The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-08
RICHMOND, VA:
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 9, 1854 +
THE CATASTROPHE AT THE oRLEANh
THEATRE


THEATRE.
we gave some days since telegraphic account
OF painful accident at the French opera house in
New Orleans. Much anxiety has been felt in all
quarters, to learn farther particulars, which we
have been unable to furnish heretofore ON nc.
count of the detention of the mails. YESTERDAY,
however, the papers all came through, and we are
enabled to to give, from the picayune of the eetl
ult., the subjoined thrilling account:
The accident originated in the giving way of the
third gallery to the left of the stage on the side to-
wards Royal street. This gallery is occupied BY
colored people, and was attachedto the rafters of
the ceiling by iron bars 1t was also connected
with the second gallery by slight iron columns.-.
The second gallery was before this season, sup.
ported by iron columns, resting the first tier or
dress circle This year, however, they were re.
moved, and the dress circle extended some distance
out over the parquette and pit Behind the dress
circle open boxes on the sides, il a passage or
corridor generally occupied by gentleman stand
ing. .a et, fs'e',r
The theatre was crowded for the benefit of a fa.
vorite performer Mr.. Carrier the low comedian.
The second act of the first piece drawing to its
close, when sharp report like that of q musket.
started the audience. Many thought it was some
incident OF the play itself. But in another mo-
ment universal cry of alarm--a general rising-a
rush-the cracking and crashing of timber-the
screams OF women and shouts of men told too
plainly another tale. The terrible struggle and
confusion of such a crowd, ,-endeavoring each one
to escape from what threatened to be scene of
general destruction, can scarcely be realized Sew.
eral persons who witnessed the gradual fall of the
two galleries, the efforts OF the struggling and ap-
palled mass of human beings in them to escape,
and the appearance ofhe rest OF the theatre al the
same moment, described it as something utterly
paralyzlng and dhorrifying-eXceeding any steam-
boat explosion, conffagration, railroad catas.
trophe they ever witnessed.
This general giving way of the two galleries was
inevitable, as the second was attached othe third
by the iron columns already mentioned, and was
not itself supported underneath by the joiss.
1t was well that the fabric was strong, (although
unfortunately not strong enough,) else instead of
slowly settling down like the leave of table, both
galleries would have gone straight down on the
dress circle and parquette, crushing all in them.
The second gallery came down so as to rest at
wide angle against the wall and the back row of
boxes OF the dress circle. low roof was thus
left over the passage way behind the boxes, which
afforded path of safety to many There no
tme to calculate chances, however, and Mr.. Jules
Lavergne being caught with a good number of
other gentlemen under this place, pulled some of
the iron bars out of window by main strength
and escaped thus into side yard.
Fortunately but few ladies are ever present at
the theatre on Sundays, and but few were there
last evening Some half dozen were in the boxes
on the side where the accident occurred; but they
all, except two escaped without serious injury.
The news spread like wildfire through the city,
and the streets in the vicinity were speedily block
ed up with spectators, some impelled by motives
of curiosity only others seeking for relatives and
friends The balconies, windows and doors for
squares were filled with anxious gaZers, for al.
most every family in that part of the city had son.
a brother father husband at the theatre
Here and there were elegantly dressed women,
pale with fright waiting anXiousy for those who
came not inquiring of every passer.by for this or
that person, near and dear.
The scenes ofrecogntion and meeting that took
place the tales ofhairbreadth escapes the groups
of aattentive listeners the sad accounts of iniu-
ries and death-made this assemblage enc of deep
and dramatic interest
To the horrors of the irst catastrophe came near
being added others more terrible still-those of
fire. The lamp lighter of the theatre saw the dan
ger, and turned off the gas the side threatened
in time. The interior OF the theatre presented
scene of desolaton and gloom not easily realized
The parquette was covered with broken timber,
thrown down by those in search of any that might
be concealed under the broken galleries. The po-
lice under Capt. Baldwin and Recorder Ramos
were busy restoring order and lending their assis.
tance otherwise The stage was crowded with
actors carpenters spectators, &c, hurrying to and
fro. The excellent manager appeared to suffer
more than any one else.
In little dressing-room lay stretched out the
bloodied and halfnaked form OF one who but few
moments before, was in the pride of youth and
strength. His mangled and disfgured face could
hardly be recognized The blood ran from his
nostrils, mouth aud ears-a gasp now and then
alone showed that life had not yet fled. A ghastly
wound in the head showed how fatal blow had
been struck. He was unconscious that death ho-
vered over him that friendly skill was endeavor.
ing to prolong life; that group of old college
friends and relations stood around, some weeping
all sad-watching the last moments of one go much
loved Poor Malus
In a coffee house near by, young man was tend.
ing the disfgured remains OF his brother poor
boy of thirteen, the darling of his agonzed moth
er.
But enough of this. Our Creole families are so
large and SO closely connected, that an accident to
onereaches scores ofothers. Hence the general feel
ing of dread and gloom this untoward event has oc-
casioned.
The following is list of all the persons known
to be injured. 1t contains more names than the
morning papers could have ascertained last eve-
ming:
Florian Malus, notary, about twenty-seven years
old, killed,
Fergus Toledano, about thirteen years old, re-
Divide De Buyes, City Comptroller, slightly In
jured
Henry Durel, his clerk, slightly injured.
Peter Maloche. slightly injured.
Mr.. Gonzales, attached to the battalion of artil.
lery, face injured.
Mr.. Mariana, lost finger
MIR. Salvador Prass, residing ia Bourbon street,
reported to be dangerously wounded
Ur. Charies Delery, badly wounded.
Mr.. Barbarin, tailor, slightly wounded
Ernest Miltenberger. boy, son of Alphonse Mil
tenberger, blow 10 the chest
George Pollock, nephew of Mr.. Miltenberger, a
wound on the head
Charles Roman, ofthe firm of Roman & Ker.
mon, reported severely injured
Recorder Ramos, slight injury.
Henry Bouliony, severe injury
4. A. Mitchell, ex-Sergeant of the exGeneral
Council, severe injury. ~
Mrs. Drulhet reported to have been slightly
wounded in the face
Mr.. Eerbos, grocer, Royal street, slightly wound
ed.
Mr. Marsoudet, Jr., slightly hurt el
Mr.. Gustave Blache, slightly hurt.
Charles Blanc, slightly hurt
Nine Lafont severely hurt
hair-dresser, living on st. Charles street, sever
" injured. ~
Two negro men, reported to be killed. g
Several negro women injured
sAJury ofinquest was subsequently, held, and the
result was that while the proprieors OF the estab-
lBhment were exoneratesl from any bI.,,e ,vh.tev.