The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-09
Recol!ect!ons Of a TerrIbIe Event.

~ hin an old man. Oldage dwells much
on tho past and amongst the multitude
Of rememhrlnces Of my Loyhood and youth
uOne arO more vivid than those connected
with the burning Of the Richmond theatre
on the night Of the Goth OF DOc"mber, 1871,
Two generations have since come and gone,
md perhaps what write may be Of inter
est to some now living:
VI was then SchOoIboy in Richmond,
very nearly twelve years old. Myparents
residing Ia the country, wcro in town for
the winter. They generally eschewed
the theatre, but that evening were per.
suade0 By some young friends to accom-
pany them. Others from our boarding
house To the number Of nine or ten, like.
wise attended, Tie play was over, and
the atterpiece had Just begun. The actors
paused and seemed confused, and at the
same time fire fell on tho stage. An
actor then came forward and announced
Ladies and gentlemen, the theatre Ia on
fire. Instantly all was tumult and terror
Parties separated, each rushing forward tn
find means Of escape. OF those who went
from our boarding house, no two got ont
together. The pit Of tue theatre was OH n
level w!Eh the street aud escape thence,
through the only outer door was easy.
Many from the lower gallery clamberrd
down into the pit and saved themselves In
that way. A good stairway, beginning u
lew feet from the outer door. led to the
galleries. The house was full aud IN the
frantic terror that prevailed, most Of tho'C
IN the first gallery rushed towards tue
bead Of the stairs. Here the pressure was
fearful. Many were thrown down and
tramplcd to death. Ny parents were for.
chilly separated. My mother, without the
slightest effort on her part, was thrust
upwards on the heads and shoulders Of
those beginning to descend thestairS and
so dense was the mass, she was carried in
a'reciining posture, to the bottom IN Ter
feet and then the outer door, Just bci0tc
her afforded ready cercSs. Leaving with
an acquaintance nme's1gO for her husband
she set off alone for her boarding house,
up Grace street, more than half a mile
distant. Sac loSt shoes, bonnet and cap;
and when reached the parlOr she had ar.
rived, and with hcr hair streaming over
her shoulders, was rcconntiug some OF tic
terrible scenes Of the ilte. Sue was the
lrst to reach the house.
"The father OF the writer escaped in a
different way. Just after bis wife had
been carried down stairs, the staircase
gave way, and then mSssCs Of frantic be-
ing, went rolling over each ather to the
door. Seeing escape by the stairs cut oil,
tue writer's father sought other means OF
deliverancc. While forced along he felt q
current al cool air, and looking to the left
lc saw an open window a few feet oil. lie
was a stout heavy man, aud by violent
effort reached the window and seated him.
self on the sill. lie then raped lis great
coat around him; and, holding by the out
CT edges Of the sill rs long as possible,
dropped safely to the ground.
"rho writer's half sister, sixteen years
old, wasin tho house with her maternal
grandmother, with whom she lived. The
old lady was heavy and helpless, aud
making little or no effort to escape, was
burned. Her granddaughter sprang to
a window and leaped out Tho full
shattered her right ankle bone so badly
that she could not move. After q time
gentleman from our boarding house
recognized her, and, with other help,
carried her to a house one square oil.
There she suffered agony for many weeks
before removal was possible. aud q year
elapsed before she could walk, and she
was cripple for life.
"The writer's mother was sometimes
reluctantly persuaded to describe the
torrors Of that night. Just as she left
tho theatre, she observed large, heavy
old man, lying on his back, beneath q
window, perfectly dead. She used to
cay the look of agony in that ghast!y
luce haunted her for years.
"a touching incident well authenti.
Gated, was this: Lieutenant Gibbou,
United States Navy, was betrothed y
the most beautiful girl in Richmond.
The lieutenant and his botrOthcd were
in tho theatre; but when the alarm was
given he was not ut her side. lie Inst
ened to her rescue, and, finding u lady,
whom, from her general appearance, lie
supposed was the loved one, he Glrug-
gled maniully for her saiety, aud ut
length got her without tho building.
Here, to his diHmay, the bright light
revealed tho features OF IN unknown
lady. lie instantly rushed hack into tue
house, now n mass of fire; but the. .Nd'
verso throng delayed his progress 30
much, that, Just rs he had found hel
whom he sought, the roof fell iu, aud
both persisted.
doctor MtCaw, prominent physi
clan was instrumental in saving many
females. He sat aStride the window sill
and persuaded them TO got on tho seat
then, holding q hand firmly in his, they
were gently lowered as far as he cOult
reach and dropped safely to tho ground
All so aided escaped unhnrt. When al
whom ho could influence had been thu
saved, tho doctor, finding the llrc clos,
at hand, leaped from the window, but il
doing so lie injured his knee, which ren
dered him lame for life.
zone who attends tho Monumental
Church in Richmond, sees in front u kin,
OF mausolenm within which is a moun
ment inscribed with tile names Of 4
victims Of tho FIRE. The mausoleum oc
cupies tho site OF tho old theatre. TIL
Governor Of the state was one OF tho vic
tins. Some Of the writer's schoolmate
were In the house; but by pushing undo
tho elbows Of the crowd, all escaped"
BoY-JunoLERs IN JAPAH.-Bayartl Tny
lor, who has travelled all over the worIt
says that tho favorite iugglets at the JaE