Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-12-14


BURNING OF BROOKLYN THEATRE.
An Appalling Holocaust Of Lives.
TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY VICTIMS.
New York, Dec 6.-The loss of
life by the burning Of the Brooklyn
Theatre, formerly Mrs~ Conway So
which was thought last night to be
small or none, nov turns out to be
appalling. Men have been busy in
the ruins, all day, and up to 5 P M
two hundred and frty-fve bodies had.
been recovered. 1t is now believed
the auditorium and galleries had been
cleared, and those who persisted went
down with the flooring while massed
in the lobbies, for sfhe bodies of the
victims were found this morning in
heaps within a dozen feet of the door,
the majority being burned beyond
recognition. The business manager
of the theatre says all might have got
out if they had not been panic stricken
The scene is shocking. and the air is
filed with the crles Of friends eagerly
watching for friends VIII are supposed
to have lost their lives, while thousands
of spectators from all parts surround
the ruins.
The upper. portion Of the house
was packed tnll, although the attend
ahce in the orchestra stalls was only
medium. Tie house, it may be said,
was almost etwo>,hirds filled, those
below sitting well forward toward the
stage. For those in the family circle
and dress circle, the galleries in fact,
there was no way Of escape except by
the Washington street entrance. The
stairs and Hobbies to the upper floor
became quickly choked up with the
terrified crowd, who tralnpled over
one another until all progress was
impeded. Doubtless many we're
sutfocated by the smoke, which was
dense within the space OF three
minutes from the appearance of the
fire. The ladies were found in heaps
along the line of the main lobby and
gallery stairs, having fallen through
the upper flooring, which was burned
away. The sight appalled, the stoutest
hearts. Charred heads. legs and arms
protruded in ghostly disorder from
amid a blackened mass of debris.
Recognition was impossible, except
perhaps in few cases where remnants
of clothing remain. The holocaust
was mainly confined to the gallery
occupants, 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.
THE ACTOR MURDOCH.
When the flames were discovered
Mr.. H. S Murdoch, the actor, acted
with GOODNESS and composure. He
said that the fire would soon be ex-
tinguished, and then assembled small
stairway 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, was hemmed in by the flames,
and persisted.
EFFORTS or TIE ACTORS.
An extra of a Brooklyn paper says
that on the breaking out of the fire
Mr.. J. B. Studley. who played the
part of Jacques, (the play being the
Two Orphaus,) made an effort to calm
the excited audience. Stepping to
the footlights he said, "There is no
trouble here; there is no fire; ladies
and gentlemen, keep your seats"
Many OF the auditors resumed their
seats, but only TOR few seconds.
The flames spread rapididly. Miss
Claxton, who was playing the part of
Louise, the blind girl, showed great
self,possession, as also did Mr.. Farren.
They resolutely remained upon the
Stage until the scenery at ths left was
completely licked up by the flames
Then the company rushed out into
Johnson street in stage costume,
saving only the dresses they wore.
THE STAMPEDE.
The excitement of the audience
was manifested in a stampede. The
panic became general before the
actors left the stage, and wild rush
was mad. tor the doors. Women
shrieked, struggled snd tainted. Men
plunged over the seats and fought
their way to the door. The ai.les
were blocked. The ushers made
every effort to induce the terrified
mob to retire in good order. In this
tempt they were seconded by the
police officers in attendance, but all
to little purpose.
The BLAZING STAGE.
In two minutes the stage was one
mass of fame. The heat was intense.
Many who occupied seats nearest the
stage felt the scorching heat and sank
helpless to the floor. A moment
sutficed to SINCE their hair, scorch
clothing and burn the flesh. A few
minutes later and they were dragged
out of the theatre in an lnsensible
condition by the police from the first
precinct. Some of the actors sprang
out into the auditorium and took their
chances in the struggle for an exit by
the Washington street or Flood alley
entrance. Mrs. Earren was among
this numbsr. 1t every bit of scenery
in the building had been drenched In