The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-29
A RICHMOND "REMINISCENCES.
Recolleciioas Of the Earning Of the Theater
I'm 1871.

I'm 1911.
Amongst the multitude OF remen-
brances of my boyhood and youth none
are more vivid than those connected
with the burning OF the Richmond
Theater, on the night Of the Goth of
December, 1911. Two generations have
since come and gone, and perhaps what
| write may be of interest to some now
living.
:" was then schoolboy in Rich
mond. My parents generally eschewed
the theater, b t that evening were per
suadea 10y some young friends to &C.
company them. Others from our board
ing house, to the number of nine or
ten, likewise attended. The play was
over, and the after piece had just be-
gun. The actors paused, and seemed
confused and at the same time fire fell
on the stage. An actor then came for
ward, and announced, Ladies' and gen
tlemen, the theater is on fire. Instant
ly all was tumult and terror. Parties
separated, each rushing forward, TO find
means of escape. Of those who went
from our boarding-h house, no two got
out together. The pit OF the theater
was on a level with the theater was on
was on level with the street; and escape
thence, through the only outer door,
was easy. Many from the lower gallery
| clambered down into the pit, and saved
themselves In that way. A good stair
way, beginning few feet from the
outer door, led to the galleries. The
house was full and in the frantic ter.
ror, most of those in the first gallery
rushed toward the head of the stairs.
Here the pressure was fearful. Many
were thrown down and trampled to
death. My parents were forcibly sep
arated. Ny mother, without the slight
est effort on her part, was thrust ul-
wards on the head and shoulders of
those beginning to descend the stairs !;
and, so dense was the mass, she was
carried, in a reclining posture, to the
bottom on her feet; and then the
outer door, Just before her, afforded
egress... She lost shoes, bonnet and
cap; and was the list to reach the
| house.
1.-The father of the writer escaped in
different way. Just after his wife had
been carried down, the staircase gave
way, and then masses of frantic beings
went rolling over each other to the
floor. Seeing escape by the stairs cut
OFT, he ielt current of cool air, and
looking to the left saw an open window
few feet off. He Vas stout heavy
man, and by violent effort reached
the window and seated himself on the
sill. He then wrapped his great coat
around him, and, holding by the outer
edges of the sill as long as possible,
dropped safely to the ground.
1.-The writer's haltsister, l6 years old,
was in the house with her grandmother.
The old lady was heavy and helpless
and making little or no effort to escape,
was burned. Her grand daughter
sprang to window and leaped out.
The fall shattered her right ankle bone
so badly that she could not move. AT er
time gentleman recognized her,
and, with other help, carried her to a
house one square Oft. There she suf-
fered az my for many weeks before
removal was possible and year elaps-
ed before she could walk, and was lame
for life.
"A An aunt and cousin Of the writer
had been attended TO the theater by q
young lawyer. When the alarm was
given, fear appeared to deprive both of
the power TO move. In vain the young
man besought them to flee for their
lives. In spite of entreaties both sat
still, while the heat and smoke became
each moment more insupportable. The
gentleman remained with them until
his nose, eyebrows, and whiskers were
badly scorched. Then instinct of self.
preservation drove him TO window
near at hand, whence he leaped for his
life. One knee was badly sprained
The ladies kept their seats and met
their doom.
1.-The writer's mother. Just as she left
the theater, observed large, heavy old
man lying on his back, beneath win
dow, perfectly dead. She used to say
that the look of agony in that z astly
face haunte her for years.
A touching incident, well authenti
Gated, was this: Lieut.. Gibbon, United
? States navy, was betrothed to the mos
| beautiful girl in Richmond. He wa,
the son Of MAJ. Gibbon, collector of the
port, who, in the war of the Revolution
led the 'forlorn' hope of volunteers
being Lieutenant in command of tn,
storming party, in Wayne's attack Oh
| oNOh1 L OIIt' ht llltultHduI anu Ill;
betrothed were in the theater: bu
, when the alarm was given he was not a
her side. He fastened to her rescue
and, finding lady whom, from he
|, general appearance, he supposed wa
. the loved one, he struggled manfull,
for her safety, and at length got he
. without the building. Here, to his dis
E may, the bright light revealed tn
features OF an unknown lady. He in
:, stantly rushed backed into tAe house
: now mass of fire; but the advers
. Thong delayed his progress so mucl
. that, just as he had found her whom h.
! sought, the roof fell in, and both pei
ished.
a Or. McCaw, prominent physician
was instrumental in saving many fe
. males. He sat astride window sill
and persuaded them to get on the seat
!. then, holding hand firmly in his, the
y were gently lowered as far as he coul
!, reach and then dropped safely to tn
= ground. All so aided escaped unhur
: When all whom he could influence la
a been thus saved, the Doctor, tindin
y LII 4, 4.