Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-30
From the dmeriean Standard Of Friday.
MOST DREADFUL CALAMITY

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crowded with an unusual audience. There
could not have been less than six hundred
persons In the house. Just before the con-
Custom OF the play, the scenery caught fire
and In lew minutes the whole building was
wrapt In flames. 1t is already ascertained
that 81 persons, were deyourea by that most
terrific element. The editor of this paper
was III the house when the ever-to-be rcmem.
befed, deplorable accident occurred. He is
informed that the scenery took fire in the
back part OF the house, by the raising of a
chandelier: that the boy, who was ordered by
some OF the players to raise it, stated if he did
SO, the scenery would take fire, when he was
commanded ina peremptory manner, to hoist
It. The boy obcyed, and the fire was instant
ly communicated 10 the scenery. He gave
the alarm in the rear of the stage, * request
ed some of the attendants to cut the cords by
which these combustible materials were sus-
pended. The person, whose duty it WIS to
perform this business, became panic struck,
and sought his own safety. This unfortunate
~ happened at a time when one of the per-
formers was playing near the oschcstra, and
the greatest part Of the stage, with its horrd
Danger, was obscured from the audience BY
a curtain. The flames spread with almost the
rapdiiy oflghtning; and the fire falling from
tho ceiling upon the performer, was the first
notice which the people had OF their danger.
Even then, many supposed it TO be part OF
the play, and were for little time restrained
from flight by CRY from the stage that there
was no danger. The performers and their
attendants, in vain, endea,ored to tear down
the scenery. The FIRE flashed into every part
of the house with a rapidity, horrible and as
tonishing, and, alas Gushing tears and un-
speakabe anguish deprive me of utterance.
No tongue can tell, no pen or pencil can de-
scribe, the woefu catastrophe. No person,
who was not present, can form an idea oil this
unexampled scene of human distress. The
Editor having none of his family with him, &
being not far from the door, was among the
first who escaped.
No words can express his horror, when
on farming round. he discovered the whole
building in flames. There was but one
door for the greatest part of the audience
10 pass. Men women and children were
pressing upon each other. while the
flames were seizing upon those behind.
The editor went to the different windows
which were not very high. and implored
lis feiiew creatures to save their lives by
jumping out of them. Those nearest to
the windows. ignorant of their great dan
ger. were afraid TO leap down. whilst those
behind them, were seen catching on fire,
and writing in the greatest agoaies Of
pain and distress. AT length, those be-
hind. urged by the pressing flames, push.
ed those out who were nearest to the
windows, and people Of every desclip-
ton begun to fall. one upon another.
Some with their clothes on fire some
half roasted; Oh wretched me! Oh
afflicted people Would to God could
have died a thousand deaths in any shape
could individual suffering have purchased
the safety Of my friends, my benefactors.
Of those whom loved. *** The editor
with the assistance of others, caught sc.
yeraI of those whom he had beggedto leaI
from the windows. One lady jumped Out
when al her clothes were on fire. He
tore them, burning, from her; stripped
her Of her last rags and protecting her ma.
kedness Will, his coat, carried her from
the fre.-Fathers and mothers were de-
nloring the loss Of their children ; chill
drep the loss OF their parents. Husband:
were heard to lament their lost compa'
mems; Wives were bemoanins their bnrn
husbands. The people were seen wiring.
;p~ their hands, beating their heads ant
bre,sts. and those who had secured them
selves. seemed to suffer greater torment'
than those who were enveloped in flames
Oh distraeting memory! Who. that
cav this, can think of it again. and yet
rptain his senses. Do / dream No, No
oh that it were but dream. My God
Who that saw his friends and dearest con
,a.,;ons devoured by fire, and lying IL
heans at the doors, will not regret that
be ever lived to see such a sight Could
saxases have seen this memorable event
:; :", wa,,Id soften even their hearts. A SAT
Gloom peryades this place. and every
so..n,enapce is east down to tho earth