The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-19
BuaNlG Of the MILWAUKEE, THEATRE.
Full Particulars of tho Terrible Calamity
Two Persons Burned to DEATH and Large
Number Badly Burned and Crushed.
from the Mllwankec WISCONSIN, Nov. ID

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin, Nov. ID
Shor ~ alter nine O'Clock last evening box No.
was rupg TO- and " the same time dense mass or
smoke end nane was seen bursting out OF the build
ing No 3l6 Nam street known as the Gaety theatre
The building burned IKE finder box, and the AFFAIR
proved one oil the most nearrendiDg caamities that
has taken place In our city for many days resulting
In the burning TO death OF two persons and In the
serious injury or several more.
Inc Gaiety theatre was small building. OF brick.
TWO stories In Iront aud running back one. IL was
pant many years ago as bowling saloon ano Was
known for years as the Badger bowling saloon. In
tooo h'e wy ,aiesies neatIe ~ hast a'cl
burned. Norman Caldwell lifted the place up as
B0tt oil concert saloon, and IL was then known "a
the Varieties, place VISITED by those fond OF
such afnu5e'nents. IL WAS long, narrow Suia-
Ing the concert room being on the first 1oor aud
running back some 100 feet, and the rooms ABOVE
and In front beng used private VINE rooms.
Untn last week the place Ind been c.osea for some
montns, when John u. King came here and leased
IL Bringing company with him advertising extca-
eveiy end, as result filing the place every night.
AZ Miw auKee mas no other theatre many persons
VINO rian not 70 belong to the concert saloon
Last night the pace was crowded 10 It's utmost
capacity. we lave heard the number present esli-
boys. One OF the dancers had just finished and lett
the stage and nay oilet EXERCISE test driIl, had
just commenced. II should be stated mere tnst tho
present proprietor turned the gas on from the build
ing and lignted II with Brilliant OIL, new article
just introduced here and dlstilled from naphtha.
Lamps with this oil were scattered about through
the building.
AS tho or,il vas in progress one OF the actors
struck lamp anu II fell 10 the age. Tne man
took coat hanging near and threw over the name.
In doing this the lamp was either broken or upset
and Tho dangerous huld ran out upon the stage. In
stantly the alarm OF IRE was given from the stage,
ana at the same Tune, 80 rapidly did the fluid
burn, tho building seemet ono mass Of
danes. many saw the burning fluid ana aid not
Imagine that any ser,oas tanver would result,
and they fingered but only for q second. Some OF
these men when the fire broke out say that they
were compelled To rush through flames co get out
side. the actors OH ihe stage went out BY me rear
ana at the same time most frs hsiul rush was made
Tor the front OF the building. IL "a laystery and
wlii remain SO. why the Games spread with sucn
rapdiy, Tor all present unite N saying that the fire
spread all ABOUT them, ding the entue building.
Many near the 'front.', and but q few ieet from tho
door, had their hair or whskers burned.
re dom has there been seea more terrific rush
Tor the door than ensued a. soon as was found that
the building was really on ire Many OF those
present were under the influence OF intoxicating
liquors, ana In their maudin insanity they crowded
pushed Jostied aud s"ore. Inc alley was narrow
and led up quite an ascent; the outlet was
marrow, aud those who reached the door and
ielt themselves safe fingered and looked
behind 10 see the FIRE, thus keeping the crowd
back. Boys were crowded. down and tramped
upon. one man c.0se by the Stage feeling the ire
closely following HIM, jumped upon The benches and
then upon the heads OF the mass ana walked out 20
| the door, in getting out many were jammed, al
though none SCI ousy. An actress who was IN the
front rom UP Stars with several other persons
leaped from the windoS and, pole beng held TO
her. ipped down 10 the sidewalk. fne orner per,
soDs IN the room came out OF the window and drop
| ped down to Tho walk
Seve.ai persons were dragged from tho puilding
after they hah Deen overcome by the names and
smoke and mad lad down upon the moor thoroughly
| overcome. chef Mclaughlin went INTO the build
| ing ana brought out one man. At the time 1t
! seemed UNSAFE, even dangerous, TO approach
| the walls. Crane, badly burned, was brought
ont In the arms Of young man named
1 DAILY. He certainly owes his lie to Daily. owen
| Murphy brought out two men that wouid certain y
| have persisted, and when the buhdng was IN flames
| dow and iairly dragged out Henry sparks ecorcd
| man, badly hurt THESE men were burned about the
| head, on the arms and HANDS badly some OF them
| II was thought dangerously.
