100 years ago
october 19, 1905
Marion will soon be noted as a town with business houses of handsome fronts, and among the number will rank the Marion National Bank, whose architectural exterior is being transformed by Bob Pyle. The entrance door has been changed to the corner, and large beveled plate glass doors put in, and two handsome plate windows will take the place of the old doorway and the small glass window formerly in the building. Thus does the old town move.
Well, old man, how do you like to get up these mornings and start a little fire in the stove? You've been doing this ever since you were married, and sometimes, just before you get up, you think of a fellow you know whose wife always starts the fires, and you envy him just a little, but then you'd be ashamed to let your wife make the fires wouldn't you, of course you would.
Last Saturday the high school football team went to Herington to play a match game with the high school team up there. Quite a crowd of young people went along to help carry home the laurels, but being a chilly evening they were left in Herington. It proved a luckless day for our boys, the score resulting 21 to 6 in favor of Herington.
The New Auditorium
The front page of this issue is devoted to Marion's new auditorium building, complete with picture. This write-up followed.
The Auditorium was built by an association organized under the laws of the State of Kansas, with a capital stock of $5,000 dollars, divided into a thousand shares of $5.00 each.
The first Board of Directors was composed of F.J. Funk, D.W. Wheeler, W.H. Carpenter, Dr. G.F. Marner, George Loveless, Jerry Forney and S.C. Freeland, who leased the ground upon which the building stands from the city for a term of 99 years. In the spring of 1904 a contract was made with Fred Lewis for the erection of the structure and work commenced. On account of absence from the city, Mr. Freeland resigned and T.O. Kelley was elected on the board in his place. This is the only change that has been made in the board, and it is to their untiring efforts that the city is indebted for one of the handsomest public buildings in the state.
The building is of cement block stoned, 93 1/2 feet long by 55 feet wide, and will seat about 700 people. Already 600 comfortable up-to-date opera chairs have been put in. The stage is 24 feet deep by 55 feet wide. The proscenium arch is 26 by 18 feet, and under the skillful touch of B. Apel is the equal in beauty to those in the larger cities. The scenery is modern and very artistic.
The architecture was planned by Ed Runyan, formerly of this city, but now of Boston, and reflects great credit upon his ability both as an artist and architect.
The officers of the association are: F.J. Funk, President; W.H. Carpenter, Vice President; C.C. Jones, Secretary; C.C. Minton, Treasurer; T.O. Kelly, Manager. Mr. Kelley has already secured a number of good attractions for the coming season, and is on the look out for others.
The building with its furnishings costs right at $7,500, and is well worth the money.
It may not be amiss to state that the first contribution made to the Auditorium fund was given by the Dawn Club, which several years before this project was started deposited a sum of money in the bank to be given to any person or company that would undertake the erection of a town hall or Auditorium. The Thimble Club soon followed suit, and to the ladies of these two clubs should be given first credit for the magnificent building that now stands as a ornament to the enterprise of the citizens of Marion.
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If a man tells you that he has seen finer fall weather than this, say to him for us, that the "truth is not in him."
