Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-09
ruE BRooKLYN HOLOCAUST.

II 1
We publish to-day some further par
t~iculars by telegraph concerning the
Brooklyn Theater horror, which occurred
Tuesday night. The full extent OF the
disaster was not fully realized for a day
or two, and a complete list of the dead
can e be made out, as there is no
NEAR of ascertaining the names OF all
who we're present. The New York pa
p,rso OF Wednesday morning have reached
ms. and give surprisingly meagre particu-
lars. No mention is made in the Herald
or Tribuse Of the loss of life, although
many incidents are well described. Ac-
cording to the most reliable state
ments, about 100 people were in the
building, and it is believed that not less
than $50 persisted in the flames. Ofthat
number not more than sixty have been
identified. and we read that one boy
hsving a gold watch on bis person has
been claimed by seven different families
Whether seven missing boys had watches
alike, or cupidity prompted the various
claimants, we need not now inquire.
Each day ard each hour has added
newly discovered horrors, until the
Obasily scene stands out unparalleled
in the history of this country, dis
tinct and vivid as q mountain OF
FIRE in the middle Of a plain. The sim
ule and complete arrangements for this
oae consolidated funeral will soon be
carried out. The remains will be placed
in plain collins, all alike, and buried in
a circular ditch, with the feet to the cen
ter. A whole city is in mourning, and
ali mankind feel the deepest sympathy.
It remains oaly to pay the last sad trib-
utes to the dead multitude, that in the
midst Of life aud enjoyment were, with
out a moments warning, hurried into
eternity by the most terrible of all deaths,
nv ~suffocation and FIRE. The world stands
aghast. 1t is almost impossible to real
izs that such a Wholesale loss OF life
could occur in the heart Of a great city,
where the Ingenuity Of man is taxed and
no ex pense spared to protect life and
property. In looking for the cause we
fnd two prime ressons; one, the faulty
construction of the building; the Other
lies deep IN human nature. 1t is q
weakness which oyerthrows the judg
ment and carries the man forward Il
destruction, like a flock Of sheep jump
ing over a precipice. No education o.
previous warning seems to overcome 1t
This being the fact, and one which ne
philosophy or training Of the mind car
easctually meet, it remains only to pro
vide in advance, as far as possible
AGAINST the recurrence Of such disasters
It has rsrely been found practicable 4
construct FIRE proof buildings, particu
larly theaters, which require a great dea
of light scenery, to be shifted for and il
different acts. Provision can be mad
for easy exit, aud should be require
by law, not only for public buildings bu
for residences and business blocks
Buildings holding from five hundred t
fifteen hundred people are often access
ible only by one door, and that up one
two narrow, steep fights OF stairs. Whe
q panic occurs and it is algayS liabl
the strong %trample down the weak: II
fallen block up the ouly avenues
escape and when buildings dry as Il
Tnt.room of a cotton gin are destroy'
by FIRE the people hear OF the horr
reality with doubt and wonder. III
owners aud ~lessees of buildings c.
adopt precautions to avert such ealau
ties, Il they will only thiak Of it at q
right time. Individual effort can Q
complish more thsn public regulator
Every manager or landlord can provi
means aud avenues Of escape, bat the
should be 10 conspicuous and plain as
require no explanation. When a fran
crowd rushes for q door it is I
late TO point out obscene side doC
with indifferent stairVsys 10 /
ground. Fortunately ia MenpI
our cozy theater is SO construct
that the main crowd occupies the e
floor usually, which is only a few
above the sidewalk. There are ID
side doors near the ground, aud
means to open them will hereafter
kept in view. But there sre blocks
buildings in which people sleep, not
safe. We remember wildly when Sc
allivas we're destroyed by carbouic OK
gas, from o fire in this city which
confined to q small portion Of q busin
and residence block. The only slsirT
was full OF smoke and gas. We can
be too careful at all times il the city
country. The awful warning before
should not be dismissed as a seAsat
Of the hour. 1t calls for o radical
practical reformation.
PARIS Tenn Intelligencer: 80
Constitution of Tennessee requires {
.ha In,;sla,rra shall meet on the I