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.

Funeral information: William Clifford LeMaster (1871-1922)

A volunteer at Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, Nick Hardy, was able to locate some information for me regarding William Clifford LeMaster, specifically information about his obituary:

Travis,

I tracked down three items for you this afternoon.

1. Death Notice
The body of William C. LeMaster, who died Wednesday at Cedalia, Colo., was brought here yesterday afternoon for burial. The body is at the Law undertaking rooms.

Source:
Colorado Springs Gazette
July 28, 1922
Page 3
Column 2

Repository:
Special collection at the 1905 Carnegie Library
Penrose Branch
Pikes Peak Library District
Colorado Springs, Colorado

2. Funeral Notice
The funeral of William C. LeMaster, who died July 26 at Sedalia, will be held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon from the Elks home. Burial will be in the Evergreen cemetery.

Source:
Colorado Springs Gazette
July 29, 1922
Page 6
Column 6

Repository:
Special collection at the 1905 Carnegie Library
Penrose Branch
Pikes Peak Library District
Colorado Springs, Colorado

3. Cemetery Register
Burial Date           Name                                    Funeral Home       Lot        Block
July 29 1922        Wm. Clifford Le-Master      Law                          44         66

Source:
Colorado Springs internment Records
Book 6 - Evergreen
Pg 65

Repository:
Special collection at the 1905 Carnegie Library
Penrose Branch
Pikes Peak Library District
Colorado Springs, Colorado

I will swing by the cemetery tomorrow and get a photo of the headstone. Sorry there wasn't a full obituary, but the Law funeral home here in Colorado Springs may have additional info.

Best Regards,

Nick Hardy

So, William is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.  This is the same cemetery that his sister, Edith (LeMaster) MEINHOLTZ is buried in.  I created a FindAGrave memorial page for William today.

Bowling Contest at Lorain

Source: The Elyria Reporter, Elyria, Ohio, December 12, 1900, page 1.

Once again, William Clifford LeMaster was displaying his bowling prowess.  

Like Banquo's Ghost

Source: The Elyria Reporter, Elyria, Ohio, July 4, 1900, page 6.


LIKE BANQUO'S GHOST


The Anti-Screen Ordinance Will Not Dows - Bonds Issued


The anti-screen ordinance introduced at a former meeting and referred back to the city solicitor for revision came up again at the meeting Tuesday evening, and the council acted toward it about as they might have done had it been a stick of dynamite, or a hot poker.


The ordinance regarding the closing hours of saloons and providing for a extension of the hour of closing on Saturday nights to 10:30 o'clock was brought up.  This ordinance was intended to pave the way for the ordinance providing for the taking down of screens during closing hours, it being pretty generally understood that the passage of the latter measure depends upon the passage of the first.  The matter, it will be remembered, was gone over pretty thoroughly at the last regular meeting.


The president asked what the pleasure of the council was regarding the ordinance providing for the extension of the time for saloons to remain open on Saturday nights.  An oppressive silence followed.  The members showed about as much inclination to tackle the question as a hobo does a wood saw.


At length Mr. Mueller, with an air that reminded one of a man who has made up his mind to go and have a tooth pulled, moved that the ordinance be accepted.  What he meant by that was not plain.  President Smith and City Solicitor Stevens suggested that Mr. Mueller change the form of his motion, a motion to suspend the rules being in order.  The gentlemen from the third ward, however, did not appear anxious to resume the initiative and disregarding the suggestion said he should like to hear from the other members on the subject.


Mr. Boynton resumed his tactics of the preceeding meeting.  He was anxious to oppose the ordinance, but was embarassed and handicapped by not having any particular argument to advance against the measure.  He said he thought the present laws adequate if properly enforced.


Mr. LeMaster made a clean cut statement of the situation.  He said that there was a disposition on the part of the temperance people and the better class of saloonkeepers to join in doing something to secure a better enforcement of the law.  There is a class of saloonkeepers who are honest and obey the law, but there is another clique of saloonkeepers that have no respect for themselves, for God Almighty, or anybody else.  Mr. LeMaster's remarks were made largely for the enlightment of Mr. Boynton and the attempts of the latter to pick flaws in the ordinance were squarely met.  Mr. LeMaster explained that the proposed measure would give the police a chance to see into hotel barrooms as well as into ordinary saloons.


Mr. Grundy expressed himself in favor of the ordinance.


