Isaac Morris Binnard, 1880-1932
Isaac Morris5 Binnard (Abram4,
Mosiek3, Jakob2, Lewin1) was born 7 April 1880 at Lewiston, Idaho.[1]
At age 38, when he registered for the draft during World War I, he was
described as tall with a stout build, black hair, and brown eyes.[2]
Isaac’s father Abraham Binnard and his business partner Robert Grostein were longtime merchants in Lewiston. In 1881 they converted the upper floor of their store into a theater, calling it the Grand Theatre Opera House. The venue was used by both amateurs and professional traveling companies. In 1898 the old theater was replaced by a larger one in their brick store on 2nd Street. The new Grand Opera House measured 50 by 100 feet, had a stage 18 by 30 feet, and could seat 400 spectators.[3] By 1903 Isaac, who had grown up in the business, had become the manager.[4] Realizing the growing importance of motion pictures, he soon leased space in a storefront to E. F. Barnum and Marcus Scoville, who opened “The Unique,” the first movie theater in Lewiston.[5] The Grand Opera House was not the only theater in town. In 1904 the Masons erected a three-story building which incorporated a 750-seat auditorium. The two theaters were now in competition, starting a price war. Isaac succeeded in attracting audiences by offering discount tickets to women, but the Temple Theatre’s size allowed it to present larger and more spectacular productions.[6] On 27 November 1904, Isaac married Rosa Freedman at Portland, Oregon.[7] Rosa, usually called Rose, was born 11 January 1883 at Logan, Decatur County, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Jacobs) Freedman.[8] Louis and his brother Samuel ran Freedman Brothers, dealers in junk, in Portland.[9] The wedding, which took place at the Freedman home, was a grand affair. The Oregonian reported: The house was decorated lavishly with pink chrysanthemums and ferns. Delightful music by Weber’s orchestra was provided for the occasion, and a very elegant wedding supper was served after the ceremony. Rev. Robert Abrahamson, D.D., performed the marriage service and the bride was given away by her father. She is a remarkably pretty girl, of the most decided brunette type, and was charming in her wedding gown, which was of soft white lace, with tulle veil and orange blossoms. The bouquet, of bride roses and white hyacinths, was arranged in a shower, the dainty ends failing quite to the hem of the bridal gown. Miss Anna Binnard, of Lewiston, sister of the groom, was maid of honor, and wore a beautiful Princess gown of white crepe de chine, trimmed with lace and passementerie. Miss Binnard carried a shower bouquet of violets and white hyacinths. The bride’s brother, Harry S. Freeman [sic] was best man, and the bridesmaids were Miss Goldie Himelbach, of Seattle; Miss Cora Talkington, of Salem, and Miss Minnie Binnard, of Lewiston. They each work yellow crepe de chine, and carried violets and white hyacinths. The musicians, who were seated in the hall, played Mendelssohn’s wedding march as the bride came down stairs, and during the service played various favorite airs, with the ‘Bridal Chorus’ from ‘Lohengrin’ at the end of the ceremony. At the wedding supper, served at a dainty pink and white table, congratulatory telegrams from all parts of the United States were read. Mr. and Mrs. Binnard went East for their honeymoon, and will be at home at Lewiston, Idaho, after December 25.[10] Isaac and Rose had one child, Alfred Birka, who was born 11 March 1911.[11] A note in The Floral Birthday Book kept by Isaac’s sister, Anna Binnard Goldstone, states that Alfred was called Abram Birka, “named for Papa and Birk,” presumably Isaac’s father Abraham Binnard and his brother Birka Binnard.[12] In 1905 Isaac refurbished his theater and leased it out to the Lewiston Band, who became responsible for booking the acts. The local newspaper reported that “former patrons of the theatre will be surprised at the many changes in the house. Mr. Binnard has spared no expense to make it the coziest little theatre in the northwest and the management is a sufficient guarantee that the entertainment will be second to none.”