Evangelical Messenger Obituary Index

The Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana has an obituary index to the Evangelical Messenger.


From the library's website:

The Evangelical Association was founded in 1800 by Jacob Albright (1759-1808). There was a split in this denomination from 1891-1922, when the dissenting group formed The United Evangelical Church. Its periodical was titled The Evangelical. When the two bodies reunited, the name became The Evangelical Church. Those not wishing to reunite formed the Evangelical Congregational Church. 

The Evangelical Church merged with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1946 and became the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) denomination. In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren denomination merged with the Methodist Church and became the United Methodist Church. 

Der Christliche Botschafter was the German-language denominational periodical of the Evangelical Association, and was published from 1836-1947. In 1967 Evelyn Zehnder Seder had translated to English, then published, abstracts of Der Christliche Botschafter obituaries, 1836-1866. 

The English-language, weekly denominational publication was The Evangelical Messenger, which was published from 1848-1946. Both periodicals had separate editors and different content; both published obituaries, but not necessarily the same ones.

Photocopies of obituaries may be ordered via email to genealogy@acpl.info. Requests should include the patron's name and mailing address, decedent's name and the date the obituary appears. Patrons will be billed $2.50 for each obituary and should allow up to six weeks for processing. 

It is imperative that the entire obituary be viewed to learn the personal characteristics of the decedent, number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other information that is not included in the index. The entire run of the Evangelical Messenger is on microfilm in cabinet 100-B-7 at The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.

Members of my paternal ancestry, including the HALEY and METZNER families, were members of this religious affiliation.  With Ft. Wayne being so close, these items will be on my agenda for my next research trip.

Date	Page	Decedent or Spouse	Age	Maiden Name	Spouse or Decedent	Locale	Location (Event)	Place of Death or Last Known Residence/Notes
10/17/1917	21	DOTY, Fern*	20	METZNER	DOTY, Clifford F.	IN		IN: Elkhart (d Sep 4, 1917); b Sep 3, 1897, dau of Rev. J. W.; died 1 day after 20th birthday, lay in casket on 2nd wedding anniversary; memb Elkhart First Ch., pianist there 6 yrs; husb remains; dau died 4 mos ago
5/6/1908	24	HARTWEG, Magdalena*	57	METZNER	HARTWEG, John	IL	GER: Alsace: Sundhausen (b)	IL: Hooppole (d)
6/13/1900	379	HUESTON, Caroline H.*	49	METZNER	HUESTON, -----	WI	IN: Portland area (b)	WI: Oakfield (died visiting sister)
03/08/1892	155	JAQUET, Elizabeth*	77	METZNER	JAQUET, Christopher	IL	GERMANY: Sant Hansen (b)	IL: Hoop Pole area (d); to AMER 1842; md age 31 yrs; he d abt 33 yrs ago; 4 chren, 1 bro remain; 2 chren dead
01/22/1895	59	KILE, Katie*	21	METZNER	KILE, -----	IN	IN: Jay Co. (b)	IN: Portland (d)
7/25/1900	475	MEISEL, Kunigunda*	75	METZNER	MEISEL, -----	PA	BAVARIA: Kreis Oberfranken: Burgwindheim (b)	PA: Lehighton (d)
07/12/1899	443	METZNER, Adam			MOULTON, Clara*
6/13/1900	379	METZNER, Caroline H.*	49		HUESTON, -----	WI	IN: Portland area (b)	WI: Oakfield (died visiting sister)
01/24/1888	59	METZNER, Catharine			METZNER, John*
7/6/1910	27	METZNER, Catharine*	90	YOUNG	METZNER, John	IN	FRANCE (b)	IN: Rome City (d); md Newark, Licking Co., OH, 1839
07/12/1899	443	METZNER, Clara*	55	MOULTON	METZNER, Adam	IN		IN: Portland (d); md 1864
03/08/1892	155	METZNER, Elizabeth*	77		JAQUET, Christopher	IL	GERMANY: Sant Hansen (b)	IL: Hoop Pole area (d); to AMER 1842; md age 31 yrs; he d abt 33 yrs ago; 4 chren, 1 bro remain; 2 chren dead
10/17/1917	21	METZNER, Fern*	20		DOTY, Clifford F.	IN		IN: Elkhart (d Sep 4, 1917); b Sep 3, 1897, dau of Rev. J. W.; died 1 day after 20th birthday, lay in casket on 2nd wedding anniversary; memb Elkhart First Ch., pianist there 6 yrs; husb remains; dau died 4 mos ago
08/26/1875	267	METZNER, George*	62			OH	GERMANY (b)	OH: Belmore area (d Jun 19, 1875 age 62y, 2m, 17d); to AMER ca age 28; widow, 6 chren remain. "His house was ever open to the weary itinerant while traveling through the forests of the north west."
7/6/1910	27	METZNER, John			YOUNG, Catharine*
01/24/1888	59	METZNER, John*	82		YOUNG, Catharine	IN	GERMANY (b)	IN: Jay Co. (res); to AMER 1837 to Licking Co., OH; md Nov 3, 1839; to Jay Co. 1850; 4 sons, 4 daus remain; 2 sons, 1 dau dead [line through place of birth, but believe it to be Germany]
01/22/1895	59	METZNER, Katie*	21		KILE, -----	IN	IN: Jay Co. (b)	IN: Portland (d)
7/25/1900	475	METZNER, Kunigunda*	75		MEISEL, -----	PA	BAVARIA: Kreis Oberfranken: Burgwindheim (b)	PA: Lehighton (d)
5/6/1908	24	METZNER, Magdalena*	57		HARTWEG, John	IL	GER: Alsace: Sundhausen (b)	IL: Hooppole (d)

