The Dispatch from Moline, Illinois • 8

8 TUESDAY EVENING THE MOLINE DAILY DISPATCH. DECEMBER 19, 1903. THE MOLINE OPENING OF THE ELEGANT NEW THEATRE FOR THE CITY MARKS REALIZATION OF DAY DREAMS OF SEVERAL YEARS MEN WHO BUILT "THE MOLINE." Architect Sidney Lovell, Chi- -f cago. General Contractor George H. Johnston, St Louis.

Masonry Contractor A. C. Stouf- fer. Carpenter Henry -f Horst. Tinning Quick Willis.

Roofing Harrington Bros. Heating and Plumbing Moline Heating and Construction Co. Electrical Tom Burtchaell. -t-Plastering D. F.

Hines. -f Painting W. ATDierolf. Decorating Wm. Eckhart, Chi- cago.

Scenic Drops Howard Tutte, Milwaukee. Upholstering, Carpeting Drake Furniture Davenport Glass Pittsburg Plate Glass -f Davenport. Seats American School Furni- -f ture Co. Staff Work August Volmer. St Louis.

Tne Moline, Formally Opened witk Tne Land of No cL theatre itself gave was made all the more complete by the finish of the company whose duty it was to give the new temple a propr start "The Land of Nod" fitted the part most excellently, for with its airy story and jingling music it afforded entertainment such as would permit of the complete enjoyment of the gay local scene that the opening should be. The brilliance of Its settings corresponded with the lustre of the real world outside, for It wa3 a show play and the they were entertaining were availing themselvs of this opportunity to be on dress parade. The story of "The Land of Nod" is mythical like a dream. A liittle girl playing with friends in her home garden falls asleep and is transported to the Land of Nod the drama of the Sandman where she meets many strange people and is beloved by the Jack of Hearts. A chorus girl strayed from fJroadway astonishes the natives and meets the Man in the Moon, who has run away from his wife, Rory Bory Alice.

Rory pursues him, and objects strenuously to the attentions he bestows upon Bonnie and the Chorus Girl. The Sandman plots, the Weatherman makes weather, and there are quite a lot of doings not according to Hoyle. It was a mirthful musical fantasy, spied with seasonable wit and antics, and the story was well maintained by the following cast: Th Man in the Moon Wm. Norris. April Fool Knox Wilson.

Bonnie Alice Dovey. The Chorus Girl Leila Shaw. The Welch Rarebit Tom Armstrong. The Jack of Hearts Florence Snow. King of HeartsHamilton Coleman.

Queen of Hearts Laura Howe. The Reflection Ethel Dovey. Rory Bory Alice Ellen Vera. The Sandman George Fox. Weatherman George McKissock.

Knock Out Drops J. C. Mendell. Telephone Man James Smith. Without the charm of the music, "The Land of Nod" would be like a banquet table without its feast, and this is -the program which appeased the audience, hungry for some refreshment: Act I.

Opening chorus Full company. Duet, "Love Contagious" -lack and Bonnie with chorus. "Blame the Weatherman" Weath-man and four assistants. Belle of Bald Head Row" Chorus Girl and chorus. "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" Rarebit with ensemble of eighteen.

"The Same Old Moon" Man in the Moon and chorus. "If You Grow Tired" Little Girl" Jack of Hearts. "How Was I to Know" Bonnie, ensemble of dolly girls. "Come On, Let's Two Step" Bonnie. Man in the Moon and chorus.

Finale Sunburst chorus. Act II. "The Nightmare March" Full company. "Bonnie Bonnie, Man in th Moon and double sextet. "My Cinderella" Jack of Hearts and chorus.

"The Devil's Serenade" Chorus and the famous Madcap ballet. "Jingles and Jokes" Bonnie, Reflection and Man in the Moon. "It's Great to Be an Actor" Moon and Chorus Girl. "Cock-a-Doodle-Do" Bonnie with the IJttle Chickens. "The Lullaby, Once More to Dream" EARLY HISTORY OF ES HERE Timm's Hall, the Old Wagner and the Auditorium the Three in which the Memories of the Past Center.

