USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 15
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There is nothing special to say about the expositions held from 1875 to 1883, except that they were successful. Goldsmith Maid, the trotting mare, made her famous race against time for a purse of $2,000 in 1877. The Kansas City Exposition association became a member of the Great West- ern Fair and Racing circuit in 1878. The grandstand and the main hall on the exposition grounds were destroyed by fire in 1881, causing a loss of $75,000.
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A company known as the Interstate Fair association equipped exposition grounds in Westport in what is now the Roanoke residence district, and the exhibitions were held there from 1883 to 1886. This land soon became too valuable to be used for expositions and then the fair grounds were established between Twelfth and Fifteenth streets at Kansas avenue. A building modeled after the Crystal Palace in London was projected by James Goodwin as an individual enterprise. After vexatious delays, Goodwin called on the public for money to complete the work and $200,000 was subscribed. The opening was held October 6, 1887.
The exposition building for several years was one of the chief attractions of Kansas City. It had seventeen acres of floor space and 80,000 square feet of glass formed its roof. The cost of the building was $265,000 and the equipment $30,000.
The opening of the fair of 1887 was a brilliant event. There had been nothing in Kansas City to compare with it in public interest since the opening of the first exposition in 1871. Bishop E. R. Hendrix of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, made the invocation, and the principal address was given by Major William Warner. Gilmore's band was one of the features of the exposition. President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland visited the fair and a crowd estimated at 50,000 passed in review before them. Chauncey M. Depew and Cornelius Vanderbilt were other noted visitors.
The numerous special days, such as children's day, Kansas day and Irish day, attracted large crowds. The total attendance was 400,000 and the cash receipts were $60,000. The results of the exposition were very grati- fying but the exhibitions held the following years were not so successful. In 1892 the exposition association lost about $12,000 and in the fall of 1893 the last exposition was held in the great "Crystal Palace."
Exposition hall, an empty shell, with most of its 80,000 square feet of glass shattered by hail stones, stood until August 5, 1901, when it was destroyed by fire. A week before it had been announced that dynamite would be used in tearing down the building, but some one thought of a safer method. Fire was discovered in three parts of the building about the same time.
With the inrush of gold seekers, there came to Kansas City traveling shows, gambling devices, shooting galleries and all other amusements that are an adjunct to, and followers of a miscellaneous traveling public. As these conditions passed and Kansas City became more settled, lecture halls were built and the amusements became of a higher type. Debating societies were formed in churches, lecture courses were established, increasing in interest and improving in quality, until the need of a theater for the production of first class plays became apparent.
THE OLD EXPOSITION BUILDING
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The Coates Opera house, Kansas City's first popular playhouse. built by Kersey Coates, was begun in January, 1869 and dedicated October 6, 1870. Kersey Coates built the walls from brick made at his kiln at Twelfth street and Broadway. For thirty years it was the city's most popular theater. The opening of the theatre in September, 1871, was an important event in Kan- sas City. The performance began with the singing of the national anthem; applause followed each stanza. E. H. Allen, after a short address, intro- duced T. Dwight Thacher of Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Thacher praised Kan- sas City's enterprise in having so fine a theatre, and he spoke of the residents' culture and love of art and of the city's "magnificent railway systems, the splendid bridge, the vast and beautiful commercial emporiums and the superb publie schools." In conclusion the Kansan spoke of the energy and good citi- zenship of Kersey Coates.
Mr. Coates and his family were seated in a box the opening night. There was a stamping of feet, whistling and loud calls for Mr. Coates. He finally climbed from the box to the stage and spoke briefly. Then the orchestra played and "Money," the play of the evening, began. The following night "The Lady of Lyons" was given.
The original cost of the Coates Opera house was $105,000. The build- ing was remodeled in 1881 at a cost of $45,000. The total amount of money spent on the theatre at various times amounted to about $200,000. The building was ninety-five by one hundred feet and was two stories high. Orig- inally the theater occupied only the second story, the lower floor being used for store rooms. When the building was remodeled the stage was built on the first floor, giving the theatre a parquet, balcony and gallery. The seat- ing capacity was 1,800.