Mr. Mueller moved the suspension of the rules for the purpose of putting the ordinance upon its final passage.  Mr. Grundy seconded the motion.


Mr. Boynton wanted to make the ordinance apply to drug stores as well as saloons, saying that he had drunk more in drug stores that he had in saloons, not because he expected to get a better article in drug stores, but because he was particular and noticed that the more aristocratic people drink in drug stores.  President Smith reminded Mr. Boynton that the law allows druggists to sell intoxicants only on prescription and for pharmaceutical purposes.


"The whisky I've bought was not on a physician's prescription or for pharmaceutical purposes." replied Mr. Boynton.


Mr. Philpott expressed himself in favor of the ordinance.


Mr. Smith, who was not present at the former meeting when the matter was well canvassed, said the present hours for keeping the saloons open are long enough.  He did not think the people wanted the hours extended and he wouldn't vote for the extension.


Mr. Eady said he did not favor the extension of hours, but would vote for the ordiance because he wanted the anti-screen ordinance to pass.


George H. Chamberlain, who was present, pronounced the ordinance an absolute necessity and said that a large number of people want it even if the hours have to be extended in order to secure its passage.


President Smith pronounced the ordinance to extend the hours a compromise and the acceptance of an evil.  He used the time honored reference to the saloonkeepers, "taking the bread out of the workingman's children's mouths," but in the course of his remarks about bread, did not say anything about the equally venerable phrase to the effect that "half a loaf is better than no loaf" and appeared to prefer that there be no anti-screen ordinance if it could be had only by extending the hours.


Grundy, replying to Mr. Smith's remarks, said: "There is but one drug store in the city where you can't get booze."  The single exception, he stated, is the store kept by Mr. Eady.


Mr. LeMaster also replied to Mr. Smith's objections, and said that workingmen would stay at home with their families on Sunday if an ordinance were passed making it possible to enforce the law, but that as it now is they make saloons a rendezvous all day Sunday, spend their money and that is the way the bread is taken out of their children's mouths.  Mr. Mueller withdrew his motion and both ordinances were passed to their second reading.


An ordinance providing for the issuance of $150,000 of waterworks bonds at 4 per cent, ten to mature annually after 1910, was passed.


Some resolutions for cross walks were passed.


John McNulty asked for permission to occupy a space on Mill street with his popcorn stand.  The matter was discussed and the president finally told Mr. McNulty that the council had nothing to do with it.


---
William Clifford LeMASTER (1871-1922), was the 4th ward councilman of the city of Elyria, Ohio; he was my paternal great granduncle.

William C. LeMaster and son Ralph, c1918, Victor, Colorado

William C. LeMaster and son Ralph, c1918, Victor, Colorado

Thanks to cousin Jill at Grandma Honey, who shared this picture of her great-grandfather, William Clifford LeMaster (1871-1922) and his son, Ralph Morgan LeMaster, taken circa 1918 in Victor, Colorado.  I've also updated my earlier post on the Slinkard's 50th Wedding Anniversary with a couple of pictures.

William was born September 1, 1871 in Darke County, Ohio, the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS.

Ralph was born June 30, 1902 in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, the son of William Clifford and Lella Edith (LEWIS) LeMASTER.  Ralph died April 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California.

Ancestry.com search for Ralph Morgan LeMASTER shows the following :

Given Name: Ralph M. Surname: LeMaster Rank: Private Branch: Marine Corps Place: Olathe

Roster of Men and Women Who Served in The World War From Colorado 1917-1918 Montrose County

Adventures of Grandma Honey

While surfing the internet for material on William Clifford and Lella Edith (LEWIS) LeMASTER, my paternal great granduncle and aunt, I came across a blog written by a distant cousin, who had some great pictures of the family.


The blog is located at http://adventuresofgrandmahoney.blogspot.com/

Turns out that the author, Jill, is the daughter of Gaynor Lea (SLINKARD) ROZIER, who did quite a bit of genealogy herself, and the blog has bits of her research.


Followers of this blog will have no doubt noticed that I've been actively trying to collect as much information as possible about the branch of the LeMaster family who went west to Colorado.  W.C. LeMaster was a banker in Ohio, then Colorado, and ended up running a motion picture theatre at the old opera house in Victor, Colorado.


It's always nice to find another cousin out there, and I've added her blog to the list of ones I'm following.

Sunday's Obituary : Carrie V. (Haley) Thornburg (1905-2003)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, August 6, 2003, page 2.

