Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-31
Marrow Escape Of an Audience from Dss.

Marrow Escape OF an Audience from UeS.
truction.
The announcement that the Hon. Rufus
Choate was to address q Buchanan meeting
on Tuesday evening, at Huntington Hall, in
Lowell, Mas, 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 il one hundred and
twenty BY eighty feet. At seven O'Clock i.
together in the closest possible manner, and
it was estimated that there were over Ave
thousand persons within the walls. The or tor
was hailed as no man in Massachusetts, has
been hailed since Webster; and everything
promised an hour Of intellectual enjoyment
and instruction rarely afforded, and q satis.
factory termination. The meeting came to
order, was organised; the president, Mr.
Whipple, was introduced, and was gracefully
saying that he would not detain us-that this
audience was here to hear anothsr-and
while thus agrceably engaged, a sound, as If
from . cannon at a distance, filled all ears,
and We felt the floor yielding There was a
general panic and a movement toward the
platform, and a great deal Of excitement
Finally, however, the fright subsidized.
After Mr. Choate had spoken about three.
quarters of an hour, however, another crash
was felt in the centre Of the hall, which settled
| two or three inches, and tho vast audience
| rushed to the outlets of the hall For a few
NONE nts the panic " as 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 self possessed Of any,
and emaiued perfectly quiet, although their
blanched checks betrayed the fear in which
they stood Mr. Choate sat down, and seemed
as calm as if safely seated in his own study
during the whole of tho scene of excitement.
| Mr.. Butler, with Lowell architect, Mr.
Rand, who went to mako an examination of
the building after the second crash, returned
in a few moments, and Mr.. Butler then in
formed the audience that they had discovered
| that the heads on one or two bolts had given
way, and that in order to avoid the possibility
of any catastrophe, tho people had better re-
tire from the hall in as quiet q manner as pos
sib!e. The audience then left the hall as fast
as they could, and re assembled in front of
the Merlin ck House A platform was soon
constructed, extending out Of a second story
| window over tho porch, on which Mr. Choa.e
| appeared and delivered tse remainder of bis
speech.
The gentlemen on tho platform were of the
last to leave MIR. Choate, while passing TO
the door, for the frat time, seemed to indicat
by expression realization Of the danger
| which enVirOned US. The floor actually sun K
under him two or three inches, and he was
heard to remark" This is going !" but he
| Ietaiueu MS SELL Possession anu Walkeu on.
1t is stated that Mr. Butler, on returniu 4
from the inspection of the door, disguised his
fears, and never expected to leave the hall
! alive. fie discovered, with Mr.. Rand. that
The floor had yielded peIceptibly that the
| noise which so alarmed all was the swapping
of the iron iastenings and supports; that il
| the audience were not soon removed the floor
and the roof, and perhaps the side walls would
soon como down. He discovered that certain
timbers and joints, upon which tho floor rested
had given way, and that tho ceiling Of the de-
pot beneath was opening and threatening
| Altogether, it was a Laost wonderful escape.