The New York herald., 1877-10-28
PANIC IN A THEATRE.
What a Cry of Fire Did Last Night
at Niblo's, Garden.
A TERRIFIED AUDIENCE.
Seeking Safety Through the Win.
dows to the Street.

During the play or ssrhe Jbbenainosay, or Nick Of
the Woods ~ Nblo's Garden last night, IN attempt
made by q malicious person to create a panic
who raised the cry OF SIRE" The motives that
actuated the have not boen positively ascctainod
yet That pure malice urged him TO the act can
hardly be believed, although there are mischievous
people always to DO found in public gatherings who
ever ready to create excitement any pretext,
and WHO DO not hesitate TO indulge IN q .prac-
teal joke" oven though Its results may be
disastrous Tho alarmist OF last night is however,
credited by some people with having wlifuily at
tempted 10 bring about panic In the audience. and
he is believed by somc TO have been IN accompIce OF
party OF pickpockeis, who hoped 10 reap a golden
harvest during tho excitement
Ono arrested suspicion Of being the
guilty party. but his identity with tho person who
first cried ''Fre' is disputed. Howcvor that be, II is
certain Iha; results would have been the fruits
OF the malicious attempt had not adequate means Of
exit been existence and the employees Of tho theatre
acted with cooness and decision.
FIRE.
IL was during the last act tnat the cry Of "Fre'
was gwen There largo audience In the thea.
trc Parquct, gallery and family circle crowded.
and tho corridors surrounding tho balcony were
flied wih people. who stood peering over The
heads OF those In the seats. Tho curtain had risen
upon scene which represents the interior OF .
Shawnee lodge, IN which tho heroine, Edith For
roster, lies prisoner when the cry rang out
From The upper gallery and high above the voices Of
tho actors tho low refrain OF the orchestra II
soundcd-"Firc! Fircin
A SCENE OF WILD CONFUSION
As tho I'm nensc audience caught the cry and awoko
10 tho realization OF It's dreadful Significance mur.
mur through them which widencd and decpencd
until tho capacious hall rang with tho clamor.
few rcassurng words from some cool
headed people did much to reassure the occupants
OF the body oY the house, who indeed were able 500
Tor themselves that there signs Of danger ap-
parent but the loungcrs tho tho peo-
pie in tho balcony seats, anticipating
rush ana not having full Of tho
theatre. beng cut OF by the projecting gal
ieries overhead, made dash for tho doors Those
opening into tho grand corridor were opened, and
two or three hundred persons in a moments
space rushing through It. Tho extra parquct door
opening into Crosby street was closed, but the
people about It, without removing tho iastcn.
ines. preclptated themselves against II, torc
from its hinges ana poured into tho ralepcioscd
space outside, irom which usher presently gave
them TO the street. A few persons frightened
by tho noise, sought a rcadler means Of
egrcss by leaping ou. OF the low windows
TO the ground and even a couple Of intrepid
members OF tho fair madc their this way.
While this going on tho people in tho parqust
and galleries looking about In aston shme and
not few in dismay.
MANAGER REscUE.
movement TO the doors was no doubt, neditated,
but tho timely action of Mr.. William j. Fleming the
manager OF the theatre, went tar to cstab-
lish confidence and put end to tho OK
| element Leapng the stage ho called
| to the audience 10 keep their seats
and assured them that tho without fouuda.
tion. .sThe cry Of Fire" said Mr.. Fleming sswas
uttered by some malicious pcrson--by soulc man un-
worthy Of tho name-and here offer $50 rewnrd for
tho apprehension OF tho ruian" These words uttered
coolly and In a busness-lko way, but loud
enough 10 be heard above the tumult cGectualy put
an end TO tho panic. People resumed their seats,
somc who were In rho asles returned their placeS
and although tho pufing OF steam engine
outside which had been summoned the
first alarm, had anything but rcassurna
effect the audience seemed satisfied that <hcy were
OF danger and tho play proceeded without inter
rupion tho ond As tho curtain fell upon the last
Mr. Fleming appeared upon the stage once more.
| He said that II his conviction that the cry
| OF fire uttered by person who had been In
duced 10 the disturbance by people interested
In rival theatrical venture.
TIE FINAL RESULT.
| Beyond tho dapidston of several hats and bon.
nets and the loss OF valuable brcastpn by lady 10
tho audience tho panic resulted IN damage or loss
| to any one.