Carrie Thornburg

Carrie V. Thornburg, 98, Muncie, died in Liberty Village there Thursday.  She was Jay County native.

Born in Jay County on May 14, 1905, to Eli and Cora (Metzner) Haley, she was a homemaker and attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

Surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Services are Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor James Ballenger presiding.  Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Portland.

Visitation is one hour prior to services.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Meinholtz tombstones

A FindAGrave volunteer photographed the tombstones of my paternal great granduncle and aunt, Henry and Edith Mabel (LeMASTER) MEINHOLTZ.  Edith was the daughter of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS, and the younger sister of my Luman Cooper LeMASTERS.


I've previously posted their obituaries, and it is nice to see the tombstone photos.  I'm so thankful for all the volunteers who make FindAGrave a success.


Edith and Henry were buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Memorial pages for Henry C. Meinholtz and Edith Meinholtz.

Surname Saturday : MOULTON

The MOULTON surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Ahnentafel # 23: Clara Moulton (1843-1899).  Clara was born September 1843 in Licking County, Ohio.  She married November 13, 1864 in Jay County, Indiana to John Adam Metzner (1840-1895).  John was born August 23, 1840 in Licking County, Ohio.  They had 4 children and lived in Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana.  John was a Civil War veteran, serving in Co. G, 40th Ohio Infantry and in the 51st Ohio Infantry.  John died December 4, 1895 in Westchester, Jay County, Indiana.  Clara died July 2, 1899 in Westchester, Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 46: Albert Moulton (1819-1864?).  Albert was born May 10, 1819 in Rutland County, Vermont.  He married in 1848 to Emeline Philbrick (1817-1881).  Emeline was born in May 29, 1817 in Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio.  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 died January 16, 1881 in Newton County, Indiana.  Albert may have died May 18, 1864 in California, known to be in El Dorado County, California in the 1850 census.


Ahnentafel # 92: Selah Moulton (1790-1848).  Selah was born October 28, 1790 in Rutland County, Vermont.  He married circa 1815 in Rutland County, Vermont to Lydia Fennel (1796-1869).  Lydia was born February 21, 1796 in Rutland County, Vermont.  They raised 9 children in Rutland County, Vermont and Licking County, Ohio, coming to Ohio circa 1833.  Lydia died December 1869 in Licking County, Ohio.  Selah died February 1848 in St. Albans Township, Licking County, Ohio.  


Ahnentafel # 184: John Moulton (1755-c1808).  John was born December 27, 1755 in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.  He married July 24, 1781 in Castleton, Rutland County, Vermont to Avis Hurlbut (1762-    ).  Avis was born November 11, 1762 in Woodbury, Connecticut.  They raised 15 children in Rutland County, Vermont.  Avis died sometime after 1808.  John died circa 1808 in Vermont.


Ahnentafel # 368: Samuel Moulton (c1730-     ).  Samuel was born circa 1730.  He married Phoebe ________.  They had at least 4 children.


Related blog posts:

• Albert Moulton (1819-1864)

• GeneaLeaks

• Moulton Research

• Hagaman Resource

• Clara (Moulton) Metzner (1843-1899)

• Marriage: John Adam Metzner to Clara Moulton

• Google Books Fills In the Gaps

• Widow Emeline Moulton - Licking County, Ohio

• Albert Moulton - El Dorado County, California

• John Moulton (b. December 27, 1755)

• Today in my database: Selah Moulton (b. October 28, 1790)

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.

Family Recipe Friday: Raisin Pie

Raisin Pie

Makes 8 servings

Weldon must have gotten his like for raisin pie from the LeMaster side of the  family as we discovered a recipe from his aunt, Ferry Mae (Bickel) LeMaster. 

It was published in a Jay County Historical Society Early Cooks book in 2004.

    2 cups boiling water                                           
    2 tablespoons cornstarch                                       
    Pinch of  salt                                                 
    1/2 pound raisins                                              
    1 tablespoon butter                                            
    Nutmeg      
                                                   
Cook raisings in the water until tender, add the rest of the ingredients except nutmeg.   Cook until thickened.   Pour into pastry shell.   Sprinkle on nutmeg, add top crust and bake at 450 for 30 minutes.


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.

The One Armed Bowler of Cleveland

Source: Elyria Reporter, Elyria, Ohio, June 13, 1900, page 5.

