The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-25
DEATHS CARNIVAL
HORRIBLE HOLOCAUST IN AN EU'
ROPEAN THEATRE,
Early Reports OF the Calamity at Nice
Sadly COFrobsFated by Fuller PAFtIeu.
IAFs-NoFe than Hundred COFpSes
Recovered "A Gas Explosion
the Cause OF tho Fatal Fire,
NICE OPERA HOUSE FIRE.
Early Reports sadly COrFObOEated b.
Additional PAEIienlAFH.

Early Reports sadly COrF0bOFAted by
Additional Particulars.
NICE, March 24.-Up TO this hour Rlty'
niue bodies have been recovered from the
ruins Of the Italian Opera House, destroyed
by fire last night, and it is feared many
more lost their lives, The fire commenced
soon after the curtain had risen for the
performance of Lucia Dl LAmmermoor.
The subscribers for the orchestra seats and
boxes and grand tier had mostly not ar
rived, A majority Of the victims belong
to the working class, Shortly after the
FIRE began the gas exploded and the
house was plunged into complete dark
ness. A scene Of terror and dismay
ensued which beggars description. A
detachment Of sAilors from a squadron
in the harbor arrived on the scene and
displayed great gallantry In Tescuiug the
people and controlling the FIRE, which was
subdued toward 10 o'clock. Strakosh, the
impreSsarlo, was slightly hurt. signora
Blanca Donald, one Of the leading artists,
made her way from the stage to the street
in safety. One whole family OF five per.
sons and another family oil three persons
are known 10 have persisted. Relief sub
scriptions for the sufferers have been
opened throughout Nice. The regatta
here has been countermanded, and the
value OF the prizes to have been contested
for will be contributed toward the relief oil
the dlstress.
New York, March PA dispatch from
Nice says: The holocaust at the Opera
House last evening was caused by gas
explosion at the back OF the stage, which
set Are to the scenery. The flames spread
with alarming rapidity and soon envelop.
ed the gas metre. The supply oil gas be.
ing cut off the body OF The house was
soon plunged in darkness. The crowd
rushed madly towards the limited means
OF exit. The audience was large, and In
the panic hundreds were thrown down
deayored to extricate the people hopeless.
ly jammed between the door way and
passages, describe the scene as terri.
BILE. The shrieks ofthe wounded mingled
with those In the galleries, whose every
means Of escape was cut of.
Nine. Donardio, the prima donna, was
saved, but the tenor, basso, baritone and
number Of the chorus singers were
burned.
Up to midnight 16O bodies were ex.
tracted from the the ruins. A man who
escaped from the gallery by jumping, de.
Clares that, with perhaps 0 dozen excep
tions, every person In his part OF the house
was burned. Some sailors were lost. A
number OF American and English visitors
rendered signal assistance In saving life.
The scene In the town is indescribable.
One lady, whose husband was burned 10
death, committed suicide. The usual com.
plants are made respecting the defective
means OF escape and the water supply.
Although the Mediterranean washes the
shore at the foot oil the walls OF the the.
atre, no water could be obtained when
wanted, and the beautiful opera house Ia
complete wreck.
Col. Mapleson, slgnor Ardita, signor
MOnti aud Nine. Gerster's husband at the
rehearsal to-day In the Academy OF
Music, this city, were much depressed by
the news Of the terrible calamity at Nice.
Denadio sang in New York with Albani
some years ago. The tenor was known
to be De Villiers, a Frenchman, thirty.
I've years OF sge, and not remarkable for
any excellence on the lyric stage. The
baritone was Carbone, and the bassn, q
Pole named Miller, who has enjoyed
continental reputation many years. He
was an old man, over sixty perhaps,
SignOr Mont knew him well and was
much affected by the report OF the injuries
he has sustained. Ferdinand Strakosch is
believed to have been impressario OF the
troop, and Signor Balognini, manager OF
the theatre.
Charles Mapleson said the theatre cost
In the neighborhood $350,000, and was
built without regard to architectural de.
sign. The outside walls were Of brick,
chiefly, with blocks OF stone interlarded for
the seeming purpose Of making the struc.
ture appear unsightly. The interior look.
ed very pretty with its ornamented walls,
and ceilings and dazzling gtlded work, but
It was all "gincraCk." have heard pro.
iessional people, who are accustomed to
the strongly built and handsome theatres
Of America say, "What magnificent
structure for a bonfire" II resembled a
great many Of tho lightly built theatres
found In The south Of France. Like all
theatres established OF watering places,
its seasons was short, never extending
over three months in the year. The "Star"
there this season was Miss Rosina Isidore,
who last year made signal success in
London. She is the proleRe OF the Baron.
ess Rothschild Her parents reside In 81.
Louis, Mo.
Up 10 three o'clock this afternoon sixty.
three corpses have been extriCated from
the ruins Of The Opera House, mostly 1tal.
ian artisans. Among the dead is German
doctor, named Arend.