Date	Page	Decedent or Spouse	Age	Maiden Name	Spouse or Decedent	Locale	Location (Event)	Place of Death or Last Known Residence/Note

4/15/1908	23	EASTERDAY, Barbara Helen*	72	HALEY	EASTERDAY, Christian	IN	OH: Hardin Co.: Goshen (b)	IN: Portland (d)
6/13/1906	24	FALK, Margaret*	66	HALEY	FALK, Sylvanus S.	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Hancock Co.: Mt. Cory (d)
09/13/1899	587	HALDEMAN, Susan Jane*	55	HALEY	HALDEMAN, Alfred	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Morrow Co. (d)
12/25/1907	24	HALEY, -----			RADER, Lydia*
05/31/1887	347	HALEY, -----			LONGBRAKE, Rebecca*
07/23/1913	26	HALEY, Arthur Paul*	17			IN	IN: Jay Co. (b)	IN: submitting minister: W. I. Weyant of Portland Circuit
4/15/1908	23	HALEY, Barbara Helen*	72		EASTERDAY, Christian	IN	OH: Hardin Co.: Goshen (b)	IN: Portland (d)
09/05/1893	571	HALEY, Charles W.*	21			IN	OH: Wayne Co. (b)	IN: Jay Co. (d); mother, 3 bros, 3 sis remain
12/23/1908	24	HALEY, Delilah			HALEY, Frederick*
05/18/1898	315	HALEY, Elizabeth			HALEY, Frederick*
05/16/1917	20	HALEY, Elizabeth			MARQUARDT, Adam*
2/26/1908	24	HALEY, Elizabeth*	59		HOLZHAUER, Adam	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Erie Co.: Huron (res)
05/12/1897	299	HALEY, Elizabeth*	72		HALEY, Fred.	--	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	--: Minister: SNYDER, F. L.; md 1843
05/12/1897	299	HALEY, Fred.			-----, Elizabeth*
12/23/1908	24	HALEY, Frederick*	49		FERNER, Delilah	IN	OH: Fairfield (b)	IN: Portland (d)
05/18/1898	315	HALEY, Frederick*	78		BERGMAN, Elizabeth	IN	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	IN: Portland (d); md 1843
03/13/1888	173	HALEY, Geo. J. (Rev.)*	76		GARY, Rachel H.	OH	SWITZERLAND: Canton Basel (b)	OH: Erie Co.: Huron (d); to AMER 1816 to Fairfield Co., OH; md 1835; widow, all 10 chren remain [very detailed list of OH pastorates]
12/08/1897	779	HALEY, George J. (Rev.)			GARY, Rachel*
12/20/1892	811	HALEY, George W.*	52		SHERRICK, Mary Jane	IN	OH: Harden [sic] Co. (b)	IN: Jay Co. (d); md 30 yrs ago; wife, 4 boys, 3 girls, mother, 5 sis, 4 bros remain
1/15/1902	43	HALEY, John*	51		MYERS, Susan	IN	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	IN: submitting minister of Portland, IN, at this time
9/5/1900	571	HALEY, Lydia			HALEY, Sebastian*
12/25/1907	24	HALEY, Lydia*	81	RADER		IN	OH (b)	IN: Portland area (d)
