The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-19

Bsteps from the entrance leading 10 ths paraues and
lsssas from the sss, e ,s =: s:sssy
Mn Auprr's srArrNHxr.
Mr.. Henry Il. Abbey. the uanager. said TO tho
HERALD reportcr:-sI WAS up stairs In my once
when one Of the boys cane up aud told me that
aely went down to what was the matter and what
could be done. There was some smoke in
n sn I not yet penetrated to the auditorium.
1t did not at first II 1t would be necessary to
were at their several stations. and everything
under perfect control. The stage wss ~ well
feit perfectly assured OF the safety OF the gu.
dience. Still very little thing alarms .
crowd, and there were between eight hundred and
ments were such that am conhdent NO could have
subdued what little tre there without the knowl-
edge OF any away from the. front OF theatre II IL
had not been for the smoke getting through these
doors and in among the audience"
How did the people get out whom they knew there
..Those on the ground floor went mostly through
through the private boxes and across the stage
into Twenty-second street I think the whole
house smptsa In ~ few 5snS,ss
to speak to the audience and assure them
that they were in perfect safety. Mr.: Emmett vas
quietly ont. We were not given opportunity to
return the money. but all those who were here are
welcome to come again and See the performance"
Glow many exits are to the street beside the ono
where the fire occurredY
prepared emergency
could scarcely get into trouble. no matter what side
unessiness at There two exits. large Ones
from the second tier and there are two fror tho
gallery. On the ground floor there two ways
Of leaving the house beside the one where
the smoke originated. 1t was mostly in
smoking that this accident occurred You see we
have printed notices up all round in the lobby for
bidding it, and think some gentleman who was
smoking he came into the theatre one Of the
notices and threw away his cigar cigarette. In
throwing it from him it entered one of these holes
I'm he front of he &C
The audience left the house very quietly. The
officer on duty in front OF the house spoke to Them
so did Mr.. Emmett, and standing at the door to
see that nobody belonging to the house became
alarmed 1t was all In very little while and
beyond the Inconvenience to the audience ! don't
think there has been much harm DONE.
you keep fremen on the stage. do You not?'
eyes. the department Keeps man there. They
used to have two, but the number has been reduced
to one lately. That however, is enough particu-
our own All the stage hands and Aymen can
handle hose and the machinery on the stage
like experts. and we feel as secure at all times
as they can in any, theatre that know OF.
II danger to arise we could throw open our i'm
mense double door in the very centre OF the back
wall looking into Twentysecond street that would
give free passage to.a vast body OF people.
A theatre is probably a more delicate house
to handle than any other. and manager
has the responsibility of many people his
shoulders day. but there IL no precaution that
r rnbe ay safely trust us to do ali possible to se
cure them. The alarm was promptly rung on the
stage and in front OF the house when we discovered
lie to think Of"
MIR. EMMETs STORY.
Among the knot OF people congregated around
Manager Abbey, just inside the darkened auditorium.
at twenty minutes past nine was noticeable man
features and the clean professional face. 1t
was Emmett, the actor. His tattered garments Of u
everyday iife and thar wide fur-collared overcoat
which stamps the prosperous "star'' in winter
weather. was tightly. nattily buttonsd about him.
Said he to the HERALD reporter
II had just ceased singing when saw the commo-
ton among the audience: 1t was for q moment
opened and the smoke rushed IN I
knew what it was in moment The confusion was
becoming greater and walked to tho front. hear
ing some shouting to let the music play.
1 said to the audience that this was not
advisable; would advise them to go quietly out.
and the Twenty-second street doors. They
all, thank God. got out safely"
..Did you remain all the timo on the stageY'
'When saw the danger was quite over-a very
short space OF time. remember-I went. There were
two things to claim my attention-my wife and my
i'll face OF such moment How dear the
is to me. cannot measure. but othcr-the
Mrs. Emmett found little shaken by the
fright. Tor you know, they could not tell
behind the exactly how much or, rather. how
little danger there WIS"
but about the wardrobe?"
"Ah. that The thought OF losing 1t was tor
II suppose it was very valuaber
"Wel-that depends. l don't suppose I could sell
them in Chatham street for 81 so. but to newell.
$500 suit would not buy them from me. They are
wonderful When have picked them up all over
quaint. old coat. old vest. old pipe old cap. old
anything that might suit me. l seized upon
no, 70 take BY force IL NECESSARY same
used UP old thing that you would not dress your
Niger in at target excursion You don't know
what that passion is-well you are not dialect
..Are they safe. these incalculable ragsg"
81 had them locked up ready for instant removal
in ten minutes-and now my mind Ia easy. But
sorry those people here tonight did not hear the
play out They can, however, come and welcome
tomorrow night--alI Of them. parquet. balcony.
gallery.
"No matter how. We may be imposed on; but
then, you know. better that ninety nine unjust
bhoys' should get in than that one genuine: Il
out in the cold. Take cgar?"
IGNORES EXPERIENCE.
Patrolman John Ii. Genore, of the Twenty ninth
precinct, detailed for duty last evening at the
Park Theatre by Captain Berghold: He remained at
the ticket Office until the curtain rose. Then he
took up position in the auditorium the Broad
way entrance. Hc gave the Following statement
cry OF Sire was raised: He said it was about Ave
minutes to nine o'clock when two boys rushed into
the snd ran Snd sns si ~,
and 'n looked an.iously around When the boys
waited in by the breeze. The audience
both saw and smelled J., and almost Immediately
Jumped from their seats and wildly about.
They made their way toward the Broadway entrance.
and upon pushing open inc aoor found the
men made their way through It. but
the women rushed back and Mr.. Emmett who was
singing the song, ''She Tainted Away in My Arms"
stopped and informed the audience. who had by this
time become frantic, that there was no danger and
that he would be obliged to them II they would leave
by the Twcnty-second street entrance At the tims
the rush was made for the entrance leading
10 Broadway Mr.. Abbey requested the officer to
keep the door closed, so as to prevent any more
smoke getting into the auditorium. When the order
was gwen number OF men tried to force
back. The performers in the orchestra rushed
10 and fro, and tho ladies were trampled
upon and had their dresses torn by the men who
were panic stricken The excitement lasted abo hvo
minutes and during that time he tried to pacfy tho
people,. At the request of Mr. Emmett the audience
made their way toward the hallway which opens
Twenty second street. The passageway was suf-
cient, and in short time the theatre was deserted
by all excepting the employees and the officer
THE TAKER's STORY.
Mr. Isanc waA. the doorrnan ut the front OF the
house. said =: ATTRACTED by the smell of fire went
The stairs ntn tho lobby and looked around.