Articles on destruction of Butler’s American Theatre by fire

Event Information

Venue(s):
Butler's American Theatre [472 Broadway; 6/67-4/68]

Proprietor / Lessee:
Robert W. [manager] Butler

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
31 August 2017

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

08 Apr 1868

Citations

1)
Article: New-York Times, 08 April 1868, 5.

"Destruction of Butler's American Theatre by Fire This Morning."

At 1:10 o’clock this morning a fire was discovered in one of the dressing-rooms in Butler’s American theatre, No. 472 Broadway, (Mechanics’ Hall,) which resulted in the destruction of that place of amusement.

The flames originated in the ladies’ dressing room, situated on the left hand side of the rear entrance on Crosby street. Their origin could not be ascertained, as both the watchmen employed by Mr. Butler were absent at the time. Although the firemen were soon on the ground they could not check the progress of the fire until the flames had gained such headway that the entire stage, scenery and auditorium were enveloped in the element, and entirely destroyed. The front portion of the building was, however, saved, as were also the upper floors, the latter being somewhat damaged by water and smoke.

The second floor is occupied by the Mechanics’ and Tradesmen’s Society as a library and school-room, and they own the entire building…Mr. Butler estimates his loss on properties and scenery at $8,000, insured for $5,000 in City companies.

Owing to the lateness of the hour further details could not be obtained. At 2 o’clock the flames were under command, and the safety of the edifice assured.

This building has been used as a place of amusement for over twenty years, having been opened by the late E.P. Christy as a Minstrel Hall, occupied subsequently by the ‘Marsh Children,’ Henry Wood’s Minstrels, Christy’s European Minstrels, and latterly for several years by the Bryant’s Minstrels, under Dan Bryant’s management. For the past twelve months Mr. Butler has occupied it as a variety theatre. The building will now probably be sold for mercantile purposes.”

2)
Article: New York Clipper, 18 April 1868, 14.

Fire!—Butler’s American Theatre was discovered on fire on Wednesday morning, 8th inst., at ten minutes past one o’clock. It was first discovered issuing from the ladies’ dressing room, by Mr. Doolittle, the janitor of the building, who lived in a small house adjoining on the south. The fire was subdued in about two hours, but not before it had destroyed all the scenery and properties, and scorched and blackened the ceiling and seats in the auditorium. Every member of the company is a loser in wardrobe to the value of from $50 to $200 each. The ballet girls lost all their dresses. Fattie Stewart was the heaviest loser among the company. George Coes saved the greater part of his ‘props.’ The best portion of the orchestral music and David Braham’s valuable violin as saved by the property man. It is impossible to state how the fire originated. Mons. La Thorne, as was his custom every night, carefully examined the premises after the performance, and everything was found to be all right. A negro watchman was then left in charge for the night, who states that, feeling hungry, he stepped out to refresh himself, and on returning found the building in flames. The property belongs to the Mechanics’ School Association, and that part of it used as a place of amusement was first opened by E. P [sic] Christy’s Minstrels the proprietors making a fortune there. In 1856 the Marah Troupe of Juvenile Comedians occupied it, followed by Henry Wood’s Minstrels, then Bryants’ Minstrels, who, in turn, were succeeded by Charley White as a variety place of amusement, and latterly by Robert Butler, who estimates his loss at $8,000, and is insured for $5,000. The place was well stocked with ‘properties’ and scenery, all of which Mr. Butler had painted during his brief management of the house. The burning out of this establishment has been very unfortunate for a number of the ballet girls, who were dependent upon their weekly salary for the support of themselves as well as their mothers, and in some instances large families, and the destruction of all their wardrobe is a double loss, as it prevents them, without considerable outlay, from effecting engagements elsewhere. Many of the male performers are similarly situated, and a benefit ought to be gotten up at once for them, for they are fully as deserving of it as other companies similarly situated. Heretofore some manager has volunteered his establishment for that purpose, but up to the present time no one has done it for the Butler sufferers. Mr. Freligh, amanger of the Bowery Theatre, was applied to by Mons. La Thorne to buy the house for one night for a benefit, but he stated that he was playing stars and could not sell the house in less than four weeks. Cannot one among our many managers offer his establishment for so worthy an object?”