6/13/1906	24	HALEY, Margaret*	66		FALK, Sylvanus S.	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Hancock Co.: Mt. Cory (d)
12/5/1906	25	HALEY, Margaret*	78		HENSEL, Samuel	OH		OH: Fairfield Co.: Basil (d)
12/20/1892	811	HALEY, Mary Jane			HALEY, George W.*
01/25/1899	59	HALEY, Melissa Jane*	57		HALEY, Stephen N.	OH		OH: Beach City (d); md 1870
03/13/1888	173	HALEY, Rachel H.			HALEY, Geo. J. (Rev.)*
12/08/1897	779	HALEY, Rachel*	81	GARY	HALEY, George J. (Rev.)	OH	OH: Fairfield Co.: Liberty (b)	OH: Huron area (died at home of son Frank)
1/9/1901	27	HALEY, Rebecca*	36		PATTERSON, Levi	OH		OH: submitting minister of Fort Recovery, Mercer Co., OH, at this time
05/31/1887	347	HALEY, Rebecca*	66	LONGBRAKE	HALEY, -----	--		--: Minister: STOOPS, J. E.: husb, 8 chren remain; 2 chren dead; originally had 5 sons, 5 daus
12/5/1900	779	HALEY, Sarah*	38		LEONARD, C.	--
9/5/1900	571	HALEY, Sebastian*	77		RADER, Lydia	IN	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	IN: Jay Co. (d)
01/25/1899	59	HALEY, Stephen N.			-----, Melissa Jane*
1/15/1902	43	HALEY, Susan			HALEY, John*
03/28/1917	21	HALEY, Susan J.			HALDEMAN, Alfred*
09/13/1899	587	HALEY, Susan Jane*	55		HALDEMAN, Alfred	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Morrow Co. (d)
12/5/1906	25	HENSEL, Margaret*	78	HALEY	HENSEL, Samuel	OH		OH: Fairfield Co.: Basil (d)
2/26/1908	24	HOLZHAUER, Elizabeth*	59	HALEY	HOLZHAUER, Adam	OH	OH: Fairfield Co. (b)	OH: Erie Co.: Huron (res)
12/5/1900	779	LEONARD, Sarah*	38	HALEY	LEONARD, C.	--
1/9/1901	27	PATTERSON, Rebecca*	36	HALEY	PATTERSON, Levi	OH		OH: submitting minister of Fort Recovery, Mercer Co., OH, at this time

Surname Saturday : PHILBRICK

The PHILBRICK surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are English.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 47: Emeline Philbrick (1817-1881).  Emeline was born May 29, 1817 in Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio.  She married in 1848 to Albert Moulton (1819-1864).  Albert was born May 10, 1819 in Rutland County, Vermont.  They had 2 daughters and lived in Licking County, Ohio and Bureau County, Illinois.  Albert abandoned his family during the Gold Rush to California.  Emeline then lived with family in Livingston County, Missouri and Newton County, Indiana.  She died January 16, 1881.


