Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1920-01-08
0. D. THOMPSON
LOSES LIFE IN FIRE
Father of Manager and Owner of the
Orpheum Theatre Dies in Flames
When Theatre Burns
PET CAT GAVE ALARM
Mewing of Animal Aroused Father
and Son to Flames Which We're
All About Them.

The Orpheum Theatre is a black
ened shell of smouldering debris and
o. B. Thompson, father of Manager
S. C. Thompson, is dead as result
of the fire that destroyed the building
early Saturday morning. Had 1t not
been for the timely warning of the
elder Mr.. Thompson's pet cat both
father and son would likely have been
burned to death.
Nothing is left standing of the
theatre but the four walls The struc-
ture is practically a total loss. The
origin of the fire is not known but it
is thought to have started on the
stage in the rear of the building and
above which were the living apart
ments of Mr. Thompson and his
Pet Cat Gives Warning.
According to S. c. Thompson, man.
agcr and owner of the theatre
who is suffering from burns and
bruises received in escaping from
the building, he was aroused by The
insistant mcwing Of his fathers pei
cat which stays in the apartment
with them. When he stepped from MS
bed to learn what had distlrbed this
animal, he found the floor almost toe
hot to stand on.
He aroused his father and ran to
the entrance to the stairway that
leads from the rooms to the rear Of
the stage. When he reached the door
a rush of flame met him. He turned
and grasped his father and started
for back window, that being the
only means of escape left.
The elder Mr.. Thompson is 81 years
old and not very active. As they
reached the window Mr.. Thompson
tried to get his father to clint
through. His father broke from his
grasp and ran toward the door. A:
the son started toward him the door
burst open and his father fell be
meath q heap of burning wood. See
ing his father was gone Mr.. Thomp.
son ran to the window, with tht
flames at his heels, and taking hold o1
downspout climbed to the roof Of
the Larsen building. He says if ne
had had a half minutes more time ht
could have saved his father.
The body of 0. B. Thompson was
found about daylight in the ruins o1
the theatre burned beyond recognl
tion. S. C. Thompson was fortunat'
to escape with only several oat
burns and some painful bruises. Thn'
he was not more seriously hurt il
considered remarkable. Shire!
Thompson made brave fight to save
his fathers life and it was a miracle
that he did not lose his own in thu
risk he took the rescue his father.
Orpheum Theatre Loss Heavy.
The loss of the theatre will tota
close to sixty thousand dollars as al
original investment but would rep
resent much more than this to be re
placed at present costs. 1t was on
of the largest and most modern NOV
ind picture theatres in the state.
Besides an operating room with tn
verv latest projecting equipment
was outftted with a $4,000 pipe OF
gan and contained every modern ap
pliance to give its patrons the ver'
best service possible.
II was the only house in the stat
charging six and eleven cents admls
sion for the class of pictures beinI
shown. Since coming'to Mexico Man
ager Thompson has built up a splen
did business and was popular with o.
who knew him. The death OF nj
father and his property loss will bot
bring the full sympathy of the CON
munity to his door.
The loss of the building and fu'
nishings including a pipe organ'
estimated at about $65,OOO. The II
terror of the building was entl-eI
destroyed, and only the four wall
which were constructed of concre'
blocks, remain. They, however, WI
probably not be in condition to
used again unless they are great
reinforced. Mr.. Thompson came
Mexico eight years ago, built u
theatre and has been operating
ever since. His father came to li'
with him four years ago.
Damage was done to none OF ti
neighboring buildings except that di
ectly to the west, which is occupi'
bv the Gem Candy Company. II