NOURSE'S HALL THE FIRST Was Built Fifty Years Ago and "Uncle Tom's Cabin Was Presented There Emma Abbott Here. Public halls and theatres in Moline date back to the time of the. old Nourse hall in the early '50s, which stood on what is now Second avenue -Wells street in the early days in the Osborn block. It was used chiefly lor public meetings, where anti-slavery gatherings were held. It is said that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was the first theatrical effort to be presented in Moline, and that it was presented at Nourse's hall.

There was also Chamberlain's hall in the Dunn block on Second avenue, which was the home of the Odd Fellows and Masons, the pioneer lodges of the city, and where public entertainments of all sorts were held. But in what was popularly known as Timms hall, the Wagner opera house and the oli Auditorium centered theatrical interests of the city, though it is said that Emma Abbott in the days of her prime even appeared in the old Congregational church in the '50s when that structure stood on Sixteenth street about where Shallberg's coal yard "now stands. Timm's hall had its ori-gin in Otto's hall, built in 1867 by Henry Otto. It stood at Nineteenth street andtSecond avenue and passed to the ownership of Captain August Timm, a hero of the civil war, who traded Iowa farmland for it. This was the first ground-floor hall in Moline, and from Captain Timm, it passed into the hands of the Turners and then to the ownership of George Wagner of Rock Island, who improved the place and gave Moline its first theatre building of considerable proportions.

Here a number of men well known today had charge of the theatre at various intervals Will iam Cram, Mell Follett, Henry Sand- strom, George W. Hamler, Frank Anderson, Robert Clendenin and others. It was in Timm's hall that A. C. Woodyatt first appeared in Moline as a member of the Florence Herbert company twenty-seven years ago, and he also came later for a return engagement.

Seven years after' his first appearance twenty years ago Mr. Woodyatt came, and from that time to today, he has been identified practical ly continuously since with the theatre interests of the city. During most of the long period he has been identified as a musician, but during the greater part of the time that the Auditorium was used as a playhouse, Mr. Wood yatt was manager of it. The Auditorium was built in 1888.

It was-originally designed for the home of the local Y. M. C. A. as a gift from Mrs.

Knowles, but later the Y. M. C. A. encountered heavy financial Seas, and it passedto the ownership of C.

F. Hemenway about 1891, and he held it till the building burned Februarys 13, 1898. Fire broke out in the building- on Sunday afternoon as a result of crossed wires, it was thought, and the destruction of the building was attended by thrilling incidents in which several people were carried from the building. Our own George W. Hamler was in the company which was the last to appear at the Auditorium.

He sustained a Swedish part in "Swan Swanson," the Saturday evening before the fire, and largely as a result of Mr Hamler's local popularity and his talent as dialect man the company played to 1600 people, It was estimated. Mr. Hamler went from here to Clinton, but the Arnold company, which was billed for a week's stand, had mov ed considerable equipment the Sun day of the fire. All of it was destroyed by fire, and as a result the company stranded here. Vie wof a Veteran.

Of Moline's new theatre, George W. Hamler, the veteran actor, emphasizes the triumph that it is: "Another round In the ladder of fame for our proud city, and one that every citizen of Moline should be proud of. And they surely would be, If they had been placed ia my position for a number of years. was on the road for fourteen years, and during that time I met a great many professionals. Whenever I would get Into conversation with them they would ask me where my home was, and then I would swell up and say I lived in one of the best little cities in the country, Moline.

Then I would go on and tell them about our great manufactures, beautiful arsenal and our grand old river the Mississippi. And when you stop to think that from all over the world come to see this river, we ought to be proud cf it "And just when I get good and start- PL Thursday, Dec. 21st The Big Tibetan Comic Opera Triumph. Book by Guy F. Steely, Music by Frederic Chapin.

THE DEN The One Real Example of Genuine Comic Opera Before the Public. Staged with Opulent Lav-ishness. THE BIG CAST EMBRACES: Will B. Wheelock W. H.

