Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-25
FIRE RECORD.

The Holocaust at Nfce-sixty-Nine Dead Bodies Recovered-Dismal Scenes at the Disaster.
 LONDON, March 25.-The latest despatch from Nice says sixty-nine dead bodies have been recovered from the ruins of the opera house. The subscribers for the orchestra stalls and boxes of the grand tier had mostly not arrived when the fire broke out. A majority of the victims belong to the work ing class. Soon after the fire began the gas exploded. and the house was plunged into complete darkness. A scene of terror and dismay ensued which beggars description. detachment of sailors from the squadron in the harbor arrived on the scene withipumps. and displayed great gallantry in rescuing people and combating the fire, which was subdued toward 10 o'clock.
 A Painful -Rumor William Walter
 Phelps Thought to be Victim of the
 FIre-Shocktng Scenes i'm the Town.
 NEW YORK, March 24.-A rumor was circu- lated this morning that William Walter Phelps, who was nominated yesterday as Minister to Austria, was among the victims of the fire at the opera house at Nice. In- quiry at MT. Phelps office in this city re- suited in the discovery that MT. Phelps and family when last heard from were at Nice. Mir. Bond, his business associate telegraphed to that point at II o'clock for information, but up to 3:30 p. m. no response to the dis patch had been received His friends hope for the best but under the circumstances feel nervous and entertain grave fears
 A special cable from Nice says the scene in the town is indescribable One lady, whose | eho,,I h,,r,, to 6aof tfod suicide The usual complaint made re- specting defective means of escape and water supply. Most of the victims belonged to the working classes. One whole family of five and another of three perished. The impress sario Strakosch was slightly hurt. The val uable regatta prizes have been given to the fund for the sufferers
 A Measuring Report.
 PARIS. March 24.-There were no Ameri- ican or English citizens lost in the burning of the opera house at Nice.
 A Description of the Theatre.
 CHICAGO, March 24.-Madam Ambree, now playing with the French opera company in this city, was asked Do you know any thing about the opera house at Nice which was burned?" f'Do I know? Mon dieu, why sang there many times. It is the most gorgeously finished play house in France. There are five tiers of boxes, but the build ing will seat only about 2,OoO The boxes are elegantly finished. The proscenium boxes are much finer than any have ever seen else where. One of them is always occupied dur ing the performances by the Duke of Hamil- ton and the other by French anonymous of much celebrity. The theatre stands on the east side of the Paillon, dry river down whose course. however, a torrent occasionally rises, inundating the whole city. The street on which it stands is mean, narrow alley way. AdeIina Patti is now singing under Max Strakosch at Monaco, the great gam bling resort, about half an hours ride from Nice She has not been singing in Nice late ly that know of. I know Madame Blanca Donadio very well. She is a handsome crea- ture, tall and large, and her voice is like birds You should see her to believe how grand and fascinating she is. am glad she escaped, for she is one of my dearest friends. She is a wonderful woman and remember, only thirty years of age"
 A saO,OOO Blaze at Chicago.
 CHICAGO, H., March 24.-Fire broke out this morning in the old Excelsior Hotel, de- stroying it and several neighboring retail stores. Loss $2O,Oo0, insurance small.