The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-14
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
Burning of the Brooklyn Theatre
Over Two Hundred Lives Lost.
BROOKLYN. December 6.
By Telegraph to the Ne,us and Courier.

A nre OrOke OuL lasI ulSut oii Iue ola6e
of the Brooklyn Theatre during the per-
formance of "The Two Orphans" Mr..
Studley, who played the part of Jacques,
made an effort to calm the excited au-
dience. He stepped to the foot-lights
and said: "There is no trouble here,
there is no fire; ladies and gentlemen,
keep your seats" Many persons re-
mained in their seats, but only for few
seconds. The flames spread rapidly. and
the theatre was soon enveloped in flames.
Miss Kate Claxton and Mrs. Farron
showed great self.possession. They re-
mained upon the stage till the scenery
at the left was completely wrapped in
flames. They then rushed out in their
costume, saving only the dresses they
wore. The panic became general, and
before the actors left the stage the
audience rushed for the doors. Women
tainted. The aisles were blocked and
many persons were thrown down and
trampled on. The ushers and police
made every effort to induce the people to
retire in good order, but without effect.
The heat was intense and many fell help
lessly to the floor. Mrs. Farron and a
number of the actors Jumped into the
auditorium and took their chances for All
exit by the Washington street door. One
hundred lives are believed to have been
lost, including Mr.. II. S. Murdock, the
actor, who has not been seen since the
fire. Most of the killed we're in the dress
circle, their means of escape being cut off
by the burning stairs. Every member of
the theatrical company loses bis clothes,
iewelry, costumes, &c. The Brooklyn
Building Association lose forty thousand
dollars. Shook & Palmer lose the scene
ry of "The Two Orphans" and several
thousand dollars worth of furniture and
personal property. Ida Vernon's ward.
rube and diamonds, valued at from Sc, 900
to $1,000 are lost. Total loss, $500, 900.
SOME FURTHER PARTICULARS.
NEW YORK, December 6-l2 NJ.
The loss oflife at the Brooklyn theatre
is appalling. Bodies we're found this
morning in heaps within few feet OF
the door. 1t is supposed they went down
when lobbies fell; they are burned be-
yond recognition. Eighty-six names are
registered as missing, among whom is H..
f. Murdock, the actor, who, after endeav-
oring to calm the crowd last night, went
to his dressing room.
A bulletin dated ii o'clock says ::
"Forty four bodies have been recovered,
and it is supposed that at least one hum
dred more remain. 1t will take all day
to get the remains from the ret-hot ruins.
1t is supposed that the dead are those
who were in the dress circle and gallery.
There is intense excitement. The courts
have adjourned, and scarcely any busi-
ness is doing. The Park Theatre has
closed for the week, and meeting of the
profession is called for Thursday to con-
cert measures of relief"
TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIvE BODIES
RECOVERED.
BROOKLYN, December Sd P. NJ.
One hundred and ninety-6ve bodies
have been recovered, and at 5 o'clock two
hundred and forty-6ve bodies had been
recovered.
SIGHT TO APPALL THE STOUTEST
HEART.
NEW YORK, December 5-Midnight.
The fearful extent of the Brooklyn dis
aster was not appreciated until daybreak,
when it was discovered that great num-
Der of the audience had perished while
endeavoring to escape from the gallery
and dress circles. The upper portion of
the house was packed full, although the
attendance in the orchestra stalls was
only moderate. The stairs and lobbies
to the upper floor became quickly choked
up with the terrified crowd, who trampled
over ore another until their progress was
impeded. Many were doubtless sufio'
Gated by the smoke, which WAS dense
within the space OF three minutes from
the first appearance of the fire. The
bodies were found in heaps along the line
of the main lobby and gallery stairs, hav-
ing fallen through the upper flooring,
which was burned away. The sight ap.
palled the stoutest hearts. Charred
heads, legs and arms protruded in ghast-
lv disorder from amid a blackened mass
of debris. Recognition was impossible,
except, perhaps, in few cases. where
remnants of clothing remained. The
holocaust was mainly confined to the
gallery occupied by the men and boys,
although it is feared that a number OF
those who were in the dress circle or first
tier have also fallen victims. When the
flames were discovered, Mr.. Murdoch
acted with GOODNESS and composure. He
said that the fire would soon be extin-
guished, and then ascended small stair
way to his dressing-room, which was at
the right of the stage. His valuable
wardrobe was there, and the impression
is that he went there to save it. He was
hemmed in by the flames and perished.
THE LATEST.
NEW YORK, December 6.
Up to 2.30 p. m. two hundred and
eighty-hve bodies have been taken from
! the ruins Of the Brooklyn Theatre. Work
/ will be continued all night. The streets
are still crowded, and the excitement is
giving way to feeling of intense gloom
and depression. 1t is now feared that the
number of dead will reach three. hun
dred. What might have. added to the
immense loss of life, and resulted in the
killing of more ladies and gentlemen Of
the theatre company, was the panic
stricken movement of the janitor at the
stage door. As soon as he got an idea ,S o. !
what was going on inside, he hurrlediiy
locked the stage door and kept back the
astonished crowd by refusing admittance
or cgress. A party headed by Mr.. Paul
Nicholson, however, broke open the door
and pushed him aside. In the excite
ment of the moment nobody took any
count of the number who made their es-
cape by this means, aud who would other
wise have been sacrificed. This afternoon
a gentleman living in Remsen street came
to the police station and inquired for two
friends, Mr.. George A. Grange and
Mr.. D. S. Morton, both of Galveston,
Texas. They were stopping at the st.
Nicholas Hotel in New York, with their
families. The gentlemen came over to
Brooklyn to dine with their friend In
Remsen street. and after dinner they went
i