The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-11-14
Narrow Escape of an Audience from De-
struction.

The announcement that the Hon. Rufus
Choate was TO address Buchanan meet
ing on Tuesday evening, at Huntington
Hall, in Lowell, Mass, attracted an immense
throng, Of all parties.
Ladies were admitted to the galleries.
and these thronged, the doors were opened
to the multitude. The hall is one hundred
and twenty by eighty feet. At 7 o'clock
it was filled to repletion. Men stood mack
ed together in the closest possible manner
and it was estimated that there were over
tlve thousand persons within the walls
The orator was hailed as no man in Massa.
chusetts has been hailed since Webster: !:
and everything promises an hour of intel
lectual enjoyment and instruction really
afforded, and n satisfactory termination.
The meeting came to order, was organized ::
the President, Mr.. Wbipple, was introduced.
and was gracefully saying that he would
not detain us-ihat this audience, was here
10 hear another-and while thus agreeablv
engaged, sound, ms if from n cannon at a
distance, filled NIL ears, and we felt the floor
y'eH'nG. There was a general panic and
movement. towards the platform, and
great deal of excitement. Finally, however,
the fright subsided. 49,. ..: a..
After Mr.: Chote had spoken about three
quarters Of an hour, however, anotherscras
was felt in the center of the hall. which set.
tied two or three inches, nndtte vast andi-
ence rushed to the outlets of the hall. For
few moments the panic was fearful, and
the screams and cries of the people who
were crushed in the crowd were appalling,
The ladies in the galleries were the most
selfpossessed Of any. and remained perfect-
ly quiet. although their hIanched checks
betrayed the fear in which they stood. Mr..
Chote sat down and seemed as calm as If
safely seated in his own study during the
whole of tile scene of excitement.
Mr.. Butler, with Lowell architect, Mr.
Rand who went to make an ;exafniDationi of
the building after the second crash, returnet,
in few moments and Mr. Butler then in
formed. the audience that they, had ;discoy.
cred that the heads on one or two bolts had
given wav, and that in order to avoid The
possibility Of any catastrophe, the ppople had
better retire from The hall in AZ qniat man.
ner rs possible. The audience then left the
hall as fast rs they could and ,reassemble,l
in front of the Mertimack House, A plat
form was soon constructed. extending out
Of a second story window and delivered the
! remainder of his speech. 80 80, ~
The gentlemen on the platform we're 81
the last to leave, M. !Choate, while passing
to the door, for the first time, seemed to in.
dicate by expression realization Of fhe dan
ger which environed- ts. The floor actua:.:
ally sunk under him two ~ three inches,
and he was heard to rennask q @Thisl 10 go.
ing:". hut be retained Bis asslfpoGtienss1 ss1id
walked on. T., ,:,,s.,a,ar = rs,us 3sa =,
1t is stated that Mr., Batler. % returning
from the inspection Of the floor, ,disHhised
his fears, and never expected Il, s leave tbsa,
hall alive! He discovered; With Mt: Rand:
tthat 1.-The floor had yieAed peseeptihltt- -,h1t
the noise which, 80 alarmed al vas The
/ swapping Of the iron, ,fastepipm and spp-
ports; that Il the audience were not soop
removed the floor and roof. and perhaps
the side of' the waIis,d would Isoon scthe
downs He discovered thatsmrsaap s!tssa,hssa
and 5ointa, upon qwhiehtha aessrs.sdyhad
given way, and that the iesil;pea The Aspes
beneath was opening and tftesthipg. al:
together. St was ! m6ss gopd sfaatt spspe.sss
! r, ~ r.>,sa .Was, ~. .OltaN, ;,