In the early days Kersey Coates managed the theatre. The first manager employed by Mr. Coates was Charles Loek, afterwards a successful theatre man- ager in San Francisco, California. After Lock came Melville Hudson, who managed the theatre until the death of Mr. Coates, April 24, 1887, and for the Coates estate until 1891. Mr. Hudson was the lessee when the building burned in 1901.
For several years the Coates Opera House had the reputation of being the finest theatre between the Mississippi river and the Pacific coast. St. Jo- seph was a bitter rival of Kansas City in the early '70's and was jealous of the handsome playhouse. Several years later the Tootle Grand theatre was built in the up-river town to surpass the Coates Opera House.
The last play seen at the Coates Opera House was "Heart and Sword," in which Walker Whiteside played the leading role. Fifteen minutes after the audience left, the night of January 31. 1901, the building was in flames. The fire started in the boiler rooms under the stage. The building was a
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total loss, and the Whiteside company lost all its scenery and costumes, includ- ing a Shakesperean wardrobe valued at $15,000, and three valuable manu- scripts of new plays.
For years the Coates opera house was the only theatre the city had, but when the Gilliss theatre at Fifth and Walnut streets was built in 1883, the latter became a close rival. The Gilliss theatre owes its existence to Mrs. Mary A. Gilliss Troost, who died in 1872 and left a will, in which a portion of her estate was left to be used for the erection of an opera house, the proceeds of which were to be used for specified charities. The opera house was not built until 1883, on account of the estate being in litigation. The opening night of the Gilliss was September 10, with Mlle. Rhea in " Adrienne Lecouv- rer," Mayor James Gibson and Senator Major William Warner were the speakers of the evening.
Colonel George W. Warder, in 1886, became possessed with the idea that the city needed another theatre, and that the Coates and Gilliss opera houses were not sufficient to furnish the city's theatrical amusement. He therefore announced his intention of building another playhouse. Ground was purchased at the northeast corner of Ninth and Holmes streets and work was immediately begun. The building was called the Warder-Grand and cost $100,000. Six months after the work was commenced the theatre was an- nouneed ready for its first performance. The date of the opening was set for October 25, 1887, and the opening attraction was Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett in "Othello." At 6 o'clock of the evening of the 25th the theatre contained no chairs and the hole in the roof was covered by a tarpaulin. When the performance began the audience were seated in camp chairs and shivering with the cold. for the night was a chilly one, and the building as yet did not contain a heating plant. The play was done in one act, owing to lack of seenery, and the curtain, a white cloth, slid on a wire. Altogether the performance was not a success financially and the house lost money from the very first. In 1890 Colonel Warder lost control of the theatre and the name was then changed from the Warder-Grand to the Auditorium.
The Grand opera house was opened October 3, 1891, with Patti Rosa as the attraction. The Grand was built on the site of the old Midland theatre, which was formerly the old Panorama house in which the famous spectacle " The Battle of Gettysburg," was portrayed.
The present Orpheum theatre building stands upon the site of the old Ninth Street opera house, which was built in 1886 by H. D. Clark. The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1891. Mr. Clark rebuilt the theatre the following year and assumed the management himself. The "Old Ninth Street theatre" was one of the city's best paying investments.
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In February of 1898 the Orpheum circuit entered the field in Kansas City .. The playhouse was leased from Mr. Clark and Martin Lehman was sent here from San Francisco to manage the new enterprise. Kansas City people knew very little about vaudeville in those days, and the general pre- diction was that the show would last about two weeks and then go into the hands of a receiver. The first season was disastrous and when the theatre closed in May, 1898, the Orpheum theatre had lost $20,000. But the man- agement was not discouraged, they had not expected that Kansas City people would appreciate vaudeville at once, and the next season the house opened early. After the second season there remained no doubt that Kansas City liked vaudeville. The Orpheum is now in its eleventh successful season and in February, 1908, it celebrated the occasion of its opening ten years ago.
