New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-02-27
ACCIDENT AT THE ORLEANS THEATREI
A NUMBER OF LIrEs LosT!n

A very sad accident occurred last evening at
the Orleans Theatre, resulting in the loss of o
number of lives and the injury Of great many
spectators. The full particulars we are not
able to give, owing to the lateness of the hour
and the distraction and confusion consequent
upon such o scene as is rarely seen. But the
general features of the occurrence, and list Of
the greater portion of those injured, we are
able to append.
The construction of the Orleans Theatre, as
it was, is familiar to people in almost every
section of this country. During the last winter,
however, it was remodeled and enlarged, and
rendered much more airy and beautiful. Under
its new arrangement the parquette remained as
before, but the dress circle was carried forward
so as to wholly over arch the latticed boxes
beneath, and extend nearly twice as far front
as the galleries above. Directly over the dress
circle, on both sides of the building, was Sc
cond tier, and above that still another gallery
reserved for colored people. The dress-circle
was sustained by pillars from the parquette, but
they did not rise so as in any way to support
the second and third tiers. These were sus-
tanned only by beams placed in the walls and
SS'NSSAA 'AsA~Ne
yielding material strength to either.
The performances last evening were for the
benefit of M. Carrier and the new vaudeville
entitled La Petite File de la Grande .4rmee
in two acts, together with the single act vaude-
vile of Une Service Blanchard, were pre-
sented. The house was crowded for the occa-
son. particularly in the second tier and colored
gallery There were very few ladies present,
| except in the latticed boxes in the rear of the
| house or beneath the dress circle, but great
| many gentlemen were in the parquette and
dress circle The performances had progressed
as far as the second act in the first vaudeville
| when the beams supporting the colored gallery
| on the left of the stage gave way, and within
| five minutes afterward the whole of that side Of
the theatre was perfect wreck and ruin, some
six or seven individuals were killed outright
and probably thirty five or forty others more
or less severely injured. -z
| Fortunately for those who were below, as
well as for those in the galleries, the gallery
did not fall at once but gradually--the upper
part forcing down the latter until all the sup
ports were sundered, when both parts gave way
with crash, and amid screams and yells from
all parts of the house, fell into the dress circle
and over into the parquette We shall not I'M
| dertake to describe the confusion that ensued
some struggling amid the ruins--others dying
some fastening for friends known to be there,
and others fastening to break the sad news,
| 1t is only marvellous that any escaped where
escape seemed to be almost impossible and
| death almost certain The whole force of the
company Immediately came to the rescue, and
put forth every exertion to relieve and succour
the injured.
A list of the injured, SO far as we were able
to procure it, is as follows. 1t is not possible
| that it can be full. Many were conveyed away
by friends, and some were taken to private resi-
dences The number, in full, of those killed
| and wounded must amount to between forty and
fifty: s. ."z M.-@.
Forian Maus Notary, aged about Of years, living on
| Royal street-killed.
Fergus Toledano, aged A. living the river
| killed.
Salvador Pratts Bourbon sree-not expected to live.
Mr., Delery-very badly hurt.
An American. name unknown, residing on st Philip
street-slightly hurt.
VIM Barbarin tailor, residing on st. Philip street
slightly hurt
A., son of Alphonse MISUNDERSTANDING hurt.
Charles Roman of the firm of Roman and Kernon and
son of the late Governor Roman-severey injured
\ Recorder Ramos-slightly injured.
Mrs Lafont-slightly injured
Henry Bouligny, aged about 25-seyerely injured on
E. A Michel sargeantat- Arms of the old City Council
| severely injured
small child found nearly dead with scantling
its neck.
| Two negroes known to be killed
| Several negroes known to be badly injured.