[13] Isaac expanded his range to Walla Walla, Washington in 1907 when he brought the Binnard Stock Company to the city. “I have great faith in the future of Walla Walla and expect to locate here and make this city my home,” he stated. He engaged the Orpheum Theater, which he intended to refurbish, but said that he intended to erect his own building later that year.[14] Rose soon arrived from Portland to join her husband.[15] Her brother, A. L. Freedman, was secretary and treasurer of the company.[16] There were twelve actors in the company. Frank E. Montgomery[17] and Edna Murrilla[18] were the leads. Others in the cast were Willard Feeley, William Harris, Clarence Love, Frances Ellis, Dave Williams, Ethel Martelle, Julia Rogers, Alice Round,[19] and Maxine Miles.[20] Also included was a special vaudeville performer, “La Petite Ruth.”[21] The company performed two plays every week,[22] beginning with The Charity Child on 18 August.[23] It was followed by Peaceful Valley,[24] La Belle Marie,[25] Tennessee’s Pardner,[26] The Black Flag,[27] In the Shadow of the Cross,[28] Ferncliff,[29] The Parish Priest,[30] Woman Against Woman,[31] The Shadow,[32] Court Martial,[33] and Life for Life.[34] Tickets, which could be purchased at the local drug store, were ten and twenty cents for matinees and twenty-five and thirty-five cents for evening performances.[35] “We don’t claim to give the people the best show in the country at the price we are charging,” Isaac said, “but we do claim to give the best show at that price ever seen in this state.”[36] He was particularly proud of the scenery, which was new and especially created for each play. “It is not haphazard scenery which has been picked up and made to answer the purpose,” wrote the local newspaper.[37] The paper continued its praise by stating that Isaac knew the theater business “from one end to the other” and provided plays that were “good, clean, wholesome productions.”[38] The press reported good attendance at the plays, at least one of which was standing room only.[39] After three months of performances, however, Isaac announced that he was disbanding the company because of lack of patronage. The actors dispersed, with some going to Lewiston to finish the season, while others went to Portland.[40] Speaking of the competition he faced from Rev. Hart, an evangelist whose revival meetings were being held in Walla Walla, Isaac remarked, “Hart on Hell has been Hell on the Binnard Stock company.”[41] The company continued to give performances in Lewiston, but Isaac still hoped to return to Walla Walla. In 1909 he told the local newspaper that he had a company of actors in Portland, Oregon that he could bring to Walla Walla if he could find a suitable place for a theater. He stated, “I am in no way discouraged with my first venture here, as our houses in the Orpheum averaged an excellent box office receipt. Had it not been for the fact that we were unable to secure people for the parts, and that double salaries had to be paid to retain those who were already in the cast, the house would not have been closed.”[42] It is not known whether he ever returned to Walla Walla. Isaac had other business interests outside the theater world. In 1909 he was a representative for Warren Brothers’ bitulithic pavement, a type of asphalt.[43] He was also a representative for his older brother, Birka, an investor, in the purchase of the Center Star group of mines near Elk City, Idaho in 1910. The sale price was $100,000.[44] Within a few years motion pictures were serious competitors to the live acts of Vaudeville. Theaters in Lewiston presented both forms of entertainment. At various times during his career, Isaac was manager of the Grand, the Theatorium, and the Temple. He added improvements to each building: a lobby to the Grand; new carpet and film equipment to the Temple; and a new stage, ventilation system, fountain, and marquee to the Theatorium. He also bought a $10,000 organ for the Theatorium and outfitted the ushers in uniforms.