Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-09
Tempest at the Coliseum.

The scene during the tempest on the 4th.
at the Coliseum, is described in the Boston
Journal as follows:
The afternoon concert, which commenced
at two o'clock, was attended by some features
net included in the programme. The audi.
ence was double in numbers to that Of the
morning. The settees had been removed
from the two lises of central sections in or
der to prepare for the promenade concert in
the evening. All the listeners were crowded
together as near the stage as they could
stand and sit, and the English band were in
the midst of Herold's overture to the Gam.
pa when the tornado which swept over the
city struck the Coliseum. The black clouds
shut out the light of the sun, and the great
amphtheatre became as dark as night. The
wind blew a hurricane, and the rain, which
fell in torrents, was driven through the sides
OF the ventilating turrets, the skylights and
under the shingles Of the western roof and
fell in streams upon the heads of the audi.
ence. For second time in the history of
the Jubilee the Coliseum was converted into
mushroom garden; hundreds OF umbrellas
aud parasols were spread, and everybody
laughed and bantered, and poked fun at the
builders. until a tremendous gust of wind
drove cloud of dust and sand through the
open doors, which filed the building and half
thnded the audience. At the same time
timber in the front gallery fell and broke
several panes of glass, and a few splinters
fell from the interior OF the central turrer
Only those who have been frightened-tiose
who had the fear of sudden death upon them.
and whose first thought in such an emergency
has been to seek a place of security-can
Imagine the feelings of the Eve thousand
men, women and children assembled under
the roof ofthe Coliseum at this moment. The
women screamed and made a rush for
the doors. Men were behind in the last
movement, and climbing over the settees and
rushing through the crowded aisles they
added to the general fright. But for the
GOODNESS and forethodght Of few individuals
and especially of Mr.. Dan Godfrey, panic
would have ensued. the results of which
would have been most lanentable. With the
recollection of the fate of the first Coliseum
and the disaster to the great trusses fresh in
their minds, the situation was dreadfully sug-
gestive Of great disaster, and yet the build
ing did not quake, not a timber creaked, nor
a bolt started. 1t defed the blast and came
cat of the storm with all its pennons flying
The audience were saved from accident.
The moment they made break for the doors
to go ont into the pelting storm. Godfrey, by
rap, rap of his baton. and significant
wave OF his hand. directed his band to drop
the score of Tampa" Then with another
pass of his baton they struck up the Star
Spangled Banner" Those who knew no
danger, and others who felt there was none,
immediately began to cheer. This reassured
those who had been wavering, and they ar.
rested the more timid. who in turn said to the
wildly excited, Il don't think there IL any
danger, so they all stayed and listened with
delight to the "Belgravia Waltz and the
"reminiscences of Verdi by the English
Band, whose scarlet and gold uniforms were
as great an attraction in the eyes of the
grounilings as their exquisite music has been
to the ears of the dtilifante.