The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-29
BAD EFrEols OF a REPUTATION.
Very Nearly aPanIc nj the Holiday
Atreet Theatre.

HtFeet Theatre.
Baltimore, Mn, December GA panic
with Its attendant terrible consequences,
wasnarrowly averted at the Holiday street
Theatre matinee this afternoon, aud fora
few minutes the most intense alarm and
apprehension was felt. Kate Claxton was
playing LOUISE" in the Two Orphans,
and, as is generally the case, the audience
was easily alarmed, recalling, as play
goers usually do in witnessing her perfor-
ance in this role, the numerous panics
that have arisen from fre-alarms.
The house. with fashionable audience,
the majority being ladies and children,
was densely packed. Not only was every
seat and box occupied on the first and sec
ond floors, but tho aisles and entrances
were crowded. The play went smoothly
to the last act: 4 few minutes before the
time for the curtain to rise some one near
the entrance called the attention Of Mr..
Myers, the door-keeper, to the fact that a
man was intoxicated and acting in some
what disorderly manner near the head Of
one OF the aisles. Mr.. Myers approached
him quietly and requested him to leave
the building. The man hesitated, where
upon Myers drew him toward the lobby.
Upon reaching the vestible the man turn
ed quickly and struck Myers violent
blow in the face, drawing blood from his
nose. Irritated beyond endurance, rs he
says, by the assault, Myers, who is man
OF powerful physique, clutched the man,
and sharp struggle ensued Just at the
entrance. All the doors leading into the
auditorium were open, to afford better
ventilation for the large house, and the
noise Of the struggling men was heard in
side and quickly caused an alarm.
Some one called out, in the hope, proba-
bly,, OF allaying the momentarily increas
ing excitement: at is only a fight But
the word "6ght" was thought by some TO
be "ilre." The audience rose almost en-
masse, and for the space OF two or three
minutes the situation was OF the gravest
character. Police Captain Lamar, ,whowas
standing near the entrance, quickly seized
and separated the combatants, Myers be-
ing in the act Of forcing the man out OF the
lobby toward the outer entrance, and then
sprang quickly up the staircase leading to
Lu9 uEedh-CLIGltV HtllGu was geluB DtOChcA
up by persons making their exit, The
Captain was ably seconded in his efforts
to allay the alarm that had seized upon
the audience by several other officers and
detectives, aud the theatrical employees,
Tho exit doors from the lower floors In.
to the outer lobby were very properly
kept closed. and everything that could be
done by those persons who preserved
their presence OF mind was done instant.
lly. Captain Lannan forced the crowd on
the staircase back, assuring them there
was no danger, and only two or three
screaming women reached the lower
landing. One, In her eager haste, hurled
herself on the tiled floor in q
semi conscious state, followed by an
other screaming for her child.
In the lower part Of the house the scene
was thrilling. Fear was depicted on near
" every face, and many manifested dis.
position to escape, but were treasured by
the voices Of several persons who pressed
back the struggling mass OF humanity that
Il was surging in the aisle, and assured them
that their fears were groundless. Just al
this critical moment Mr.. Stevenson step
ned on the stage, in semi.undress, as he
was inst dressing for the part Of Pierre y
followed by Kate Claxton. Mr.. Stevenson
mad also aseertained the cause OF the
trouble, and begged the audience 10 be
seated, assuring them that there was no
danger. This statement, coupled with
the reassuring expressions Of other gen
tlemen, had the desired effect, and the
excitement gradually abated. Several l9
dies who had tainted were revived Will
applications of cold water, and very teV
persons left the theatre.
The curtain soon rose on the last acf
disclosing Miss Claxton quietly sleeping
on rude pallet, and Mr.. Stevenson II
the part OF Pierre standing cooiy by
neither apparently disconnected in tn
4 slightest degree. The house applaudet
warmly, and the play continued withou
further interruptionto 10 the close.