t must
have been from an electric WIRE
After making sure that all occu-
pants of the building were safe. Mrs.
Carl Hill was among the last to leave
the bottom of the fire escape, which is
fifteen feet from the sidewalk, and
dropped the remainder of the dis
lance. One ankle was slightly sprain-
q of iTir
Other women occupants were assisted
down the fire ladders.
When the roof of the theater build |
ing fell, taking with it most of the
north and south walls, firemen re-
turned with their streams and played |
them on the smouldering debris for |
hours.
Play in Another House.
The Wolfe Stock Company, which
had occupied the theater since last
September. was made homeless by the
fire. Mr.. Wolfe stated that some ar |
rangement would be made to finish the |
season. The New Crawford Theater or
the Auditorium; formerly used by the
company Will be secured. ~
The burned theater was one of the |
cIty'S historic buildings. At one time |
it was the finest theater in the state. |
In its quarter of century as Wichita's |
principal playhouse most of the
worlds famous theatrical stars ap-
peared there.
History of the Building
In 1887 l.. M. Crawford of Topeka,
o. c. Daisy and Allan Sells, of Sells
circus fame. formed company for the
construction of a theater in wichita.
Mr.. Sells later withdrew and Pat HeaIy
took his place.
The theater was completed February
1, 1888, and opened on that date by
the Conreid Opera Company in Gypsy
Baron one of the greatest musical
productions of that time.
Then followed such famous actors as
Tome Keene, Lolita, Joseph WheeIock,
William Barry, Kate Castleton, Patti
Rosa, Virginia Marlowe, Phoebe Davis,
Effie Ellsler. J. K. Emmett, Sol Smith
Russell Lillian Russell, Tom Thumb,
Barrett, Edwin Booth, Mrs. Fiske and
4 host of others.
Several Early Managers.
The early history of the theater was
It had numerous man
ayers who were unable to make the
1ouse pay in the season of hard times.
T. Crawford. son of L. NJ. crawford d,
was the first manager of the house. He
vas only s years old. Frank Ogsdon
IF Arkansas City was the second man
lger Bert Pottenger was the fourth
nan to have charge of the house.
In 1895 the theater company went into
he hands of a receiver. Leroy Kramer.
low assistant to the vice president of
eceiver. A mortgage for $4,000 was fore
losed by an easterner named Wilbur
dr. Wilbur presented the theater to his
on, who refused the gift. The owner
hen presented the building to his daugh-
er-in-law. Shortly afterward L. NJ
crawford bought back the theater for
10, 900. That was in 1896. E. L. Martling
till was manager of the house and re-
aimed that position until the end of the
eaSon in 1911.
Mrs. Eislxe Was the Last.
The old theater ended it's career raS the
eading playhouse in Wichita June 10,
511, when Mrs. Fiske appeared there. The
GLOWING September the North Brothers
tock company opened the season in the
heater, which was remodeled and re-
AIMED the Lyceum.
The Wolfe Stock company, which played
n the Auditorium for several years,
aased the Lyceum for five years annd
pened it September 9, 1872
Want Ice Plant.
Jetmore, Kan, April 2.-The NUM-
ipaI light and water plant agitation
ERE has now been supplemented by
movement for the city to engage in !