Among the old halls that were built for amusement purposes was Music hall on Broadway between 9th and 10th streets. It has long since been torn down and a towering wholesale house takes its place. The hall was built in 1883 by Melville H. Hudson, who then had control of the Coates and Gilliss theatres. These two houses were booked so closely that the city had no place whatever to hold lectures and amateur theatricals; Music hall filled this long felt want. The hall became popular also for giving private dances and social functions. The Casino, since its remodeling called the New Casino, now takes the place of the old Music Hall. During the first three summers of Music hall's existence an opera stock company gave performances there, but the people out grew this novelty when other interests took hold of the city.
Lyceum hall on west 9th was another of Kansas City's buildings that has long since served its usefulness. It was bought by the old Missouri, Kansas and Texas Trust Co. about 1892 and remodeled into an office building with a hall for entertainments. Here were held the musicales, dances and other society amusements.
It has been the primeval thought of men to band themselves together, whether for social interests or warfare, and a city's clubs of today are only greatly modified forms of the pow-wows of the Indians of yesterday. Kansas City has followed in the footsteps of her older sister cities in club organizations and now, in 1908, for a man or woman not to belong to some sort of an organ- ization is indeed passè. Kansas City early became interested in clubs. Begin- ning with the social association of the early fire department in 1867, the city has rapidly increased in club organizations, including the business and civic clubs of 1908.
The famous old " Craig Rifles " owed its existence to the great railroad strike in 1877. Three emergency military companies were formed to protect the people and out of these three temporary organizations grew the Craig Rifles which later became more of a social club. The organization was made
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complete in the Merchants' Exchange building at the corner of Fifth and Delaware streets. H. H. Craig who had been the captain of one of the three companies, refused the captaincy of the new company. The company was named for him, however, and he was made the president of the civil organiza- tion. The military officers were: J. N. Dubois, captain ; E. V. Wilkes, 1st lieu- tenant; John Conover, 2d lieutenant; and John A. Dunean, 3d lieutenant. The Craig Rifles were the heroes of Kansas City twenty-five years ago; to wear a Craig Rifle brass button was the secret desire of every maid in town and it kept the young " Craigs " busy making excuses to their superior officers in trying to supply the demand. These young men were the young men of the town. Their dances were the social events of the season and their annual balls were always given early in January,-the first ones were held in the Merchants' Exchange hall but the first year that the Gilliss house opened, the ball was held there. The entertainments, other than daneing, popular with the Craig Rifles were their concerts, and these concerts were well attended by the people of Kansas City. The company had a rifle range out at Dundee place in the neighborhood of what is now Fifteenth street and Troost avenue, and once the company went to Fort Leavenworth to participate in a rifle shoot contest with the soldiers of the regular army. Among the young men who were associated with this organization were: W. B. Thayer who helped to organize the band, Chester A. Snider, who was drum-major and Dr. M. A. Bogie, surgeon. The company was disbanded in 1884 and at that time John A. Dunean was captain of the company.
The Kansas City elub, organized December 10, 1882, has been a most successful social and business association, composed as it is of leading profes- sional and business men. The purpose of the elub is the organization and support of commercial affairs of public importance and the encouragement of such public movements as conduce to the material welfare of the city. The club was housed for six years in two apartments at the northeast corner of Eleventh street and Broadway, at that time the very center of " Quality Hill." On the ground floor were the billiard room, reading room, kitchen and din- ing room, and on the second floor, the library and living rooms. The club functions were always given in the Casino and were most lavish entertainments. The grand ball, given annually, was one of the most important social events of the year. Colonel A. A. Tomlinson was the first president; the vice presi- dents were: E. V. Wilkes, E. H. Allen, G. H. Nettleton. Charles E. Has- brook was secretary and C. S. Wheeler, treasurer. Owing to its steady increase of members, the elub was obliged to seek a new location. The present site at the northeast corner of Twelfth and Wyandotte streets was selected, upon which was ereeted, in 1888, a commodious elub house at a cost of $150,000. The old University elub, whose home was at Tenth and Bluff streets, was ab-
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sorbed by the Kansas City Club in 1892, the latter club thereby gaining a membership of about one hundred new members. Of the present membership of the Kansas City club only eight were among the original incorporators. They are: Colonel A. A. Tomlinson, James H. Oglebay, Senator William Warner, Sanford B. Ladd, Gardiner Lathrop, George D. Huling, L. F. Wilson and Sylvester T. Smith. The last two named are now non-resident members. The present (1908) officers of the club are: President, C. A. Lawler ; vice presi- dents, C. L. Ross, M. V. Watson and F. A. Taylor ; treasurer, V. W. Flowerree. The secretary is A. A. Austin who has held that office since 1899. There are about four hundred and fifty active members and over a hundred non-resident members-well known men in the United States and foreign countries.
