Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-15
THE BRooKL YN THE1 TIRE CALAM-
TTY.
Upward Of 400 People Believed 60
have PerIshed in the FLAMES.
THE FIRE, THE PANIC, AND THE EFFORTS
TO ESCAPE.


lyn, N. Y, theatre on the evening of the
9th inst. The fire was caused by drop
scene coming in contact with one of :he
border lights. The flames were first seen
creeping along one of the "flies' on the
left hand side of the stage, and in less than
two minutes all of the drapery was in
flames, aud forked tongues Of the devour-
ing element could be seen creeping along
through the canvas OF which the roof of the
scenic cabin was composed. Such scenes
Of terror on the part Of panic-siricken
audience aud of cool perseverance and
courage on the part of few others-the
actors on the stage-have rarely, If ever
before been chonicled. The curtain had
risen on the last act of the drama of the
"Two Orphans" Miss Kate ClaxtOn who
was acting the part of Louise, the blind
girl, had already head it whispered be-
hind the scenes that the theatre was on fire,
but even though she could see The flames
directly over her, with rare presence of
mind and courage, she went on with the
performance of her part, as did her COM
panions, not one of them betraying by look
or word, the agitation felt by all. The
flames spread rapidly, however, and when
the appalling fact could no longer be kept
from the audience-for some Of those in the
orchestra seats had already discovered 1t
and were starting up in their seats-the ac-
tors with one accord moved toward the foot
lights and in beseeching tones called upon
them, for Gods sake TO disperse quietly.
Some person In the auditorium shouted
al 1. Gra nd IN al
ing cry of "Fire frei" was caught up by
those in the family circle and the gallery,
until it YVES echoed and re-echoed from pit
to dome. Those of the audience who could
retain thier presence of mind, in response to
the advice of the actors, resumed their
seats, but IL was only for a few seconds, and
then began an iDdiscrimnate rush for the
| doors.
The books of the rox-ofice show that
there were in the theatre over one thous-
and persons, two hundred and fifty OF
whom were seated in the orchestra and par
quet, $50 in the dress circle, and 405 in the
upper gallery. Within three minutes after
the first discovery OF the fire this mass OF
human beings was clauibering over the
seats and over each other, in their frantic
endeavors 10 reach the exits. When the
worst became known, the ushers acted no.
bly, and endeavored 10 quiet the terrified
people, their chief, Mr.. Thomas Rockford,
going down 10 and opening The door lead
ing out OF The auditorium TO Floods alley,
in The rear OF the theatre. This door afford
ed means of escape for many who might
otherwise have lost their lives, and in very
short time nearly every person who had
been seated in the lower part OF the house
had reached the street in safety.
This, however, was but the beginning OF
the end, for black volumes of smoke began
TO roll outward from the burning scenery
of the stage, almost totally shutting off the
light of the gas and depriving those in the
house, for a few moments at least, of air 10
breathe. The scene at this moment was
one which beggars description. The actors
had rushed from the stage 10 save Them
selves, and having managed TO escape the
clutches of the flames, met again in the
street in their stage costumes, and congrat-
ulated one another. The unfortunate and
terrified people in the dress circle and gal
| lery were rushing pell-mell toward the one
door which gave egress from each and
through which only two or three persons
could pass al one time. The house was
filled with smoke and The air was almost
sizzling. Men shouted and rudely jostled
delicate wemen in their efforts TO reach the
doors; strong men shed tears and women
and boys screamed with fright, a large
number fainting away and being trampled
under foot Ivy the rushing mass. Thus far
the audience had seen very little of flame,
but the stage entrances and the scene doors
having been opened, strong current of
air was let into the rear of the building,
which drove the flames out from the stage
enclosure, and as they licked up every
thing in their path the whole interior of the
building was lighted up with lurid glare.
The flames roared and cracked as they
rushed upward toward the dome, and the
hot, binding and sufiocatng smoke poured
down mercilessly on the poor unfortunates,
whose efforts already showed signs of
weakening. All this, 1t must be remem-
bered, was only the work of a few minutes,
and still the deyouring flames mounted
higher and higher. Three alarms had been
rung in quick succession and tue engines
could already be heard nearing the vicini-
ty. The streets were filled with throng
of excited people, who ran hither and thith-
er, calling aloud the names of dear ones
| whose voices could not be heard in answer.
Many were hatless and coatless, their gar
ments having been torn from them by the
pushing of the crowd.
The police of the First Precinct were on
the ground within three minutes after the
breaking ont of the fire, and did very ef-
feclive work in quelling The fears Of The
populace. These gallant men, divesiing
themselves of their outer garments, rushed
into the burning building, aud pushing
their way on beyond The main corridor, as
cended the stairs leading TO the dress circle,
and assisted number of persons TO escape.
| On reaching the top staircase, however, the
binding smoke forced them TO retreat.
They did not give up the gallant fight, how
ever, and returned again, this time ascend
ing the stairway leading to the upper gal
lery, where they found a mass of people,
| and were compelled 10 use their clubs 10
prevent them from trampling one another
to death. Inside, meanwhile, the flames
made rapid progress, and had forced their
way through the roof which had become
one sheet of seething fime. The cries OF
| the doomed auditors for help could no long
er be heard. aud the stream of people that
had heretofore poured forth from the burn
ing building was rapidly diminishing. An
awful hush fell over the multitude, for 1t
was well known that there were sill hun
dreds OF people within the burning struc-
ture. These victims in their terrible haste