Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-03-13
ALMOST A HORROR.
A Circus Tent with Seven Thousand
People Beneath II Overturned by
a Tornado.
The Fearful Panic Following Fortunate.
iy Attended with no Fatal Results.
One Boy Killed and Another Fatally In
jursd by The Broken Center-POle.

The exhibition Of the Great Eastern
circus, which was given last night, was
attended with dreadful manifestation,
which viii loT veaFs harrow the memo
ries Of those who We're present on the
occasion. When the performance conn.,
meuced the sky was clear, and the
weather seemed in. every respect propi-
tiOus; but as the entertainment pro-
gressed, the main tent, which was filled
10 its utmost capacity, was agitated from
time to time by fitful gusts Of wind, that
were Of increasing violence. No fear,
however, was entertained of serious
damage 10 the marquee. until about a
quarter TO ten O'clock, when blast of
greater fury than any that had preceded
II caused the main pole supporting the
tent TO snap in twain at about one-third
OF the distance from the top. The lower
psrt Of the pole for a time retained lis
uuright position, while the upper
part. which was secured by its
ftstenings to the canvas, swung
backward and forward along the front
row Of seats in the western part Of the
space devoted to spectators, where it was
observed to lay prOstTate several lads
who occupied the bench nearest the
ring.
as soon as the tent-pOle broke, called
loudly to the assembled multitude TO
consult the general safety by retaining
their places, so that q gradual and sys-
tematc order OF egress might be ar
ranged; but, regardless of the exhOrta-
tiOns addressed 10 them, the congreglt-
ed mass Immediately broke into a STAN
psGe, and the action of all was from that
time governed by the one principle Of
sItfU6 qia pCiE. An indiscriminate rush
over benches and PROSTATE men and wo-
men was made by the more powerful OF
those present, and the canvass was
slashed with knives in every part Of the
tent.
The battle for life had not continued
long when the parto of the pole which had
hitherto remained upright came 10 the
ground, and the whole structure fell
PROSTATE. Up to this time the uproar of
the men aud the screams of the women
and children had been most hsI-
rowing, but their effect was as nothing
compared with the shrek of despair
which pierced the heavens when the
mass Of beings experienced the undefin-
able terror which seized them, when
buried in the heavy folds Of the saturated
canvas, and not ray of light was left
whereby they might gain a knowledge
OF the nature or extent of the cstastHo-
phe; for, most fortunately, every one of
the lamps WAS eGunguished by the fall. !
THE POLICE,
as well as the men belonging 10 the cir
Gus, were indefatigsble in rescuiDg with |
every possible haste those who were IN |
able 10 eXtricate themselves from the |
fallen tent Owing TO the confusion /
and terror which prevailed, il is at pres
ent impossible 10 learn the particulars Of
all the injuries which resulted from the
accident But, although the disaster
has been attended with fatal conse-
quences TO two lads, II is most gratifying
10 be able 10 believe that the injury to life
and limb has been much less than could
have been expected, a boy aged thir-
teen, named Frank Sparks, the son
Of Samuel Sparks a teamster, who
lives on Market street, had the upper
part Of bis skull fractured, probably by
a blow from the tent-pole, and was car
Tied in Al insensible state TO the carpen-
ter's shop adjoining the hospital ,
grounds, where be died about half-past
ten O'Clock. A young man seventeen
years old, who also had his skull frac-
tured, was taken to the city hospital, the :
in charge Of which at once
He had Lot been Identified up 10 mid. 4;
night; but a report was current that he
j. a son Of Mr.. Mike Paul, formerly Of
the fire department. The lad has prob {
ably been employed by a saddler, as
there were found stuck in his clothes ,
several needles corresponding with those
used IN that business The only en-
ploye Of the Great Eastern circus who
was
INJURED
was Colonel Webb, boss canvasman,
who is suffering from adislOcatiOn Of the
wrist. Although il is alleged that ow-
ing TO the wet condition OF the canvas I
aud the lamps having been blown out by I
the wind, no damage was done by fire, :
still fears were entertained that some Of
the spectators may have been more or I
less burned, as Lieutez and Hardin, OF !
The police, picked up a wOman's hat 7
the crown of which had been entirely
destroyed by fire. One man who was !
taken from under the canvas In an in +
sensible condition, after lying for some /
time on the sidewalk, finally raised
himself upon his elbows, and, after re- g
4" know what am about, - \
got on his feet and started for home, ap-
parently none the worse for his mishap. g
THE ANIMALS @
with the menagerie were in i
cages In the tent adjoining the circus, q
and this tent was uninjured by the sud '
den tornado; but, when the accident 3
happened in the circus tent, the great q
crowd near the entrance 10 the menage-
RE made a rush for that mode of egress. I
In the rush several Of the cages were
overturned by the thrOnging, surging |
mass, but most fortunately none of the
animals were liberated. The hoWls and a
ye!ls of the frightened beasts lent a new
srror TO the scene, but we hear Of no r
casualties In the neighbOrhOOd The d
overturned cages were soon placed up
right sgain by the circus men; but il o
Is dreadful 10 think what might have p
been the result had the storm blown
over this teut and the cages with it. Ii q
Is stated, however, that. even then the u
animals would themselves have been so
that they would have f
,rOuched under their cages and could 2
easily be secured By their self-possessed I
keepers. But il would not have been d
pleasant thing to have Tisked As is Il
ls al under such circumstances, when v
he report Of the disaster became nOised l
throughout the city, the number of u
hose fatally injured was greatly exag- II
gerated, aud few stated the casualties at o
ezs than ten or twelve killed and sixty
20 seventy severely injured. After IS i
thorough inquiry as the time available G
would permit, our reporters have been 7
Unable 10 hear Of any fatally hurt, be-
,ides the two already mentioned; but
here Is 10 doubt that a number Of acci- T,
tents Of a less serious nature viii be- Il
~. D. o. aNa.nH