Quite an important factor in these organizations is the University club whose membership consists of men who " shall have received a degree from a College or University in good standing, or who shall have attended such College or University, the United States Military Academy or the United States Naval Academy for two years." The club was formerly at home in the old S. B. Armour residence at 1216 Broadway, but later was removed to spa- cious quarters at the corner of Eleventh street and Baltimore avenue. The club was founded November, 1900, and incorporated March, 1901.
The Kansas City Athletic club, more popularly known as the K.C. A. Cs., is just what its name implies, purely athletic. The present club is the out- growth of an organization similarly named, which was organized in the early '90s. The organization then had quarters at Fairmont park, where they had athletic grounds and a quarter mile track. Owing to the inconvenient loca- tion of the club and mode of transportation, the present club was organized with rooms in Strope's hall at Ninth and Central streets. The gymnasium equipment then consisted of two punching bags and a vaulting horse; the other furnishings were in keeping with the limited finances of the organiza- tion. The first officers of the club were B. E. Fryer, president; E. J. Dillon, secretary ; and Hood Lyle, treasurer.
The club was obliged to seek larger quarters owing to the increase in membership, in 1900, and leased rooms in the Pepper building, now the Studio building, on Ninth and Locust streets. For a time, funds were so low that it appeared that the club would go under, but a few loyal members came forward, signed personal notes and helped the club to get onto its feet. The membership increased until now the club ranks among the first of its kind in the country. On August 22, 1906, the club threw open the doors of a new club house, a building of their own designed especially for their use by archi- tect club members. The new building located at 1016 Central street, has a gymnasium 56x122 feet and 28 feet high, and the largest assembly room, outside of Convention hall, in the city. The building is three stories high and
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so constructed that two more stories may be added at a future time. The cost of the building was about $50,000 and the furnishings $20,000. The club also has about four acres of ground between Gillham Road and Oak street, and Thirty-second and Thirty-fourth streets, which are laid out in an athletic field of the most approved style.
Every up-to-date city has its country club, generally a great, rambling, picturesque house, situated in the suburbs of the city, surrounded by beautiful forest trees and rolling grounds.
Such are the country clubs of America to-day, of which Kansas City has three-only one, however, being known as " The Country club," the other two are the "Evanston Golf club," and "Ehn Ridge." The " Country club " was incorporated for forty-nine years, May 1, 1896, "for the purpose of advancing by rational amusement, the mental and bodily health of themselves and their associates." The incorporators were Hugh C. Ward, Charles F. Morse, the late Jefferson Brumback, H. L. Harmon, A. W. Childs, C. J. Hub- ' bard, J. E. Logan, Gardiner Lathrop, St. Clair Street, Ford Harvey, Egbert H. Chapman, Edward S. Washburn, the late William B. Clarke. Membership in the club is limited to 275, of whom 25 may be juniors, between 21 and 27 years of age. The social features of this club are emphasized. Every Saturday night from the middle of May until fall, dinner is served on the porch of the club house after which music and dancing follows. On Decoration day, Inde- pendence day, and all other holidays, golf competitions are held for cups given either by the club or directors. Open house is always kept New Year's day and Christmas day.
During the year 1908, $30,000 was spent in improvements, part of this amount on the athletic field which is intended primarily as a polo field, but provides also for other sports as well. Previous to the year 1908, an athletic field was not so much a necessity, for the Hunt and Polo club had its own grounds ; but since its merging with the Country club, such grounds are re- quired. All members of the former organization, with the exception of eight or nine, were members of the Country club and the consolidation had practi- cally little effect, except to do away with two sets of grounds. The club is beautifully situated on nearly a quarter section of land, at Fifty-second and Broadway, part of the Hugh C. Ward estate.