[45] In 1919 Told in the Hills, an early western, was filmed in the vicinity of Lewiston and featured as extras some of the town’s citizens as well as many members of the Nez Perce Tribe. Isaac was manager of the Temple at the time and produced a lavish premiere that included ceremonial dancing on stage by the tribal members.[46] In 1920 Isaac announced plans to build a 1200-seat theater, the Liberty, on the site of a livery stable at 611 Main Street.[47] Funds were raised through public subscription stock. The elaborately-decorated theater opened in 1921 and incorporated all the latest technology. The first night’s proceeds were donated to the Red Cross, and it is said that Isaac was always willing to provide the theater as a site for charitable benefits.[48] Rose died of a heart ailment at Lewiston on 22 February 1928.[49] She is buried in Normal Hill Cemetery.[50] Isaac continued to live in Lewiston. The 1930 census shows him residing in the Binnard family home with his son, Birka, age 19, his sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Samuel Goldstone, and another sister, Amelia Binnard Davis. Both father and son were in the motion picture business, Isaac as a proprietor and Birka as a publicist.[51] Isaac died of coronary thrombosis in Lewiston on 18 January 1932 at age 51.[52] He is buried beside his wife.[53] Birka remained as president, manager and director of the Liberty Theatre company until March 1933, when he resigned and turned the business over to partner Mary Pulver.[54] A few years later he moved to the East Coast where he worked as a theater manager until his death in 1962.[55] The Liberty Theater continued to show movies in downtown Lewiston until 2005, when it finally closed.[56] Child: 1. Alfred Birka Binnard, born 11 March 1911, Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho[57] _________________________ [1] "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYV-3YR : accessed 03 Feb 2013), Iassac [sic] Binnard, 18 Jan 1932. [2] "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8Q8-XC8 : accessed 03 Feb 2013), Isaac Morris Binnard. [3] Kristine M. Yates, "Co-existence and War Between the Temple and Grand Opera Houses During Lewiston, Idaho's Theatre Boom" Northwest Theatre Review 1(1993): 19-20. [4] R.L. Polk & Co.'s Lewiston and Nez Perces County Directory, 1903-4 (Tacoma, Wash.: R.L. Polk & Co., 1903), 32. [5] Jacqulyn LeGresley, “Let Me Entertain …. At the Movies,” The Golden Age, Journal of the Nez Perce Historical Society, 21:2 (2001), p. 2. [6] Yates, "Co-existence and War Between the Temple and Grand Opera Houses," 20-21. [7] "Weddings," The Sunday Oregonian, 4 December 1904, part 3, pp. 22-23. [8] "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, Rose M. Binnard, 22 Feb 1928. [9] Portland City Directory 1904 (Portland, Oregon: R.L. Polk & Co., 1904), 394. [10] "Weddings," The Sunday Oregonian, 4 December 1904, part 3, pp. 22-23. [11] "Birka Binnard Dead at 51 at Philadelphia," Lewiston Morning Tribune, 13 December 1962, p. 15. [12] The Floral Birthday Book: Flowers and Their Emblems, With Appropriate Selections from the Poets (London: George Routledge and Sons, n.d.), 32. Photocopy of a book owned by Anna Binnard Goldstone in which she noted family births, deaths, and marriages. [13] "Lewiston Band Will Operate New Binnard Opera House," Lewiston Morning Tribune, 1 ctober 1905, p. 6. [14] “New Theatre for Walla Walla,” The Evening Statesman (Walla Walla, Wash.), 3 August 1907, p. 6. [15] “Personal Mention,” The Evening Statesman, 22 August 1907, p. 3. [16] “Personal Mention,” The Evening Statesman, 15 November 1907, p. 3. [17] “Rehearsing for Opening,” The Evening Statesman, 13 August 1907, p. 3 [18] “’Charity Child’ Makes a Hit,” The Evening Statesman, 19 