The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-12-14


err, the lessees, is empowered and is
anxious to relieve any case of immedi
ate suffering consequent upon the con
Migration. The late treasurer, Gage
expressed the same sentiment of com.
miseration and willingness to assis,
the unfortunate in any manner pos.
sible. Mr.. Shook has ordered the
Union Square Theater, New York. 10
be closed until after the funeral of the
victims of this awful calamity.
At meeting of the actors and act
resscs. held on the 9Th, for the benefit
of the Brooklyn theater sufferers.
every regular theater and minstrel
troupe in New York and BROOKLYN
was represented. A large number of
theatrical people were present. An
additional resolution was adopted
that every theatrical manager in the
country be asked to contribute the
proceeds of their performance to the
relief fund.
Brooklyn is literally walking in the
valley of the shadow of death. The
funerals of such of the victims of the
theater disaster as have been identi-
fed, are taking place, and through the
streets in every part of the city hearses
are going, bearing the re mains to cem-
eteries. About thirty-tive men are at
work on the ruins, and it is hoped that
| the full extent of the calamity will be
definitely ascertained within the next
tweaty-four hours. They have not
yet succeeded in uncovering the dress
circle, and it is therefore Still uncer-
tain how many, if any, of the specta-
tors in it persisted.
One more body was found this
morning in the parquette, aud also
two or three fragments of flesh that
may possibly belong either to bodies
which have already been recovered, or
to others which have been almost to-
tally consumed. The body was so
charred and disigured as to be un-
recognizable. 1t was evidently that
of woman, as q piece of hoopskirt
adhered to the remains.
The articles taken from the dead
have been deposited for Identification,
and are guarded by number of pO-
| lice officers. Since II O'Clock, when
the articles were arrayed for identili-
| cation, they have been examined by q
mains of Murdoch and his brother
actor, Claude Burroughs, ARE in charge
of the undertaken.
Several bodies were claimed OF both
morgues to-day. One body, on which
was found gold watch, was claimed
by no less than seven persons. In the
temporary morgue there is quite pile
of arms. legs and fragments of flesh
The police central Office and City
Hall are heavily tlraped. and the large
business establishments arc putting on
the habiliaments of mourning A
number of stores are closed, and on
the door is a notice reading: CLOSED
in consequence of death in the family"
At the investigation which the Fire
Marshal is making, John Lyons testi-
fed that he was in the top gallery, and
first saw the fire through crack in
the scenery OH the left hand side of
the stage. 1t was quite large flame
When | heard the cry of fire my friend
and myself ran down stairs, and |
called him back again and we sat
down, but only for a minute. |
dropped over the bannisters at the
head of the stairs. When got up a
policeman tried to push me back.
Several Others jumped on top OF me.
The stairs were crowded then, and
the police tried to keep the crowd
back. There was also a crowd down
ahead of me, but | met with no further
obstruction. Not half Of the people
had got out of the gallery at the time
left. There was nothing to indicate
the breaking of the stairs when came
down. The people were panic-strick-
en-, and were falling on each other.
There were very few women.
NJ. L. Bryan, who was in the par
quette, testified: Il do not think
there were six persons behiud me
when got oat. | am sure when left
and got out there was not a man or
woman in the parquette."
Eight bodies are still in the morgue,
and eighty three in the Adams street
market. Parts of some of the corpsos
have crumbled and look like heaps of
offal. The carbolic acid is poured
over them hourly, by order of the
Board of Health. The chloride Of
lime scattered about the floor and the
decomposing limbs and trunks III
creases the offensive smell of the place.
On further post mortem examina-
ton il is believed that most of the
deaths were caused by suifocation.
At the services in the Catholic
churches to-day reference was made
to the disaster and the congregations
were called upon to make manifest
their Catholic charity-prayers for the
dead and pecuniary aid for the living.
The following testimony was taken
by the Ere Marshal: John Brile-'I
was in the gallery ut the time OF the
fire, and when the alarm was gwen, all
made a rush; about hundred got out
before l did. First saw it in the flies
over the stage, and the cry of fire was
raised behind. Murdoch went to the
footlights and requested all to be seat
ed. Saw others sit down again, and
saw flakes of fire falling on the stage;
got up and went out when it increased.
Some one fell, and then twenty-five or
thirty fell over him; a rush of fire and
smoke then came through like q
whirlwind. John Turner, an old fire.
man, said: Look out for yourself;
the place is all ablaze." The people
were panic-stricken, and cried out that
the stairs were falling behind them.
They begged some one for Gods sake
to let them out. Did not see the stairs
fall. Thought that not more than
seventy live people from the gallery
got out; there were, perhaps, fifty
women in the gallery. Turner was
buried to-day"
Charles Adams was in TIE dress
circle. ''First saw the fire in the
scenery on the left hand corner of the
stage from the audience; it was then
that the cry of fire was given, and all |
started in rush for the doors; told |
the people to keep quiet and they did |
so. Mr.. Studley said, go, and 90 quiz
city. They then rushed out, and got |
knocked down, but got up again and |
took out lady who was with me.
Saw several ladies knocked down in
The parquette and others an the vesti-
bule. There was even flash of fire |
to the ticket office. From the dress
circle to the front entrance the people |
were all in panic; women were
knocked down and the crowd rushed |
over them. | think if the audience
lad been requested to leave quietly
when the fire first broke out, they
could have been saved; there might
lave been trouble in the gallery. |
don't think all the people got out of
The dress circle; the place was very
not when | left; l did not hear any
stairs break, but heard the fire crack
ing on the stage. Mr.. Richardson was
N the gallery; we saw men with poles
irving to pull the fire down; sparks
we're then falling; the actors tried to
luiet the audience, and some sat down
/ moment. a panic ensued and they
al rushed for the door. There was a
mass of people there when got to the