The "Evanston Golf Club" was organized about 1897, when golf was new to the West and "is the club with the one idea," the second word in its title giving the keynote of its organization. When the club first started, the links were at Fairmont park. Seven of those original members are still active. They are: R. W. Hodge, Dr. George B. Norberg, John Harriss, John Lump- kin, Ernest A. Cronin, Neal S. Doran and Albert Young. The club moved from Fairmont park on March 12, 1901, to Evanston on the Independence
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line some distance east of Colon:1 Van Horn's country home on the high ground north of the Fifteenth street road. When Washington park was taken for a cemetery, the park bath-house was moved to Evanston and used by the Evanston Golf club for a locker house, and a new and spacious club house was built at Evanston. At that time George Mathews was president and George B. Peck, vice president. In the spring of 1905, the old Swope home and grounds, opposite the entrance to Swope park were leased for a term of fif- teen years. The old residence was left standing and additions were built on either side. The Swope homestead had been noted for years as one of the most attractive country seats in Jackson county. Aside from the necessary improve- ments in transforming the grounds into a golf course and the erection of suit- able buildings, nothing has been done to mar the natural beauty of the sur- roundings.
Like the "Country club," the social feature is not neglected. Dancing is indulged in every Saturday during the summer and every two weeks in the winter, under the rules of this club, the wives and daughters of members are also active members. About fifteen rooms are reserved for the use of members who wish to live at the club during the summer, but as these are in such de- mand, no one is allowed to remain longer than two weeks. The present mem- bership is 300. The officers of the club are J. C. Fennell, president; Frank P. Sebree, vice president; Alex. Jaussen, treasurer; Geo. B. Flack, secretary.
The "Elm Ridge club" is the outgrowth of the "Kansas City Jockey club and Fair association" which was incorporated December 6, 1902. In this club, as in the "Country club" and "Evanston," the social feature pre- dominates. Golf, tennis and other sports are indulged in, but horse racing is really the sport most favored. The club has built what is considered the most complete horse racing plant in the West. Membership is limited to 400 and there are now more than 300. The present officers are: Frank Roz- zelle, president; F. A. Britton, 1st vice president; C. C. Peters, 2d vice presi- dent; J. H. Felty, secretary ; and W. A. Rule, treasurer.
The Knife and Fork club has filled a place in the social and literary life of our city that has been unoccupied prior to its advent. The club is a social organization composed of men representative of the principal business and professional interests, devoted to the idea of good dinners and good fellow- ship, with a discussion over the cigars of current events and other topics of interest pertaining to the betterment of mankind and the advance- ment of civilization.
In the month of October, 1898, the plan of such an organization was suggested and the preliminary work begun by Herbert S. Hadley, now (1908) Republican candidate for governor of Missouri, Denton Dunn and J. J. Vine- yard. November 29, 1898, 50 or more gentlemen assembled in the club room
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of the Coates House in answer to letters that had been sent out. The idea of the club was taken up with enthusiasm, officers were elected, a committee on constitution appointed and the first dinner announced for December 15, 1898, at which time a constitution and by-laws were adopted. These dinners have been held monthly except during the summer, and a speaker of some note is generally the guest of the club.
The Knife and Fork club aims to be more of a good fellowship club, as its unique name indicates. It is, however, not at all without its instructive side, for aside from the value of the papers and the addresses themselves, the interchange of ideas by men of different points of view, is an opportunity hardly offered elsewhere.
A club quite as unique in organization as the Knife and Fork club in name, is the Women's Dining club, composed entirely of women who are in the business world. The club's history is brief as it has only been organized since February, 1908.
The "Women's Athletic club" was organized in May, 1908. The athletic and dining features predominate here and everything is in accordance that helps to make a pleasant recreation place for women. Mrs. Viola Dale McMur- ray is director of the club.
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