Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-09
SORROWPUL BROOKLYN.
1T Is BELIEVED 400 PERSONS PER-
IsHED IN THE FLAMES.
burial OF the Unrecognized and I'm
claimed Dead.

BROOKLYN, Deeember6 6. From evidence ad
duced before the fire marshal there is reason TO
believe that over 400 person. have persisted
blinded by smoke and panic stricken. The peo-
pie in the galleries so blockad the exit that al
most all perished.
Witnesses who escaped estimate that not over
~ or so occupants of the upper gallery made
their way to the street, and box office returns
show that there were over 400 persons in this
part of the house.
1t is probable that the exact loss Of life will
never be accurately known, for msuy of the vic
TINS must have been reduced to ashes in the ter
rible furnace heat when the flames had gained
complete mastery.
catastrophe from the first, will continue to cling
around il forever
NEW YORK, December s. The scenes at the
temporary morgue in Adams street. Brooklyn,
to-day, were dreadful and narrowing beyond de-
scrlPtion There are yet on the floor Of the
building, eighty-three unrecognized and I'M
claimed bodies. Twenty five bodies were carried
away by friends to day.
Parts Of some of the corrses had crumbled and
looked like heaps of ofal. The carbolic acid
poured over them hourly by order of the board
OF health, the chloride Of lime scattered about the
floor and the dccomposing limbs and trunks in
creased the ofiensiveness Of the place.
The physicians believe that most of the deaths
were caused by suffocston.
1t is reported that last night while the diggers
OF the excavation, after having been buried since
the fire.
Those bodies not identified, as well as all those
not removed by relatives will be buried to-mor-
row in Greenwood cemetery, q plot on Battle
Hill having been presented bv the directors of the
cemetery to the city. 1t is circular and nearly
sixty feet in diameter. The rise from the cir
cumference to the center is about two feet
A circular trench, IA feet wide. will be dug
completely aronnd the inside circumference
This will leave q center plot for Q monument
about 80 feet in diameter
In the trench the bodies will be laid with the
feet towards the center, and close as may be
necessary.
The workmen are digging the trench to-day
The lot is on Battle Avenue near the exit for fu-
nersls.
At noon to-day IS vehicles have been engaged
by the committee. They are to be hearses
and undertakers' wagons.
All the collins are to be alike. They will be
plain but tasteful in construction the only orna
ment being . double row of diamond headed
tacks. 1t is supposed not more than 100 vehicles
will be needed.
There will probably be a general cessation Of
business in Brooklyn to morrow, and that the
day of mourning will be observed as such through
out the city. About 5000 infantry under COM
mand Of General Thomas s. Dakin will form the
escort. The procession will form on Schermer-
horn street, by Flatbush avenue and start at ~
o'clock.
1t is now believed by experts that when the
large door on johnson street, through which it
was the custom to carry scenes, and other heavy
properties to the stage for Julius Cesar" and
The Two Orphans" was thrown open while the
fire was raging, draft was created which carried
the flames to the gallery and family circle
which literally burned alive some of the oc-
cupants Of these parts the house before they could
reach the stairway leading to the main entrance.
Mr.. Brown one of the stockholders of the
Brooklyn Building Company which owned the
burned Theatre says; Investigation has shown
us that very many of the persons in the gallery
persisted by actual contact with the flames. The
opening OF the large scene doors at the rear cres
ted the great current Of air which gave renewed
vigor to the flames. This is shown upon the tes-
timony Of &, Mt met who told me he was seat
ed down in front when the alarm was given Be-
fore he could reach that part of the parquet which
is under the dress circle blast of wind struck
him and carry ing of his hat, sent il whirling to
the ceiling. From this it is easy to reach the
conclusion that the smoke and heat were also car
ried up to the gallery.