Clarke Morey Lons John Stern Abbott Adams H. L. Austin Grace McArty Josie Floyd Alma Youlin GREAT BEAUTY 50 CHORUS 50 -PEOPLE Carloads of Scenery, Special prices for this engagement $1, 75c, 50c, 25c THE JHOLIME Sunday, Dec. 24 The Thrilling Sensation Entire Production Carried 8 Surprising Vaudeville Acts8 Beautiful Scenery! Surprising Thrilling Prices, 75c, 50c, 35c, 25c FORBID LAID 1 ir Tne i shiner's laughter Moline People on Dress Parade for Notable Event SCENE SURPRISE TO ALL Beauty of Appointments and Complete- ness of the Interior Insoires Spontaneous Bursts of Delight from Audience. LAND OF NOD" IS FAVORITE Theatrical Company's Presentation In Harmony with the General Effect.

AFTER all, it was only an emerging from a land of day dream3 to "The Land of Nod the formal opening of Moline's new theatre. It was an awakening from a seven-year sleep, and the good people of the cityr as they reclined in contented abandon in the midst of their fairy surroundings, mentally rubbed their eyes in bewildered surprise, not only at the splendor and bewitching music and fantastic creatures of "The Land of Nod, but to the more startling triumph of reality. And today the eye still blinks uncertainly and twitches from the glare of that to which it had viut been used after ah these For on the ashes of the ruing bf a less pretentious past a slumbrous public has built in fancy again and again a stately temple of Thespus glowing with light and rich with color and elegance only to see each creation fall as easily as a house of cards. Into this dream there floated the dim phantom of the long ago with its bare wooden walls and smoky lamps, tne echo of the pioneer simplicity and fervid patriotism. The people of the mimic world pass in review with their ever-changing variety till there bursts on the view a vision in white twinkling with light without and rich with color and eiegance within.

Though the awakening comes with a start as the vividness of the picture surprises and thrills the dreamer, it Is not to meet the shock and disappointment of reality, but to hear the rustle of finery and buzz of expectancy and to open one's eyes to treshness and beauty and radiance in the midst of which come rollicking girls in gingham aprons. So soothing and sympathetic Is the picture that a satisfied public unconsciously joins the little girl of the picture world on her journey into dreamland with its house of cards, domino fences, peppermint river, balloon trees, mushroom towers and other fanciful creations of childhood slumber. There they meet the strange people of the Land of Nod and of the Nightmare Palace with its madcaps and magic mirror, Its dragon and little chickens. And so the theatre and its opening were at once a thing of beauty and a Joy to the people who had longed for a taste of such delights in which they had a proprietary interest. The scene from the door inspired spontaneous exclamations of surprise and enchantment, and a closer and more critical survey of the detail and gen eral scheme only intensified the enthusiastic admiration.

Add to the charm which the theatre in itself had, the coloring and vivacity of handsome gowns and jewels and all that is lovely in face and fashion, and the effect could not be more satisfying. For the people of Moline came not only to renew their devotions at the shrine of Thespus, but for the time gave unconditional surrender to the mandates of society and court and basked In the glory of one another's raiment. Outside and over the city, pavements clattered under the feet of horses, the night was dotted with the lights of carriages, and the streets was crowded with equipages awaiting their burdens of loveliness. And this was the opening of "The Moline. The5 pleasure which the ATTACHES OF THE NEW THEATRE.

Manager Frank Hurst Head Usher S. J. HammerquisL 4- Assistant Ushers Fred Hemen- way, Roy Fowler, Arthur Reid. George. Anderson, Albin Swan- 4- son.

Ed. Stange. -t- Head Matinee Usher Miss Lil- 4-4- lian Ray. 4- Assistant Matinee Ushers 4- Misses Edna Meier, Hazel Cen- 4- -do, Edna Eastman, Grace East- 4- man. Erne Lindgren, Mamie 4-4- First.

4- Orchestra Manager A. E. Ben- -4 son. 4- Orchestra Director Ellsworth 4- Livingston. 4- Musicians A.

Woodyatt, cor- -4- net; ArL Skogh. clarinet; E. 4- Severln. trombone. 4-4- Property Man William Stem- -4- mel.

4- Assistant Property Man A. D. 4-4- WIvell. -4- Stage Carpenter Arthur Ftodelir Electrician Frank Brown. 4- THE HANDSOMEST.

