Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-06


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Burning of the Richmond Theatre.
An old man contributes to the Lynchburg
firgiuian some interesting "reminiscences of
this terrible event, which occurred on the Goth
of December, 1914 He says:
Il was then school boy in Richmond, very
nearly twelve years DID, My parents, residing
in the country, were in town for the winter.
They generally eschewed the theatre, but that
evening were persuaded by some young friends
to accompany them Others from our board
ing house, to the number Of nine or ten, like
wise attended. The play was over, and the
atterpiece had just begun. 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 gentlemen,
the theatre is on fire." Instantly all was tu-
multi aud terror Parties separated each rush
ing forward, to find means of escape. Of those
who went trom our boarding house no two got
out together. The pit of the theatre was on a
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 10 that way. A
good stairway, beginning few feet from the
outer door, led to the galleries. The house
was full; and in the frantic terror that pre-
vailed most of those in the first gallery rush
ed towards the head of the stairs. Here the
pressure was fearful. Many were thrown down
aud trampled to death. My parents were torci
bly, separated. My mother, without the slightest
effort on her part, was thrust upwards on the
,pl cbo,,i5orp re thoco har,0pf,n kn 40
scend the stairs; and so dense was the mass she
was carried in reclining posture to the bot
tom on her feet, and then the outer door, just
before her, afforded ready egress. Leaving with
an acquaintance message for her husband, she
set off alone for the boarding house, up Grace
street, more than half mile distant. She lost
shoes, bonnet and cap, and when Preached the
parlor she had arrived, and with her. hair
streaming over her shoulders was recounting
some of the terrible scenes Of the fire. She was
the first to reach the house.
'The father of the writer escaped in a diff
ferent way. Just after his wife had been car
red down the stairs the staircase gave ay,and
then masses of frantic beings went rolling over
each other to the floor. Seeing escape by the
stairs cut off, the writer father sought other
means Of deiverance. Whilst forced along he
felt current of cool air, and looking to the left
he saw an open window few feet off. He was
q 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 edge OF the sill
as long as possible, dropped safely to the
ground. .....-.:..
The writer's halfsister, sixteen years old
was in the house, with her maternal grand
mother with whom she lived. The old lady
was heavy and helpless and, making little or
no effort to escape, was burned. Her grand
daughter sprang to the window and eaped out.
The fall shattered her right ankle bone SO bad
" that she cou not move. After time
gentleman from our boarding house recognized
her, and with other help, carried her to
house one square off. There she suffered ago.
ny for many weeks before removal was posi-
ble and year elapsed Defore she could Walk,
and was lame for life. !. s~. II ..l't.H5i<
IAN aunt and cousi1i of the writer had been
attended to the theatre by young lawyer
When the alarm was given fear appeared to
deprive both of the power to move. ln vain
the Young man besought them to flee for their
lives. In spite of entreates both sat still
whilst the heat and smoke became each mo-
ment more insupportable. The gentleman re-
mained with them until his nose, eyebrows,
and whiskers we're badly scorched.. The in-
stinct of self preservation then drove him to
window near at hand, whence be lcapcd for
his life. One knee was badly spralned. The
ladies kept their seats and met their doom:
''Thewrtcr's mother was sometimes reluct-
antlv persuaded to describe the horrors Of that
night. Just as she left the theatre she OBJ
served large, heavy old man. lying, on "a AIS
back, beneath window, perfectly dead. :: She
used to say the look Of agony in that ghasty
face haunted her for years. ,:.,..,.,
"a iouchinp incident we'll authenticated,
was this: Lieutenant Gibbon, United States
navy, was betrothed to the most beautiful girl
10 Richmond. He was the son of Major Glib
bon. collector of the port, who, in the war OF
the Revolution, lead the 'forlorn hope OF
volunteers being lieutenant In command OF the
storming party, in Wayne's attack on Stony
Point.) The lieutenant and his betrothed
were in the theatre, but when the alarm was
given he was not at her side. He fastened to
her rescue, and finding lady whom, from her
general appearance, he supposed was the Loved
one, he struggled manfully for her safety, and
at length got her without the building. Here,
to his dismay, the bright hight revealed re the Inc
features of an unknown lady. He Instantly
rushed back into the house, now a mass OF hre,
but the adverse throng delayed his progress so
much that lust as he had foDnd her whom he
sought, the roof fell in and both perished.
'Dr. McCaw, prominent physician, was
instrumental in saving many females. lie sat
astride window-sill, and. persuaded them 70
get on the seat, then, holding a'hand arm'y, h1 10
his, they were gently lowered as tar as ne eonla a
reach, and dropped safely to the ground. :. an
81 aided ESCAPED unhurt When all whom ne
could Influence had been thus saved, the DOC
tor, finding the fire close at haEd, leaped from
the window. bu. 10 doing so Injured oRe knee,
which rendered him lame for life H.