A large crowd witnessed the contest last evening between Harry Criss, the one armed bowler of Cleveland, and local players.  Mr. Criss made no phenominal [sic] scores but his playing was very good considering that he was on strange alleys.  He played seven games, winning three out of the seven.  Mr. W.C. LeMaster played in his usual form and succeeded in carrying off the high average of the evening.

---
Apparently, Willilam Clifford LeMASTER was quite the local bowler.  

Quite A Bowler

Source: Elyria Reporter, Elyria, Ohio, June 6, 1900, page 5

The friends of City Councilman LeMaster have known for some time past that he was something of a bowler, but a recent performance has set even the knowing ones wondering. In twelve straight games Tuesday evening, LeMaster rolled the following scores: 166-205-254-248-218-188-165-229-223-213-277-186-248-240.  This is an average of 225 7-12 for twelve games.

---

Councilman LeMaster is William Clifford LeMASTER (1871-1922), my paternal great granduncle.  He was the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LEMASTERS.

Slinkards Are Wed 50 Years

Source: Fresno Bee Republican, Fresno, California, June 29, 1970, page 12.



Slinkards Are Wed 50 Years


Mr. and Mrs. Earl Slinkard of Clovis, who were married June 19, 1920 in San Francisco, observed their golden anniversary at a picnic in Mooney Grove in Visalia.


Hosts were the couple's three children: Donald R. Slinkard, Ted L. Slinkard and Mrs. Richard C. Rozier, all of Fresno.  There are 14 grandchildren.


Slinkard retired from farming and real estate in 1967 and is a member of Disabled American Veterans and the Tulare County Historical Society.


Mrs. Slinkard, the former Lella LeMaster, was a Fresno County employee until 1955, worked in the Boy Scouts of America office until 1960, and for the Mental Health Association until 1963.  She is a member of the Fresno County Employees Association.

---
Lella LeMASTER was the daughter of William Clifford and Lella (LEWIS) LeMASTER.


Update: 1/23/11: I'm so thankful to Jill from Grandma Honey blog for these pictures of her grandparents on their 50th Anniversary!

Wednesday's Child: Eddie Wehrly

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Eddie Wehrly marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

Eddie WEHRLY is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  I do not know how he is related to my other Wehrly families.  According to his tombstone, he was born in 1920 and died in 1928.

Due to proximity to the other stones, he may be a son of Alonzo John and Bertha (________) WEHRLY.

Wednesday’s Child – Post photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic indeed but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls. This has been an ongoing series by Amy at Gravestoned.

Wordless Wednesay: Juanita LeMaster

 Juanita LeMaster

Juanita LeMaster

Juanita 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: Lon J. and Bertha B. (________) Wehrly

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Lon J. and Bertha B. Wehrly marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

Alonzo John and Bertha B. (________) WEHRLY are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Alonzo was paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed.


Lon was born March 1880 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of John P. and Catherine E. (LEMASTERS) WEHRLY.


Bertha was born circa 1884 in Indiana, according to the 1930 census.


I do not yet have the date of their marriage, though it must have been circa 1905 based on the birth dates of their children.  Four known children: Mary L., Robert W., June L. and Catherine E.


Lon was the County Sherriff in Jay County at the time of the 1930 census.


Lon died in 1960 and Bertha died in 1959.


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.

Marriage Record: Ord Otterbein LeMaster to Emma Garmhausen

Again searching at FamilySearch.org's beta site, I located the marriage record for my other paternal great granduncle, Ord Otterbein LeMaster and Emma Garmhausen, which took place in Auglaize County, Ohio.

groom's name:	O. O. Le Master
groom's birth date:
groom's birthplace:	Jay Co., Ind.
groom's age:
bride's name:	Emma Garmhausen
bride's birth date:	1882
bride's birthplace:	New Bremen, Aug. Co., O.
bride's age:	25
marriage date:	12 Jun 1907
marriage place:	Auglaize Co., Ohio
groom's father's name:	L. W. Lemaster
groom's mother's name:	M. K. Che...
bride's father's name:	John Garmhausen
bride's mother's name:	Mary Strasburg
groom's race:
groom's marital status:	Single
groom's previous wife's name:
bride's race:
bride's marital status:	Single
bride's previous husband's name:
indexing project (batch) number:	M86841-0
system origin:	Ohio-VR
source film number:	0963059
reference number:	2:3LD203G