Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-26
FEARFUL HOLOCAUST.
Destruction OF the GaieaY TheaIer-
Two Persons Barned to Death
Many Badly SeOrched.


From the Milwaukee News, November 16.
Last evening shortly before 10 O'Clock,
fire broke out in the Gaiety Theater,
els Main street, that resulted in the most
fearful consequences. 1t seems that two
of the actors were giving a fencing exhi
bition, when one accidentally dropped his
foil, which struck and overturned one of
the kerosene lamps used for fOOtlights
In attempting to right it the lamp was
broken. The oil spread and almost in
simultaneously communicated with the
other lamps, and in less time than it takes
to write it, the whole stage was envel-
Oped in flames. Before the audience had
time to rush to the doors the whole inte-
rior of the theater was mass of fire.
The scene which ensued battles descrip-
ton. Men and boys rushed for the door,
overturning and trampling upon each
other in their scramble TO escape the
terrible death threatening them. After
the rush had somewhat ceased, heartrend-
ing cries for assistance were heard pro-
ceeding from the interior of the burning
building. A man named Murphy rushed
into the flames and succeeded in pulling
out sailor named Delany, who, but for
the timely assistance rendered, would
have fallen a victim to the fire demon.
Still the cries for help continued, but
those who would have rendered assistance
but that the attempt would have been GER
tain death, were Obliged to turn away and
allow the poor unfOrtunates to perish in
their funeral pyre.
,oo,ul Rr-ne
heard but the cracking of the greedy
flames that fastened upon everything in
iammable, casting lurid glare over
| everything around.
Several of the wounded were taken TO
| neighbOring houses, where their injuries
were dressed by physicians promptly in at
tendance. John G. King, the lessee of the
theatre, was fesrfully burned about the
face and hands while attempting to extin-
guish the fire in its incipienCy. Fears are
entertained that his injuries may prove
fatal His brother was also badly burned
in the same manner. Samuel Lumsden
was also slightly scorehed about the face.
The sailor, Delaney, was badly burned
about the face and was in great agony.
Another sailor named Peter Snyder was
also severely burned about the face and
hands. A man named Crane was fearful
" burned, and his injuries are supposed
to be fatal Chas Hammer had his left
hand so badly sCOrChed that the skin
peeled off in great rolls. Henry Sparks,
the cOloTed cook of the Russell House,
was seriously scorched by the flames, and
F. ". HOvey and John ID. Funk sustained
painful though not dangerous injuries. +.
d. Bangs was also badly burned about the
face and hands.
The fire department was promptly on
hand, and three streams were turned upon
the burning building. In about three
quarters of an hour the flames were 50
far subdued as to render ingress a short
distance possible, though hazardous.
Chief Engineer Mclaughlin penetrated
short distance, and discovered the body of
a man lying about ten feet within the en-
trance of the theatre against the wall A
| ladder was taken in and the body brought
out 1t was burned to q crisp. He was
so completely Charred that recognition
was impossible. In about quarter OF
an hour Chief Mclaughlin again pene
| trated further and discovered the body of
lad. On being brought out he was found
| to be a young man named William
Brewer, about Is years OF age, printer
by trade, who has been employed in the
| NeJU8 composing room for the past hye
| months. His hands were COnyulsively
clasped above his head, and contained a
mass of hair, which he had torn from bis
head in his death agonies. His clothes
4 i hptlvr He
was the son of David r. Brewer, who
resides at No 191 Greenbush street.
Poor BilIy Who would have thought in
listening to his CHEEKY voice only few
short hours before that he would SO soon
meet with such fearful death
The building was owned by VIM. II.
Eldred, Esq, late of this city, but now of
| Minneapolis, MINI. IL was valued at
about $4,000; insured for $1,000 with
c. j. Cary. The furniture and fixtures
were the property of Otto Zweitusch.
They were valued at about $500; no in
suranCe.
All the actors lost their wardrobes, aud
| several of them lost their street suits.
All were fortunate emo Ugh to escape with
their lives, however, although several mar
rowly escaped being caught in the de
vouring flames.
The gas had been taken from the
building a few days since, and kerosene
substituted to save expense.
LATER-Since the above was in type
the body of the man first taken out Of
the ruins has been identified as that of
Walter Brown, who has for some time past
occupied the position of shipping clerk in
Kummel & Kempf's fruit store, No. 30J
East Water street. He is said to have
been young man of great kindness of
heart and disposition. A thorough search
of the building revealed the fact that no
others had persisted.