ANlf SAFEST THEATRE IN THE WEST. DIRECTION CHAMBERLIN, KlXDT CO. Friday, Dec. 22 Now Is the Time To Laugh. Richard Carle's Merriest Musical Melange Book and Lyrics by Richard Carle.

Music by John Hood Bowers. With the Original New York Theatre Company and Production. 60--Cliorus of-60 ALSO THE JULIA, AUTOMOBILE, EGYPTIAN, APPRENTICE, POLLY, GIRLS AND VILLAGE CUT-UPS. PRICES: $1.50, $1.00, 75c, 50c and 25c I INDUSTRIAL 1I0M THEATRE I fourteenth St. and Jiftb Molfne.

tIL THE HIRSCHORNS Novelty musical acL WALTER EDMUND YANT Singing beautifully illustrated songs. CHAS. HOWISON World's greatest bird warbler. PLUCK LUCK The unrivaled peers of balancing and scientific posturing. KINODROME Showing the sensational picture A Trip to the Moon on a PERFORMANCES each night commencing at 7:45 and 9:15.

ADMISSION 10c NO MORE. EflOUHE MAID AND THE MUMMY counting rooms are both finished similar to the manager's office. From the lobby three large swinging oaken doors lead into another small vestibule laid with red brus-sels carpet, and from which there is entrance to the foyer. At the foyer entrance are two immense fire doors, in fact, the entire theatre is so equipped with these doors that any part of the house tnay be shut off from the main part of he building in case of an emergency or danger. It is from the foyer that the theatre-goer first catches the beauty of th3 house.

Treading on rich soft Brus sels of red, extending 18x80 in this foyer, and glancing to the right, the left, or straight ahead, all is beaut7, thoughts turn to all there is good in the drama. From this foyer to th right and left are the oak-finished stairways, leading to the balcony. The outer railings harmonize with tbe panels of brown plush which extend along the wall sides of the stairways. The railing which shuts off the parquet from the foyer is in white to further the color scheme of the main inferior ivory and gold. The lowor part "of the partition is panelled in plush, the top edge of the railing about four feet from the floor is finished in green plush and the curtain draperies, hanging from brass rods, are, of pale green silk.

There are three circles of lights in the foyer, one in the center having fifteen lights and each of the side ones having eight. Leading from the left side of the foyer is the ladies' retiring room, which will always be in charge of a competent maid. It is elegantly equipped. From the right side is a stairway leading to the basement in 'which is the men's smokfng room. There are four aisles leading to the main auditorium, one down each side of the house and one down each side of the center section of seats.

This arrangement gives three sections of seats center, right amf 'ieft. There are 474 seats Jn the auditorium, so raised that there's not a poor seat on the first floor. Then there are eight boxes four on each side accommodating thirty-two people more, built after the manner of the boxes in the Studebaker theatre in Chicago. The seats are, with few exceptions, twenty-two inches wide, four inches more than the ordinary operahouse seat. The seats are upholstered in red leather, and the backs are of birch mahogany finish.

The rows are. set far enough apart so that people, are not arrivals to pass them to reach inside seats. The aisles are extra wide, compelled 'to rise to allow belated carpeted with soft red Brussels and the entire floor is stained to make cleaning easy. Each box on the first floor will accommodate four people; chairs are of mahogany finish, cane backs and seats. The woodwork is in ivory finish and the tops of the railings are in green plush.

Drapery curtains are soft silks in harmony with the ivory scheme of the wall Jecovations. William Kckhart of Chicago was the designer who put the Unishiug decorations of the house. The interior structure at once impresses Ihe theatregoer. The proscenium arch above the stage opening is high and sweeping, with floral and figure decorations the staff work on the outer side of the balcony railing shows alternately cherubs and lions and that on the gallery railing shows a wreath design. Red Brussels carpet you tread as you walk to the balcony.

Seats are of birch, mahogany finish, unuphol-stered, and same size as those on the first floor. The floor is stained a dark drab color, red Brussels carpets are laid in the wide aisles, the railings in front topped with rich green plush, as in other parts of the house. There are 325 seats. There 13 one box on each side in the gallery and each one will seat a party of six. The gallery, or as it Js more often called, the pit or "nigger heaven, will seat 530 people.

