The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-12-14
maude InarrIsOn,s story.

the character of Henriette in "The Two
Orphans" gave the following account OF
the origin of the fire, and the dramatic
incidents connected with herself Miss
Kate Claxton and Mrs Farren from the
burning theatre:
~ played the part of Henriette in the
piece. When the fire originated, the first
part of the last act was being performed.
At about IL 10 O'clock, while / was sit
ting in the green-room with Mr.. Claude
Burroughs, one of the members of the
company who is missing, and Mr.. DAILY, l
heard noise on the stairs resembling
sounds of persons disagreeing and talk
ing loudly. asked Mr., Burroughs what
it was, and he replied that he did not
think it was anything more than noisy
demonstration by the soldiers and 9th
ers taking part in the piece, who were
getting ready for the last part of the act
| was standing in, the doorway of the
green-room about this time, and Mr. Bur-
roughs left me. l started toward the
stairway leading to the stage, and met
Miss Caxton and Mrs. Farren coming
down. Mrs. Farren exclaimed; The
theatre is gone. Hurry from the build.
ing" These were exactly her words.
Miss Claxton went into her room, Mrs.
Farren to hers and to mine. The rooms
were all adjoining each other at the foot
of the stairs. just had sufficient time
to snatch a shawl, and Miss Claxt0n and
Mrs, Fanen each to seize something to
throw over their costumes, and we all
started to leave the building in or stage
clothes, Just thena tremendous shower
of sparks and cinders descended through
the stage flooring, and we ran for the
stairs leading to the back entrance. 1t
was too late. They were enveloped in
flames, and we could not battle with the
fire. Miss Claxton cried out Let us try
to gain the front entrance, and we quick
" ran down a flight of stairs leading in
that direction, and rapidly passed
through narrow private passage to the
box-oifice and vestibule. We rushed
across the vestibuIe to the Washington
street entrance, and there we separated,
each striking out for dear life and going
in opposite directions. We met in the
vestibule and entrance few of the au
dienCe leaving the theatre. heard no
noise, nor saw any scuffling or crowding
of any kind. We were ahead of the
great crowd which endeavored to escape
from the theatre. ran, or rather stagg-
cred, across the street, for the reaction
had come, and | fell fainting on the side
walk opposite the theatre. A gentleman
and lady whom l do not know, but evil
dently knew who l was, Immediately
came to my assistance and brought me
home. Fortunately, all the ladies en-
gagged in the second and prison acts had
left the theatre as soon as they had per-
formed their parts, and so escaped any
danger Mr. Murdock, Mr.. StudleY Miss
Claxton and Mrs Farren were all on the
stage when the fire WAS discovered.
When | got across the street l noticed,
just before fell that the flames were
towering high above the roof, showing
that only few minutes had elapsed |
from the time of the discovery ofthe fire |
until it had spread from below the stage
to above the roof. l never was in thea
tre that | thought was safer from fire
than the Brooklyn theater. Every care
was taken to provide against fire. Strict
rules were enforced prohibiting any
member Of the company from smoking
or from even lighting match. No men,
Der OF the company was permitted to |
light gas burner Mr.. James Thorpe,
The stage manager, is an exceedingly |
C reful man, who was always at his post |
know that Mr.. Palmer was always on |
the alert to see that the rules of the thea
ire were strictly carried out, and he is
almost wild with grief at the loss of life |
from the fire. Mr.. Studley be-
haved nobly; he made every effort to aid |
escape from the building; he broke open
a door, guided people who we're dazed |
and bewildered, and had very narrow
escape. My loss is comparatively trihng.
lost only my walking suit and my |
orphan costume, and saved all
my jewelry."
of the Leading Actor in the
Play.
Mr.. Charles r. Thorne, Jr., the lead
ng man of the company, was found at
he Union-place hotel yesterday after
noon, in company with some fifteen or
;wenty theatrical people, to whom he
vas relating the incidents connected
with the confagration. He was very
nervous and considerably excited but
nevertheless, gave the following particu-
ars; II was standing at the wing just
,ut of sight of the audience" he said,
waiting my turn to go on the stage,
when, on glacing up, l noticed a speck of
lame not larger than my two hands
Imong the hanging flies - about the
ourth tier back from the front of the
tage. One ofthe attendants got long
,ole and endeavored to beat it out, but
material being almost as com.
oustible as powder, the fame spread
With wondrous rapidity, leaping from fly
o fly, and liking them up as though they
lad been 80 many shavings. saw that
LANCER was imminent, and told my wife,
Who was near by, to get out the back
way as quickly as possible. Just then
1r. Murdoch, who was on the stage en-.
aged in the play, spoke to the audience
nd told them to be calm and quiet, as
here was no danger said, Harry there
3 danger and even as l spoke sheet of
anne darted down between poor Muir
och and myself, and l never saw him
fter that. l ran to my dressing-room;
1hich was on the floor with the stage, ht
ut before l could change my clothes the
re encroached with such rapidity and
iolence that could do no more than to [
atch up my oyercoat and ran for the
oor through which my wife and several
theirs had already passed. That portion
f the building back of the stage was
filled up with scenery and
lrniture from the Union-square theatre,
nd the moment the flames reached it
he fire became intensely hot and ragged
nth the fury of a thousand demons. /
arely escaped with my life, the flames
ctually burning my wig nearly off and
inging my hair, as you can see." Mr..
horne turned and exhibited the back
( his head, showing that his hair was
adly singed. Continuing his narrative,
esaid: 'I was the last soul to pass out
he rear door, for certainly no human
eing could live moment longer in the
anne that followed me even to the very