The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-12
The Accident at the New Orleans Opera
TWO rERsoNs KILLED AND FORTY OR FIFTY WOUND
ED--REsULT OF AN INVESTIGATION.

The Accident AT the New Orleans Opera
TWO rERSoNS KILLED AND FORTY OR FIFTY WOUND
ED--REsULT OF AN NvESTIG ALTON.
[Frcm the New Orleans Picayune, Feb. 81
2o The house was densey crowded the occasion Of
the benefit Of Mr. Carrier when at about half past eight
o'clock, the entire right gallery to the left Of the
stage on the side towards Royal street. way carry
ing with 1t the second tier Of boxes crushing the
pants beneath and scattering the wreck and timber into
the pit and parquette both Of which were filled with
loud wall of anguish from the terrified audience,
and shrek after shrek flew up from the numbers who
were wrthng in the agony Of their wounds and injuries
During the first excitement it believed that at least
twenty thirty persons had been killed the spot and
1t is miracle indeed that not double that number per-
isbed
The gallery which gave way was occupied by colored
people and attached to the rafers Of the ceiling by
iron bars II also connected with the second gallery
by slight iron columns. The second gallery was before
this supported by iron columns resting the
first tier or dress circle This year however they were
removed and the dress circle extended distance out
over the rarquete and pit Behind the dress circle
boxes, on the sides, is passage corridor generally
occupied by gentlemen standing
The theatre was crowded. for the benefit Of favorite
performer Mr.. Carrier the low comedian. The second
act Of the first piece was drawing to its close, when
sharp report like that of musket startled the audience
Many thought it incident of the play itself
But in another moment universal cry of aarma gene
raj rsing-a rushhe cracking and crashing of timber
the of and shouts of men, told too plain
y another tale The terrible struggle and confusion Of
such crowd each one TO escape from what
threatened to be scene of general destruction,
scarcely be realized Several persons who Witnessed the
gradual fall of the two galleresthe efforts of the srug
Cling and appalled, of human beings in them to
cape and the appearance of the rest Of the theatre at the
same moment describe it as something utterly paralyz
or conaGgratcn or railroad catastrophe they wit
me- scd.
The general giving way of the two galleries was newt
e the second attached to the third by the iron
columns already mentioned and not itself supported
Underneath save by the joiss. 1t well that the
fabric was strong (ahough unfortunately not strong
enough) else instead of slowly settling down like the
leaves of table both galleries would have gone straight
down on the dress circle and parquet crushing all in
them.
The second gallery came down to rest at wide
angle against the wall and the back Of boxes Of the
way behind the boxes which afforded path Of safety
to many. There time to calculate chances how
ever and Mr. Jules Lavergne being caught with good
of the iron bars out of window by main strength, and
escaped thus into side yard.
Fortunately but few ladies present at the
theatre Sundays and but few there last evening"
Some half dozen in the boxes the side where the
accident occurred but they all except two escaped with
out serious injury.
The news spread like wdfre through the city, and the
streets in the vicinity speedily blocked up with
others seeking for relatives and friends The balconies
windows and doors for squares filled with anxious
gazers for almost every family in that part of the city
had son, brother father husband Mt the thea
ire Here and there elegantly dressed women pale
with fright waiting anxiousy for those who not in
qurng Of every for this that person.
and dear
The scenes recognition and meeting that took place.
the tales of harbrcah escapes the groups Of aatten
tive listeners, the sad accounts of injuries and DEATH
made this asembage of deep and dramatic interest
To the hcrors Of the first catastrophe came being
added others terrible still-those Of fire. The
lampghter Of the theatre the danger and turned
off the gas the side threatened in time The interior
of the theatre presented of desoaOn and gloom
not easily realized The parquette covered with
broken timber thrown down by those in search Of any
that might be concealed under the broken galleries The
police under Capt Baldwin and Recorder Ramos, were
busy restoring order and lending their assistance other
wise The stage crowded with actors, carpenters
spectators &c, hurrying to and fro. The excellent
manager appeared to suffer more than any one else
In little dressing lay stretched out the blooded
and halfnaked form of one who but few moments be-
mangled and sfgured face could hardly be recognized
The blood from his nosrils, mouth, and cara gasp
now then alone showed that life had not yet fed
CHASTITY wound in the head showed how fatal blow had
been struck. He unconscious that death lowered
him. that friendly skill endeavorng to prolong
fe that group Of old college friends and relations
stood around weeping, ali sad-watching the last
moments Of one so much loved Poor Malusl
ss
teen, the darling Of his agonized mother
But enough Of this. Our Creole families are so large
others Hence the general feeling Of dread and
si.s-. mi. nr.e~.rA event yer has occasioned.
Forian Malus, notary, about twenty years old
killed.
Fergus Toeano about thirteen years old resides above
Algiers, killed
Divide DebuyS City Comptroller. slightly injured.
Henry Durel, his clerk slightly injured.
Peter Maloche, slightly injured.
Mr. Gonzales, attached to the battalion Of artillery,
face injured
Mr. Mariana, lost a finger.
Mr. Salvador Prats residing in Bourbon street. report
ed to he dangerously wounded
pr. Charles Delery, badly wounded
Mr.. Barbarin, tailor, slightly wounded.
Ernest Miltenberger, boy, Of Alphonse Mtenber
George Pollock, nephew Of Mr. Miltenberger, wound
on the head.
Charles Roman, Of the firm Of Roman Kernion, re-
ported severely injured.
Recorder Ramos, slightly injured
Henry Bouligny, severe injury.
E. A. Michel, ex Sergeant of the ex-General Council,
MRS nreuihet reported to have been slightly wounded
Mr.. Ferbos, grocer Royal street, slightly hurt.
Mr.. Marsnudet, Jr., slightly hurt.
Mr.. Gustave Bache, slightly hurt.
Charles Blanc, slightly hurt
Nine Iafonte, severely hurt
hairdresser living St. Charles street. severely in
jured.
Two negro men, reported to be killed
Several negro women, injured.
Since the of the dreadful calamity, there
has been much speculation is very natural upon the
construction and strength Of the building and fears are
entertained that similar catastrophe may again
have very wisely and considerably taken the most eec
tive steps to inform the public mind and quiet all appre
tensions upon the subject The certificate suboined,
given after careful examination by competent archi
tect and builders, should carry with it the stamp and
authority of on official document.
we tnat the DuuutnR VIII De thoroughly repaired
in the most substantial and careful manner
We, the undersigned, having been requested to give
our opinion the present state Of the Orleans theatre
aftert he painful of Sunday 26th February
1854 do hereby certify that the said theatre as lately
repaired, constructed two different and distinct
principles to witThat part Of the theatre consisting
of the psrquete pitt dress circle first tier Of boxes
lattice boxes and front boxes the principle of iron
columns, raised brick foundations and walls resting
the SOIL and that the second and third tiers of CALLER
les each side the principle of suspension iron rods
hooked and adapted to the frame of the roof.
Now, the undersigned do hereby further certify,
that in our opinion the second of these two principles
and entirely defective on account of the bad quail
and therefore do reject the dangerous and
unsafe
But to to the portion of said theatre still subsistng
and constructed the rst enuncated principle to witt
That Of finding its resting point the solid soil below,
unanimously declare that construction Of any kind
offer better conditions Of safety and soldty to the
public, and that no citizen of New Orleans should be
afraid to trust his life and that Of his family within
its walls, being satisfied in consciences that the
said remaining portion bear one hundred times the