The seats are 1ST COMPLETE III MIDDLE WEST High Praise Given Moline's Theatre by Those Competent to Judge Description Exterior and Interior. COST MORE THAN $70,000 Expense Already in Excess of Original Estimates Rich Carpeting and Furnishings. 4- WHAT EXPERT UUi THINK OF THEATRE. 4- "It is by far the best theatre 4-4- building on our circuit of thirty- four," said F. W.

Chamberlin, of the Chamberlin-Harrington syn- -f dicate. "It is even more the -f -f most complete theatre in the mid- -f die west outside of Chicago. We hope through it to develop Mo- -f line into a theatre-going town, so -f you can appreciate that it is -f 4- largely up to the people what the character of the attractions will -f be. It will be our aim to meet the popular demand." -f "The Moline already has cost -f us more than, we counted on -f spending on 'its construction," -f said C. T.

Kindt of Davenport. -f "We have paid bills aggregating more than $60,000, and the total -f cost will be probably more than 4--f $70,000 before we are done." -f -f -r -f Finest playhouse in the entire state outside of Chicago's best is the general verdict of the New Moline theatre. Tfci new house presents a pleasing exterior appearance and does much to show off the business buildings of Third avenue between Fifteenth and Eighteenth but it is the interior which inspires spontaneous bursts of admiration from all who enter the doors which lead within. From the olive green and gold decorated canopy -which overhangs the main Third-avenue entrance to the Second-avenue walls behind the stage there is nothing to censure, every thing to please and praise. The with fifty lights around Its edge, seventy-five in the roof and with 164 additional bulbs twinkling from the vertical sign of the house in shape "The Moline" there is ample light at the approach to the 'house.

The big double doors leading into the lobby are set back so as to provide an open vestibule. The lobby is 18x20 feet. The floor is finished in Mosiac tile, similar to that laid in the lobby at the Manufacturers hotel, and the wainscoting is oak-Flemish finish. On the left side entering is the oftlce of the manager, Frank Hurst. The woodwork is in oak also In Flemish finish; the walls are stained a beautiful cardinal red.

In that office Is the switchboard which controls the electric lights for the front of the house. Here, too, is the telephone connecting the theatre with the city lines through the Central Union office, and here also Is a house 'phone which connects the manager's office with the front doorkeeper, gallery box ofiice, gallery doorkeeper, the leader of the orchestra, the electrician, the bill room, the fly gallery, the boiler room, and the stage manager's efflce. South of the manager's office Is the ticket office, and the third of the lit-tla suite of rooms will bevused for? a counting room, where the safe will be kept and where tickets win be stored. The ticket office and tie Jack and company. There was no set program of dedication, and the theatre underwent its transition from the period of construction to the time of actual operation without incident save the unfolding to the public of the beauties of it3 in terior.

After the theatre many of the patrons formed supper parties at the Manufacturers', and a number of the stage folks were guests at these. With the crush and jam anticipated the seating of the audience required some little time, but the ushers disposed of their throng without confu sion and there was no great loss of time. Extra musicians were secured from Davenport to swell the orchestra to fourteen pieces. Masquerade of Rollers. The first masquerade of the season for those who enjoy roller Bkatin will be given at Industrial hall Thurs day evening.

Dec. zi. A large number have already signified their in tention of masking and the event promises to be well attended and prove very entertaining. Goand sx the fun. Hollister's Rocky Mountain Tea Is simply liquid electricity.

It goes to every part of your body, bringing new blood, strength and new vigor. "It makes tou well and keeps you well. 35 cents. F. W.

Uhrus. TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY Take LAXATIVE BROMO Quinine Tablets. Druggists refund money if it fails to cure. E. W.

GROVE'S slg nature is on each box. 25c Candy Boxes. Our display of candy boxes Is the finest in the west Davenport At Maehr's. When in Davenport be sure and drop In and see our burnt leather and hand painted glove and handkerchief boxes. MaeLr'a.

7 Coatiaued oa Pag Nine. Continued oa Faga Jiiae..