The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-01
RIOTOUS GAMBLERS.
TunultuOus Scenes at the Fort Wayne
Masonic Gift Concert.
The Whole Affair Denoxneed as q Base
SwfDdle.
Fort Wayne Sentinel Dec. 81

circumstances highly dramatic and
Sensational sidsats, =. The concert was IN
scheme, by which fund Is beng
raised for the erection of a Masonic temple
and opera house. The sale of tickets has
been very large, and has extended all over
the west. In this and surrounding counties
many hundreds OF tickets were purchased,
and the buyers came to this city in large
numbers for the purpose of attending the
concert.
The streets were well filled with strangers
yesterday, and in the afternoon movement
began toward the Academy, which was grad
ually increased until O'Clock, when there
was vast crowd about the doors clamoring
for admittance. The crowd kept or SWELL
ing until Barry street was literally igmmed
for nearly a block on either side
of the building. The doors were not
opened until O'Clock, when the anxious
ones poured into the building. Every inch
Of standing room in the ediice was occu-
pied, and 1t was impossible 10 force another
human being into the auditorium. Then
the excitement began. There were about
1000 people in the building, and perhaps
that many more were clamoring to get in.
or those who bad gained entrance, a small
proportion were Fort Wayne people, and at
least two-thirds of those who got left'' were
from the country or surrounding towns
Their Indignation knew no bounds Men
were there with wives and children, some of
hour, only 10 be disappointed at last. So
dense was the throng that the crowd had
not been appreciably diminished by the
large number that had got into the
Academy, and many were there who did
not know that the doors had been opened
Some astute genius circulated the report
that the building was filled with Fort Wayne
| people who had been admitted by private
| entrance, and that the outsiders were ex-
Guided purposely. In vain did the officers
and guards attempt to explain the situation.
/ To use vuigarism, the people wouldn't
have 1t. The women were especially yo-
| ciferous in their expressions of indignation,
and sdoke their minds freely and yolubly.
Isn't it awful?" well, declare TO good.
ness." did you ever." sit Is miserable
swindle." They re set of old thieves,'
were few of the expressions heard ON every
side.
| The men were decidedly profance and the
air was fairly blue with sulpAurous exple-
tives. The turmoil was increasing and de-
| spite the efforts OF the large pos of officers,
it looked as if there would be trouble and
! perhaps an attack on the building 1t was
impossible 10 proceed with the concert, and
H. N Ward Esq, appeared on the front
balcony to the angry passions of the mob
He received warm reception, and
retired in disgust, several snow balls being
thrown after him. Things were getting no
better very fast, and in a few moments Ma
yor Zoliinger appeared on the balcony and
demanded silence. The turmoil ceased for
q moment, when the mayor attempted
to explain that the building was
SO full that it would not hold
another person. open the doors"
You're a Cd id set of thieves" Its
id swindle" and divers other similar
expressions were fred off at the mayor, who
didn't give them any peroration, but broke
off abruptly and vanished through the
window. John D, Odds, Esq, spoke a few
words, which were received with any
thing but enthusiasm, and finally the
Hon. R G. come to the front and begged the
crowd to be good humored. He thanked
the people for their generous patronage of
this magnificent enterprise-(a voice, Yes,
it's hi of an enterprise" land announc-
ed that the building was full and would hold
no more. he said that the drawing could
not take place for several days, and begged
the crowd to peacefully dispense
During all of these speeches snow balls
and more dangerous missiles were thrown.
An impression gained ground that the
building was not full and several desperate
attempts were made to break In the doors,
but the policemen and firemen repuled the
angry crowd. Finally the crowd began to
diminish, and the people departed in twos
and threes, uttering curses and stoutly de-
nouncing the thing as swindle.
Fort Wayne Gazette, Dec. I'll
The grand undertaking of the Masonic
lrdttTHitl, "nlCu 10 W ItSuit III tue cIcCIlDR
of Masonic Temple and Opera House in
this city, before the close OF another
year. eliminated last night In a grand
concert at the Academy. For months
past, the members of the fraternity, and
Others interested in the undertaking, have
worked hard to dispose of the chances in
ting scheme which are to accomplish the de
sired end. The plan was to sell tickets at
81, which would entitle the holder to ad.
mission TO the concert, and give him q
chance in the grand drawing. in which
prizes range from 81 to $1,000 About
5000 tickets were sold up 10 last night,
and as q result every tram which came in
yesterday brought in people who proposed
attending the concert The doors were not
opened until Z, and within 20 minutes from
that time every seat and the standing room
| in the aisles was taken, the crowd being es-
timated at not less than 1000 Unfortunate
ly the town people had not accepted The
suggestion to remain away, and at least hal
of those present were from home.
Each moment increased the size OF the
crowd, until 1t reached from the engine
house almost to Barr street, NUMBERING
nearly 5000 and became bowling and un
ruly mob. The managers did all IN theil
power to quell the disturbance and explain
70 the people the situation, but they were
answered by curses, some even going SO fsl
as 10 throw missiles at the speaker snc
threaten to destroy the building, and furthel
violence was only prevented by the police
assisted by the firemen, who had been called
to the rescue.
The affair was most unfortunate through
out, but the management was not to blame
/ first come We're first served and when thu
building was filled, all that could be dom
was to explain the situation. Before tn,
, disturbance was quelled the hour for open
ing the concert arrived, when the Hon
| r. c. Bell was introduced to the audienc'
by John l. White, Esq, who. explained