Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-04
Dreadful Accident and Loss of Life

We are called upon to record most dread
full and heartrending accident which occurred
last evening at the Orleans Theatre. The
house was densely crowded on the occasion of
the benefit of Mr.. Carrier, when, at about half
past o'clock, the entire right gallery gave way,
carrying with it the second tier of boxes, crush
ing the occupants beneath and scattering the
wreck and timer into the pit and parquette,
both of which were filled with people. The
scene that followed battles description. One
loud wall of anguish arose from the terrified
audience, and shrek after shrek flew up from
the numbers who were writhing in the agony
Of their wounds and injuries
During the first excitement it was believed
| that at least twenty or thirty persons had been
killed on the spot, and it is miracle indeed that
not double that number persisted. Strange as
it may appear, however, from the gravity of the
accident, that up to the hour Of closing our en-
qu;ries only three persons were reported to be
killed, viz: Florian Malus who died one hour
and half after the lamentable occurrence, Fer
gus Toledano who was killed on the spot, and a
German whose name we could not ascertain.
1t is estimated, however, that at least seventy
or eighty persons were wounded and received
injuries, the majority of them slight, but others
again OF o very grave and mortal character.
Amongst those who were very badly hurt we
hear the names of Salvador Prats, whose situa-
ton is critical, Henry Bouligny, Mr.. Marsoudet
Jr., and VIM Barbarin. Mr.. Talarie had his
shoulder blade broken, and so also had Mr.. Gus
tave Elache. MI. E. Delery, we understand
had one of his legs fractured. Amongst those
who received slight injuries we have he I'd men
toned Major Chas. Blanc, George Pollock, Err
nest Miltenberger, Z. A. Michel two Misses
Droulhet, Madame Lafont Ladebat and num-
Der of others. -
As the upper gallery fell first, and was filled
with the colored population, it might be sup
posed that large numbers would have been
killed, or seriously wounded; but still most of
them escaped with slight Commissions, having
been precipitated head foremost and falling
therefore on the hardest and least vulnerable
portion of their bodies. To this TACT, they ere
no doubt in great part indebted for their es-
cape.
Mr.. Lewis, the lamplighter of the Theatre,
exhibited great presence of mind. Perceiving
that the gas burners attached to the fallen ruins
threatened to set fire to the Theatre, which was
thronged with countless multitude, he imme
diately shut off the gas, and thus probably
saved the building from total destruction, as
well as the lives of a large number Of the au-
dience.
We sympathize most deeply with the uh -
tunate sufferers ny CniS Sau CdlaInlty-dnu our
regrets are likewise extended to the lessees,
who find themselves heavy losers in the midst
of the most profitable part of the season. The
accident is inexplicable. The Theatre had UNI
dergone extensive alterations and embelish-
ments during the summer, had been considered
perfectly solid and substantial, and had con-
tanned night after night larger crowds than
were assembled together last evening There
must have been weak point in the structure
somewhere, which escaped the observation of
the architects employed upon it.
The difficulty of collecting details at the late
hour at which the accident occurred, and the
confusion and CONSERVATION which prevailed,
may have occasioned some omissions and i'm
perfections in our account. We shall endeavor
to supply any deficiencies in our next number.
PosTscRIpT.-We have just learned that
small white boy, about seven or eight years old,
was one of the victims of the catastrophe. We
were unable to learn his name It is likewise
rumored that young man employed as bar
keeper at the st. Charles Hotel, was killed.
New Orleans Bee.