August 1907, p. 2. [19] “Promises are Fulfilled,” The Evening Statesman, 21 August 1907, p. 2. [20] “Binnard Company Disbands,” The Evening Statesman, 11 November 1907, p. 2. [21] “Always Has Good Crowd,” The Evening Statesman, 14 September 1907, p. 2. [22] “Play Merits Patronage, The Evening Statesman, 17 September 1907, p. 2. [23] “’Charity Child’ Makes a Hit,” The Evening Statesman, 19 August 1907, p. 2. [24] “The Binnard Stock Co. Is Now Playing ‘Peaceful Valley,’” The Evening Statesman, 24 August 1907, p. 4. [25] “Select Your Play,” The Evening Statesman, 27 August 1907, p. 3. [26] “Play Is a Winner,” The Evening Statesman, 31 August 1907, p. 2. [27] “’Lazarus’ Makes Hit,” The Evening Statesman, 4 September 1907, p. 2. [28] “New Play Tonight,” The Evening Statesman, 5 September 1907, p. 2. [29] “The Binnard Stock Co. Is Now Playing ‘Ferncliff’ at the Orpheum Theatre,” The Evening Statesman, 10 September 1907, p. 3. [30] “The Binnard Stock Co. Is Now Playing ‘The Parish Priest” at the Orpheum Theatre,” The Evening Statesman, 13 September 1907, p. 3 [31] “Always Has Good Crowd,” The Evening Statesman, 14 September 1907, p. 2. [32] “Play Merits Patronage,” The Evening Statesman, 17 September 1907, p. 2. [33] “The Binnard Stock Co. Is Now Playing Court Martial at the Orpheum Theatre,” The Evening Statesman, 20 September 1907, p. 4. [34] “The Binnard Stock Co. Is Now Playing Life for Life at the Orpheum Theatre,” The Evening Statesman, 24 September 1907, p. 4. [35] Ibid. [36] “Growing in Favor: Stock Company is Pleasing Walla Walla Theatergoers,” The Evening Statesman, 3 September 1907, p. 2. [37] “New Scenery for Each Play,” The Evening Statesman, 29 August 1907, p. 2. [38] Ibid. [39] “Growing in Favor,” The Evening Statesman, 3 September 1907, p. 2. [40] “Binnard Company Disbands,” The Evening Statesman, 11 November 1907, p. 2. [41] [No article title], The Evening Statesman, 12 November 1907, p. 2, first column. Rev. Hart’s revivals were described in “Unique Revival Great Success,” The Evening Statesman, 5 November 1907, p. [1]. [42] “Binnard Will Open Stock Theater Here,” The Evening Statesman, 23 March 1909, p. 5. [43] Ibid. [44] “Elk City Mines Sold,” Idaho Statesman, 5 March 1910, p. 2. [45] LeGresley, “Let Me Entertain …. At the Movies,” p. 4. [46] Ibid, p. 5. [47] "Lewiston," Idaho Statesman, 21 January 1920, p. 8. [48] LeGresley, “Let Me Entertain …. At the Movies,” 6-7. [49] "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLY9-CG7 : accessed 03 Feb 2013), Rose M. Binnard, 22 Feb 1928. [50] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database entry (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 January 2014), entry for Rose Freeman [sic] Binnard, Memorial 27975420, Records of Normal Hill Cemetery, Lewiston, Idaho;” created by Floral~Lady. [51] 1930 U. S. census, Ward 1, Precinct 15, Lewiston City, Nez Perce County, Idaho, enumeration district 35-10, sheet 3B, entry for Isaac M. Binnard, dwelling 54, family 85; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 February 2012); Family History Library microfilm 2340137. [52] "Idaho, Death Certificates, 1911-1937," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYV-3YR : accessed 03 Feb 2013), Iassac [sic] Binnard, 18 Jan 1932. [53] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database entry (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 January 2014), entry for Isaac Morris Binnard, Memorial 89205389, Records of Normal Hill Cemetery, Lewiston, Idaho;” created by Cowgirl. [54] "Birka Binnard Resigns Liberty Managership," Lewiston Morning Tribune, 5 March 1933, p. 8. [55] "Birka Binnard Dead at 51 at Philadelphia," Lewiston Morning Tribune, 13 December 1962, p. 15. [56] "Liberty Sets Its Last Picture Show," Lewiston Tribune, 9 March 2005, p. [1]. [57] Ancestry.com. Idaho, Birth Index, 1861-1912, Stillbirth Index, 1905-1962 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, Alfred Birk Binnard, certificate 232626, 1911. |