Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-07
ADreadfui Disaster.

CINCINNATI, Feb 5.-DuIiug the perform
ance Of the aIegory OF the Great Kepublic"
at Robi,Son's Opera House this afternoon a
stampede occurred, caused BY an alarm of fire
causelcssly raised by mischievous boy ir the
gallery. The a!lcgory has been upon III stage
of Robinsou's Opera House tor the past two
nights under the auspices of the Cincinnati
Relief Union, and the proceeds were to have
been applied to the relief Of the suffering poor
of this city. The performers numbering nearly
six hundred children, were taken from the
public schools of the city. As the object was
worthy one, the children who took part were
those of did residents Of the city. Vast audi
ences were present at cacu representation OF
the alegory. The weather this afternoon tc-
ing propitous, and there being no sessions 81
the public schools, the matinee audience in
most part was composed Of women and chilli
rem. About half past o'clock, while the great
house was densely packed add The thousands
of children among the audience were at the
height Of their enjoyment some boy 10 the gal
lery, either through mischief or ignorance,
raised the cry oil fire, as the red light from the
coIored fires used III the piece flashed out from
the wings Every iuch of the theatre was &C.
cupied, aud dense crowd was pressing and
surgiug about the stairways and in front Of the
doors. Some one in The audience took up the
cry of fire, aud it was re-echood from near the
door by SOME one VII, caught glimpse of 'hc
red glare from the stage. There was al immc-
date rush for the ircnl doors. A child was
pushed down the steps and screamed, and iul-
medately after man thrust his arm through
the window. The scrcam and the crash we're
enough to set the panic in full! force, and in
the narrow vestibule leading to The street the
scene was terrible one. The people in the
rear, mad with fear, pressed upon those Ia
front, shouting aud curslug. Men. terror
stricken, struck down The hcl pIess women aud
children 10 front or climbed over their heals 10
the top Of the staircase and preciptated ;hcu-
selves upon the screaming mass O women and
children in The hallway. The scene il aud
about the Opera House after the accident Was
heartreudlng. The news Of the catastrophe
spread like whdfre over the city, aad frou
every ullCCllDu pCOpiS uull luz W tue
scene, until the squares were lmpassable.
There are
MANY CONFLICTING STORIES
as to tn origin OF the paulc. The building
was filled from parquette To gallery with d
dense mass. who not ouy filed all the seats
and asles but crowded the STAN Ways, and hun.
dreds were outside seeking to gain admiss!of:.
Behind the scenes were five hunIrei school
children. who were to take part 10 the pertorul-
auce As he time approached for the coul-
meucement IT the exercises calcium light o
tne gallery ha>hsd lis gar. upon the stage, ard
cry OF FIRE was raised. The audi
cnce became panic STRICKEN and rush Was
made for the stalrways. S tme are said 10 have
leapcd from the ba.cony Oh the crow! below
The lower circle OF III: house is but few steps
above the level of tie street., but The steps are
narrow, and soon became blocked by the surg
ing crowd inside the house. The mutitudes
were pressing Tor the doorway, and In the |
paulc women and children were over:hrown
and trampled upon By the panic stricken
crowd. The alarm rapidly spread throughout |