Ahnentafel # 94: Joel Philbrick (1781-1846).  Joel was born April 24, 1781 in Dracut, Massachusetts.  He married in 1808 to Sally Fox (1788-1868).  Sally was born August 27, 1788 in Centre Harbor, New Hampshire.  They moved to Licking County, Ohio before 1817 and raised 10 children.  Sally died in 1868 in Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio.  Joel died March 1, 1846 in Licking County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 188: Deacon John Philbrick (1748-1840).  John was born February 23, 1748 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  He married December 6, 1770 in Hollis, New Hampshire to Sally Jewett (1749-     ).  Sally was born March 7, 1749 in Hollis, Province of New Hampshire.  They raised 8 children in Hollis and Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.  John died July 31, 1840 in Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.


Ahnentafel # 366: John Philbrick (1712-1748).  John was born May 26, 1712 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  He married December 26, 1734 in Hampton Falls, Province of New Hampshire to Judith Sanborn (1715-     ).  Judith was born January 8, 1715 in Hampton Falls, Province of New Hampshire. They raised 7 children in Hampton Falls, where John was  a farmer.  John died February 16, 1748 in Hampton Falls, Province of New Hampshire.


Ahnentafel # 732: Thomas Philbrick (1688-1748).  Thomas was born March 31, 1688 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  He married Abigail ________. They had 5 children.  Thomas died February 15, 1748 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.


Ahnentafel # 1464: Samuel Philbrick (1660-1694).  Samuel was born May 19, 1660 in Hampton, Massachusetts Bay Colony.  He married to Jane ________ (c1660-     ).  They had 3 children.  Samuel died February 22, 1694 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.


Ahnentafel # 2928: Sergeant Thomas Philbrick (1624-1700).  Thomas was born 1624 in England.  He married in 1647 to Anne Knapp (    -1667).  Anne died May 17, 1667.  Thomas married secondly to Hannah French.  Thomas was a deacon and representative.  Thomas died November 24, 1700 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.


Ahnentafel # 5856: Thomas Philbrick (     -1667).  Thomas emigrated to Watertown, Massachusetts Bay Colony before 1636.  He married Elizabeth ________ (    -1663).  They had 7 children.  Thomas died in 1667 in Hampton, Massachusetts Bay Colony.


Related blog posts:

•  Google Books Fills In The Gaps

• Widow Emeline Moulton: Licking Co., OH & Livingston Co., MO

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Portland, Indiana Groceries (1907)

Source: Complete Directory of Jay County, M. & M. Directory Co., Portland, Ind., 1907, p. 29

The above listing shows the grocers who were operating in Portland, Jay County, Indiana in 1907.  

The Fred HALEY listed at 621 N. Meridian may be connected to my Haley line.  On page 59 of the directory, he is listed as living with wife Delilah.  There was a marriage between Frederick HALEY and Delilah A. FERNER on March 15, 1874 in Jay County, Indiana.

The EASTERDAY brothers at 720 N. Meridian may also be connected to my Haley line.  Two Easterday grocers are listed on page 51, John G. and Philemon.

Family Recipe Friday: Aunt Vera's Molasses Cookies

Aunt Vera (Haley) Stuber made these delicious cookies.   They were a favorite with Weldon LeMaster.  He remembers them being as large as saucers.   Note the quantities of ingredients and assume the recipe made a lot depending on size.   I had no directions for the recipe as to how long to bake and what temperature, so I referred to a modern cookbook.  

    1 1/2 pounds lard                                              
    3 pounds brown sugar                                           
    1 pint sorghum molasses                                        
    12 eggs                                                        
    2-4 tablespoons baking soda                                    
    2 tablespoons cinnamon                                         
    5 pounds flour       

                                          

Mix lard and brown sugar.  Add molasses and eggs; mix well.  Add soda cinnamon and flour.  Chill and roll into small balls and bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes.   Cookies freeze well.  This recipe can be cut in half.


Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

Business Listings : Jay County, Indiana (1907) : Wehrly

Source: Complete Directory of Jay County, M. & M. Directory Co., Portland, Ind., 1907, p. 27.

