The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-07-07
DISASTER AT THE CIRCUS.

Tho Convoss IIIows Down and Takes
Fire..Fiye Thousand people In a
PanIc-s.Wild Beasts lIOwIlnB,'.
Men, Women and ChlIuren C'ush'
ed.
from Fridays l,tsburGh Commercially
During the performance of HowG's Cir.
Gus At lie foot Of Robinson street, ALE.
ghpny, last night, o, disaster occurred
Which none whOwerG present will care 10
sec repeated. Ii was just a quarter before
ten o'clock, Mile Dockrill had just left the
riDg after her. brilliant bareback riding
act, aud the French clowns were going
through theIr gymnastics, when II terrible
gust Of wind struck the Pavilion. For a
few seconds only the sides OF tue i'm
mensG house of cloth seemed TO be elect
ed by the blast, and tho audience remain
ed quietly In their seats thankful for the
fresh air (which passed through the tent
and relieved the extreme heat from which
all had been suffering during tue evening.
TIE ALARM.
This feeling Of satisfaction was, how
ever, quickly changed 10 one OF great
alarm when the second gust came
with greater fury than the first and sway.
ed the paviliOn'sO fearfully thatit became
evident that it must fall. At least five
thousand people, including q very large
number OF women and children, were
packed together on the ranges OF seats,
and the prospect OF the impending catas-
trophe was appalling TO the last degree
CHAOS.
When the huge centre poles showed
signs OF giving way, the whole audience
rose TO their feet as by one common i'm
pulse, and, amid the most piteOus and dis
trcssIul screams from the people, the
whole pavilion went over in the direction
of the river. Many OF the seats on the
river side were thrown down and the &C.
cupants piled upon each other in the
dreadful chaos. To add 10 the terror Of
the scene, the gas burners attached 10 the
centre poles set fire 10 the canvas, and the
FBRooIoUs VILE. ANIMALS
set up o bowling which could be heard
above the cries Of the panic stricken hu-
manity. Some Of the cages containing
animals overturned, and 1t was reported
that one was 90 broken as to admit Of the
escape Of the inmates, but this report we
believe to be unfounded.
That part OF the audience on the upper
part OF the pavilion suffered least, as the
canvas went from them, and the seats |
were left standing. II is, however, i'm
possible that all, even ofthese, could have
escaped unhurt. 80
PANIC.
The rain at this time was falling in tor
rents, and the fire In the canvas was speed.
lily eXtinguished. Every light on the
square was also out, and perfect darkness
enveloped the scene OF the accident It's
impossible 10 describe the finale. How so
many thousands oil men, women and chill
dren got out Of the direst confusion imagi |
nable, throngh.the darkness and the rain,
is Undesirable and well nigh incredible.
There was rush-a panic-and out OF It
all the great mass OF the participants Gs
capped with their lives. l.: I'D
Owing 70 the darkness and confusion in
cident TO the disaster it was impossible to
get at anything like an accurate list Of the
Injured. We are happy, however, to say.
that no lives were lost. Several women
and children were trampled on and more
or less injured, but on the whole, all who
were present may congratulate Themselves
on an almost miraculous escape.
We would say, in. conclusion, that the
accident Is In no way to be imputed to
carelessness on the part Of the managers Of
the circus and menagerie. No human
foresight could have prevented it. The
canvas, stakes and ropes are all OF the best
material, and every possible precautIon
was taken 70 prevent Just such disaster.
RESULT OF TIE cATAsTRoPHE.
Later Information makes 1t certain that
no dangerous injuries were received by
any one. Mrs. Charles Grainor, residing
in Charters streetin the Sixth Waad, Al.
legheny, was injured severely by being
struck Id tho spine. She was conveyed
to the residence Of officer Richards near
by, and medical attendance procured.
Her husband was with her at the time of
the occurrence. Mrs. Powell, vile Of officer
Powell, was struck on the head but fortu.
nately slightly injured. Another whose
name we failed to learn, was reported as
having leg broke, but we arc assured that
this Is o mistake. She was severely in
iured, however, by being caught in a
chain
Many hats and bonnets Of men, women
and children were found after the catas.
trophe and taken to the office Of Chief OF
Police Clark, whore parties can got them.
They arc generallyin damaged cohdi-
ton.
The, storm blow over several oil the
cages, among them those Of the lions and
tho hyenas. When the former was righted
1t was found that the door was open and
one Of the lions had his head out. An
elephant broke loose and was captured on
Laoock street.
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.