The New York herald., 1876-12-23
THE BROOKLYN FIRE.
THE INQUEsT-EMPLoYEs THAT LAUGHED AT
THE IDEA OF TIRE-sTARTLING ADMISSIONS.

THE INQUEsT-EMPLoYEs THAT LAUGHED AT
THE IDEA OF TIRE-sTARTIING ADMISSIONS.
The inquest into tho loss Of life ut the Brooklyn
Theatre was resumed in the chambers Of the super
vlsors OF Kings county yesterday afternoon before
Coroner Simms and tho jury. The first witness called
Michael j. Sweeney, tho janitor OF the building
He testified that he helped 10 set the scenery Of tho last
act and then by the undergr ound passage tho
lobby ne the first blaze Of light through tho
chestra door; he attempted TO quiet the
people they mado their way out; there about
$50 people on the stairway who made their out by
tho Washington street entrance; he had been
nccted with the theatre s,nco tho spring o.
ISL; ator Mr. Palmer assumed control OF the
business witness received orders from the business
manager. Mr.. Thorpe; there no fire hose in the
gallery the gallery numbered up when
under the management of Mrs. Conway; noticed four
or five policemen IN the vicinity OF the dress circle
stairs the nearest thereto Sergeant John Cam
effort 10 look INTO the dress circle, but codd
not any person there; the officer duty the
gallery that night was officer Charles Lott; Ofnccr
Cain just far IN the lobby he could get
account oi the people; the door leading down into
Floods alley, near johnson street, agar; don't
member having received any orders from Mr.. Rogers
10 Keep that door open don't remember having told
Mr.. Doocy that the hose in tho gallery
OF the stage was placed there because II was
willing to swear that the hose III to Tor lire
apparatus not used inside the past two years. the
hose his charge, but IL never occurred 10 him
that there WAS possibility OF fire occurring there
Witness he attempted get into the box olcc
10 telegraph 10 Mr.. Palmer IN New York that the
theatre on FIRE: Captain Cornell and Sergeant Cain.
the police, were there then, and the flames were
coming IRON the parquet Anto the Office at that time
the crowd pressing III was about as great as tho rush
people out doors; had heard OF two men escaping
through the coal hole Washington street; there
unusual violence on the part OF the police toward
the people pressing IN except 10 preserve order did
nan pick up an opera glass Oh the stairs; did not
hear the police Interfere with any person IN their
efforts Rescue the people; could not say from whore
that woman came who was picked up the next
morning the vestibue by Chief Engineer Nevins;
saw Captain Smith keeping the doors ol the dress
circle closed keep tho smoke OF the lobby as
witness could judge tho hre broke out about
seventeen minutes past eleven O'Clock.
William Webster testified that he was employed as
gas man tho Brooklyn Theatre by Mr. Palmer; the
there were. tour mpters in the house; the borders
were hghied by electricity and the gas
here described the position OF the border
lights tor the instruction Of the jury Witness said no
had been twcntyrlne years In the gas busncss that
night he discovered the hre and thinking that 1t might
be the ault OF burner ho turned tho gas off; didn't
think the fire could possibly have resulted from
burner that OCCASION; 1t could not have flashed so
as to touch border; witness did doubt that the
re IRON tho border light; the theatre was supe-
to others IN the arrangement oil the border lights;
the fire must have been carried by draught 10 the
canvass but witness could not where tho draught
from; there was nothing in the play OF the 1.-Two
Orphans that made II more dangerous than any other
play; the general gas meter IS near tho promp-
tcrs box, witness did not turn oil the gas
from the main supply; he made his escape
by the passageway under the stage TO the LOBBY
company with several actors and actresses the lights
all burning in the lobby when they reached there;
had formed theory TO The origin oil the rc
believe that It proceeded from the stage gal
lcry had fire In the theatre before; had
seen u hose attached to the hydrant there and had
II unattached; always Understood that II was
tended Tor fire, but always laughed at that tdca II
could have been used ut the fire ON December
more than minute elapscd from the discovery OF
the flame until the whole place ablazc; the hrc
may have originated IRON The paper flakes used IN the
minnie snowsto IN, as described by Mr. Thorpe, tho
business manager
The inquest then adjourned until hall past scven
o'clock Wednesday evening next