The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-01

ACCIDENT AT THE WALNUT STREET THEATRE
The following graphic description of Mr.. Jamison
fearful fall, was handed US by COOLEY CyBBER.
shortly after it occurred, and being present ourselves
bear testimony to the truth of the description
in every particular:
One of those exciting and appalling scenes, which
occasionally take place during the theatrical perform
ances occurred at the Walnut street Theatre on Sa
turday evening last and which was calculated to cal
forth, as it did, the universal sympathy and screams
of horror from the audience and will not cease to h,
remembered until the gifted individual that suffered
shall have been pronounced out of danger. The fact
are these MIR. Jamson playing Rolla; BIZ
style and conception of that noble Peruvian ecitec
from a crowded auditory the most deserved nantes
tation OF appreciation; in the last scene but one
where he snaches up Alonzo's child Zone of the Miss
Reeds, beautiful girl of nine years of age and flu
rousy rushes of to save it from the fell Pizarro and
il is known to readers ascends the bridge some
eighteen feet from the STAGE pursued by the soldiery
TO avoid whom, and stop pursuit. holding the child
one hand, and with the other cuts away portions O.
the bridge, in doing so he either lost his equilibrium
or the carpenters too suddenly pulled away the plank
and from this height in position of classical beaut,
the child held out-and his sword grasped-
they fell The scenery represented high rocks and
water, partly hid from the audience and over these
were seen to fall the two fated beings fated Us
tainly appeared to instant death--then came crash
"a scream-one burst of horror from the audience
uttered as II by preconcerted sgnal--then deer
pause-the pent up breast--the deep suspense await
ing the denouement of the most fearful tragedytbe
scene chanEed-the characters came on-not a word
not look, not sign OF the dreadful scene lust en-
acted, we're evident on the actors counter ances
il seemed as if they knew il not, or at.
tempted to disguise the fearful fact by a
studied manner-then came the CRY of "Rol-
la, Rolla, this cry was prolonged-now il
was evident that some injury was sustained by the
actor and the utmost curiosity excited tn know
the extent. "Rolla, Roa" was repeated--tbere
was pause-sileDce the most intent every eve was
fixed on the stage, rather that portion Of it where
RoIla appears with the child. Could he come-bad
he escaped-for up to this period there was not in
the vast assemblsge one individual but who felt that
Mr.. JamsoD or the child had received some fearful
injury. The delay, but monentary, was fearful--be
came lettering on with the child smiling on his arm
-he fnltered--be reached Cora--the applause was
now immense tried to raise the child up-fell
back, as IL unable 10 support himself-hs looks were
as those OF man whose limbs were crushed. and
looking into the eyes Of those around him for hope
II was fearful picture and the audience could not
draw the line 'twixt the ideal and reality he essay
ed, as IS customary in the part, TO rise up-the child
was clasped by Cora--he gave one look, and feebly
uttered, "For thee and Cora-it is-is-my-blood Is
and fell upon the stage; his position was not tia, of
The actor It was of the man suffering; he must have
tainted, for they had TO drag him from the drop and
he lay as Il crushed, injured, and, as the audience
thought mortally. Such was the picture, and such
lhe impression we feel confident was left upon two
thirds OF the audience when The curtain fell to one
.cresm-one universal call-not for the actor, not
Tor The injured man to appear, but to learn the eY
sn' on me INJURY he certainly must have received
Mr.. Blake, looking alarmed and seemingly aeitated.
appeared he stated that Mr.. Jamison had received
49, ipury, the extent vas MOI Known and
- n~e* 70 sppesr in person, to thank