Source:Theater-drops-in
"A theater drops in: Chas. L. Davis secures a location with a Sixth street entrance: Full details of the new deal: The theatrical kaleidoscope evolves another combination: This site long a circus ground." Pittsburgh Dispatch, Apr. 4, 1890, p. 2. Newspapers.com 76220077.
Where in former years the circus clown cracked his diaphanous jokes and the ringmaster his sinuous whip, Charles L. Davis, "Alvin Joslyn," will erect a commodious theater, with an entrance on Sixth street. The spot is historic. For 25 years every circus that pitched its tent in Pittsburg up to within a few years, gathered in the shining dollars at this place. Since then the ground has degenerated into a horse market, with humble sawdust scattered on the ground. It has been very unproductive of revenue, but has nevertheless been upon the market.
Mr. Davis states that his ambition to become a manager in Pittsburg dates back six months, when he commenced a correspondence with Messrs. Staub & Morris, the Wood street real estate dealers. But Mr. Davis' ambition dates further back than the above period. Six years ago he assured the writer at Emporia, Kan., that his desire was to accumulate enough money to build a theater in some Eastern city. That he is in earnest the details of yesterday's transaction go far to indicate.
The Property Purchased.
From the Shields estate Mr. Davis has purchased for $95,000 the following realty: Lying along McCrea alley for a depth of 60 feet, and with a 25-foot frontage on Sixth street, the entrance to the theater is provided for. Sixty feet from the Sixth street line is the piece of ground on which the theater proper will be built. It is 100 × 140, and has three open sides, viz., McCrea alley between it and the Bijou Theater, Barker's alley at the rear, and the alley skirting the Red Lion Hotel on the river side. Thus, without paying the $375,000 required to purchase the entire frontage on Sixth street, Mr. Davis secures an amply wide main entrance and enough land at the rear to answer all his needs. There will be numerous side and rear entrances from the three alleys, and by some 70 exits Mr. Davis calculates that the building can be emptied inside of two minutes.
The terms of the purchase are very easy. S. A. Johnson, Esq., drew up the deeds. Mr. Davis paid $5,000 down, and is to pay $20,000 more when the deeds are examined and recorded. Mr. Davis hauled out a fat roll of greenbacks when the first payment was made, remarking that checks might suit some people, but he liked to produce the "bullion." Seventy thousand dollars yet remain to be paid, covered by a mortgage on easy terms.
Mr. Davis agrees to erect a building costing not less than $100,000, but states that his new theater will cost much more than the specified sum. As the holder of the lease of the Sixth street frontage has until April 1, 1891, in which to find other quarters, Mr. Davis will defer building until that time. He expects to rush the building, and will open it in October, 1891.
When seen yesterday Mr. Davis gave a glowing description of the theater-to-be, and talked as if his means were practically unlimited. He stated that Reed Bros., the Evansville, Ind., architects, had prepared plans which met his approbation, although two others were under consideration.
Will Be Strictly First-Class.
Mr. Davis declares stoutly that the house will be entirely first-class, and enumerates a number of innovations calculated to dazzle Pittsburgers. He says he has commissioned Staub & Morris, who conducted the theater deal, to secure for him a commodious residence in the East End.
Manager Gulick, of the Bijou, was skeptical about the Davis theater, and while commending Mr. Davis as a traveling attraction and manager, seemed to think that "Uncle Alvin" was playing a bluff game. He said that the Duquesne Theater and Mr. Harry Williams' house were now certain to be built, and that Mr. Davis would find it scaly sledding. Mr. Gulick vigorously denied the soft impeachment that himself and Mr. Bennett were with Mr. Davis in the "deal," and said the Bijou Theater would do business at the old stand. Neither Mr. Gulick nor Mr. Joseph Horne would say anything about the renewal of the Bijou lease, two years hence, although both gentlemen are popularly credited with being best qualified to speak upon that subject.
Common talk is to the effect that Manager Gulick and his backer enjoy such friendly relations with Mr. Harry Williams that those who are used to the faces now seen in the Bijou box and managerial offices will smile upon applicants for admission to Mr. Williams' new combination house. Manager Gulick and his associates certainly have the very best to say of Mr. Williams' embryotic playhouse. Mr. Gulick says that Manager Henderson means business, and will do all he has promised.
In theatrical circles the Supreme Court decision upon Controller Morrow's street bill is looked upon as a clincher of the Diamond street opening. Mr. Wilt, in pursuance of his tactics, refuses to say anything at all for publication.
Mr. Davis leaves to-night for Niagara Falls. His "One of the Old Stock" is laying off on account of Holy Week. An advance agent here in the city claims that Mr. Davis has threatened by the column to build theaters in Philadelphia and Boston, but hasn't carried his threats into execution.
