New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-03-08
Nem.llork Qailp Gribune-
THE DISASTER AT THE ORLEANS THEATER

NEW ORLEANS, Monday F eb. 81, 1854
serious accident occurred at the French Theaer last
evening resulting in lose Of life As the accounts in our
morning papers somewhat exaggerated. have taken
particular pains get all the facts and have visited the
tbeaier and viewed the scene Of disaster.
found several architects aud builders al the theater n
vestisetng the ,use OF the accident
appears that during the past summer the thester was
emodeed by an extension Of the dress circle and at the
same time an alter alton made in the two upper galleries
of the house these galleries formerly supported by
iron columns but they omewha. obstructed the view Of
the stage from the dress circle they removed and six
iron suspended from the roof OF the house were SUB
suted as support these rods instead Of being made
of the best Tennessee lron as was agreed upon were
made from second quality English iron, and not properly
secured the roof and thus caused the sad accident
The two galleries which gave way on the right side
Of the house entering from the street aud were set apart
for persons Of color Mr. Davis the manager OF the thea
ter informs that there only eighty four persons in
the two galleries, and the fall gradual one most
persons in the dress circle bad time to escape The iron
rods broke the roof and the galleries then sunk some
three feet but there additional support to these
galleries from iron bars from the wall, prevented the
destruction of hundreds of lives Many OF the negroes
were precipated into the pit and all the chairs from the
gale showered down upon the people IN the par
quet yet the oss Of life very small and there are but
few persons injured and most OF them very slightly
Forian Maus, clerk in notary Office, was instantly
killed by being struck the head by of the iron bars
Fergus ToledanO young man only IA years OF age was
also killed These the only persons that have ascer
tanned are killed. and learn that there were no negroes
Killed as stated in the morning papers As all places
OF amusement crowded on Sunday night, and tue
Orleans Tbeser has always good share OF the multitude
II is truly surprising how many escaped with their lives
The Theater will be in readiness in week to go on with
the usual performances
NEw ORLEANS, Tuesday, Feb. IS, 1854
sent 10 YOU Yesterday the accident at the
Orleans Opera House Sunday, and the cause Of the
same Our papers this morning correct the exaggerated
which they have published and also publish the
following certificate OF architects and builders whch con-
/ firms m repOrt of Yesterday.
We the andenss hsyns beer give Gc 1pnon
Selss s"nd.y 18Th February hereby sr .ss. ~:
ssine pnepi.s 20 Wit That par. 9th:
P S circle , n tier 81 SS. rd oS bs aa
the soil and tina, the second and third
ram: 1s roof s. that in on,
opinion II. second principles and .p.;sy de-
issSSn and 20 r.
But portion Of said hessr :. :ae.tinF and con.
the FRET .nancisted principle to wit as. Of hndns
ne eo."e,ion Of any Kind can oaer better safety and
ohy the public that no ssn Of . should
satisfied console, Gee s,, tse :d a.s soa
MN s S &. az
Toy" p r,as e,y f S.vsi, Surveyor
jos X fSss'S' Sooaaosss'
To Charles Boudou'ue Manager Of the Orleans Th'atsr New
,s:: :: sS ss ;: I'D S1 :: s
''' ~ 4 M W Sossna:
Only two persons were killed, and many who were re-
ported dead dangerously wounded are out 70 gay upon
has been great and the many narrow escapes made by
the crowd who at the theaer are detailed
with all the additions Of exaggeraon and Imagination.
The Coroner held inquest on the body OF Florian
Malus and after the jury had ascertaned the cause OF
his DEATH they visited the theater and made thorough
examination Of the building II ascertaned that the
iron rods which intended to sustain the galleries
were secured to the heavy raers the roof by merely
being bent them The ron Of course was weakened
by being bent and had broken off at the very part OF the
rod 20 bent Had the usual plan been pursued OF secur
ing the rods b. being boed and secured by nuts to the
The Ti%vy JURY therefore ' returned the following verdict
Game to her BY irure. the falling Of the
ssa:sa rom sS i'm .a.p .uppof s.s:
e' s ;'.
The : ,s .. sns s't .so he'd
the iron ought have used such bad quality o. Iron
b s.5ss s soiosy
quality Of h ~. I'D S % ss housed s,sS have been
emined and certain that any unusual weight would
cause them to fall. They are to be taken down IN,
was to have given grand masked ball at the Theaer to-
night The orchestra and pit were to have been h9oEee
over and used as ball room There would nave oesn
thousands the floor thus constructed and the dress
circle and galleries would have been crowded. and In
stead Of the weight Of only eighty four persons in the two
galleries, on Sunday night, they would have been
crowded with hundreds. and all the galleries in the house
would have fallen The destruction OF life would have
been immense and gas pipes to have been
Introduced to light the house the building would have no
doubt taken FIRE and been destroyed: Every one re-
jocng that the accident took place the time did, and
| that 80 few lives have been sacrificed.
A. Creole population are very superstous, this &C
eident will doubt prevent them from attending places
| Of amusement on Sunday night.
The subscribers to the opera and the managers have
ced with Messrs Caller and Tupon for the recon
sruton of both sides Of the heater on new plan andhe
galleries will be supported by heavy iron column: pro,
ceedng from the flooring ard resting on the original
! foundation Of the house
Our streets are filed day with persons celebrating
Mard Cras and every negro who in thelstreet
certain to get covered with aower by Young America
Yours, L.