Source: Complete Directory of Jay County, M. & M. Directory Co., Portland, Ind., 1907, p. 31.

My paternal great granduncle, John William WEHRLY (1870-1954) was a jeweler in Portland, Indiana.  He was the son of William P. and Olive Jane (SMITH) WEHRLY.

I do not know for sure that he was the same Wehrly involved with the buggy sales at Wehrly Bros.

Wedding Wednesday: Ora Lee Brady Weds Garth L. LeMaster

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, May 11, 1942, page 3

Ora Lee Brady Weds Garth L. LeMaster In Home Ceremony

In a pretty ceremony, performed at 8 o'clock Saturday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Logan on East Main street, Miss Ora Lee Brady became the bride of Garth Luman LeMaster, both of Portland.

Rev. J.H. Nall, pastor of the First United Brethren church, read the impressive single ceremony in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Elvin LeMaster, J.C. Downey and Mr. and Mrs. Logan.

The bride, who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brady, wore a blue crepe street length dress with beige accessories.  Her flowers were a corsage of sweetpeas and rosebuds.  Her attendant, Mrs. Elvin LeMaster wore a rose crepe with beige accessories.  The groom, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence LeMaster, was attended by Mr. LeMaster.

The bride is a graduate of the class of 1939 from the Portland high school and Mr. LeMaster graduated from the Jackson township high school the same year.

The young couple will reside in Union City where the groom is employed.

Wedding Wednesday – a great way to display those old wedding photos or scan wedding invitations and announcements! Suggested by Carol of Reflections from the Fence and in use by several genealogy bloggers.

Wordless Wednesday: Ruth LeMaster

Ruth LeMaster

Wordless Wednesday – a great way to share your old family photos! Create a post with the main focus being a photograph or image. Some posters also include attribute information as to the source of the image (date, location, owner, etc.). Wordless Wednesday is one of the longest running “memes” in the blogosphere and is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Tombstone Tuesday: Lyford L. and Hazel M. Chew

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Lyford L. and Hazel M. Chew marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

Lyford L. and Hazel Mildred (________) CHEW are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Lyford was my paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed.

Lyford was born August 2, 1900 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Dr. William Anderson and Emma Susan (STRAIGHT) CHEW.

Hazel Mildred ________ was born in 1898 to unknown parentage.  I do not yet know when and where they were married.

Hazel died in 1950.  Lyford died in 1964.  

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Amanuensis Monday: Letter from Aunt Helene (April 1972)

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. 

Source: Letter from Mrs. V.W. LeMaster, 206 Bon Air Dr., Sidney Ohio to Mr & Mrs. Ord LeMaster, 214 W. Monroe St., Alexandria, Indiana, postmarked February 19, 1972.

Dear Gloria & Ord :

I received your letter with the request to give you the information about the LeMaster family.  I know very little about the early history of the family.  Art had a book of the LeMaster family that was published through the efforts of some LeMaster.  It had father & mother's names and their children.  It was not all together correct (the Luman LeMaster family) if I recall rightly.  Then, Art also sent a history of his family that he and Aunt Maud Phillips had typed and sent to their families.  I have that and will check through it for information.

I am sorry to be so late in answering your letter.  I have had the flu for almost a month and have such an accumulation of back work it seems I never get caught up.

You do not have Clifford LeMaster in your group.  If I do not find enough about his family I will give you the name and address of his daughter Gladys who lives in California.

You might inquire about the book Art had.  It had the 'crest' or emblem or whatever it is called of the LeMaster family.  I do not know what has been done with his books.

You will hear from me again when I get the material assembled.

Keep well and happy,

Love Aunt Helene

---

This letter, postmarked February 19, 1972, was written to my parents by my father's grandaunt, Helene (GARMHAUSEN) LeMASTER, widow of Dr. Vernon Walker LeMASTER.

