New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-20
THE BURNING OF A THEATER IN MILWAUKEE.

Inn AhNiNb VI a lIIAlLI ~ miIsN AbhLi'
The Milwaukee Wisconsin of Nov. 16 has the
following details VI the burning of the theater In that
city at about 10 o'clock Monday night: The fire
Cured during a sword combat In which a rapier WAS
hurled against OF the lamps with which the
Illuminated, ehtyertng IL INTO atoms The audi
ence seeinr fine danger made rush for the door when
Of the actors. fearing ja urged them to remain IN
their places stating that the flames would soon be sub
rapidly In fact so rapid was the progress OF the
deyOuring element that "a majority OF the audi
ence barely reached the walk number OF those who
escaped were horribly burned about the hands aud face
Others enguled IN merry tomb. The shrieks OF the
victims could plainly be heard AT some distance from the
burning building aud thrilled with hundreds Of
escaped from the burnine building by Jumping from the
second story window AT the house OF Sir. Kelly,
opposite the theaer, we found three men suffer,
ing terribly from burns about the face and
hands. One OF them was severely burned. Another,
named Charles Hammer had the side OF his face and one
OF his hands badly anged. The third seriously
burned obout e hands and face and was so irrational
that nothing could be Cleaned from HIM. Hair dozen
other Injured persous were taken TO the Russell House
The Fire Department worked nObly 10 que tile flames,
and succeeded IN combining them the burning building.
The tlre Was fairly ouencbei abont an hour after IL orIg
of those who known To have been
burned Two were Immediately brought out
house The first found just inside the foldngdOors
II was that OF a tall man and was not recognized The
other found the stage and proved To be that OF
Iht S,,r one. His BODY was terribly burned his arms
remaining liked a. II shield his face from the heat
The clothing remarkably wellpreserved considering
the locality III which tine body Was found; Willie
Of the unknown presented siekening sight
scarcely n yestige of MS clothing remained,
the skin hanging IN shreds abon his hmbs His coat ana
al. that remain TO furnish clue 10 their owner
The vest was found 10 contain gold watch and two
opera tcket The building II one OF the old land marks
OF the city. 10 erected q years agO, aud was
for long time known Burns's bowlingalley. IL
arrward up for the cOncertsaluOn business since
Which time 70 has changed hands score Of tunes. Lat
tcyit has had business as varieties theatr
Among those who had narrow escape from death n the
burning building the leader OF the orchestra When
the lamp upset no left the box and moved toward the
folding door, which were closed and unapprOachable
the jam OF those seeking egrcss. He Iu'
Hedately hurried window, and shvcred several OF
the lights, severely woundng his hama by the opera
ton. With great dItculy he managed 90 crawl through
the opening which very fortunately proved avenue OF
escape 10 several Others. yOuug mau Daned Ranney
s absence AT the moment OF the occurrence OF the
farmer who had called hum out TO settle little
difficulty. They had scarcely commenced their CONVEX
when the Of me arrested their attsnon They
immediately forgot ali differences, and ran 10 the assist
auce o the audience IL u needless 10 add that they
friends Several OF the actors and actresses had very mar
row escape from the bdrung stage About half dozen
men and women escaped 10y jumping from the windows
above front. After The lamp upset OF
the threw coat over 10 10 smother the halncs
This did prove successful, upon which the coat was
picked up aud attempt made To beat them out through
winch other lamp, upset, the on taking hfe ana
spreading vita irightiul rapidly