Among the injured were.-peter Schneider
Of Racine botn papds badly; Charles Hammer, face
| and bands Michael DELANEY, SAILOR, was seriously
burned and during the night was ont Of his head.
so great were his snrerngs; john Z. King. mana
ger at the iaiety theatre, badly burned about head
the mouth and the face; neoree Crane received
severe injuries from fire and suiioeation. r..
". Hoyey and John d. Funk. badly burned;
Henry Sparks, coiored COOK at the Russell
House. suffering much from having his face
and hands roasted Mr Bangs OF the hrm OF VII
lams i Banus, was badly burned about the face
and hands. tie was well ia front, but tarted for
the door the alarm gwen. Tue danes,
he says surrounded INN; but he had presence OF
IN ind sufficient TO Keep his mouth closed, and SO
inhaled none OF the danes. HIS hands are bad lY
burned thae II IL feared they will nave 10 be ampu-
lated. He managed to reacn hrs nome without nolp,
aud medical aid was summoned.
1t IL SAID to-day that at least dozen persons aside
seriously to prevent them from gong to Their
homes Most or them were burned about the lace
While the department was busy extinguIsh-
ing tho flames excitement among the
large crowd gathered at the fire was great
IL was reported that alter the flames had
cosed all avenues to the building groans and
cries for help were heard and some VINO Ind escaped
were confident that at least nail dozen persons
were still In the oulldlng Before the flames were
fairly out and whiie there WAS danger OF beng
crushed by the falling walls. the anxiety to be the
first In was SO great that IT was necessary TO turn
tue streams OF the steamers upon the crowd more
tnan once. Wlinn an hour after the lire broke out
Laugnlin went in anu through It. The
crowd waited in GREATNESS anxiety TO know
the result. Ere long an order was heard TO
bring in door, and IN q moment more half dozen
men came out, bringing tue re.nans OF man. II
was sad sight, but the crowd rushed pe mel and
crowded closely about the bearers that they could
scarcely move, Many followed up the street ana 10
the station house. seeming to delight IN Teasing
their eyes upon the sad and sicEen;ng spectacle
before them. The body was found the partition
dividing the front or barr0on from the theatre
proper. The unfortunate man had reached thus far,
and was no doubt iampled under foot by the crowd
when ne was almost IN safety.
Shortly after the body OF boy was brought out
ana taken to the station house. His hame was Will
lie Brewer, and he was an apprentice IN the Ne,rs
ONCE. ne remains were found near the stage OF
tue theatre. and tho poor victim had no doubt
persisted without being able to move rom the SPOT
where he stood. His hands had been thrown up as
n to protect his lace IRON tue fierce beat and the
fingers we're burned OF. A long and thorough
search was made but no more bodies could DO
found In the ruins.
The bodies OF the two unfortunate Victims az they
lay Ia the dead house, presented % most and
heart sIckenng spectacle. All the clothing was
burned on and the flesh was fairly roasted The
oOuicS stvHntu uTaWu up III " Hthp 10 present az
small surface to the faues az possible, and IN tins
position the poor fellows suffered the worst agony
and died. Their faces were burned 10 q crisp and
defed MI attempts at recognition Their hands
were burned the ends OF their fingers being burned
of. Many anxious to see were inily satisfied with
one look ana turned away heart SICK
The first body brought out was identified az tbas
OF Walter Brown, young man well Known in the
city. lie was shipping clerk IN a frut house
East W ater street. Chief Mclaughlin, on entering
the building, passed the spot where Brown lay,
but a. he lay close 10 the PARTITION wall and was
unable To respond TO tue call made by the chief he
escaped notice. IL IS quite certain tnat he inhaled
the flames when ne hre frst broke out
The second body was identified as that Of Willie
Brewer whose father IL travelling agent or Mullen
Brothers. and who resides at No. 1s1 Greenbush
street. on the south SIDE The boy was an apprentice
nj the printing business in the 0fice OF the NetcS,
and was thought great deal OF.
An actress, who come out oil the second story win
dow, had her clothes In danes M she came
through and the Ore was not extDgulshed until sne
strnck the walk
The brilliant oil, which was the cause OF the SAD
calamity last night we are lntoraed bJ OIL Inspector
Hoeley, IL not 4 particle less dangerous than gun.
puwder Will stand a test OF only etxty.fye n