The following explanations of people and things mentioned in the letter:

1. Art = Arthur Raymond LeMASTER, brother of Vernon Walker LeMASTER.  Arthur died December 16, 1971.

2. The LeMaster genealogy referenced must refer to Lemasters, U.S.A., 1639-1965 by Howard M. Lemaster and Margaret Herberger.  I have a copy of this genealogy.

3. The family history mentioned as being compiled by Art and his sister, Maud (LeMASTER), was put together circa 1960.  I have a partial copy and will reference it in later posts.

4. The Clifford LeMASTER is William Clifford LeMASTER,  an older brother of Arthur and Vernon.

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Who Burned Down the Opera House?

According to the 1920 census of Victor, Teller County, Colorado, my paternal great granduncle, William Clifford LeMASTER was the proprietor of a theatre.  He was living as a lodger in the Francis P. Hall household.  His age was listed as 46 and marital status was given as divorced.  Also living with him was his son, Ralph, aged 17, who was working as an express driver.

Source: Francis P. Hall household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Victor, Teller County, Colorado, ED 238, SD 3, sheet 9, dwelling 192, family 207; Ancestry.com [database on-line].

This finding in the 1920 census jives with information given in the biographical sketch of William's father, Luman Walker LeMASTERS Jr., in Milton T. Jay's History of Jay County, Indiana, on page 197, where it states that William was the proprietor of a motion picture theater in Victor, Colorado.

Previously, William had been a bank cashier at banks in both Elyria, Ohio and Fort Collins, Colorado.  Sometime between 1910 and 1920, probably around the time of his divorce, he switched occupations.

Several weeks ago, I discovered the website Opera in Old Colorado, which had some information and photos of the old opera house in Victor, Colorado.  This opera house was the one being used to house the movie theater.  The opera house burned September 27, 1920, and the website stated that W.C. LeMaster had burned it down to obtain the insurance money.  Very interesting story, indeed!  

I immediately contacted the website's author, in order to obtain more information.  He was able to send me the following:

I have attached an item about the burning of the Victor Opera House from the Fort Collins Courier, Monday, Sept 27, 1920.  At the moment I cannot locate the source of the information about the owner burning the building to collect the insurance.  I will try to do so sometime next week when I can get into the library at CSU to search some newspapers of the time.  If you have access to microfilms of the Rocky Mountain News, you might look at some issues on and after September 27, 1920, to see if you can verify the information.

Cripple Creek has $100,000 fire in Big Opera House

CRIPPLE CREEK, Sept. 27 - The Victor Opera House, the largest structure in the Cripple Creek district, was destroyed by fire at noon today.  The building was valued at $100,000.  No one was in the opera house at the time.  The origin of the fire is a mystery.  The opera house was being used as a motion picture theatre.

Though intriguing, this tidbit didn't mention W.C. LeMaster by name, but it did confirm that the opera house was being used as a motion picture theatre.

The owner of the Opera in Old Colorado website did contact me this week with an update to the information :

I am unable to locate the source of the information about W. C. Le Master burning the Victor Opera House.  I believe it was from a university dissertation, but I cannot find a written record to verify it.  I have found a newspaper account from 1920 that give a different story (see attached).  I do not know which is the more accurate one, but as I do have a copy of the newspaper story, I have used some of the information from it for a modified version now on the website.

Fire raised its ugly head again in September 1920, when the Victor Opera House burned.  At the time, the opera house was said to be the largest structure in the Cripple Creek District and had played host to many famous performers.  Built at an original cost of $65,000, the building was a total loss estimated at $100,000.  The opera house's owner, E.H. Hall of Denver, was insured for no more than $6,500, which was not enough enough to replace even the impressive $7,000 organ.  The opera house was never rebuilt.

The website is now updated with this new information.  Jack Dempsey began his career in Victor and boxed at the opera house.  The search will continue for more information about this mysterious fire.

Another question: what is the relationship between E.H. Hall of Denver and the Francis P. Hall, in whose home William Clifford LeMaster was a boarder in 1920?

I have reached out to the Pikes Peak Library District to see if they have newspaper articles regarding the fire to clear up this mystery.