Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1914 — Dryfus Theater Burned at Lafayette. [ARTICLE]

Dryfus Theater Burned at Lafayette.

The new Dryfus theater at Lafay-«-tte, one of the finest theaters in the state, was totally destroyed by fire at 5 o’clock Friday morning,

the Are having started in the boiler room of the heating system. Capt. John Mitchell, 45 years old, of fire company No* 4, was killed by one of the falling walls. The loss i 3 estimated at $70,000. with only $12,000 insurance. The Purdue Harlehquin Club, which was to have staged “What Happened to Venice," in the Drvfus yesterday, lost all its scenery and costumes valued at $1,809. A SI,OOO drop curtain, showin- the Purdue campus, donated by George Ade, was also lost. Klaw A- Krlanger’s big production of "Ben llur" was to have been staged there next Mon ’ay and Tuesday. . .' This theater was built originally in 1872, but was remodeled in 1909 at an expense of $50,000 and was named ‘ The Dryfus,"as a monument to its owner, Leopold Dryfiis, a wealthy packer, who was almost prostrated over the loss